AITA for telling my teacher she can’t deduct marks over putting citations in my work?
A 17-year-old high school student and her group were docked points on a physics infographic assignment for including citations, despite not being required to do so. The group, aiming for academic honesty, added sources for their heat mirages project, only to receive a level 3 (70s range) instead of a level 4 due to a teacher’s comment: “Citations were not asked for this assignment.” Frustrated, they confronted the teacher, who dismissed them rudely, refusing further discussion. The grade drop—25%—threatens their university prospects, as physics is a prerequisite.
This raises questions about academic fairness and the value of integrity. Were the students wrong for adding citations, or was the teacher unfairly rigid? The online community overwhelmingly supports the students, calling the penalty unjust and urging them to appeal to higher authorities, like the principal or department head.
‘AITA for telling my teacher she can’t deduct marks over putting citations in my work?’
The group created an infographic and added citations for honesty.
They were downgraded for including unrequested citations.
The group was upset over losing 25% of their grade.
The teacher was dismissive and rude during confrontation.
The grade impacts their university prerequisite.
This dispute centers on academic fairness and the expectations of integrity in education.
Dr. Linda Nilson, an education expert, states, “Assessment should be based on clear, fair criteria, not penalizing students for exceeding requirements, especially when demonstrating academic integrity” (Teaching at Its Best, 2016).The students’ decision to include citations reflects professionalism and ethical scholarship, particularly in a senior-level physics course preparing them for university.
Penalizing them for unrequested citations, absent explicit instructions prohibiting them, is unjust and contradicts academic norms, where citations are standard. The teacher’s harsh dismissal and lack of constructive feedback further suggest a misuse of authority, potentially discouraging students’ initiative and trust in the education system.
The 25% grade reduction (not 15%, as miscalculated) is disproportionate, especially given the assignment’s quality merited a level 4. This could jeopardize the students’ university applications, as physics is a prerequisite. Appealing to the department head or principal, with parental support, is warranted to ensure fair evaluation and transparency in grading criteria.
Expert Advice: File a formal complaint with the department head or principal, highlighting the unfair penalty. Request the teacher’s grading rubric to verify the deduction’s legitimacy. Continue practicing academic integrity and document your efforts for future applications.
Check out how the community responded:
The community strongly supported the students, condemning the teacher’s penalty as unfair.
Most called the deduction unreasonable and petty.
Many advised escalating the issue to school leadership.
Some highlighted citations as standard in academics.
Some saw the teacher’s actions as authoritarian.
One emphasized the excessive 25% deduction.
One sarcastically supported escalating the issue.
The community backed the students, urging an appeal for fairness.
Academic integrity should be rewarded, not punished. Teachers must use clear, fair grading criteria and engage in open dialogue. Appealing unfair grades is essential to protect students’ academic futures. Have you faced unfair grading? How did you handle it?
