I was a first semester law student at a law school.
I am told I failed a final exam in Legal Research
and Writing. I asked for a copy of the exam and my
answer. The professor refused me a copy.
There was nothing in the student handbook or syllabus
about this policy. I understand they can have the
original, but I want only a copy.
Is this a normal procedure for law schools?
I feel this is not fair. Am I wrong?
In academia in general, whether or not students are allowed to retain copies
of exams (final or otherwise) is up to the individual professor unless there
are department, college, or university policies to the contrary. At my own
institution, we don't let students have copies of final exams; at another
where I occasionally teach as an adjunct, students aren't allowed to keep
copies of any exams (midterms and finals).
Another option that may be open to you is to find your school's grade appeal
process and appeal your grade. At many institutions, an appeal of a grade on
a final exam may mean that some qualified but otherwise uninterested party
regrades your exam but YMMV; check with your academic advisor to see what
your options are and what it takes to get that process started.
IANAL
--
John Goulden
