Grading+Policies+&+FAQ

absences? binder? cookie points? are all F's created equal? hours? homework? Isn't student grading illegal? labwork? reports? scoring? tardiness? tests and quizzes?

 After-School Hours

I am available for extra help, questions, corrections or whatnot from 2:30 to 3:30 practically everyday.
= SCHOOL-WIDE EXPECTATIONS are available; all my grading rubrics and scoring guides relate to or are drawn from it. =

=Arlington High School ICARE statement  is also available: see my home page for how //I// expect //you// to care! =

ATTENDANCE & MAKEUP WORK  If you want to be marked **ON TIME**, you must be **//in your seat//** and //**ready to learn**// **WHEN THE BELL RINGS**. Period. No exceptions. No excuses. No whining. "If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. If you're late, you're in detention!" Sarah Kamya '13 You are **TARDY** if you:
 * Come in after the bell.
 * Come by the bell but are not in your seat with appropriate materials out or you are not ready to learn.
 * Come by the bell but are unprepared and have to leave to get class materials.
 * Come by the bell but then have to use the bathroom within minutes of class starting; if you really need to go during my class time, you must wait until you are doing independent work and can demonstrate that you are making progress.
 * Come in //before// the bell and ask permission to use the bathroom, but return after the bell. I appreciate you for asking permission, but the passing period is yours to use; just detour to the bathroom and take the tardy, or buy some potty passes in advance!

My classroom and my class time are meant for learning - NOT eating, drinking, texting, or being elsewhere. If you really need to go, I will not stop you, but I may require you to come back outside of class time to make up what you missed. Perennial bathroom goers can be expected to serve after school detentions, unless you earn Cookie Points and buy potty passes.

 // If you have an excused absence, **make sure you note this** on any work you hand in after its due date, or it will be assumed to be late work! **Unexcused absences** (no parent call in or other reason listed on the portal)**will result in a zero** for missed work! //

**Missed Classwork/Labs** must be made up within //3 school days// of when it was due; if you have an extended absence, the classwork/lab must be made up within //3 school days// of returning. // Make sure your absence is excused: **unexcused absences** (no parent call in or other reason listed on the portal) **will result in a zero** for missed classwork/labs! // **Missed Quizzes/Tests** must be made up within //2 school days// of when it was due; if you have an extended absence, the quiz/test must be made up within //2 school days// of returning.// Make sure your absence is excused: **unexcused absences** (no parent call in or other reason listed on the portal) **will result in a zero** for missed quizzes/tests! //

ISN'T STUDENT GRADING ILLEGAL?

In a word: **no**. Students grading other student's assignments, or peer reviewing, //is not illegal//, and a common tool for learning constructive criticism, critical thinking, reflection and assessment skills. See the ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States here, here and here; the full text of the SCOTUS opinion may be found here.

Rest assured that I do not share your overall grade with anyone who is not authorized, including other students. I also check the scoring a student does before entering it in the grade book. And once students are satisfactorily trained in critical assessment skills, I expect students to critically assess and score //their own// work; students who are wishing more privacy can begin scoring themselves on request any time.

 **QUICK GUIDE TO SCORING**

=
** Excellence ** || Timely and virtually all expectations met; at most one answer/item incorrect. Student has demonstrated mastery of content or achieved excellent outcomes. || ** Above average ** || Timely and most expectations met; two or three answers/items incorrect; missing answer or item. Student has demonstrated content proficiency, or achieved above average outcomes. || ** Average ** || Timely and sufficient expectations met; two or three answers/items incorrect or missing. Student has demonstrated content competency, or has achieved satisfactory outcomes. || || ** F ** ** Incomplete ** || Timely but expectations were not met; many answers/items incorrect or missing. Student has demonstrated insufficient content competency or not achieved minimum satisfactory outcomes. Student is expected to resubmit assignment for a passing grade.* || ** Failing ** || Timely but expectations were not met; most answers/items incorrect or missing. Student has not demonstrated content competency or not met minimum satisfactory outcomes. May be resubmitted for a passing grade.* || ** Passing ** || Untimely, but previous work has been improved or completed. || ** Late ** || Untimely submission and without excuse. May not be resubmitted for a passing grade. || ** No Credit ** || No work was submitted //or student was absent without excuse the day work was done/due//. ||
 * You will find the the letter grade "D" does not appear anywhere in my rubrics. //D quality work is never acceptable, and therefore I do not use it when scoring student work//: I give "Incomplete" grades*, and expect the improved assignment to be handed in again for a "Passing" grade. **======
 * ** Mark ** || **Letter Grade** || **Assignment Rubric** ||
 * ✓+ || **A+** ** Outstanding ** || Timely and all expectations met or exceeded; superior work. Student has demonstrated mastery of content and achieved excellent outcomes. ||
 * ✓ || ** A **
 * ✓- || ** B **
 * ✓- - || ** C **
 * ** I **
 * ** F ** || ** F **
 * ** P ** || ** C- **
 * ** L ** || ** F **
 * ** 0 ** || ** 0 **

*Tests are curved and graded by percentage: if a score is less than 70%, I expect a student retake the assessment promptly. Students may request to retake an older poor quiz or test, but I will decide on a case-by-case basis.

**NB NOT ALL F'S ARE CREATED EQUAL** If the grade portal doesn't show grade details, this may help you distinguish the three ways to earn an F:
 * **Incomplete** || **59%** ||
 * **Failing** || **55%** ||
 * **Late** || **50%** ||

Actual score grades - as a percentage - may be anywhere in this range, of course, regardless of the letter grade defaults.

 **HOMEWORK GUIDE ** choose the grade you want to earn! <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FOR A ‘C’
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Assignment must have students name and block at the top of the front page.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Assignment is written out.
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Assignment has answers to all questions.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FOR A ‘B’
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Same as for a C, and due date and the assignment details (page and question numbers) are at the top of the front page.
 * Questions are neatly written above answers; work is neatly formatted
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Most answers are correct

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FOR AN ‘A’ >
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Same as for an B, and questions are typed or photocopied or scanned above answers; answers are typed.
 * Virtually all answers are correct

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FOR AN ‘A+’
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Same as for a A, and work is submitted as a <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3182cb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Google doc <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
 * All answers are correct

//<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If HW is being scored, then one point will be deducted for each missing item mentioned above. //

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 200%;">TESTS and QUIZZES

Quizzes are almost always open notes, meaning any notes, handouts, worksheets, homework, packets, lab work, lab reports that you have with you may be used during the quiz. Photocopies of the textbook may not be used. Copies of my powerpoints that are not annotated may not be used. .......... **3** completely correct .......... **2** correct but insufficient work shown **//or//** reasoned attempt made to answer .......... **1** weak or incomplete attempt made .........**.** ** 0 ** no answer attempted
 * Most quiz questions are scored on a 3-point scale:
 * Quiz scores that are less than 70% may be redone for a passing (70%) score.

Tests are closed notes, but **curr A classes** may use the "cheatsheet", a unit conversion sheet and MCAS equation sheet during the test; ........................................... **Honors classes** may use only a unit conversion sheet and MCAS equation sheet during the test; ................................................... **AP classes** may use only an AP equation sheet during the test during the test.
 * //All tests// for //all classes// consist of //two parts//: an informal take-home assessment (the "cheatsheet") and a formal in-class assessment. The take-home assessment may be begun as soon as a new unit is begun and is available in each class' respective Outbox.
 * The take-home assessment provides my students with the framework they need to meet the Massachusetts College and Career Readiness Anchors Standards for Reading //- Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects//, particularly standards 2, 4 & 5 (pg. 73), while doing the minimum preparation for the formal assessment.
 * Completion of the take-home assessment is a //mandatory prerequisite// to taking the formal assessment; those who fail to adequately complete the take-home assessment will be required to complete it in class, then take the formal assessment in detention after school.
 * Tests are usually "curved" to some degree. Test scores that are less than 70% may be redone for a passing (70%) score.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black','sans-serif';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black','sans-serif';">Binder Grading Rubric **
 * Empty pockets? ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Four dividers & notebook(s)? ||  ||   ||> //__<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 12px;">1 letter grade reduction for each missing or incomplete criteria or item __// ||
 * Categories organized? ||  ||   ||> //<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 12px;">Each day’s notes is an item. // ||
 * Categories complete? ||  ||   ||> //<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 12px;">Any one assignment is an item. // ||

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.6667px; text-align: left;">If I can give your binder to student who was absent and they can quickly and easily see what they missed and how to complete any work, you have an “A” quality binder & notes. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.6667px; text-align: left;">If I give your binder to student who was absent and they can find what they missed but have to hunt for it, OR can’t see how to complete a particular assignment, you have at best a “B” quality binder & notes. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.6667px; text-align: left;">If I give your binder to student who was absent and they can find what they missed but have to hunt for it AND can’t see how to complete a particular assignment, you have at best a “C” quality binder & notes. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.6667px; text-align: left;">If your binder can’t help a student who was absent, it can’t help you, either. That’s unacceptable! = =

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 32px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> Lab Handout Grading Rubric

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">If I read your report and can quickly and easily see that you understood the investigation and what you learned from it, you have an “A” quality report. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">If I read your report and can quickly see that you understood the investigation and what you learned from it, but are missing some details, you have at best a “B” quality report. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">If I read your report and see that you completed the investigation but are lacking understanding or missing items, you have at best a “C” quality report. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;">If your report doesn’t communicate what you learned and how you learned it, then it is incomplete. That’s unacceptable!
 * /2 Testable Hypothesis? ||  ||   ||   ||
 * /2 Correctly organized & neatly formatted? ||  ||   ||   ||
 * /4 Clear & complete Procedure? ||  ||   ||   ||
 * /4 __Clear & accurate Data?__ ||  ||   ||> // All Results & Analysis must be unique to your group. // ||
 * /4 Accurate & complete Graphs? ||  ||   ||   ||
 * /4 Clear & informative Conclusion? ||  ||   || // All concluding remarks must be unique and in your own words. // ||

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> LAB REPORT GUIDE // choose the grade you want to earn! //

FOR A **‘** C’, lab report is: And has:
 * Typed.
 * Title page with names & responsibilities, and score sheet.
 * Neat & presentable.
 * Correctly organized.
 * Graphs & tables ruled.
 * Introduction
 * Materials and methods
 * Summary of procedure
 * Results
 * Complete graphs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Questions answered.
 * A conclusion or other reflection.

FOR A **‘** B’ Same as for a C and:
 * Introduction has Purpose, Question and Hypothesis.
 * Results are in complete tables/multiple trials.
 * Most questions answered correctly.
 * Conclusion relates results to purpose and further questions asked.

FOR AN **‘** A’ Same as for a B and:
 * Introduction has a clear and well written Purpose, Question and Hypothesis.
 * Results are in complete tables with multiple trials and units/labels on figures
 * Graphs have titles and legends and graphs are printed.
 * All questions answered correctly.
 * Conclusion relates results to purpose, supports/refutes hypothesis, discusses where systematic (NOT human) errors occur, establishes logical relationships, and further questions asked or links to everyday life are made.

Still have questions? Ask me!

**<span style="color: #0071ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 300%;">ÞE OLDE COOKIE SHOPPE **

 Then let's hear //your// !@#$*-free, inexplicit, non-sexist, non-racist, nonviolent playlist! || 20 ||
 * ** Items ** || what it is for || ** Cookie points ** ||
 * pen || writing || 1 ||
 * pencil || D'oh! || 2 ||
 * Hall Pass (Potty pass) || frequent bathroom goers who wish to get out of detention || 4 ||
 * Homework Coupon || "It was due //today//?" procrastinators who need to hand it in //manyana// and avoid the late penalty || 5 ||
 * Pass the Question (the screw coupon) || when you get called to the board and, for whatever reason, prefer to screw your classmates || 6 ||
 * Macuk’s Jukebox || tired of classical, jazz, rock n' roll, big band, swing, new age, instrumental & movie soundtracks?
 * Macuk’s Jukebox || tired of classical, jazz, rock n' roll, big band, swing, new age, instrumental & movie soundtracks?