Was A Bad Grade Issued By Your Child's Teacher? Here's How You Appeal A Student's Grade In Califorina
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Have you ever felt that a public school grade was wrong in a particular class or that your child was graded unfairly on his student work? California law has a solution for you! Per California Education Code section 49066 , the teacher determines the final grade for a student. However the grade can be challenged for: - Clerical mistake - Fraud - Bad faith, or - Incompetency If one of these can be shown, the Superintendent or Board of Education for the school can overturn a grade issued by a teacher. The teacher, however, is "to the extent practicable" to be included in discussions regarding the grade, and to be allowed to state orally or in writing, the reasons the grade was issued. I have seen many bad teachers in my time, unfortunately, who may issue grades improperly. If a grade issues because the teacher was incompetent, is discriminatory, is based on whim or fancy, or...