Townview Academics
World Languages Department
Grade Policy
2010-2011
1) Progress reports will be sent to parents every 3 weeks if the student falls below a 70. This includes a progress report at the end of the 3rd week of the six weeks, and the official report card sent out at the end of the six weeks.
2) Homework: Homework assigned in Townview World Languages classrooms is always meaningful to the educational process. Homework assignments are not busy work, but rather extensions of the classroom learning experiences and opportunities to practice for mastery.
3) Expectations are clearly defined through rubrics, criteria charts, and other evaluative tools. Projects will always be accompanied by rubrics or criteria charts to facilitate the student’s understanding of the desired product.
4) As always, students will be allowed to make up tests and assignments missed due to absences, without penalty. Students will be given 2 school days per 1 missed day to complete the missed work or test.
5) Late work:
In keeping with the high standards of the Yvonne A. Ewell Magnet Center, and our desire to consistently challenge our students to go beyond district goals, we the World Language teachers of Townview Magnet Center, in accordance with district policy, have agreed upon the following penalties for late work:
1) Students will receive at least one opportunity per six weeks to turn in late work not related to an absence. Those late assignments will be given a grade no higher than a 70. We recognize that individual teachers often determine that special situations arise, and teachers are free to accept as many late assignments as they deem necessary.
a. Missing or being late on more than one assignment is an indicator that the student is having problems, organizing, focusing or comprehending material.
b. Teachers will always monitor and inform students when work is missed. When a pattern of missing or late work arises, teachers will utilize the 3rd week progress reports and 6 week report card to inform the parent as to the nature of the problem. This may be supplemented by calls to parents.
c. With 12 grades per 6 weeks it is more practical to contact the parent about patterns of late work or missing work that have arisen, rather than contacting them for each individual missed assignment. This addresses the nature of the problem and gives the student guidance on how to correct the problem, instead of encouraging poor preparation and study habits.
2) Retesting. As per the grade policy clarifications sheet, students will be given the opportunity to retake “any MAJOR test, as defined by grade level and department teachers.” The 1) Townview World Languages Department, defines MAJOR tests as tests that cover more than one chapter or unit.
a. Chapter or unit tests, although weighted 25% as per the new district grading policy, are not MAJOR tests.
b. As always, teachers will monitor special situations and the special needs of each student, and may choose to allow multiple retests or retesting of non-MAJOR tests.
2) There will be no fewer than 3 and no more than 5 tests or major project grades per 6 weeks. A variety of chapter/unit tests, MAJOR tests, 6 Week tests, projects, or focused written, oral, and listening evaluations will be used to satisfy this requirement.
3) Grade weights will follow the district requirements of:
Homework and Class Work 40%
This includes homework, class assignments, problem based assignments such as quizzes or group activities and products, and a variety of skill practice activities.
Tests 25%
This includes major tests, chapter tests, evaluations that focus on individual targets or objectives, such as cultural and historical knowledge, writing, speaking, or listening comprehension.
Projects/Products 20%
This includes projects, focused writing assignments, research papers, presentations, or reports.
Six Weeks Test Grade 15%
This is the end of the six week tests. At the end of the semesters, the ACP scores can be used as a six weeks test grade.
4) Grades will be documented weekly on Gradespeed. Grades completed Monday-Friday are to be posted on Gradespeed by that following Monday.
