This week, a Florida teacher made headlines for fighting against what she believes to be an unfair school policy.
Diane Tirado, 52, has been a teacher for nearly twenty years. This year, she was teaching eighth-grade social studies at a Port St. Lucie elementary school, when she assigned her class a project. The students were supposed to submit an explorer’s handbook— a project many of them did not hand in.
When it came time for Tirado to submit the students’ grades, she was surprised to learn about the school’s ‘no-zero policy’.
It stated the lowest mark that could be assigned to a student was 50%— even if the child hadn’t submitted anything.
“If there’s nothing to grade, how can I give somebody a 50%?” asked Tirado.
The teacher took her concerns to the school’s administration, who reconfirmed the no-zero policy. “This is not kosher,” Tirado replied in response.
Shortly after questioning the school about their no-zero policy, Tirado was fired from her teaching job.
The September 14th letter doesn’t list a reason for termination, stating only that she was within the probationary period and could be fired without cause. Despite the reasoning, Tirado believes it was a direct result of her disapproval of the policy.
A spokesperson for the school has denied having a no-zero policy, stating: “A zero is noted on the scale for work not attempted or work not completed.” Interestingly, however, CBS News states the policy is written clearly (in red and in capital letters!) in the school’s official handbook. It clearly reads: “NO ZERO’S— LOWEST POSSIBLE GRADE IS 50%.”
Before leaving the school, Tirado penned a goodbye to her students on the classroom whiteboard.
“Bye kids.
Mrs. Tirado love you and wishes you the best in life!
I have been fired for refusing to give you a 50% for not handing anything in.
[Love] Mrs. Tirado”
Since being uploaded to YouTube, Tirado’s message quickly went viral. Currently, it’s been shared more than 3,000 times.
“I’m arguing the fact that you don’t get something for nothing,” said Tirado.
“I want the policy changed, and it’s not just here.”
Tirado’s former students commented on the post, telling the teacher they agreed with her position. Teachers and parents across the nation have also shown their support:
“Mrs. Tirado is 100% correct… Hopefully, she finds a new job at a school that actually cares about the students’ futures.”
“If no one can fail, what motivates students to get better?”
“So you don’t do the assignment, you don’t even write your name on a paper and turn that in, and you still get 50%? That’s insane. This is exactly why kids feel entitled.”
As Tirado stated, schools with no-zero policies are more common than you would think.
Proponents of the no-zero policy state that zeros are essentially a grade used for discipline— and are not an accurate measure of a child’s knowledge.
The National School Boards Association quotes Trent DeJong, a 30-year educator and blogger, who explained the position as follows:
“Theoretically, zeros can be used under the no-zero policy if it is an accurate reflection of what the student knows. But, it is highly unlikely that the student knows absolutely nothing.”
So, what do you think about schools having no-zero policies? Are zeros an accurate reflection of knowledge, or just a way to punish the child? Check out the video, and be sure to let us know in the comments!
Hear Tirado’s story below.
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