A student has registered for the final class for her degree. She has waited almost one year for this class to be offered and is required to successfully pass this class for her employer. The students have been advised what the course requirements were and the schedule of assignments and tests.

Through the first weeks of the course she missed a majority of the scheduled exams with frequent absences. Most of the homework assignments have been late and of poor quality. When interviewed, she stated that she only needed a "C" to pass and maintain her grant money. She really was not interested in the class and was "tired" of the program - that it did not "challenge" her.

It was no surprise when she received a "D" on the midterm exam, but she livid and demanded a higher grade. She was told she could improve her grade by doing well during the second half o f the term. There would be no change in the grade she "earned".

This same pattern was seen into the second half of the term. When the term paper was due, it was not turned in and she was absent. The final exam was the following week. She called and said there was an illness in the family. Could she turn in her paper late? The final exam was given. This student earned a "D". When her paper was graded, it actually was good earning a "B". However, with other quizzes, midterm and final factored in, her final grade was an "E".

This meant she would probably not graduate and have to wait another year to retake the class.

Questions:

Should the student receive the grade she has earned?

Should the teacher "give" her a passing grade?

What are the consequences of this choice?

What are the ethical considerations here?