Failing A Course- Now What?
It is most likely that at some point in your son or daughter’s academic career they will be faced with the decision of whether or not to retake a course that they have been unsuccessful in. When deciding whether or not to retake a course, there are a few things you should consider.
1. Once you have gone past the last course withdrawal date (usually 5 days after the issuance of a midterm) the grade obtained at the time of withdrawal for grade 11 and 12 courses will appear on your child’s transcript even if they retake the course.
2. Determine whether or not the course that your son or daughter failed will be considered in their average when applying to university or college. Universities and colleges calculate the entrance average based on the 6 highest grade 12 courses. However, if the unsuccessful course is one required by the college or university for a particular program, it will be included in calculating the average.
3. All post-secondary institutions have written policies on retaking courses. Check with schools that your child plans to apply to before making this decision. www.electronicinfo.ca is a helpful resource.
4. When your son or daughter is considering retaking a course, ask yourself these questions:
- Did they simply not put the effort into the course that was required?
- Would the college level course be more appropriate?
- Does your son or daughter have too many demands on their time?
- Do they need support with the content of the course?
- Do they have the study skills and time management skills needed to succeed in senior courses?
Getting to the route of the problem will ensure that retaking the course will not be a waste of time, energy or money. Is this a concern for your family?
