Based on 25 community votes, the most popular answer to “Should I Expose a Teacher’s Secret Grade Adjustment?” is “Report the grade change officially” — chosen by 52% of voters.
Category: education • Theme: Protecting a Student vs Respecting a Colleague
I work as an administrative assistant in the registrar’s office at a university. Last week, while helping process end-of-term grades, I noticed a discrepancy: a student who had been struggling all semester suddenly had a failing mark switched to a pass just hours before the grades were finalized. Checking the logs, I saw that my friend—who is a well-liked junior professor—was the one who made the change, even though another faculty member was listed as the instructor for that class. I know this student; she’s had a rough year—illness, family emergencies, and she tried really hard. But I also know the strict standards at our college, and this kind of behind-the-scenes grade change could have serious implications if discovered. If I say nothing, the student will get her degree—something she’s worked so hard for. But it’s also clear rules were broken, and the integrity of the program could be questioned. My friend could face disciplinary actions or even lose her job, and our friendship might never recover. At the same time, I feel complicit if I just pretend I didn’t see it. I don’t know what motivated my friend—maybe she was showing compassion, maybe she was bending under pressure from the student, or maybe there’s more I don’t know. I can’t stop thinking about what’s right, what’s fair, and whether either the student or my friend deserve what will happen if I intervene. What would YOU do?
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