Current Events > Is it wrong to fail a kid in math that shows their work in another format?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Like, I understand common core is complicated for a lot of older people, and some kids may still do better with that method.

But if they get every answer on a test correct, but still get an outright zero for not doing it in common core...wouldn't telling a kid they were wrong despite being right - just because they didn't do something in a certain way - be so much more psychologically harmful to them than just even taking a few points off?

(This happened to my friend, btw)

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I can understand both sides of the argument tbh

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Hayame Zero posted...

(This happened to my friend, btw)

Sure Jan.

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I had a math teacher fail me on a test fo using pen. The next test I did it in pencil, then broke a pen on the sheet and slammed it on his desk. That was a fun day.

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I don't think it's unfair to give you, I mean your friend, less marks if you haven't actually demonstrated you understand the logic. That's more important than getting to the right answer.

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I remember in school one of the few good teachers I had said I can either teach you stuff that you will actually need in life or how to pass a test but not both as they are two very different things.

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It depends. Is the method in question different but equally reliable, or are there actual issues with it?

The latter would definitely be grounds for reducing marks - with the caveat that, if practical, it should be explained why.

The former - fuck no. If they are using a method that is reliable, and arrive at the right answer, then they have done what they are being asked to do.

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if the problem asked them to solve a problem, any method suffices.

if the problem asked for a specific method to be used to solve a problem, points off for not using that method

Depends on what the Test is testing for. Was it to show your understanding and application of common core math? If the answer is yes then getting the right answer with a different method is incorrect and you should fail.

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Never had to do common core math and had to look up what it is but it might be a US only thing.

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If the kid can consistently get the correct answer, then trying to shoehorn them into a particular method is just counterproductive.

If the answer is correct mark it correct what the fuck

*Failing* a person is shitty if they still came to the correct conclusion. Docking points seems alright, but still not to the point of failing them.

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yillin posted...

Depends on what the Test is testing for. Was it to show your understanding and application of common core math? If the answer is yes then getting the right answer with a different method is incorrect and you should fail.

It was her 10 year old daughter's test. It wasn't specifically in teaching common core itself, just a standard math test I believe.

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Hexenherz posted...

*Failing* a person is shitty if they still came to the correct conclusion. Docking points seems alright, but still not to the point of failing them.

Yeah, if she got some taken off, I can understand. But she apparently got an outright 0 on the test.

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There's no such thing as "common core math". Common core is just a set of standards that different education levels are supposed to meet.

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