Does this seem fair?

[LostinNY]

My daughter is an honors student. She missed much of the month of June with a Neurological condition. We were constantly at the doctor. She thought she had made up all of her work, and had gone to all of her teachers asking for what she missed. She has never had below a 90 average and really needs to keep these grades for a chance at a college scholarship, college is something we really can't afford. Plus she really takes pride in her work.

I got an e-mail, after the fact, stating that two assignments weren't turned in and a quiz was missed so she's failing English this quarter. She is heart broken. She tells me it was a pop quiz she was never told about and that the teacher didn't give back and she was given the assignments but told it was the last day to turn them in and she couldn't get them done in time. The teacher says she "thinks" she was given them earlier and told about the quiz. My daughter's June attendance was spotty, so it wasn't like I could say she missed so many days in a row that she couldn't have received the assignments, but my daughter has never lied to me when it comes to school.

I'm not sure what to do. Her school is very strict and never wants to admit any wrong doing. Do I chalk it up to lesson learned or fight? She's pretty sure she will be kicked out of honor society, and this just makes her even more upset. The school has always known about her condition, but when she missed school I didn't notify them at the time that was why. I just thought she'd make it up like she did before. She doesn't like to be labeled "the sick one".

I know in the grand scheme of world problems this is nothing. But I hate to see her hurting.

[sakabatou]

1. Hmmm... I would say fight.

[Incitatus]

2. Sometimes the threat of getting your lawyer involved is enough to elicit corrective action. nt

[Sherman A1]

7. Precisely

Best of luck.

[msongs]

3. you may have grounds based on her medical issues nt

[Journeyman]

4. Always fight. Especially when it's your children. . . .

fight if for no other reason than to show your children there are issues worthing fighting for, and that they are high on your personal list of such issues.

[lob1]

5. Fight. Even if you lose, you'll feel better about yourself.

[LostinNY]

6. Thank you everyone!

You are all saying what I feel -- it's for my child and that makes it important. It will also make me feel better. I whole-heartedly support schools and teachers, but I think sometimes they are under a lot of pressure and feel like they can't admit if they made a mistake or should change something. And a lot of times teachers have to deal with situations that are no fault of their own. I just feel like my daughter deserves a chance to make up the work because she missed a lot of school through no fault of her own. And I just feel like I'm going to get an e-mail in the morning saying it's to late to do anything, when I know it isn't. If that happens, it will just make me feel less trusting toward her teacher, which I don't want because she is a nice person. I've worked in Education before and know things can still be changed. (School ends Fri.) I don't like to be lied to, just tell me the truth, I can take it!

[mopinko]

10. if this is a permanent situation-

get a 504 plan. usually under this plan there is an exemption on attendance and tutoring if needed.
you may have trouble with retroactive stuff, but it may help her keep her grades up.

[Wilms]

8. ^

[femmocrat]

9. Just call the principal and explain her situation.

If necessary, ask for a group conference with the principal, guidance counselor, the English teacher, your daughter, and you and her father, if possible. Bring in her records from the doctor to prove your case. I really think that will be enough to make your case.

If they don't fix it after that, then you can take legal action, if you decide to go that route. Good luck. (It just seems like some miscommunication to me.)

[Goblinmonger]

11. As a high school English teacher

anyone that flunks a kid for missing a quiz and two assignments (assuming these were minor and not major unit work) is a douchebag and is WAY too full of themselves. Call the Principal first if you have already talked to the teacher and that communication was not sufficient. That is your first line. Then, if it doesn't get resolved, go to the Superintendent. Only then bring in outside counsel. Don't jump right to the lawyer thing--use the proper channels.

[LostinNY]

12. They weren't major projects, just homework

And I've called the teacher 3 times and gotten one reply and she hasn't even told me when the quiz was she missed. I specifically asked that. We can't find any record of a quiz she didn't take, not even from her friends in the same class! Tomorrow is the last day of school and I'm getting the impression the teacher just can't wait to get out and ignore me.