A teacher from Florida, Diane Tirado, was fired from Westgate K-8 School located in port. St. Lucie because she gave her students zero grades when they didn’t turn in assignments.
Tirado was an 8th grade teacher of history and she once gave her students a period of two weeks to complete a notebook project; however, some students didn’t come in with the assignments.
As there was no work done, she wrote them zeros. But, she got fired for doing this.
Why Was Diane Tirado Fired?
This Floridian elementary school has a rule called ‘no zero policy’ which means that the lowest possible grade which teachers can give to students is a 50, even when they don’t turn in anything.
But, Tirado didn’t agree with this and thus, she was fired for not adhering to the school’s rules.
Her termination letter had no specific cause listed as Tirado was on probation period.
The teacher wrote a very charming goodbye note to her students- ‘Bye kids. Mrs. Tirado loves you and wishes you the best in life. I have been fired for refusing to give you a 50 percent for not handling anything in. Love, Mrs. Tirado’.
Tirado Shared Her Story on Facebook, Many Showed Support
The fired teacher shared her story on her Facebook with the hope to spread awareness about this school’s policy.
She said that ‘A grade in Mrs. Tirado’s class is earned. I’m so upset because we have a nation of kids expecting to get paid and live their life just for showing up and it’s not real’.
Her post went viral and many people actually supported her for her decision and position- they believe that handing out grades for work that doesn’t exist isn’t fair.
The teacher also noted that the reason why she took on this fight is because it was ridiculous and teaching shouldn’t be this hard.
The principal of the school didn’t comment on the situation and according to a spokeswoman for St. Lucie Public Schools, there’s no district policy which prohibits teachers from giving the grade zero.
A Statement by the CIO, Kerry Padrick
Diane Tirado was employed in St. Lucie Public Schools from July 30, 2018 to September 14, 2018 and was contracted a teacher on probation.
She was terminated shortly after a month of classroom instruction.
The schools values high-quality teachers who support individualized learning in the students, maintain positive relationship with the students, colleagues, and parents, and provide accurate and productive feedback.
Wavering on these expectations isn’t an option.
Despite no District or Individual School Policy preventing teachers to put a zero grade for not turning in work, when asked about the ‘no zeros’ on the school’s handbook, Padrick noted that some teachers and schools have discussed the point range for work submitted.
That is, A=90 to 100, B= 80 to 89, C= 70 to 79, D=60 to 69, and F= 50-69. A zero is mentioned on the scale for work not attempted or incomplete.
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