I just finished grading a test for my three Studio classes. We did a simple project on Michelangelo. It had three parts: an artist-background research component, a hands-on project and an accompanying writing assignment. As a class, we spent three class periods in the library. They had ample time to accomplish this.

The artist-background research component involved writing three paragraphs covering the three sections of information I wanted them to focus upon: his life, work/mediums and the David, the featured artwork. Needless to say, I’m quite disappointed. Only six out of my 43 students in my Studio class passed. I had to speak with an administrator on how to handle the fact that the vast majority of the remaining students plagarized their papers. We worked it out, but it is very disheartening when I give them a resource and few take advantage of it.

As a final component, I gave my Studio classes a formal test on Michelangelo and the David. While one of my classes passed almost without fail, the other two classes had numerous failing scores; my third period class nearly all failed. Many of the students didn’t bother using the study guide I gave them which explicitly covered all of the answers to the test.

In both of these circumstances I had the support of my administrator and none of the parents protested once shown the resources and timetable the students had to work with. For that, I’m grateful. Unfortunately, this has capped off a difficult week or so for me but more on that later.