Teacher Fired After Refusing To Give Students Credit For Not Turning In Homework

This is a perfect example of how CRAPPY some teachers have it.

According to Fox Carolina, a St. Lucie County teacher, Diane Tirado, was fired after refusing to give students credit for not turning in homework.

She assigned an explorer notebook project, which she said she gave students two weeks to complete.

When several students didn’t turn it in, Tirado found out about what she calls a “no zero” policy, which is reflected in the West Gate student and parent handbook. Below the grading rubric, in red lettering, the handbook states “NO ZEROS- LOWEST POSSIBLE GRADE IS 50%”

“What if they don’t turn anything in?” Tirado said she asked administrators. “‘We give them a 50.’ I go, ‘Oh, we don’t.’ This is not kosher.’”

She was “let go” on Sept 14. There was no specific reason listed, but she had a hunch.

Tirado was terminated on Sept.14, but there’s no specific cause mentioned in the letter from the principal because she she was still in her probationary period, according to the letter.

Before she left, she wrote this note to her students.

A bunch of students agreed with her.

“You were right about not giving people 50s because why would you give them half credit for doing nothing?” one student wrote.

Here’s the statement released by chief information officer Kerry Padrick:

“Diane Tirado was employed as a teacher for St. Lucie Public Schools (SLPS) from July 30, 2018 to September 14, 2018. She was contracted as a teacher on probationary status, and was terminated shortly after one month of classroom instruction.

SLPS values the importance of maintaining a high-quality teaching staff who support students’ individualized learning needs; who understand the value of forming appropriate and positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents; and who provide accurate and productive feedback to students on assignments. Wavering on the expectations of quality is not an option.

There is no District or individual school policy prohibiting teachers from recording a grade of zero for work not turned in. The District’s Uniform Grading System utilizes letter grades A-F, numerical grades 100-0 and grade point averages from 4-0.”

Still, Tirado said she was told she couldn’t give a student a zero. She’s NOT complying.

“A grade in Mrs. Tirado’s class is earned,” she said.

Darn straight. I’m with Tirado.

h/t Fox Carolina