| The purpose of this document is to
explain the method by which Science report card grades are
determined. Each subject class teacher has the discretion of
evaluating work within these parameters and will announce more
precise percentage limits in class.
I. TESTS and the COLLATERAL
ASSIGNMENT (60-70%)
- At least two full-length
(40 minute) tests, or an equivalent combination of quizzes and
tests, will be administered each marking period.
- Tests will include both
short answer and essay questions. Reading, writing, vocabulary
and critical thinking questions should be a part of each
exam.
- Students absent from an exam are expected to make up that exam on their next day back at school.
- Students will be given
adequate time to prepare for full period tests.
- Short quizzes will be given
as needed. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.
- The collateral assignment will be reflected in the grade as one of the test grades. Science
collaterals are only assigned during the fall term, and are due
the 2nd week of December.
- Students enrolled in Regents
courses must take the Regents Examinations in addition to any
departmental final exams.
Note: The Regents
Examination Grade does not count in the determination of a
final grade with the following exceptions:
- A student whose Regents Grade is
50% or less,
will have his/her final grade changed to 55%.
- If the difference between the Regents Grade and the Final Grade is greater than, or equal to:
40 points, the final, grade will be changed by +/- 15 points
30 points, the final grade will be changed by +/- 10 points
20 points, the final grade will be change by +/- 5 points
- Students must sit for the Regents Examination in June of the year in which they take the course. Students with valid excuses for their absence, confirmed by the Science department, will NOT be penalized, provided they sit for and pass the next Regents Exam (in either August or January).
II LABORATORY
(15-20%)
Students in all Regents classes
must complete a minimum of 1200 minutes of laboratory exercises
(24 -50 minute classes - or their equivalent) to be eligible to
sit for the Regents exam.
- Lab reports will be
collected one week after the lab is completed. The reports will
be graded, returned to the student, who is to keep the labs in a
lab folder.
- Failure to submit Lab
Reports on time may seriously affect a student's grade.
- At the end of each semester,
the folder will be collected. It is required by New York State
that the reports be kept on file for six months after the Regents
examination.
- Students who do not meet the
1200 minute laboratory requirement must be barred from taking the
Regents and must receive a failing grade in the course.
- Missed labs are to be made up
during the week following absence from lab. It is the student's
responsibility to make arrangements with his/her
teacher.
Notes:
- A grade of 55% will be
given to students who have missed 2 or more labs, or did not
submit lab reports (or submitted incomplete reports) for 2 or
more labs, even if they participated in the lab.
III HOMEWORK and CLASS
PARTICIPATION (10-15%)
- Homework will be assigned
at least 4 times per week.
- Homework assignments should
contain both reading and writing components and should reinforce
learning that has taken place in class, or serve to prepare
students for the next day's lesson.
- Daily homework assignments
ought not require more than 30 minutes to complete.
- Students are responsible for
completing all homework on time and for making up work missed
during an absence.
- Failure to complete homework
may seriously affect students' grades.
- All students are expected to
participate in class discussions and to respond in complete
sentences and clear voices.
- Lateness to/absence from class, including 0 and 10 bands, on
an day of attendance will result in a referral.
- Cutting and lateness from class will adversely affect your grade.
IV MATERIALS
- Students are responsible
for maintaining a notebook and having a dictionary in class
daily.
- Review books, calculators,
Reference Tables, a pen and a pencil must be brought to class
each day.
- Physics students are required
to bring rulers and protractors to class on a daily basis.
- Additionally, students must
bring whatever other incidental materials requested by their
teacher.
Note: In case of financial
need, students will be given assistance toward purchasing review
books. Additionally, copies of all books are available for
student use in the school library.
V CITIZENSHIP: Students
are expected to be in class on time and by their behavior,
contribute to an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. If the
option becomes available on the gradescan sheets, Citizenship
grades will again be entered.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Grades are cumulative for
the term and reflect the totality of the student's work from the
beginning of the term until the end of the current marking
period.
- Students in annualized classes
who are failing during the fall term will be given a deferred
grade. Students who are still failing the course in June will
have their deferred grades changed to 55. Students who pass the
second semester of the course will have their deferred grade
changed to 65.
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