Can My Professor Fail Me If I Passed Everything Except One Proctored Final?

Successfully navigating the academic landscape can be a challenge, especially when it comes to understanding how your grades are calculated. A situation where almost everything is passed but the final proctored exam leaves you scrambling can be particularly stressful. In this guide, we'll explore the steps you can take if your professor fails to account for your consistent performance and instead opts for a lower grade due to a single proctored final.

Understanding Your Professors' Power and Releasing Syllabi

While professors have a great deal of autonomy in assigning grades, they are also bound by the course syllabus. The syllabus outlines the guidelines and rules governing student performance and grading. If you suspect that your grade was calculated incorrectly, it's crucial to review the syllabus carefully and gather evidence of your performance.

Emailing Your Professor or Meeting In Person

Addressing the issue directly and professionally is the first step in resolving any grade discrepancies. Here's how to structure your communication:

Step 1: Approach Your Professor

In an email or in person, write a clear and concise message, such as: "Dear Professor [Last Name],
My name is [Your Name]. I am a student in your [Class Name] section and I have a question about my final grade. According to my grade record and the course syllabus, I believe my final grade should have been about [X] points higher than what I actually received. Would you mind taking a look to see if we can reconcile the difference."

In the body of your message, list the grades for each assignment and how they combine to yield your final grade.

Step 2: Prepare for a Response

Your professor might respond with:

"I'm so sorry, [Your Name]. I recorded one of your grades incorrectly in my gradebook and my mistake led to a miscalculation of your final grade. You are correct and I have already contacted the registrar to correct the error."

Alternatively, they might argue that:

"Unfortunately, you misinterpreted the syllabus. The assessment that you scored only [M] on was worth [P] of your final grade, not what you included in your calculation."

Or it could be more severe:

"You failed to read the small print on the syllabus where it says that any student whose lone proctored assessment score is considerably lower than all other assessments will not have those other assessments included in the final grade. As your proctored score was 25 points lower than the average of your other work, the other work was not included."

Understanding the Syllabus and Moving Forward

It's critical to ensure your interpretation of the syllabus is correct. If your professor rejects your argument and refuses to adjust your grade, the next step involves escalating the issue.

Step 3: Meeting with the Department Chair

Schedule a meeting with the department chair, assuming your professor is not the chair. Bring any communication you've had with your professor to the meeting. Here, you should ask for advice on what to do next. The chair might:

Tell you that they will contact you in the near future with instructions on how to proceed.

The chair will also work to informally bring the matter to the attention of the professor and facilitate a resolution. If the chair is unable to resolve the issue informally, they will guide you on how to file a formal appeal of the grade.

Appealing the Grade Officially

The specifics of the appeal process vary, but generally, it involves an independent arbiter who will aim to establish the facts and render a decision. The arbiter must adhere strictly to what is written in the syllabus. It's imperative to be confident in your understanding of the syllabus.

Steps in an Appeal

1. Review the Syllabus: Ensure you have a thorough understanding of the course policies, particularly those related to grading and the final exam.

2. Present Your Case: Gather all relevant evidence, including grades, syllabus, and any correspondence with your professor.

3. Attend Meetings: As directed by the arbiter, attend any required meetings or hearings to present your case.

4. Decision: The arbiter will make a decision based on the evidence and the syllabus. If the appeal is unsuccessful:

5. Consider Legal Action: As a last resort, if you believe you have a strong case, you might consider contacting an attorney. However, this is an expensive and potentially damaging option that should be reserved for the most compelling situations.

Conclusion

Knowing your rights and understanding the procedures for addressing grade disputes is crucial. By following these steps, you can navigate the process with confidence and increase your chances of a fair outcome.