No Zero Policy in Schools

A new report is providing ammunition to Yukon teachers who want to give failing grades when necessary.

According to the Yukon Teacher's Association, the Department of Education is telling teachers not to give failing grades in elementary school.

And at least one Whitehorse high school now has a No-Zero policy.

A study by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy says a No-Zero policy does not help students prepare for life after school.

YTA president Katherine Mackwood agrees, and wonders what we are teaching our students with the policy.

She says this tells students there's no penalties for assignments not handed in on time.

The report says a No-Zero approach interferes with the professional autonomy of teachers and is unpopular with parents.

Recently a high school physics teacher in Edmonton was suspended for giving a zero grade.