FAQ Index

"Just the FAQ's"

 This is one of my FAQ pages.  I put these here to answer questions about classroom policies, grading practices and any other question I find myself answering to distraction.  Please feel free to submit a question you feel should be here by e-mailing me. 
Absentees
Disruptive Behavior
Cheating
Supplies
Tardies
          
Grade Determination
Extra Credit
Late work
Quality Work
Test Re-takes
 
Rules  (Read This!)
 
Conference
Tutoring
 
Calls home
My gradebook online
 
Philosophy
Academic skills
 
Jackson Science

 
Class work:
 
How are grades determined?
          The GPISD requires grades to be made up of two categories.  In my classroom this results in Daily grades and Test grades.  Each category counts for 50% of the final grade.  That is, Daily grades make up only 50% of the final grade while tests make up the other half.  However, since my class is a science class I have Labs (an element that does not easily fit into either category).  On the one hand, students should get credit for successfully and appropriately completing the lab.  And on the other hand, they should be able to demonstrate analytical skills by inferring conclusions from evidence.  Therefore, given the nature of the lab work that we do, it works well to count each Lab as one daily grade and one major grade.
 
Can I earn Extra Credit?
          There is only one form of extra credit that I allow.  In the interest of trying to establish good study habits and a peer network for homework help, I allow students to keep a log of their study habits with a partner.  At the end of the term, they may turn in their logs and receive extra credit based on how much their studying has helped their peer.  The rationale here is that the very act of studying more often and hopefully more effectively will have a positive affect on the student's grades.  Additionally, this system adds incentive for students to go beyond themselves to accomplish a task. 
 
             a.) Why is this the only extra credit you allow?
        When I allowed other forms of extra credit, I had students dedicate more time to completing extra credit assignments than making sure their core assignments were quality work.  I understand that some students will still put forth the proper effort into their core assignments but some will not and I'm not going to let them shoot themselves in the foot.  Additionally, we have plenty of assignments during the six weeks that if a student does poorly on a couple of them, it won't impact their grade that much.
 
Do you take late work?
          NO.  I did take late work as a safety net for the occasional student that forgot their assignment.  However, this became not a safety net, but instead a crutch.  I had students turning in a majority of their assignments late.  Because of this, I decided to no longer accept late work.  Instead, I will drop the two lowest daily grades for the six weeks.  This policy does not apply to make-up work.  Work turned in "late" due to absence follow the policy for Absentees.  Major grades are accepted after due dates at a cost of 10 points per school day late.  Major grades are NOT accepted after 5 days.  Dropped grades DO NOT apply to tests or the major portion of lab grades.
 
What do you mean by "Quality Work"?
          Quality Work is really a very simple idea. 
  • Quality work is complete.  All objectives should be completed.  If you don't know the answer, find it or speculate.
  • Quality work is neat.  I give you assignments on clean, unfolded, untorn paper.  I expect your assignments to be clean, unfolded, and untorn.  This also applies to legibility.  You can read the assignment I give you.  I should be able to read the work you do.
  • Quality work is proofread.  Don't make dumb mistakes.  Dumb mistakes include misspelled words and use of improper grammar.  I have several dictionaries in my classroom.  Spelling ALWAYS counts!  Think before you write.  Make sure you're actually saying what you think you're saying in your responses to objectives on assignments, labs, and tests.
Do you allow students to retake failed tests?
          Yes.  If a student receives a failing grade on a test, the student will be allowed to take a re-test IF the student attends at least one of the tutoring sessions normally offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The student needs to schedule a time to retake the test on a Tuesday or Thursday no later than 7 school days after the original test was administered.  It is not necessary to schedule a tutoring session, just the re-take.  Re-taking a test is subject to district policy.  That is, the highest score possible on a re-test is a 70.