Teacher fired for supposedly violating ‘NO Zero’ policy
Diana Tridado, Florida teacher was fired from her job for not following her schools “No Zero” policy. The debate is that everyone is to get 50% whether the student turned in work or didn’t– 50%! The debate is Tridado doesn’t believe that students who don’t turn in anything should receive a 50% grade– they should receive a zero. Students were retorting by saying that they didn’t have to work and she would HAVE to give them a 50% no matter what. She says that as a teacher, it is her job to teach and by just handing out the 50%, it is teaching students that they do not have to work to receive credit.
Think about that for a second.
As a parent, I think that the No Zero policy that this Florida school has implemented is BS. I think that setting kids up to think that they’ll get a grade no matter what is a disservice. My kid could try her hardest but missed the concept and get a 50% and her seat partner didn’t turn anything in and gets the same grade. I don’t do well with that. I think that setting kids up, this early in the game (K-8) to always expect something for doing nothing is terrible. It really sets kids up to think that they don’t have to work hard at all to get some sort of positive outcome. How is this going to work in the work field or in adult life?
Kids and adults should be held accountable for their actions. If nothing is done, repercussions should be taken. I think a lot of parents these days don’t keep their kids accountable. (shoot me) With how technology is evolving, how fast the kids are growing up and how busy life gets– some things just get put aside. I hold my kids accountable 100%. Probably too tough on them, but I want them to know that they are responsible for their own stuff. They need to learn to handle it on their own (with help & guidance of course) but they need to know if they don’t get shit done, they’re going to lose a privilege of sorts. It happens in school, it happens at home. If they’re room is a mess from the week on Friday they lose their electronics until it’s clean and tidy. If they skip a page of their Math test, they won’t get the points for that page. Cause and effect baby. It’s a thing. Teach it to your kids.
I stand by Trinado. Although she stood for her beliefs and as a result got fired, I think that the theory behind what she did is spot on. I’m disappointed to hear that a lot of districts have adopted this policy. I think if this is something that your school has picked up or considering, It ultimately boils down to the parent and their parenting style. I will forever teach my kids to be accountable for their actions. I want them to be able to be open, communicative and receptive. Where do you stand on the ‘No Zero’ policy?