Students have always complained about favoritism in school. Some students even base whether or not they like the teacher based off of whether or not they play favorites. But do teachers agree? A recent survey of Baldwin High School students and teachers show that teachers do not agree with the students on the issue of favoritism.

Everyone has a different definition of favoritism. So we based the survey off of the dictionary definition which is, the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.

We asked the students and teachers 7 questions, one of those asked whether or not they thought favoritism is a problem at BHS. Out of the 50 students surveyed 36% of students agree to the statement that favoritism is a problem and 16% strongly agreed. The teachers did not agree with the students out of the 18 teachers surveyed 55% disagreed with the statement and 5% strongly disagreed.

When the teachers were asked if they have ever found themselves favoring a student 38% said yes and 55% said no, 5% did not answer the question. Our next question was ‘If answer is yes, what is causing you to show favoritism to students?’

“I try very hard not to,” a female teacher said, “but quiet students are harder to get to know.”

Even though they admitted that they show favoritism, 44% of teachers say that it does not affect their students grades in their class. Although one student stated the opposite

“A teacher refused to give me good grades on good work.” a senior male said.

Some students do not play sports because of it.

“I don’t play sports anymore.” a freshman male said. “Because of favoritism.”

Two students even said they felt worthless because of favoritism.

“Sometimes it makes me feel bad about myself,” a sophomore male said. “It makes me not really care.”

“I feel like I’m not important or worthless.” senior female said.

Unfair treatment is just that, unfair. However, teachers have a difficult jobs and they have to grade students to the best of their ability. While some favoritism is inevitable, it should not have any bearing on the grades a student receives. Teachers should always push their students to do their very best and students should always try their hardest.