The beginning of summer break for students across Ontario also
means the release of their final grades. While student evaluation
is only one part of a teacher's job, it is crucial for the
integrity of the school system and for students' post-secondary
education opportunities. In the recent decision Fernandes v
Peel Educational & Tutorial Services Ltd., the Ontario
Court of Appeal stressed the importance of proper grading
techniques for teachers in private schools.
Mr. Fernandes was employed as a teacher at a private school in
Mississauga offering pre-kindergarten to grade 12 classes. During
the course of his employment, Mr. Fernandes failed to provide
grades in a timely manner, made errors in his calculations of the
grades, and failed to follow the school's grading policy
regarding incomplete assignments. When asked to submit corrected
grades, Mr. Fernandes fabricated grades for students, including
marks for assignments that he had not yet graded. He was
