Grading Policy

Dear Students and Parents, 

Research shows that people (students) are more likely to complete tasks consistently, or at a regular rate, when there is a schedule other than a fixed interval.  A fixed interval schedule incentives students to work really hard right before a set time for completion has been reached.  Essentially, it rewards procrastination.  Quality of work is thus inconsistent and low at the beginning of the grading period, eventually increasing as the deadline looms.  This often means that an emphasis on learning is replaced with "doing work" towards the end of every 6 week grading period or semester.

In order to incentivize consistent effort, final grades will be calculated by a variable interval, rather than a fixed interval.  This means that final grades will be calculated at four randomly determined times during the semester.

Here is what this looks like:
  1. There will be 4 randomly chosen times in the semester where grades will be locked into the grade book (snapshots) and an average of those four will determine a students final grade.  Each of these snapshots will be worth 25% of your students final grade for the class.  Once a snapshot has been taken, the grade for that 25% is locked in, a new grading period is begins.  Students will not know when the snapshot will be taken (variable interval).  This also means that it is important that any missing/late work be turned in within two days of an excused absence.
  2. Grades will be calculated on a percentage system which means that students should use the same effort on a lower point assignment as they would on a higher point assignment. 90 -100 = A (Excellent), 80 - 89 = B (Above Average), 70 - 79 = C (Average), 60 - 69 = D (Below Average), 0 - 59 = Failing.
  3. If students/parents feel that a snapshot was taken and it didn't fairly assess student learning, during office hours (Monday, Tuesday and, Friday mornings only - starting at 7:15 a.m.) on the week following the snapshot, students can complete a "mastery makeup" where they can complete a project to demonstrate their learning.

To be clear, this is an effort to incentivize and reward consistent behavior in the demonstration of student learning.  The final weeks of a term are often stressful for students, parents and teachers and it is my hope that a variable interval grading schedule will help alleviate some of this stress and reward students who are making a consistent attempt at learning.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact me (email is best).  Thanks and I look forward to a great semester.

Grading Policy: Grades will be calculated on a percentage system: 90-100 = A (Excellent) 80-89+ G

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