Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: The Uncooperative Parent Sandra Hall*, a high school art teacher, received a call from the mother of one of her students. The mother requested an extension on her daughter's art project. The project was due the same day as an Advanced Placement exam, which the mother considered a higher priority. Ms. Hall said she could not make an exception for the student. Displeased that Ms. Hall refused to honor her request, the parent scoffed, "This is art, not brain surgery." in a phone conversation with the teacher. How "as a teacher" would you follow up after this statement? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) There are two options which Ms. Hall can can choose to solve this problem: The first one would be to tell the parent that she is unable to extend the deadline for one student. If she did it for one, she would have to do it for all students. The grading policy is likely listed in the class syllabus, so she would tell her to refer to it if she needs more clarification. She would tell her art class has expectations and standards like all other high school classes. On the other hand, there is another option to assuage any tension. If Ms. Hall agreed with the parent and realized an extension might be necessary, she should make an announcement to the whole class and tell them she is extending the deadline by one week to help students prepare for their exams. That might help both the parent teacher find common ground. Parents are part of the team and they just want to help their children.