2017-18 Grading System
80% Summative - 20 Formative%
BJHS 2017-18 Grading System, Progress Reports, Placement Guidelines - Doc.
The following will give specific details regarding how the BJHS Grading System is implemented in my classroom. Please read both pieces of information carefully.
During our opening Professional Development Day in 2015-16, the BJHS Staff hosted Rick Wormeli, international speaker/researcher/educator. I heard Rick speak a couple of years ago and read his book Fair Isn't Always Equal. I was very excited to implement some new practices that I felt made the grading and assessment of my students' work a more accurate depiction of what they truly knew. With this in mind, I have made it a goal over the past several years to continue to revise policies that don't work in favor of my students. The following is a list of my classroom grading practices and beliefs based on Mr. Wormeli's research.
It's what students carry forward, not what they demonstrated during the unit of learning, that is most indicative of true proficiency. Therefore, prior concepts will occur on current tests/quizzes to assess retention of material.
Grades are not compensation or punishment for effort, behavior or participation. They are communication. Information regarding these attributes will be reported out via comment codes on HAC report cards. Final grades are posted on HAC. Additionally, no extra credit will be given. Extra credit points pad the grade and give an inaccurate depiction of what the student actually knows. Students will be permitted within reason (at the teacher's discretion) to redo assignments or retake tests. Please note:
1. Students should expect a different version of the assessment if one is available.
2. A Test Retake Form must be filled out and signed by a parent stating what was done to learn the material. Forms can be found on the homepage of this site. (Hard copies can be found by the Absent Work tray at the front of the room.) Forms should be returned to the teacher who initially gave the test.
3. Retakes are not permitted unless all work has been turned in. (No "I"s)
4. No redos or late work will be permitted the last week of the quarter.
5. Retakes are scheduled after school on Fridays from 2:30 - 3:30 P.M. Parents are responsible for providing transportation. Determing with your child in advance if they will be meeting you in the front or back of the building upon dismissal from the media center where retakes are monitored. If the length of the assessment is condusive to a retake during homeroom, one will be scheduled during that time, however 20 min. is typically not enough time.
6. The retake score stands as the official record for learning even if it is lower than the first assessment.
Grades are evidence of learning not doing. Therefore, interim assessments (final tests, projects, etc.) are worth 80% of the grade and formative assessments (daily work, activities and quick checks) are worth 20%. These scores demonstrate how the student is progressing toward mastery. This breakdown is standard for the junior high. Questions or issues regarding this policy may be directed to Mr. Hurley.
We can learn without grades, but we can't learn without descriptive feedback. Therefore, I will conference with students in small groups and 1 to 1 to provide verbal and or written feedback on learning progressions.
There is little evidence (according to current research) that homework, especially busy work, reinforces real learning. Therefore, students will be given 15 min. of independent reading nightly (greatly supported by current research) and other homework not to exceed 60 minutes total. Students will be provided time in class/homeroom to complete assignments under the supervision of the teachers. As parents we believe family time is extremely important and life-long reading habits are key to continuous learning. (Math homework is typically assigned daily and students should study for Social Studies and Science 5-10 min. each night.)
Late work is accepted (as long as a chronic pattern does not occur) for full credit. The student must notify the teacher of the missed deadline and the plan to submit it. Missing work will be signified with a "O" on Schoology and counts as a zero in the average. If the assignment is not submitted by the end of the week, the grade of zero becomes permanent.
It is easier to keep up than catch up. Therefore, in the event a child misses school, the student will need to speak with the teacher about a plan of work completion. According to the handbook, students may have one day for every day missed to complete work. This is not always possible, so I try to remain flexible as a student catches up while attempting to keep up with daily work.
Parents, please keep in mind that this level of flexibility greatly increases the record keeping I am responsible for. Grading work and inputting scores take a tremendous amount of time (especially writing assignments that are not done on Pearson Essay Scorer) and is usually done over the weekend. Work that is turned in late does not get immediate attention in regard to grading.
80% Summative - 20 Formative%
BJHS 2017-18 Grading System, Progress Reports, Placement Guidelines - Doc.
The following will give specific details regarding how the BJHS Grading System is implemented in my classroom. Please read both pieces of information carefully.
During our opening Professional Development Day in 2015-16, the BJHS Staff hosted Rick Wormeli, international speaker/researcher/educator. I heard Rick speak a couple of years ago and read his book Fair Isn't Always Equal. I was very excited to implement some new practices that I felt made the grading and assessment of my students' work a more accurate depiction of what they truly knew. With this in mind, I have made it a goal over the past several years to continue to revise policies that don't work in favor of my students. The following is a list of my classroom grading practices and beliefs based on Mr. Wormeli's research.
It's what students carry forward, not what they demonstrated during the unit of learning, that is most indicative of true proficiency. Therefore, prior concepts will occur on current tests/quizzes to assess retention of material.
Grades are not compensation or punishment for effort, behavior or participation. They are communication. Information regarding these attributes will be reported out via comment codes on HAC report cards. Final grades are posted on HAC. Additionally, no extra credit will be given. Extra credit points pad the grade and give an inaccurate depiction of what the student actually knows. Students will be permitted within reason (at the teacher's discretion) to redo assignments or retake tests. Please note:
1. Students should expect a different version of the assessment if one is available.
2. A Test Retake Form must be filled out and signed by a parent stating what was done to learn the material. Forms can be found on the homepage of this site. (Hard copies can be found by the Absent Work tray at the front of the room.) Forms should be returned to the teacher who initially gave the test.
3. Retakes are not permitted unless all work has been turned in. (No "I"s)
4. No redos or late work will be permitted the last week of the quarter.
5. Retakes are scheduled after school on Fridays from 2:30 - 3:30 P.M. Parents are responsible for providing transportation. Determing with your child in advance if they will be meeting you in the front or back of the building upon dismissal from the media center where retakes are monitored. If the length of the assessment is condusive to a retake during homeroom, one will be scheduled during that time, however 20 min. is typically not enough time.
6. The retake score stands as the official record for learning even if it is lower than the first assessment.
Grades are evidence of learning not doing. Therefore, interim assessments (final tests, projects, etc.) are worth 80% of the grade and formative assessments (daily work, activities and quick checks) are worth 20%. These scores demonstrate how the student is progressing toward mastery. This breakdown is standard for the junior high. Questions or issues regarding this policy may be directed to Mr. Hurley.
We can learn without grades, but we can't learn without descriptive feedback. Therefore, I will conference with students in small groups and 1 to 1 to provide verbal and or written feedback on learning progressions.
There is little evidence (according to current research) that homework, especially busy work, reinforces real learning. Therefore, students will be given 15 min. of independent reading nightly (greatly supported by current research) and other homework not to exceed 60 minutes total. Students will be provided time in class/homeroom to complete assignments under the supervision of the teachers. As parents we believe family time is extremely important and life-long reading habits are key to continuous learning. (Math homework is typically assigned daily and students should study for Social Studies and Science 5-10 min. each night.)
Late work is accepted (as long as a chronic pattern does not occur) for full credit. The student must notify the teacher of the missed deadline and the plan to submit it. Missing work will be signified with a "O" on Schoology and counts as a zero in the average. If the assignment is not submitted by the end of the week, the grade of zero becomes permanent.
It is easier to keep up than catch up. Therefore, in the event a child misses school, the student will need to speak with the teacher about a plan of work completion. According to the handbook, students may have one day for every day missed to complete work. This is not always possible, so I try to remain flexible as a student catches up while attempting to keep up with daily work.
Parents, please keep in mind that this level of flexibility greatly increases the record keeping I am responsible for. Grading work and inputting scores take a tremendous amount of time (especially writing assignments that are not done on Pearson Essay Scorer) and is usually done over the weekend. Work that is turned in late does not get immediate attention in regard to grading.