# No name on final, 10% deducted from grade. Fair? Harsh? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 7, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569 "2006-10-07T00:23:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/1 "2006-10-07T00:23:54Z")
Yesterday a former teacher told us a story about an unreasonable parent, but listening, I didn’t feel like the parent over-reacted. She taught 7th grade, and her policy was to deduct 10% off a student’s grade if he or she forgot to put their name on their paper. Does that seem reasonable to you? I could see up to 5%, but 10% seems harsh to me. FTR she says kids were informed of this policy ahead of time(though the kid in question told her dad they hadn’t been), if that factors into your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/2 "2006-10-07T00:41:02Z")
For a final, that’s about right. In my classes (10th & 12th grades) failure to put your name on a paper means it’s wadded up and trashed. Zero credit. It’s not my resposibility to figure out who the work belongs to…that’s _their_ job. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/3 "2006-10-07T00:43:54Z")
I had teachers that did that in junior high and high school. I think it is fair because it is a stupid thing for a student to do then as well as any later point in their life. It triggers an investigation on the teacher’s part as well to match up who it belonged to. As an adult, if you manage to send off important paperwork off without the right identifying information, don’t be surprised if you have some kind of penalty sanctioned on you then too. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/4 "2006-10-07T00:46:50Z")
Too harsh? Not harsh enough. Honestly, if the paper has no name, why grade it at all? Automatic zero in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/5 "2006-10-07T00:47:12Z")
I would say that it is more than fair. In all my experiences, not signing the assignment would result in a zero. ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/6 "2006-10-07T00:47:59Z")
Provided the policy is well pulicized ahead of time I don’t see a problem. Seventh grade is plenty old enough to remember to put your name on the final and face the consequences if you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/7 "2006-10-07T00:51:38Z")
I think it’s completely reasonable. More than fair, really. Like **silenus** , I don’t think any credit should be given at all for a no-name paper. If one student does it, it’s a process of elimination to determine whose it was; if two students do it, you have no idea. Either way, it’s extra effort for the teacher. [Soup Nazi] No grade for you!! [/Soup Nazi] ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/8 "2006-10-07T01:03:45Z")
Well, let’s assume that there’s only one final with no grade on it. How does that mean extra work for a teacher? (Q.E.D., how’s busting myths treating you?) ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/9 "2006-10-07T01:05:17Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Well, let’s assume that there’s only one final with no **grade** on it. How does that mean extra work for a teacher? (Q.E.D., how’s busting myths treating you?) [/QUOTE] No NAME on it. If it had a grade, it’d be easier for ya. I don’t see how it’s extra work. If anything, the onus is on the teacher. That’s a silly rule designed to enforce some discipline, but it’s just being a prick. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/10 "2006-10-07T01:39:56Z")
I’m inclined to agree with **LOUNE**. What if that 10% was making the differance between passing the class and failing the class? Would any of you really sink a kid like that, just for some petty power move? If I tried to pull something like that at my job, arbitrarily rejecting incoming data just because it violates something that’s nothing more than my own personal policy I’d be skidding on my ass through the parking lot in a matter of hours. ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/11 "2006-10-07T01:42:30Z")
I say fair. If you let it slide, they’ll end up in college with the professors having to make a “nameless homework” pile and wasting time as people shuffle down to find their assignments even when the were told to do so after class. Learn to put your name on your shit, people! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/12 "2006-10-07T01:47:46Z")
I say it’s generous. My teachers would have likely failed me. Middle school and up there is absolutely no excuse for not putting your name on a paper. Especially one as important as a final. Extra work for the teacher or not, it’s a responsibility issue on the student’s part. If they are made aware of the rule ahead of timem, it’s fair. ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/13 "2006-10-07T02:54:56Z")
I think that’s a horrible policy. I might consider making the student(s) take the test over again if there was any serious question of whose test was whose, or if I felt I really needed to make a point. But the purpose of the test is to find out if the student knows the material, not if they are good at filling out paperwork. As a student, if this happened to me and it seriously affected my grade, I’d be extremely pissed. Maybe pissed enough to write my name on all future tests but leave the rest blank. I doubt it would permanently cure me of making the occasional absent-minded oversight, either. :rolleyes: When someone does come up with that cure they should bottle it and sell it. Until then, may people’s petty power trips buy them instant karma. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/14 "2006-10-07T03:00:32Z")
> [@](#): > > If you let it slide, they’ll end up in college with the professors having to make a “nameless homework” That’s right. And they do. And I deduct 10%. I also deduct 10% for spelling my name wrong or their own name wrong. The instructions say to put your name on it and to spell my name and their name correctly. The penbalty is the same as the penalty for any other failure to follow directions: Failure to run spelling check, failure to use the assigned reference style, failure to use capital “i” when referring to oneself, failure to use black ink, etc. That I have to do this at the college level astounds me. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/15 "2006-10-07T03:08:37Z")
Ten percent on homework is much different than ten percent on a final exam. A seventh grade final exam, at that. No amount of punishment is going to stop someone from legitimately forgetting to sign their name to their paper. I don’t think I’ve ever done it, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not impossible. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/16 "2006-10-07T03:08:50Z")
In my case, I might not grade it, as I make my people sign a protocol that is part of the test. I could see if the idea was to make the student recite something backwards in Latin, but still, come on: it’s putting your name on the test…That’s like wiping after the loo. At some point, you’ve got to drill attention to detail into the students: failure to do so reaps problems down the line. The bottom line: if an instructor posts the requirement, spend more time meeting the requirement than helping the student weasel out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/17 "2006-10-07T03:12:09Z")
So a kid arguing for his grade is “weaseling”? My, my. Teachers DO have big heads. Around here, at least. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/18 "2006-10-07T03:12:15Z")
It doesn’t seem overly harsh to me. How difficult is it to make a habit of putting your name on a test as soon as you get it? ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/19 "2006-10-07T03:14:45Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] The instructions say to put your name on it and to spell my name and their name correctly. The \*\*penbalty \*\* is the same as the penalty for any other failure to follow directions. [/QUOTE] Bolding mine… Well that’s 10% for you then 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569/20 "2006-10-07T03:16:52Z")
Broadsiding teachers as having some sort of hydro or megalo-cephaly, it’s one thing to arbitrarily impose sanctions without warning; quite another to impose sanctions per a publicised protocol. It’s a bit like me knocking off credit for not showing the details of solution, or for omitting discussions when required: full points require full compliance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-name-on-final-10-deducted-from-grade-fair-harsh/375569.md?page=2)