Unforgettable Struggles in High School

My experiences in high school were far from ideal, with some instances standing out as particularly challenging and even abusive. This article details one such instance where a teacher's behavior was not only problematic but led to significant academic and personal consequences.

Standout Incidents: A Teacher's Misconduct

From my third-grade days to the tumultuous experiences in high school, particularly with an English Language Arts teacher, my educational journey was marked by unique challenges. One specific incident involved a third-grade teacher who physically disciplined a student for standing on a desk, a relatively minor offense at the time. However, unbeknownst to me, my parents took action against the teacher and the school, and the result was the teacher's termination.

Abuse and Its Aftermath

The teacher's actions, though not directly on me, made me reflect on how such incidents could affect others. In the current climate, such misconduct would likely result in the school and the teacher facing severe consequences, including potentially owning the school and long-term imprisonment for the teacher. Such a change reflects significant strides in addressing and resolving such issues in educational settings.

An Inconsistent Grading Experience

The consistency of teacher grading is a crucial aspect of any educational system. However, my high school experience was marred by systemic and erratic grading practices by an English teacher. During my high school years from the start of ninth grade until the beginning of the second semester of my senior year, I predominantly received F's on any written assignments submitted in English Language Arts courses, despite passing these classes on other criteria.

The Scarlet Letter Controversy

One of the assignments was an essay on The Scarlet Letter. I submit that the grading was unfair. The cover page featured an ornate A, but the only feedback was a note declaring, "Letters are not a title. F." The teacher did not even open the essay. Further proving the point, another essay I wrote with the same content received an A from another student. The teacher's grading didn't reflect actual content and was purely based on formality.

The Capstone Project and My Graduation

The Capstone project was intended to showcase the culmination of learned knowledge, a final assessment of what had been taught throughout high school. However, my involvement in this project was fraught with complications. The English department, which was responsible for grading, had a history of undermining my education and grading dishonestly.

Compromising Initiatives for Graduation

My graduation was guaranteed through a compromise. I was reassigned to an Advanced Placement (AP) course but only needed to attend for roll call. Despite attending every day, I was instructed to sit idly in the library for "individual study." I spent these hours playing chess with friends who also had free periods during that scheduled time. The administration's strict stance on my participation in the Capstone project underscored the severity of the situation: any failure would have led to legal repercussions.

Why Not Sue?

Considering legal action, the situation was complex. If we sued successfully, the school might attempt to claim that I failed to meet state standards for graduation. Alternatively, if I passed and graduated, it would be seen as an admission of their wrongdoing. Both scenarios would have dire consequences, including legal entanglements and the inability to attend college.

Other Unconventional Students' Experiences

A number of other students faced similar issues, leading to the suspicion that the problem was not isolated. In one instance, the English department attempted to rig the homecoming queen election based on superficial criteria related to appearance. This behavior further corroborated the school's lack of integrity and honesty.

Unlikely Explanations for Plagiarism

The explanation for my failing grades was grounded in an odd form of plagiarism. The school claimed I plagiarized everything, but they could not pinpoint the source. They suggested I had undetected plagiarism based on their "mysterious and inscrutable" assessments. This explanation is difficult to accept, as I had previously demonstrated strong reading and comprehension skills, having passed the SAT reading comprehension with a perfect score in 6th grade.

Irony and Conclusion

Ironically, I started to defied these teachers by submitting essays on books I was reading at the time, even if it meant selecting topics they wouldn't approve. The Capstone project, intended to showcase learning, became a showcase of how the school failed to adequately support and assess its students.

My experiences in high school, while challenging, highlight the importance of integrity, fairness, and transparency in education. They serve as a reminder of the potential for abuse and the need for systemic reforms to protect students' rights and ensure a fair education for all.