What if my student is still failing, even after all the feedback and performance improvement strategies?

Despite all the efforts you, the student and others have made, it may still be necessary to assign a failing grade.

Ensure you have closely reviewed all of your documentation, the placement learning objectives, the student learning plan and of course the SPEF-R minimum criteria for passing the learning objectives (SPEF-R manual).

Failing a student may be very difficult for you as clinical educator, as well as the student. Expect that the student’s reactions to failing may range from denial, grief, anger or depression to hopefully acceptance. Try to reinforce the positive elements of a student’s performance, and talk through their options. Please refer to Part Four of this resource kit for more detail about evaluation and options available for a student that fails fi nal evaluation.

Remember to seek the support of colleagues and University clinical education staff about your decision.

(Queensland Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Collaborative [QOTFC] 2005; Fitzgerald, 2007)