We assess our progress and learning everyday. We have assignments to learn concepts & skills as well as practice those. We have discussions and feedback, from me or from each other. Sometimes the practice is outside of class time (study hall, library, home...). Everyone needs practice, but not everyone needs the same practice. How you do with the practice informs us where we are and what we need to do next to accomplish our goals (ie. learning the material). Maybe it is more practice, maybe it is different practice, eventually that was enough practice. There are no “grades” for practice, though we may refer to a “grade” to talk about where we are (if you can do “x assignment” without difficulty you should be about a 3). These ideas are referred to as Formative Assessment = we are forming our knowledge.
After these practices comes game time. Time to show what you can do, what you know. There are many more practices than games. These are referred to as Summative Assessments = summing up what we can do. These could be quizzes, projects, demonstrations, or discussions. The Summative Assessments are what gets “scored” and put in the grade book.
YOU CANNOT SKIP (OR TAKE A 0) FOR A SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT.
You will receive an Incomplete until all Summatives are done.
I use a Standards Based Grading system of 1-4 to record levels of proficiency with the content. There are several ways to refer to the proficiency. One way in words is Novice, Apprentice, Practitioner, Expert. In numbers 1 = with help I can do some of it ; 2 = i know the easy parts, but can’t show the harder aspects ; 3 = i know it well enough to do everything that was taught without making mistakes ; 4 = i understand it well enough to make connections that were not directly taught (0 or blank = i have not demonstrated anything) A 3 is a good grade and should be your goal for all topics (I have shown proficiency with the topic). Unfortunately we are still in the era of GPA and averaging grades so to earn an A your scores need to average between 3.10 - 4 ; B = 2.5 - 3.09 ; C = 2.00 - 2.49 ; D = 1.5 - 1.99 ; F <1.5 (which really means you refused to do work or show evidence). Truly no one should get below a C.
Terms used for 4 Levels of SBG
We don’t allow 0’s (no evidence of learning) ; You are not allowed to take a 0 or miss a summative assessment. Every grade is a Content Standard that you are supposed to learn, and therefore vitally important. Some people need a little more time, and that is okay (as long as you are working on it). But if you are just putting it off or are being lazy, after a reasonable period (week or two) consequences will build up and our main consequences are detentions and meetings with parents. You still have to do to the assessment to best of your ability.
We do allow Re-Takes. If you do poorly on a Summative Assessment, you may try again AFTER you have demonstrated to me some more practice. We can discuss what "more practice" would be. Maybe it is coming for a review session, maybe it is create and solve a few problems.... The new score replaces the old score. These are done on your own time, not class time (we have too many things things to do during class time)
Your grade will reflect your individual level of proficiency/achievement.
It is yours and you will have input.
After these practices comes game time. Time to show what you can do, what you know. There are many more practices than games. These are referred to as Summative Assessments = summing up what we can do. These could be quizzes, projects, demonstrations, or discussions. The Summative Assessments are what gets “scored” and put in the grade book.
YOU CANNOT SKIP (OR TAKE A 0) FOR A SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT.
You will receive an Incomplete until all Summatives are done.
I use a Standards Based Grading system of 1-4 to record levels of proficiency with the content. There are several ways to refer to the proficiency. One way in words is Novice, Apprentice, Practitioner, Expert. In numbers 1 = with help I can do some of it ; 2 = i know the easy parts, but can’t show the harder aspects ; 3 = i know it well enough to do everything that was taught without making mistakes ; 4 = i understand it well enough to make connections that were not directly taught (0 or blank = i have not demonstrated anything) A 3 is a good grade and should be your goal for all topics (I have shown proficiency with the topic). Unfortunately we are still in the era of GPA and averaging grades so to earn an A your scores need to average between 3.10 - 4 ; B = 2.5 - 3.09 ; C = 2.00 - 2.49 ; D = 1.5 - 1.99 ; F <1.5 (which really means you refused to do work or show evidence). Truly no one should get below a C.
Terms used for 4 Levels of SBG
We don’t allow 0’s (no evidence of learning) ; You are not allowed to take a 0 or miss a summative assessment. Every grade is a Content Standard that you are supposed to learn, and therefore vitally important. Some people need a little more time, and that is okay (as long as you are working on it). But if you are just putting it off or are being lazy, after a reasonable period (week or two) consequences will build up and our main consequences are detentions and meetings with parents. You still have to do to the assessment to best of your ability.
We do allow Re-Takes. If you do poorly on a Summative Assessment, you may try again AFTER you have demonstrated to me some more practice. We can discuss what "more practice" would be. Maybe it is coming for a review session, maybe it is create and solve a few problems.... The new score replaces the old score. These are done on your own time, not class time (we have too many things things to do during class time)
Your grade will reflect your individual level of proficiency/achievement.
It is yours and you will have input.