A question for my wise readers.

I recently had my 7th grader enrolled in a composition class for homeschoolers. Without going into a lot of detail, the class was given the assignment of writing a six-page research paper. They had to do note cards, an outline, etc… the whole enchilada! Anyway, my student turned in a first draft, but the teacher did not grade it in time for him to work on his final draft and turn it in by the deadline. I got this response from the teacher:

However, I must emphasize that my grading the first draft is a luxury I give so the students can do better on their papers. My grading the first draft is a luxury, not a requirement and I still expected the student to turn in something.

I’m just wondering if I’m behind the times here, or is that how it’s done now? When I was in school you got your draft back so that you could correct it and send in the final work. I never heard of it being a luxury before. I thought it was part of the process. I also asked my mother, who taught English, social studies and music in the public schools for 30 years, if she considered getting a graded draft back as a luxury. She was surprised too. As a kid, I remember my mom ALWAYS carried around papers to grade. At my band practices, dance classes, music lessons, play practice whatever, mom always was grading papers.

So is this idea of a corrected draft unique to this instructor? Do all middle-school/ jr. high instructors feel that it is a luxury to give back a correct draft before the student finishes the final? Or am I just hopelessly behind the times and this is standard practice now?

Let me know! I really want to hear about this. Thanks!

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