When a student who has earned a grade of "C" (average grade on a F,D,C,B, and A grading scale) in your course has asked you to write a letter of recommendation for employment or a scholarship, is it ethical to write a glowing letter of support? What is the best way to address this issue if a college or department has a normal distribution grading policy?
Aaaah.. this is a difficult one!
Personally (and not based on empirical evidence!) I think that if I were in this position I would not write a letter of recommendation based solely on grade, but on other criteria such as effort, diligence, ability to work with and contribute meaningfully to groups, etc.
I have experienced C students who put so much effort and hard work into their studies, but whose contributions to the class was so outstanding. I have been exposed to "A" students who were arrogant and created stress amongst other learners in the classroom.
I would write a glowing report based more on subjective rather than objective assessment. As a former business owner, I would prefer to have in my organization a C student who worked hard, got along with others, and was a team-player than to have an arrogant know-it-all A student with attitude... Just my 2 cents :)
It is against professional ethics to do so. It lowers the credibility of the person recommending the student concerned.It is also a disservice to the societal expectations from the academics. It should be avoided at all costs. it makes a mockery of the method of recommendation as a tool for assessing the candidate's credentials for a course.
I agree with Ruth. However, if I feel the student is not capable, I will find an excuse NOT to write a letter. Often the response of "I can't because I'm too busy to make the deadline" is enough. I may also try to counsel the student out of grad school or a job if I don't think they are qualified.
Its an amazing question. If I were you I wouldn't write the letter as this might harm yourself, credibility, reputation, and the student himself. Just write truth and be realistic. I think emotion should not be consider at this stage.
A letter of recommendation should take into account subjective and objective criteria of student assessment. However, in all cases, it should be truthful and reflect an adequate representation of the student's character, salient characteristics and abilities. Any deviation from this might indicate a drift from professional ethics.
I agree with shafig completely. A glowing recommendation for an average student is unethical.
In my opinion, what is an ethical behavior is to write a letter of recommendations using real facts and academic results, In addition, and depending on the purpose of the letter, you should include your honest opinion about the behavior of the student in the university, their interest in the university studies, their relations with other students, their discipline and responsibilities in carrying out the task assigned during the classes, among other elements. I think that this opinion should be valid whether you are considering A students or D students as well.
I have students who came back to me for a letter of recommendation after 5 years or more. Honestly, with the number of graduates who came through me, I would not remember all of them or their class standing. They came to me bringing hope in them and a 5-year work experience. Will it be unethical if I give them favorable recommendation to strengthen their career success? I honestly believe not.
I agree that if students come back to their professor 5 years later, he should not recommend them anymore. The reason being that he/she have no clue how they have evolved over the five year period. The roght person to do that would be their last employer.
The question of ethics made me review my experiences and look closer at situations where I would write a glowing letter of recommendation that was informed by more subjective values, rather than the objective "C". I looked back to a time when I shared a class with a student whose presence made such a meaningful impact on my life and on that of my son who returned from Afghanistan with PTSD. This student barely passed the class, but his contribution to the class and to our lives was an A+. I wrote the imaginary letter (attached) to that student, imagining that I was the Professor that he came to after others did not oblige him because of his average grade.
Reginald, I really appreciate this question because it made me stop and reflect on what being an educator means to me, and what real world and lasting impact I might have upon a student beyond teaching a course and assigning a grade. I understand that we bring our unique world views to how we handle situations in our lives, and this discussion has stirred up something within me and served to remind me that even mediocre students can change the world - as Winston Churchill demonstrated. I want to see that possibility in even the "C" student who, despite their best attempts and hard work, might never be "A" students, but whose unique circumstances, effort and heart demand that we educators look beyond a letter grade to the character of the person, and what they bring to the classroom, community and country when making such an important decision.
I beg the community's indulgence as I am expressing only my position, and do not intend for this to be taken as a slight on anyone's position for we must all to our own selves be true...
Always believe in young people and think positive, give them a chance and help them in their career. People can develop when they are given a good opportunity!
From my point of view: write a glowing recommendation for an average student is not ethical. But must give recommendation.
The ethical thing to do is the decision to write a reference letter. Reference letter must address many facets of the student. Not only the course that some one handles, but it can include other aspects of his character and behavior in the college / university - for example, overall performance in the program, passion, interests, extracurricular activities (e.g. president of student clubs), a team player (e.g. in a basket ball team), good speaker (in a forum or orator team). History has shown again and again, not all students do equally well and some need extra care, attention, push, and pulls. Some who have failed miserably has done quite well professionally later in their life. One should not close down any potential future opportunities. One need not tell lies, however, if you happen to discover some drawbacks and issues, highlight, and try to rationalize from your own point of view and tell what else he / she is good at. This way, you don't close down any potential opportunities.
Every student has different background and experience. One student might have born with a golden spoon, personal trainer for his courses and development, money to buy books and notes; another student might come from entirely opposite spectrum. Poverty, single parent, socioeconomic, cultural, and political background. All these would result how they will behave or perform. One has to keep this in mind.
If someone decide to go for studies (for example, after 5 years of employment) such as MBA or another program; many universities ask for not only your employer reference, it would prefer your mentor at a former school or a college. If I did a thesis or a dissertation with someone and who knows about my work during that period, what is wrong in getting a reference from them even if there is a gap of 5 years? You can also check to see what they were doing or you can find out what they have been up to on the internet.
I would call it 'reference letter' rather than 'glowing recommendation'. You just have to put the facts across the table. Let them decide what is best for the given circumstances to see if the candidate is the best fit.
From my point of view, a 'glowing recommendation' is impossible if someone's grade is C, and you write as if he / she is an A+ student. The grade will reveal the secret. It will reflect bad if someone did it or find out about the truth. Honesty is the best policy.
To me, any recommendation letter should present the real facts, and should identify both strengths and weaknesses of the candidates (of course writing the weaknesses in a positive manner)
I think it is not a good approach and against professional ethics to do so. It lowers the credibility of the person recommending the student concerned.It is also a disservice to the societal expectations from the academics.
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