Student references

[Elaedith]

It seems that graduates need more and more references because they cannot make up their mind what they are doing.

One particular student who was the most dependent and demanding student I have ever encountered asked for a reference for a postgraduate course in education. I did it with some misgivings, since she had told me the day before that she is hopeless at grammar and incapable of expressing herself in words.

Not suprisingly she struggled with the course and after completing it I got a request saying teaching is definitely not for her and she now wants a reference to do postgraduate studies in social work.

However, a week before I received this I had received a request from an employment agency who wanted a reference to place her as a temporary teacher.

I emailed her back asking if she still wanted a reference for the employment agency and she said yes. So she wants me to write an employment reference recommending her as a teacher, after telling me that teaching is definitely not for her. Does this sound reasonable?

I am worried that if I go on recommending students for things they are not suited for, future students applying to the same courses may suffer as I will get a reputation as an untrustworthy referee.

[Madalch]

However, a week before I received this I had received a request from an employment agency who wanted a reference to place her as a temporary teacher.

I emailed her back asking if she still wanted a reference for the employment agency and she said yes. So she wants me to write an employment reference recommending her as a teacher, after telling me that teaching is definitely not for her. Does this sound reasonable?

I'd ask her, "How do you expect me to give you a reference as a teacher when you told me yesterday that teaching was not for you?"

[drkitten]

It seems that graduates need more and more references because they cannot make up their mind what they are doing.

One particular student who was the most dependent and demanding student I have ever encountered asked for a reference for a postgraduate course in education. I did it with some misgivings, since she had told me the day before that she is hopeless at grammar and incapable of expressing herself in words.

That was your first mistake. References are a privilege, not an entitlement. Well, positive references, anyway.



Not suprisingly she struggled with the course and after completing it I got a request saying teaching is definitely not for her and she now wants a reference to do postgraduate studies in social work.

Is that something she can do?



I emailed her back asking if she still wanted a reference for the employment agency and she said yes. So she wants me to write an employment reference recommending her as a teacher, after telling me that teaching is definitely not for her. Does this sound reasonable?

Not at all reasonable. I would explain to her that you cannot in good conscience provide a positive recommendation and that she would be better suited looking for someone else.

If she still wants a reference after that, go ahead and "write it as it is." Tell them that she's dumber than a sack of hammers. If she still wants a reference after being told it won't be a good one, then she is.