Zeros Aren't Permitted

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   NYSEnglishTeacherposted 13 years ago

   Zeros Aren't Permitted
   
   My school is considering going to a "Zeros Aren't Permitted" or ZAP program next year. Ultimately students who do not complete assignments would have to go to a structured study hall to complete the work they have missed. What are your thoughts about a program like this? Would it encourage students to complete their assignments? How would it impact quality of work?

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2. 78

   hazeleyedbeautyposted 13 years ago

   i am a current student at Suny Cortland studying to be a teacher. I totally disagree with this program. For one it is teaching them 0 responsibility, two this is teaching them that if they don't do the work at home that its ok they can do it at school with out much consequence.also what time will they be missing to make up this work at this study hall? what kind of morals does this teach the children. if you as me it will make them much less independent and much more dependent on others. when you put them into the study hall they are missing out on something; another class, physical activity time (the decrease in physical activity is a huge contributor to childhood obesity and they keep taking time away from PE class as it is) any time out side of school like keeping them after school will only cut into time they may have with family or if old enough to work and they may depend on that money to get by. they really need to evaluate how this will effect children as a whole (including their home life and future health).let me know how this works out for you.

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3. 58

   kyleesterleyposted 13 years ago

   Hi, I have a different opinion. I think with the right direction, it could be a very good program. Let me tell you why. As it is right now, there are many students who complete their homework and there are some who do not. Chances are, the students who would have to go to the study hall will be the same students who are missing assignments now. It seems to me that while it would be great if these kids could be doing other things instead of study hall, most of them are not. I don't think introducing this program will make students more dependent, rather, it may provide the structure and opportunity that certain students may need but are not getting. Normally, a students grades or behaviors somewhat reflects his/her life outside of school, such as home. Maybe some of these students have to decide between trying to do homework at home with parents who are drunk, fighting or worse, or wandering the streets until it's time to go to bed. Therefore, if they had a scheduled time they had to be in a class to work, it would be a good thing. Also, sometimes a kid just needs that extra discipline to help him/her stay focused. What would help is if these study halls had tutors available to help students who were struggling. I think at that age, not all students are able to make the decisions that is best for them, like getting their homework done. In college, yes, but not any younger. So if you look at it in terms of, what situations some students may be in which would benefit from have a ZAP, I think it's totally worth it. One more thing, the students will most likely be held, 'responsible', for making it to study hall to avoid consequences right? And I don't think this has anything to do with morals, if anything it shows that the school is willing to pay for the extra time and accommodations to make sure the kids have every chance possible to succeed. Gym class is just a hotspot for bullying and teaches kids the morals of feeling like they have to be athletic to fit in or to be liked.

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   1. 78

      hazeleyedbeautyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ok so when they go to college and they dont have this policy there then what? how about a place of employment are they going to have a study hall for the employees that did not complete their reports?

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   2. 60

      RoxiMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have had the experience of teaching a "structured study hall." This was for students with disabilities, giving extra time to complete assignments, it was unproductive. If the kids don't want to work, they didn't work.

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      kyleesterleyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      But these are kids, and students with disabilities are completely a different matter. Who is they? The kids who live with drunk parents? They are not adults yet as in the working world. And employees shouldn't be assigning homework anyway.

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      RoxiMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Quite honestly, I don't believe homework should be graded. It's supposed to be practice, reinforcing skills. I think it should be used to determine whether students are ready to move on or need re-teaching. As for ZAP, if it works, use it.

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   5. 58

      kyleesterleyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      RoxiM, your right. Students study to memorize enough to pass tests. Now we are seeing that people need to be taught how to learn globally; not memorize facts. Same goes for standardized testing. We are stuck in a Factory Line mentality from the1950's

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   StephanieBCrosbyposted 13 years ago

   This proposed program would be a travesty. Initiatives like this are the reason the field of education does not progress and leads to students from one country not being competitive with students from other countries.
   
   Why would a student want to complete their work on time? If they simply wanted to play a few more hours of a game or sleep a little longer, they know they have an alternative to not getting work done. I assume this structured study would occur during school hours, so what is the student missing while they are making up for their incomplete work in another class/subject? The responsibility is more on the educators and not the student.
   
   This has disaster written all over it. I know that all levels I have instructed I was asked to change student grades or give them more extra credit work. I would say, "there is enough work built into the year or semester to curtail situations like this." But as a tester at the high school level I did offer unlimited extra credit. Amazingly, only 10 students out of over 100 actually took me up on the offer. And most of them only submitted one thing to get some points.

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      kyleesterleyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      So you said "assume". So would if it is after school? I know I would not slack off because I wanted to stay after school so badly.

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   kthix10posted 13 years ago

   A few thoughts on where education is headed on the stance of not giving zeros read more

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6. 84

   Kathryn L Hillposted 13 years ago

   It depends on the program itself.  The problem is, if it is a good program, it might become so popular that students would end up preferring this structured environment to complete their work in, to the classroom or home. I assume the students would be able to work, focus and get assistance in the form of tutoring or answered questions.  If it is a quiet environment, even better.
   Home for some might be a noisy environment with the distraction of technological devices and diversions.  Or just not conducive, due to arguing parents, screaming siblings, barking dogs and other chaotic conditions.
     The students will love it, is what I think!  How could it not be the answer to the prayers of parents, teachers and students?  I say FINALLY!

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      RoxiMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know if it would be an answer to prayers, but I can see how it might work for some students. I know that some students work better when they have in-school suspension because they have a quiet environment with no distractions.

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