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[dinglejingleus]

I have a student this semester who refuses to participate. I don't mean that he is reticent to speak or doesn't speak as much as other students. I mean REFUSES to participate: waves off other students when doing group work, won't answer direct factual questions from me (ex. "What did you have for #2?" When they just did #2 in groups) listens to Ipod in class (which I told him not to do)-all of this in the first week.

I then spoke to him after class and sent him an email encouraging to speak and offering multiple other ways to participate (meeting with me, writing responses etc). because I was concerned after talking to my program's director that he might have a LD so I was being cautious. He emailed me saying that he was not unable to speak in class and would in the future. I  laid off for a few weeks to give him some space and he still wasn't participating in any meaningful way. 3 classes ago he was sitting without his text and I asked him if he needed a copy. He told me that he had one, so I asked him where it was and he replied that it was in his bag. I then asked him to get it out.

This exact same text in bag scenario played out the next class. This time instead of asking him nicely to get it out I said " Are you serious? I asked you last class to get it out. You need to speak with me after class." He protested "What did I do? What did I do?".

After class I made sure two good students stayed after for another reason and I spoke to him while they were waiting for me, telling him that it was unacceptable to be this non-participative and that from now on I was going to mark him absent for non-participation (4 absences =F). He protested greatly that I couldn't mark him absent if he was there, and I told him that I would not argue with him and that my program director's email (I'm a TA- teaching writing instruction) was on the syllabus if he had a problem with my attendance policies. He stormed out complaining loudly.

I sent him an email last week and quoted the syllabus on participating and told him again that I would mark him absent. I also told him that it was rude to ignore direct questions from his group-mates. I finished by stating that I was willing to start anew next class as long as he came prepared to participate on an equal level with his peers.

That was a week ago and he has neither returned my email nor showed up to class.

I have thoroughly documented all of this and copied my "boss" on all correspondence as well as emailing him every time there has been an incident.

I feel frustrated though because while he is not actively disruptive- his behavior throws a wrench in the gears. No one wants to be his partner since it means extra work for them. He adds nothing to their group- literally.

Anyone had a similar experience? How did you handle it?

I

[mountain_ivy]

Interthreaduality alert:  Given that some of us were severely chastised on another thread for suggesting alternatives to conventional classroom responses, CHE'ers may be laying low on this one.

However, I would suggest you rethink your approach. If something isn't in your syllabus, you can't do it.  Leave him alone; don't make him do groupwork; and let him flunk on his own.

And, btw, if he isn't playing you, he's wacko and you need to get with your disability support folks ASAP.

[magistra]

It sounds like it was in the syllabus, though.  I think you handled it fine.  That level of non-participation (having the book and not getting it out?) is a little wacko.  It's good that you've been in touch with your supervisor on all this.  I'd say you're fine; he may never reappear, but that's not your problem.  This level of resistance is highly unusual; contacting student services, his advisor, the disability office, or whomever is a good idea.

[larryc]

That was a week ago and he has neither returned my email nor showed up to class.

Problem solved! This student has issues you cannot begin to address, and I think you did exactly the right things.