What does one do with a student who shows up for the very first time on the sixth day of the third marking period? I mean, “I’m glad you’re here,” and “Here’s some work,” but… I mean, it’s not like she’s going to pass. Do I tell her to give up and try again next year? Do I encourage her to come and keep coming knowing darn well I’m going to fail her?
In non-teaching news, riding on the 1 train makes me want to punch people in the face.
Welcome her to class. If you need to be honest, talk about gaining skills in the interim, that will help her when she repeats. But with younger students especially, I would try to avoid the question of whether or not there is a chance of passing.
Does your principal have an official position on this? At my school, my former principal developed a workable method. After welcoming the transferring student to the school, the admitting guidance counselor explains that teachers can grant credit only for work completed with them.
If the student wants credit for the marking period, s/he will need to complete an Independent Study project that is the equivalent of the content and time the student missed. Yes, it’s a pain for the teacher, but less than you’d think. Sometimes the students are shocked that you mean it, but, hey, better they be shocked now when they can take do something than in June when they find out they’re really not graduating.