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>how common is this? Common enough.
Parents and spouses/s.o.'s love to ghost participate in courses.
>have you come across it? Yes.
When it happens, I use it as an opportunity to talk with students about *their* choices, and how *their* choices might have consequences for what's happening *in class*. I try to advise what the *best* courses of action might be. I emphasize to the student that *they* are taking the course--NOT mom or dad. I tell them that if they wind up failing the course because they choose to continue turning in work that's not their own, it will be *their* grade...NOT mom or dad's.
>what did you do? I try to make sure a fair amount of major work can only be completed in class (tests, essays, presentations, whatever). When students deny assistance, it's helpful to be able to use the work they've done in class as a frame of reference.
My syllabus is clear about what types of assistance aren't okay, too.
When I give student feedback on an assignment that's been completed by a parent, I plainly tell the student that the syllabus guidelines are clear, emphasize the consequences, and encourage the student to trust that they can get through my course on their own. I usually offer resources for more support, as well. Depending on the circumstance, I go the extra mile to make myself available because sometimes it's hard for kids to say "no" to their parents.
I never directly address parents in student feedback because I already know parents will read it. The clear implication of the feedback is always that mom and dad aren't helping when they do your work, and you have what it takes without them.
9.5 times out of 10, parents stop doing work when I give students feedback about their parents helping them. Of those 9.5 instances, it ALWAYS only takes one mention about the issue for it to stop.
>whats your take on these types of parents? Obviously it's not helpful. It's cheating, and it's unfair to students who do their own work and let the chips fall where they may.
I get that parents want their kids to have every opportunity to be successful. This gets more complicated, too, when a student has a learning disability or some other issue they have to navigate.
I think some parents are pushing their kids to do what they don't want to do and be what they can't.
It's sad, and encourages a mediocrity that forces kids to be trapped in an awful lie about themselves. Plus, it steamrolls and overlooks the strengths a kid might possess and can develop.
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