Failing students

I had a student come see me today because she's failed the course already. The problem was, she refused to believe me.

You see, this is a practical course. I stipulate that the students have to pass both the exam and the coursework separately. The coursework consists of four assignments, a labtest and weekly labs. At this point in the semester, there are only 8 more marks up for grabs. Unfortunately, some of my students require more than 8 marks to be able to pass.

So, I call them in to my office and tell them they can't pass. I generally recommend they withdraw, because it's a lot easier to make excuses for a W on your transcript than a DNS or a D. I don't much like that part of the job. Sometimes they cry. I hate it when they cry. Especially the guys.

Anyway, I told one girl today that she can't pass. Even if she gets 100% in the remaining assessments, she still only gets a smidgen above 45% in the coursework. And quite frankly, that would take a miracle - her average assignment mark is about 30%.

But she refused to believe that she would fail.

What if I get 100% in the exam? she asks. Wouldn't that show that I really understand how to program, and so I'd pass?

Uh, no. That would show you can regurgitate theory. I think the fact that you FAILED the assignments and the labtest shows that you really don't understand how to program, and so you'll fail.

I really didn't want to give her false hope, but she did make me concede that I would have to review her case if she managed to get 100% in both the final assignment and the exam.

I tried to politely convey how extremely unlikely this was. Phrases like 'hell freezes over' and 'pigs might fly' came to mind. I again suggested she might be better off concentrating on her other courses and coming back next semester.

But no, she left apparently determined to get 100% in the assignment and the exam. Well, I certainly won't be holding my breath.