I think I have mentioned somewhere in these blogs that in addition to my position at Sam's Club, I also teach Microbiology at National College. Mostly, I have returning students...what I mean by that is for the most part, these are not kids right out of HS. I would be guessing but the median age is probably about 35 years old.

One of my term assignments, which they get the very first day of class is a paper. This paper and its subsequent presentation to the class is worth 25% of their grade. They are given a specific rubric, a style sheet and a list of topics to choose from. This semester the topics were all nosocomial diseases. They have 3 weeks in which to research the choices and pick one and a total of 8 weeks to write a 4 page paper or produce a scrapbook on their chose topic. To me, it is not a daunting assignment. They are told precisely what I want to see covered in the paper!

If you could see what I received you would be appalled. Most of the papers my middle schooler could correct and do better. Out of 23 papers only 3 might have been freshman college level. I spent 12 hours yesterday correcting these and all I wanted to do was give them back and say try again... or just throw them out and say "forget whatever this and start over"! What a disappointment.

I know these are people with families and jobs but they chose to take these courses. They are paying to take these courses. You would think they would put a little more effort into what they produce.

I am starting a Master's program in the fall that will qualify me to teach 6-9th graders. I am making it a priority right now that each of my classes will have a minimum of one day a week dedicated to writing and researching a paper. NO student should graduate without being a competent writer!

That being said, I am off to spend the morning stitching. It has to be better than thinking about these papers!