‘Yes, zeros’ policy would apply for missed work

“Students can earn zeros, and we want to make sure that’s clear in the policy.”

SARAH HOFFMAN

Public school students will get zeros for missed assignments or exams if the board approves a new draft policy released Friday afternoon.

In the past, some Edmonton schools have banned the grade, forcing teachers to give an incomplete instead. But the proposed district-wide policy says specifically that marks between zero and 100 per cent can be given out.

“Students can earn zeros, and we want to make sure that’s clear in the policy,” said board chair Sarah Hoffman. “We expect all students to do their work, and if they don’t, they will be held accountable.”

The policy goes to first reading at the Edmonton public school board meeting Tuesday, but school officials and the public will have six weeks to comment before the policy is finalized.

The district will also hold telephone town-hall meetings on the topic, but dates have not been set.

Ross Sheppard High School’s no-zero policy made news across the country last May when physics teacher Lynden Dorval was suspended and eventually lost his job after he gave students zeros for missed work.

At that time, the district’s policy was silent on whether zero was an acceptable mark. The decision was made on a school-by-school basis, with many teachers assigning behaviour codes rather than zeros to indicate work wasn’t done.

The practice was intended to encourage teachers to continue to work with students to get the work done.

The proposed change is good news to Allan Garber, co-chair of the Ross Sheppard parent council.

“We’re thrilled. It’s very important for students to know that if they don’t perform, it can result in some serious consequences,” he said.

The change will give teachers more flexibility when deciding how to mark, he said. “We don’t do the students a favour by coddling them too much.”

The district’s assessment policy has been under review since September.

Hoffman said the board always intended to review the policy, but started sooner because of the public controversy.

If the policy is passed, schools will be expected to conform. she said.

“The expectation is that all schools will follow policies,” Hoffman said.