HS teachers accused of allowing students to pay for extra credit

A Bergen County school is being accused of allowing students to pay for extra credit.

News 12 Staff

May 24, 2019, 2:46 AM

Updated 1,965 days ago

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A Bergen County school is being accused of allowing students to pay for extra credit.
Colette Tretola brought the issue up at the recent Ridgewood Board of Education meeting. She says her daughter asked her teacher at Ridgewood High School if she could perform any extra school work for extra credit. The teacher apparently told her, no, but then the next day said that if she donated $20 to a fundraiser, she could get credit.
“The teacher sent an announcement, ‘When you purchase your ticket, forward me your receipt so I can give you your extra credit,’” Tretola says.
The name of the fundraiser and whether or not it was affiliated with the school has not been revealed to News 12 New Jersey.
Tretola says that the message is not sitting well with her.
"How is it too late one day to do curriculum work for points? But the very next day you can buy them,” she asks.
Principal Thomas Gorman responded to this issue with a letter to parents saying that in some cases students can get extra credit by finishing extra questions on a test, through extra work, or by "attending school activities and events beyond school hours. Some of these events have entrance fees, such as a school play or club fundraising activity. Attendance at events like these contribute to the overall positive culture of the school."
The principal went on to say, "The administration will be looking at the information collected to determine if a school policy or procedure needs to be in place."
Tretola says she met with the teacher and administrators at the school and was told the practice is common.
The school board said that it will investigate the claims.