What do you think the verdict should be?

[redhen]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

Here is his answer to my you really screwed up tell me what you were thinking when this seemed like a good idea message;

I apologize for it being so sudden, I just had been studying for a while and thought that I had a decision whether I wanted to take it or not on today's date. I feel it is a big grade for me and it will effect my overall grade a big deal, so the more time to prepare and the more time to take the test would be a big help. Once again, I am sorry for the inconvenience for you, but I was planning on taking the exam up until I sent the e-mail. It was a big decision for me whether I wanted to get it out of the way or create more time for myself to do better. I barely got any sleep last night finishing my comp. portfolio and than moving on to study for this exam. I did not come up to you in class because I thought I was fine taking it today, but I realized it would be better if I did not. I am very sorry, and if you allow me to make it up I will be very grateful, and you will be my knew favorite person.

Sorry again,
*******

He didn't plan his time well...... a failure to plan on your part does not create an emergency on mine. Still ugh. Thoughts?​

I still say BIG project.. why should YOU have to drive 3 hrs for his not being prepared to take a test?
Nah.. no way.
Make HIM work for the grade now...​

 

[sourland]

I'll amend my previous opinion. If he has been a good student all semester and hasn't pulled this stuff before, I'd still go with the H*LLACIOUS entire semester break project. If this is his standard operating procedure, FAIL. His rationalization is pretty lame.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

You need to check your university's rules first and make sure you run it by your chair before you do anything. Technically whatever date is listed in your syllabus is the day of the test. At my school we cannot give finals on the last day of class. It has to be done on the official day of the final.
If the date is something you changed later in the semester than you really can't MAKE him take it on a certain day. Especially if you didn't give a deadline to let you know which day he was taking the test. Yes, it is frustrating and a pain when you had the class agree to take it a different day. But you did say they could take it either day. So he can take a final on the alternate day.
He should have let you know earlier. He should have come to you to talk face to face. He should have taken responsibility for scheduling the test. But he did not and you technically did not lay out any rules on paper at the start of the semester. Around here it must be written down and given out on day one. As frustrated as you are with him for being a dodo, don't let it bite you in the tushie. Most administrations believe in giving the paying student the benefit of the doubt. If he takes it to your chair/dean/provost it will be a LOT more work for you in the end.

As nice as it would be to give him the world's worst test, you also should probably just suck it up and give him a similar test. You don't want it to look like you are penalizing him unfairly. Plus, whatever you give him you will ultimately have to grade it.

Soooo... my advice is to make him come in and talk to you face to face, point out to him that he had agreed to take the test with the rest of the class and that by backing out he has generated a LOT of extra work for you. Tell him that you will allow him to take the test on the day of the final (or whatever day you agree upon at this point) out of the kindness of your heart. Perhaps have him sign a contract spelling out the time and date details if you pick something other than the official date. Explain that in the future he needs to grow up and be responsible for his actions. Preach away at the boy. That should be fun and theraputic.

(As for sending it by email- that is how they communicate. Actually, they text. Most college kids interact more with each other through their cell phones than they ever do face to face. In his head sending an email was an appropriate way to talk to you.)

 

[chicks4kids]

I think he's doing what he can now to butter you up cuz he knows that he royally screwed up.

Personally, I would take each scenario you've given us ( Fail him (for the exam), Create an alternate project, or Create another exam and go back in to give it to him) and imagine each situation as if you gave it to him -- But picture it 2 weeks afterwards. Which ever scenario you feel best about, go with that one whether it be to Fail him (for the exam), Create an alternate project, or Create another exam and go back in to give it to him.

 

[FarmerJamie]

Quote:
He didn't plan his time well...... a failure to plan on your part does not create an emergency on mine. Still ugh. Thoughts?

I still say BIG project.. why should YOU have to drive 3 hrs for his not being prepared to take a test?
Nah.. no way.
Make HIM work for the grade now...

redhen agreed with me earlier, I agree x2 again....

Lame-o excuse.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

You are right about the problem of changing the date

But you did say they could take it either day. So he can take a final on the alternate day.

But, I absolutely did not tell them they could take it either day. I said more time as in more time that day! If you need an hour more I will accommodate you. I did send a follow up e-mail after the class discussion to make certain any members who were not there got the message, so it was in writing. Then we had a prep day which he attended and we discussed the deal again.

I think he knew and is trying to play it out because he was too tired. But, he has got me on the "change". I work for two schools. One is extremely controlling and picky. They take attendance of teachers!! No I am not kidding.

The other actually treats adjuncts as professionals. It could be an issue, but not really a big one. That is where this took place. My chair knew I was changing the date.​

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Just make sure you cover your tushie. The kid is probably playing you. Pretty good chance he wasn't ready for the test on test day. Just make sure it won't come back to bite you. As an adjunct you have even less protection.

Good luck.
To quote a fellow teacher- You can lead the students to water, but you just can't drown them.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I vote for a large project also. Also if you did have an alternate exam maybe another teacher would proctor it for you.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Young people do stupid things. Tell him to come to class and you'll make your decision at the last minute. Let him sweat it out until he gets there, then himhaw around a bit about it to let him sweat a bit more. Then give the boy the test. Lesson learned. Sometimes life can be tough on these young folks not being quite out from under mom and daddy just yet, give him a chance to learn from this AND get a good grade. That's my opinion.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Quote:
No more classes, the class is over. That is why I am trying to avoid having to make the long trip back just for him.