Grading Policy
The Grading Scale
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
65 - 69 D
0 - 64 F
Homework
Homework will be given almost daily, including weekends, allowing students to practice whatever new skills and ideas were learned in class each day. Homework counts as 10% of your nine-weeks average.
Each homework assignment will be graded as follows:
Check plus: Every problem attempted in pencil, heading complete, turned in on time, neatly done, showing all steps, and on the correct paper. Equivalent to a 100%.
Check: Over half the problems attempted, or all problems attempted but worked in pen or on spiral paper, missing header, or illegible.
Check minus: Less than half of problems attempted, or over half attempted but done in pen or on spiral paper, or missing header
Zero: Nothing turned in OR less than half of problems attempted but done in pen, done on spiral paper, or missing header, OR all problems attempted but showing no work. (An exception to this will be made for assignments where all work is mental and no work can be shown. In this case, I will usually assign a bellwork quiz the following day in order to assess understanding.)
Homework is not graded for accuracy, but you must ATTEMPT EVERY PROBLEM in order to receive full credit for the assignment. (Copying the problem down is not considered an attempt.) One missing problem will cause your grade to drop from a check plus (100) to a check (75). You must attempt all problems in order to receive full credit.
It is your responsibility to find out about homework missed due to absences. Please see my DCHS website for assignments, notes, and handouts. The makeup work policy will apply.
Quizzes and Daily Grades
You will have approximately 6 to 8 quizzes each nine-weeks. These are usually announced, but not always. A mini quiz is a partial quiz in which each question will count for 20 points of a 100 point quiz. These quizzes and daily grades will count 20% of your nine-weeks average.
Tests
Each nine-weeks you will have four to five major tests. If you have an excused absence on the day of the test, you will be allowed to take the test within three days upon your return to class. If you are absent (excused) for several days, you must make arrangements with me about making up your tests as soon as is reasonably possible. Tests will always be announced in advance by at least two days. Therefore, if you are absent the day before a test, you are still responsible for taking the test on the test day, even if you miss the review day! Tests will count 50% of your nine-weeks average.
Used with permission from Randy Glasbergen.
Nine-Weeks Tests
A nine-weeks test will be given at the end of the 1st and 3rd nine-weeks periods. This test will be comprehensive of the whole nine-weeks and will count as 20% of your nine-weeks average.
Semester Exams
If you miss 2 days or fewer and have an 85 average or higher at the end of a semester, you can be exempt from the exam. However, if you have to take your exam, it will count 20% of your semester average and each nine-weeks average will count 40%. The semester exam will be comprehensive of the whole semester.
Calculating a Nine-Weeks Average
10% Homework
20% Quizzes
50% Tests
20% Nine-weeks test
Calculating a Semester Average
40% 1st or 3rd nine-weeks average
40% 2nd or 4th nine-weeks average
20% Semester Exam