In-Box 1

In-Box 1

In- Box Activity

Situation:  You have been principal at Typical Middle School for five weeks.  Mr. and Mrs. Stone visit you.      Their daughter, Precious, is a seventh grader with advanced classes in the core areas.  The parents’ issue is with Mrs. Wright, Precious’ English teacher.

 Mrs. Wright is a highly regarded teacher/leader who has taught at Typical for 15 years.  Her classes are creative; her teaching strategies are meaningful and effective; and the students love her.  However, Mrs. Wright refuses to post her students’ grades on the district’s online grading system.   She believes that if students or parents want to know a grade, they can contact her personally and she will discuss the issue with them.  This allows her to explain more thoroughly how the student is progressing and gives the situation a more human touch.   This system has worked for her for many years. 

Teachers at Typical have been on an electronic grading system for at least seven years.  Mrs. Wright is the lone holdout to using the system.  There is no district or site policy indicating that all teachers must use the online system.

There have been rumblings from other parents about Mrs. Wright’s refusal to record her grades online.  Additionally, she requires that the parent or student phone her or meet with her between 3 and 4:30 in the afternoon.  This is the only time frame she will allow herself to be available.  Most parents comply with Mrs. Wright’s demands because they do not want to challenge her in fear of jeopardizing their child’s status in Mrs. Wright’s class.  However, you have not heard or seen any evidence of Mrs. Wright being vengeful.

Mr. and Mrs. Stone state confidently that they expect you to force Mrs. Wright to change the way she records her grades and communicates with parents.   They say that her demands limit the parents’ right to know how their child is progressing.  They state that if you cannot handle the situation, they will not hesitate to go to the superintendent.  They want a change immediately.  However, they do not want to meet with Mrs. Wright nor do they want their name or their daughter’s name mentioned to Mrs. Wright or to any other staff member in regards to the issue.

Question:   As principal, how will you handle this situation?

What are the steps you will take to resolve the situation 

List  the factors that you must consider?

What are the potential "gotchas" to this issue

What, if any, are the steps you will take to follow up on the situation once you have taken action?

With a partner discuss your decision and the course of action you have chosen.  Has your partner taken a different route to a solution?