Student Grade Complaints
Tips for How to Deal with Angry Students Who Challenge Your Grading
"But you gave Amanda a B and she didn't even study! And you took off 10 points for the stupidest thing!" Here's how to deal with student grade complaints.
Grading is one of the worst parts of being a teacher, and one of the most stressful parts of grading is dealing with grade complaints from students. Nobody likes to have their authority or their grading methods challenged, and nobody likes to deal with confrontations with angry students. Here are some tips to help you handle this unfortunate aspect of teaching.
Create Grading Rubrics and Detailed Assignment Sheets
One of the best ways to deal with grading complaints--or to stop them before they start-- is to have a detailed system for assigning grades. Write assignment sheets that very clearly explain what's expected of students on this assignment. If possible, grade assignments using rubric sheets that explain exactly how points are computed.
This way, when a student comes to talk about a grade, you can say, "Okay, you've expressed concern that I deducted six points from your bibliography. Well, right here on the assignment, I explained clearly that you needed to use at least three sources that weren't from the Internet, and that your sources needed to follow APA format correctly. Because you missed these two important criteria, I deducted six out of 10 points from your bibliography." Hopefully, the conversation can then turn into a primer on how to cite sources correctly.
Let the Student Calm Down
Never discuss a grade in class, when the student is angry and upset. Always tell the student to read over your comments carefully, and make an appointment to discuss things in a day or so. In fact, it's a good idea to write this into your syllabus as a class policy.
Assert Confidence
When you receive a grade complaint, consider the possibility that you're wrong and may need to change a grade. However, keep in mind that you're probably in the right. It's your class, and you know more about the subject and the assignment.
Never let the student think or know that you are intimidated by the complaints. If a student thinks you're intimidated, they will go in for the kill. Unfortunately, gender often becomes a dynamic in these kinds of power struggles. Instructors who are young and female need to be on the lookout for students who are looking to intimidate, and to refuse to give in.
One way to avoid letting intimidation govern a grade change is to refuse to make one on the spot. You can cut off a heated conversation with, "Okay, I've listened to your points. I'm sorry you're so upset about this. Why don't you leave me your paper so I can look it over carefully, and I'll give you a decision tomorrow?"
Occasionally, a student can express their anger in a manner that is inappropriate or even physically threatening. Never be afraid to ask a student to tell a student that his or her behavior is inappropriate, or to ask a student to leave your office.
Think Discussion, Not Complaint
If you can turn a grade complaint into a discussion about how a student can improve for next time, you've turned a difficult situation into a constructive one. Keep in mind that some students who appear to be complaining about a grade really just want a discussion because they don't understand why they were penalized.
Sit down with the student and say, "Wow, I know you're not happy with that grade. Why don't I go over my comments with you, and then I'll help you come up with a plan for doing better on the next paper?" Avoid getting defensive, and assume the best from your student.
Avoid Negotiations
One of the most annoying kinds of grade complainers is a student who comes to negotiate. They think you should only take two points off for the bibliography instead of six (but they're willing to settle for four), and they have a long list of tiny points dispute in hopes of adding numbers to the final grade. This is actually one of the problems with using a rubric, as students can use it to debate the nitty-gritty of their scores.
Refuse to play this childish game. Don't be afraid to state explicitly, "I'm not here to negotiate." Make sure the word gets out that you don't negotiate, lest other students try it.
Avoid Comparisons to Other Student's Grades
There's a simple response to students who argue that you graded someone else's paper differently than yours, and that is, "It's inappropriate and illegal for me to discuss other students' grades with you."
Get Help if Necessary
As much as you possible can, deal with grade complaints on your own. However, if a complaint escalates, don't be afraid to refer a student to your supervisor. If this happens, sit down calmly with your supervisor and explain how you graded this student. Then the supervisor can deal with the student-- and in most (but not all) cases, the supervisor will stand up for the teacher.
Dealing with grade complaints is one of the most undesirable parts of teaching, but don't let the process intimidate you. Listen carefully to each complaints, and be willing to change a grade if you made an error-- but have confidence in your grading and don't let anyone push you around.
