Many students have had teachers or have heard of teachers who use bathroom passes as extra credit for students. There is some controversy over the issue as the question arises of whether or not this is allowed.

      Some students love having the passes as extra credit because it allows them to get easy points at the end of the quarter. However, other students think the passes are unfair and should not be used as extra credit points.

      Regarding policies about usage of the bathroom in school, the LCPS Policies and Regulations states, “Absence from school for any period of time will result in loss of learning; it is important for each student to be present whenever possible to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the school.”

      “That really wouldn’t line up well with the grading expectations of Loudoun County Public Schools. Personally, if it’s a very small amount it doesn’t bother me but obviously if it’s not in line with the Loudoun County expectations then we shouldn’t be doing it” Dr. Brewer said.

      Senior Cheyenne Baltimore said, “It’s unfair to make bathroom passes count as extra credit because using the restroom shouldn’t affect my grade in any way.” Sophomore Eb Fox said, “I think it’s fair because [teachers] don’t have to give any extra credits, it’s kind of like an incentive to stay in class.

      Another Dominion senior said, “One time I had UTI and they make you pee more and could get worse [while] holding pee and Mr. Richards wouldn’t let me go and I didn’t want to tell him my personal issues (not like I should have to).”

      Mr. Richards uses the passses as a way to “encourage students to remain in class.” He, like many other teachers believe that the strategy works to make sure students can optimize their time in class which will eventually help their grades in the class as well. “Math, along with most subjects, is learned best when a student is present for all class time.”

      Richards gives students three passes at the beginning of the quarter which can be used in case of emergencies and if a student has not used the passes, they can be turned in for extra credit points at the end of the quarter.

      “In response to students who say that have more emergencies than that, I would say my class is only 1 of 8. And they get 3 passes in 1 block per quarter. That is 12 passes throughout the year in my class, times 8 classes is 96 opportunities in 1 school year. If there are more than 96 emergencies in 1 school year, then they are probably not real emergencies,” Richards said.

      German teacher Frau Edgington uses bathroom passes for points. “The primary purpose for the bathroom passes is to give credit to students who are in class. I would give anybody credit but when [students] are in the bathroom or just walking around the hallway I won’t give them credit for that,” Edgington said.

      Ms. Carter uses the passes for the same reason most other teachers do but she also has another reason. “None of us is able to get everything done all the time, so it gives students a cushion if they aren’t able to do all the homework assignments. For students who do everything, it is simply extra credit” she said.  

      Ms. Kaplan also uses the passes but her passes are worth two points each “for a total of six points per quarter.” Six points seems like a lot but “in the grand scheme of things six points doesn’t affect a student’s grade that much” Kaplan said.

      Spanish teach, Ms. Maslyn, has also used bathroom passes as extra credit points in the past but does not use it this year. “It’s got some negatives but for the most part it was positive comments from students. This year I’m not using it and students are waiting for instruction which is great,” Maslyn said.

      The school nurse does not have many objections to the passes “I think it’s a good attempt at trying to keep your class interested. In general it’s not a bad idea but you have to gage your class,” she said.