Mr. Stephens'
American History Class
GRADING POLICY
grades
"Yes, I'm sure those grades are yours, and not the result of identity theft."

Assignment formats and options may vary from chapter to chapter. Grading formats will depend on the assignment or option you choose. There are usually five (5) options for each assignment:

  1. Old School
  2. Video/Watch a Movie/Read a Book
  3. Power Point, Presentation
  4. Group Activity, Written Report
  5. Student-generated alternative assignment (teacher approved)
Grading will be explained as options are chosen. In general the following factors will be used to determine your actual grade. Each entry is very important. All grades will be entered in a computer grade program in their corresponding categories and will be calculated by the computer. If a student does not work up to their ability, has missing or incomplete assignments their grade will not be as positive as it might have been. All assignments are due on their assigned dates. The only exceptions to assignment due dates are outlined in the High School Policy Book.

The Quarter grade(s) are determined by four factors which are:
  • Participation
  • Homework/Classroom
  • Notebooks, and
  • Assessments - test, quizzes, presentations, alternative assessment.
Participation includes the proper classroom behavior and positive interaction during the class, both with the instructor and others in the class. Participation also includes the student's attendance and tardiness in this class.

Homework/Classroom includes all written and oral assignments assigned (e.g. including, but not limited to: section Reviews, Chapter Reviews, Vocabulary, Maps, and Study Sheets). The completion of these assignments (as per teacher instruction) may be either partially or totally outside of class.

Notebook - Each student is expected to keep an organized notebook (3-ring binder) as described by the instructor. The contents of the notebook will include all written assignments, all handouts distributed in class, and all materials as instructed by the teacher.

ASSESSMENTS are used by the instructor to insure the student has an acceptable understanding of the topic(s). Assessments can take many forms. Whatever the form, assessments are either "for learning" or "of learning.” The first type helps the student and teacher to decide how the student is progressing and allows for modification of instruction/learning. This type is usually NOT graded. The second tests that the student understands and has learned the assignment. This type of assessment is graded.

You, the student, may often have choices of the type of assessments of learning (tests) you have. Throughout each chapter the instructor, may have alternative assessments for you to choose. The student may also have the opportunity to choose or create his or her own assessment.

Assessment choices may be a written or oral presentation, a Power Point, written test, art project, media project, a one act play, a song, a dance or . . . . ? The instructor is looking for your understanding. The form this proof takes will depend on each situation.

Although student grades will be based in the following framework, depending on the chapter and the applicability of the section for chapters, all sections may not be required. When this is true, the value of the remaining sections will be adjusted.

Old School - Individual & Group Work
    
       Homework / Classwork
  • Section Reviews - 50%
    • Definitions (selected)             (10%)
    • Identifying (selected)            (10%)
    • Analyzing/Categorizing          (10%)
    • Finding the Main idea             (10%)
    • Writing and  Critical Thinking    (10%)
  • Assessments (Tests/Quizzes/Alternatives) - 50%
                                                                               Total - 100%

All chosen assignments will be effected by:
  • Following are factors which also affect the student's grade
                   1. Attendance/Tardiness
                        - both excused & unexcused absences will have a
                          large impact on grades 

                    2. Adhering to Classroom/School Rules.
                    3. Quality of work completed.
                    4. Quantity of work completed.
                    5. Using proper procedures - - as instructed.
                    6. Working independently
                    7. Attention paid during class.
                    8. Positive attitude - interaction with others - including
                        visitors, substitutes & students

The total points per category determine QUARTER GRADES for that quarter. The preceding guidelines will total 100% of each student's grade.

GRADING SCALE
A = 100  - 90
B = 89.9 - 80
C = 79.9 - 70
D = 69.9 - 60
F = 59.9 - 0

SEMESTER GRADES equal each quarter grade, plus the semester exam will be added together. Each quarter grade will equal 40% of the total semester grade. The remaining 20% of the semester grade will be determined by the semester exam (or alternative assessment) score.

    1st Quarter grade      =  40%
    2nd Quarter grade      =  40%
    Semester exam/project =  20%
    Semester grade         = 100%

3rd Quarter grade     =  40%
4th Quarter grade     =  40%
Semester exam/project =  20%
Semester grade         = 100%

Following is a partial list of interventions for individual students who I feel need additional help or guided instruction. Students may be required to attend any or all of the following:
  • after-school Special Help,
  • lunch (social room) help, 
  • complete alternative assessments agreed upon by student and teacher, 
  • form/participate in small group study teams, 
  • after-school Study Tables.