Answering the "extra credit" question

Every year I hear it.

Can I do something for extra credit?

Students and parents ask the question. And every year, I give the same answer - No.

I realize that this makes me seem heartless and cruel, but I just can't justify giving extra credit. There are several reasons for not giving extra credit assignments.

1. Many students ask for extra credit after getting a zero on a homework assignment. Homework is assigned to practice skills which will be tested later. If the homework is not done, not only will the student get a zero for the incomplete assignment, but he/she is sometimes not prepared for the test over that material. If a student knows that missing homework can be made up with extra credit, they are more likely to not do it. This could lead to lower test scores which can not be replaced with extra credit.
2. I hear many reasons for incomplete homework. I had practice. I was in a baseball tournament this weekend. We were out of town. I had church last night. My mom made me go to bed. The list is long. Parents will sometimes call or send notes. But my response remains the same. If students are too busy to complete the assigned work, how would they have time to finish extra work? Students must be reminded that one zero will not kill a 9 weeks grade. Most of the time even two zeros in a 9 week period can be overcome with hardwork and study. Skipping three or more homeworks will definitely pull a 9 weeks grade much lower.
3. (This one will make me seem heartless.) I don't have the time. I spend countless hours researching, designing, planning, and grading for required lessons each year. Extra work is just not an option. I work diligently to make certain that students learn the skills needed to succeed and be prepared for the next year. When needed I reteach and retest specific skills and average those scores with other scores. But I can't assign extra credit for just one student.

But the biggest reason for not assigning extra credit? Ethics.

Teachers are required to honestly report grades. A student's grade is the grade earned in the class. It would not be ethical to give a D to a student who earned a B; it is also not ethical to give a B to a student who earned a D.

There are other things that parents and students can do to improve grades. It is important that students complete all assignments, participate in class discussions, come to class with questions over confusing materials, discuss the assignment at home, designate time each day to study, use online tutoring sites, and even participate in an after school tutoring program.