Speaking Up For Your Grades
One of the skills that is important to hone in on, particularly in high school, is the ability to not only advocate for yourself as a student, but also for your grades. At some point or another, you will notice that there may be a discrepancy between what is included in the gradebook versus the work that you have actually done. Assignments might be mistakenly marked as missing, confusingly labeled, or have the wrong grades associated with them. It is important to know how to speak up for a grade because it is your right and responsibility as a student to make sure that your work is reflected accurately in your transcripts. Likewise, it is your responsibility to do your best on assignments and to turn them in promptly, while communicating with your teachers.
Before you reach out to a teacher, identify which assignment(s) you are inquiring about specifically. Then, ask yourself whether you are seeing an error or whether you simply have a clarifying question. This may require you to dig up your old assignments, either locating them on your computer or in a class folder or notebook, and seeing how your grade compares on paper to the grade shown in PowerSchool. If there is a noticeable discrepancy, then you have your case—the grade for the assignment has been imputed incorrectly. However, if you still have clarifying questions, you need to identify those in order to ask your teacher.
The best way to reach out is either to speak to the teacher in person or to email them. Email can sometimes be easier, even if it is just to set up a time to talk in-person, because it allows the teacher to address the issue on their own time. In-person is better if your questions are highly specific and can be as simple as talking to them after class or coordinating a time to meet. When communicating over email, make sure that your tone is friendly, that you ask your question clearly, and that you make it clear that you are wanting them to follow up. When meeting in person, memorize what you are going to ask and bring the relevant assignment if it will help to better explain your query. Be assertive, but steer clear of an accusatory tone.
Overall, don’t be shy. Even if it feels intimidating, you and your teacher will be glad that you asked.