A student questioning a grade isn’t a problem. In fact, it should be encouraged. Inquiring why they received a particular grade shows initiative and the desire to do well.
Following up with how they believe they deserve a higher grade is, in my book, also okay.
Mere complaining, however, is not.
Because it carries with it an element of rudeness and disrespect. The desire here isn’t to learn for future reference or to have an earnest discussion of standards.
No, it’s to guilt, persuade, or intimidate you into changing the grade.
Still, it must be handled delicately. Because, you see, complaining does show that they care, which you never want to stifle.
What follows is a six-step response that discourages complaining but doesn’t suppress their chutzpah and thirst to succeed.
Step #1 – Stay cool.
Remember, when a student approaches you about their grade, it means that they care about it. So your first step is to keep your cool and refrain from shutting them down.
Ignore their bluster for the time being and just listen.
Remain open minded to their concerns and keep your options open as well. This is key because the student may have a good point hidden within their grievance.
Step #2 – Don’t respond immediately.
Never respond to a complaint during your first meeting with the student. Just give them a chance to vent. When they pause for your reaction, say:
“Let me do some research and get back to you.”
This response adds a level of seriousness to their charge while at the same time reminding them of your position as an authority. More importantly, it puts you in control and gives them time to cool off.
It also flips a psychological switch that causes them to be more respectful. They’ll almost always thank you and may even apologize for their aggressiveness.
Step #3 – Give the facts.
Perhaps you already knew what the facts were. No matter. It pays to wait a few hours or even a day to respond. When you’re ready, approach the student and give only the facts:
“Here is a copy of the rubric. You didn’t complete number five, which is why you got a ‘B’ on the essay.”
It’s okay to explain further as long as you stick with the data. After a smile and a reassuring “I know you’ll get an ‘A’ next time,” walk away.
If you’re still teaching online because of Covid, this can also be done through email.
Step #4 – Teach your class.
Sending a message to one or more students via the entire class is a powerful classroom management strategy (that we’ll cover in a future article).
The way it works in this case is that you would teach your entire class how to respectfully inquire about a grade—when and how to approach you, what to say, how to be prepared, etc.
It only takes a few minutes, but it sends an unforgettable message to the complaining student as well as the rest of the class. The result is that few if any students will ever approach you disrespectfully about a grade again.
Step #5 – Enforce.
If the student left their seat without permission or failed to raise their hand before approaching you, then absolutely follow your classroom management plan the moment it happens.
Ask them to make an appointment or see you during lunch time. If they’re blatantly disrespectful, then you can enforce a consequence after they’ve cooled down.
However, in neither case should it interfere with steps one through four.
Step #6 – Connect.
At some point, perhaps a day later, be sure to cruise by the student’s desk and give them a silent fist bump or share a joke and a smile to let them know that you don’t hold a grudge.
After all, we’ve all been there.
Personally, I behaved like a jerk on a few occasions in college. I’m embarrassed about it now, but I know how easy it is to get fired up and sucked into the over-importance of grades.
Become an Expert
Like so much of classroom management, misbehavior, disrespect, complaining etc. is an opportunity.
It’s an opportunity to solidify respect for you, increase your authority and influence, and teach your class a valuable lesson. Yes, it takes a bit of time out of your day and some initial self-control.
But it’s so worth it.
Because it can make an impression on students years down the road. To quote an oft-used phrase here at SCM:
“As teachers, we’re not just trying to get through each day, we’re endeavoring to instill skills and lessons that last a lifetime.”
PS – Now is the perfect time to become an expert in classroom management. Check out our bestselling books in the sidebar. If you’re new to SCM, The Classroom Management Secret is a great place to start.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, please join us. It’s free! Click here and begin receiving classroom management articles like this one in your email box every week.
Good morning Michael,
As always, this is spot on advice! I’d like to add a couple of thoughts, if I may. Like many schools today, all our grades are online and students and their adults can check them anytime. I encourage my students (high school) to check their grades often and I also encourage them to talk to me if they have any questions or concerns about a grade.
Of course, this means I need to stay current on grading and in recording their grades on our platform. I think it’s helpful for everyone when the students can always know where they stand. It also means students may approach me with questions about a grade while the assignment is still relatively fresh in my mind.
Michael mentioned showing the student the rubric. For every assignment that isn’t a simple right/wrong situation (i.e. multiple choice quizzes, math problems, etc.), ALWAYS have a rubric! And USE the rubric while grading! Not only does it help ensure more consistent grading across the board, it enables me to show a student exactly why they got the grade they did. This probably sounds like a no brainer but I’m surprised at how many teachers don’t use rubrics.
Finally, I’d say admit when you’ve gotten it wrong. I am human and I have made mistakes, whether it was simply a “typo” in recording the grade, missing something out of tiredness, or whatever. Saying “I was wrong” is also a wonderful way to model admitting mistakes for my students. I lose none of my authority and gain major respect points in my students’ eyes.
Thanks for letting me put in my two cents!
I agree! We are completely remote now and Google Classroom’s rubric feature is fantastic! As an ELA teacher, it enables me to be consistent and fair in my grading practices.
Such great advice. Thank you!
excellent advice!
This is great. Thank you for breaking it down objectively but approaching it with compassion and understanding. These are my favorite things about SCM.
Respect is earned. Sadly, they deserve none these days. Very few parents I know would waste their time conversing with one.
I deal with students from a demographic where constant arguing is the students’ method of choice. Their parents are not educated and the students’ survival strategy is to argue until they get what they want and they use this on teachers and expect the same eventual outcome. The most powerful strategy here is the walk away after delivering the facts, whether they accept it or not. They are so used to breaking their parents down that they need an adult to finally stand up to them. I believe that the walk away is also a strategy to use on the parents as they are often even less educated than the students and are quite used to bad teachers just pandering to them.
what does being educated have to do with anything
The more accurate statement should be “they don’t value education”.
There are uneducated and educated people who know and respect the value of learning and have a reasonable work ethic. They teach their children how to be accountable and work hard. There are also educated and uneducated people who don’t hold those same values.
Sound and reasonable guidance. Thank you.
Very helpful for educators
Michael, I did this today. This 11th-grade student has been challenging me all year, always over something he did incorrectly because he wasn’t paying attention in class. You could have heard a pin drop. Thank you for your sage advice.
I hate to ask this on the comment section, but it was the only way I knew how to reach you. I ordered a personal coaching session about one week ago. It is paid for, but I still have not heard back. I understand how busy you must be and you may need more time to respond. Totally fine! I just want to make sure you received my order and are aware that I did request and pay for a coaching session. Thank you so much and stay safe!
Hi Michael,
I didn’t see anything come through. Normally I would get back to you in a few hours. I’ll look into it and email you later this morning. I’m sorry for the trouble. We must have messed something up on our end.
I just sent you an email, Michael.