Attendance & Participation Grade: Two Perspectives

The end of the semester is almost here and that means it is grade time! One of the most hotly contested grades is the ever elusive Attendance & Participation grade. So here is a look at the topic from the perspective of the Professor and the Student.

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Attendance & Participation Grade
According to the Professor
 
100: I have not missed any classes; completed all of the assigned reading before class; and participated in class discussion with relevant comments. Every class.
 
90: All of the above. Perhaps I missed 1 class or didn’t do 1-2 of the assigned readings before class.
 
80: I’ve missed 2-3 classes, and don’t always do the reading. I usually participate. I text sometimes.
 
70: I’ve missed at least 3 classes, don’t always do the reading, and participate sparingly. I text at least once a week.
 
60: I’ve missed more than a week of class. It’s pretty obvious that I’ve only read two or three times. I participate, but often my comments have nothing to do with the topic. I text.
 
50 & Below: I’ve missed a lot of class. I look at my phone more than the professor. Maybe I bought the books, but I haven’t opened them more than twice.
 
0: You might remember me from the first day of class and the first test marked on the syllabus. I’ll miss the rest of class, but show up on the last day like nothing happened. Expect an email from me disputing my grade.

Attendance & Participation Grade
According to the Student
 
100: Nobody else participates.
 
90: I don’t text as much as my classmates. I talk a lot – and at least three times it was relevant. I read like three of the chapters, which is more than anybody other than that one kid who always reads...who is reading for us as a collective. This grade is really unfair.
 
80: I’ve missed 6 classes. I don’t read. I don’t participate. I will text you during class asking for extra credit. Expect a call from my mom…who’s a LAWYER!
 
70: I’ve only been absent like two weeks – three weeks tops. This attendance policy is bullshit. I’m taking it up with the dean. I text all the time, but I’M LISTENING TO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. Expect a poorly worded email in all lower case addressed to nobody with no subject line contesting the A that you took away from me.
 
60: I would participate more if there was a document that listed our readings and due dates so I could prepare beforehand. I need to pass this class to keep my scholarship…which I’m telling you about the day grades are due.
 
50 & Below: This is not possible. Everyone knows you can’t fail attendance and participation.