Policies
Science Grading Policy:
I have attempted to create a policy that presents an accurate assessment of student achievement while also providing the opportunity for students to reach their maximum educational potential. To do this, I have three categories of grades, focusing on the skills needed to be a successful learner -
- have you materials (In other words, I have a system that would reward hard work, dedication and effort while attempting to reinforce the importance student responsibility in the areas of preparedness and punctuality),
- practice your Scientific knowledge and skills (It is imperative to take into consideration the student’s performance on classroom and homework assignments, both analytically as well as globally. This means, that sometimes individual questions may graded as right/wrong, or the work may be addressed in a more rubric base that permits room for error while showing understanding and reasoning)
- and know/analyze/apply/justify information (thus ensuring that part of the student’s grades came from their class performance on items such as tests and quizzes, as these assessments are an important measure of the student’s academic performance).
- 45% of the student’s final average will come from tests, quizzes and other formal assessments.
- 45% of the student’s final average will come from both classroom and homework assignments which would include work such as written or reading assignments or projects. These assignments will be written in their student planner and are expected to be turned by the due date. If the student has not given a reasonable effort to complete the assignment and it is not turned in by the due date, the assignment is then considered late and will lose 25% of its value. Further lateness while result in a higher percentage loss. Late work will be accepted up until a certain date given by each individual teacher for that particular unit of study. After that date, late assignments will not receive credit towards the student’s grade.
- The final 10% of the student average will fall under a responsibility category. All students begin the quarter with a responsibility grade of 100%. Every day class is started by reading a list of steps that are expected to be completed at the start of class. Some examples of these steps are: write your homework into your planner (at which point I would point to where the homework is written with a clear due date directly next to the directions), turn in your homework, take out a sheet of paper and your spiral notebook.... After explaining directions that are listed, I will ask if there are any questions. After all questions are addressed, children will be given ample time to complete these steps in order. A warning for "Responsibility Check" will be given at this time (ex. 30 seconds until your responsibility check). Any child not having completed these steps (that will allow for a smooth transition between tasks, no lost time on finding/gathering items, as well as ensuring that their planner is filled in) will lost 5 points of their responsibility grade.for the quarter.
My hope is to create a self reliant, motivated and successful learning environment and happy, motivated learners, with a clear understanding of the expectations at this grade level. My intention is to reward the students for both academic performance and effort, while promoting the importance of individual student responsibility towards their own education. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions now or throughout the year should special circumstances arrive. Thank you!
Tami Loveland
ext 5098