Alberta teacher suspended for giving out zeros fears colleague will be punished

EDMONTON – An Edmonton teacher whose suspension has stirred a national debate over whether students should be given zeros for incomplete work says he worries for a second teacher going down the same road.

Lynden Dorval says he has told colleague Mike Tachynski (tuh’-CHIN-ski) to not get suspended as well as it wouldn’t do more to further his cause.

Dorval was suspended indefinitely last month for refusing to follow the policy at Ross Sheppard High School that forbids teachers from giving out zeros for work and tests not done.

Instead the mark isn’t counted and the student is expected to make the work up.

Dorval says the policy does students a disservice because it artificially boosts their grades and does not prepare them for post-secondary school or the working world.

Tachynski, who teaches at the same school, told trustees on Tuesday he, too, is handing out zeros for the same reason and also expects to be punished.