Students will be evaluated through a variety of formative and summative assessment techniques. Formative assessments inform teachers on the student’s progress in an informal and ongoing manner. They enable us to monitor student progress, adjust instruction accordingly, and provide feedback to our students. Typically they are not graded assessments and may include, but are not limited to participation, homework checks, article summaries, daily questions, summarizers, group activities, closing activities, and various graphic organizers or visual components. Formative assessments are “for” the students and are to be viewed as a tool to aid in the instructional process.
Summative assessments are the more traditional types of assessments. Summative assessments are used to evaluate how much learning has taken place during a specific period of time. They often include chapter tests, quizzes and large projects. Summative assessments essentially “summarize” the learning that has taken place and give us an idea of what a student knows, understands, or can do. Items such as homework and extra credit do not reflect what you have learned and therefore will not be part of the grade.
Student’s grades will be based on their performance on a variety of summative assessments, which are designed to accurately depict what a student has mastered. Exams will contain three major types of questions. Type 1 questions will focus on a basic recall of information and will demonstrate a basic understanding of the concepts. Type 2 questions will focus on comprehension and a deeper understanding of the topics being discussed. Type 3 questions will require students to display a complex understanding of the subject, and will require students to process and analyze the information in a new and critical way.
A weighted grade book will be used to calculate your course grades. Weights are as follows:
Exams: 90% Quizzes, Labs & Projects and Other Assignments: 10% Homework: 0%
Assignments- All assignments are to be handed in on the date due. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, it will be your responsibility to turn it in the next day you are in school. Please check the grade sheet, each week, to see if you owe any assignments. Each student is required to complete all assignments. No zeros will be given. Homework will be graded on a completion basis and will be given a code based on the following information:
Y = assignment completed on time
L = assignment completed late
R = assignment completed on time but needs corrections
N = assignment not completed
Tests and Quizzes- Test will be announced approximately two days in advance. If you are absent on the day before an evaluation, you are expected to take it on the scheduled day. If you are absent the day of the evaluation, you will take it the day you come back. Extended absences will require a special make-up schedule. Each student is required to complete all evaluations. Zeros will not be given.
Make-up work- Each student is required to complete all assessments. If an assessment is not completed, an alternate consequence will be administered. No zeros will be given. “Incompletes” will be used until the assignment is completed. A student who is missing multiple assessments, may lose their good standing status.
Reassessments-According to district policy, students will be given at least one opportunity to retake summative assessments and will be able to earn back up to 100% of the total point value. In order to be eligible for reassessment, students must follow the guidelines set forth in our course reassessment plan, which include but are not limited to, completing all assignments by the original assessment date, test corrections, quiz corrections, and obtaining additional help from a teacher or peer tutor. Once all requirements have been met, the student will take an alternative assessment outside of the class period within two weeks of the original assessment date.
Quiz Corrections-Quiz corrections will be recommended for all students. Students will be able to earn back up to 100% of the total point value. Quiz corrections are required in order for a student to be eligible for exam retakes. Students will have two days to complete the quiz corrections.