I teach in a private school in Brazil and I�m feeling terrible. We�re almost in the end of the year and as usual, some students will fail. But�I�m not sure if the fact that parents pay for their kids study in a private institution make them feel in the right to charge us to make as many evaluation as possible for their kids not fail. And worst, my institution makes us do exactly this: give as many chances as they need to get the average grade! Is it normal? `Cause I�ve been correcting extra activities for almost 2 weeks and I can�t see any progress in their learning!!

I work in a state school in Argentina and I completely understand you Students � failure is a bit MY failure I �m about to give it a try to peer assessment or "team" tests

In my school, they say we should vary the way we evaluate...That doesn �t mean to lower the standards Think about it  

If there �s anything I can do for you, I will.

Regards,

Carina

Take a look at this: http://www.eslprintables.com/forum/topic.asp?id=23804

That�s exactly the point: I�ve tried tests where they can  take a look on their books, in pairs, using the dictionary, choosing 6 questions in 10 and write about them. But it�s a huge work. Imagine 8  classes each with 25 students dealing the same way: chances, chances and more chances. I think I�m helping to create mediocre students. Is there anyway I follow my school rules without getting crazy? Remembering that teachers here have to look again the peer corrections students do each other in order to be "fair" and avoid cheating.

What a career we have picked!!!