December 7th

I spent the morning with Mr. Roch, not doing anything in particular.  He had a meeting at 9 so I sat in the office trying to figure out what to do.  I asked one of the secretaries if I could help her.  She had me put together the travel request spreadsheet for the board meeting on Monday.  At least I did something.  Mr. Roch returned at about 10.  He had me tally up the number of students who would need to take the ELL test soon.  He then rushed off to a luncheon with the district supts.  I didn't attend he did not think it would be beneficial and he said if they talked about anything confidential it would be best if I was not there.  After lunch I went over to the elementary school.  I have been given the project of finding Fine Arts programs or events for the elementary.  They received a grant that we need to spend in the spring.  When I got back to the office Mr. Roch was gone.  What was scheduled for last Friday had been rescheduled for this Monday so he went to Texico. I proceeded with my project looking up different things for fine arts.  I left at around 4 to run to the Middle School and check my mail and all that. 
Now I want to broach the subject of ethics.  I got a text message just as I was leaving town from my friend who teaches history at the middle school.  She said she got called in to talk about grades.  She said that our princpal asked her to change some of the grades of the failing students.  Is that ethical? Do we bow to that request so we don't lose our jobs?  It is the same students she has had trouble with already this year.  I think two of them are 8th graders and the rest are 7th graders.  She wants her to change their zeroes and give them opportunity to make up missing work.  She has given them opportunity for extra credit, to make up work, to make up tests even and they fail to do it.  They also fail to do what they are suppose to do in class during the allotted time she gives them in class to finish their work.  This isn't the first time or the first teacher this has happened to.  My friend said she was not going to give in, she is going to stand her ground.  The principal told her that she would have angry parents down her throat, she told me bring it on.  We will see what unfolds.  I just don't think it's ethical for us to do that when we are trying to get them to succeed.  If we GIVE them their grade then we are enabling them to think that those things will be given to them all their lives, which just sets them up for failure in the long run.  It's just frustrating!!!