Assessment, Evaluation, and Proficiency Grading

Grading Philosophy:

This course uses a proficiency-based grading system. Grades are based solely on demonstration of mastery of the concepts in the math course syllabus. Students must show proficiency in ALL major concepts to earn credit for the class and higher order thinking questions will be used to determine grades higher than a C. Students will demonstrate their mastery of concepts through formal assessments (either written or oral) that may take the form of a quiz, test, presentation, or project. Any assessment, other than final exams and the final draft of a project, can be retaken, though students must complete the requirements (see below) prior to a retake. To help increase retention, any previously learned skill can appear on later tests.

How Are The Skills Scored?

Most skills will be assessed 3 times. A student's overall score on a skill is based on the median of the scores. If a skill is assessed more than 3 times, only the most recent three scores will be used in the median calculation. Assessments of skills will be scored using the following rubric.

Scoring Scale:

• 7 In addition to score 6 performance, in depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was explicitly taught.
• 6 In addition to score 5 performance, partial success at inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught.
• 5 No major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and/or processes (simple or complex) that were explicitly taught.
• 4 No major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes and partial knowledge of the more complex ideas and processes.
• 3 Partial demonstration of simpler details/processes; major errors/omissions regarding more complex ideas/processes.
• 2 Limited demonstration of the simpler details/processes; either major errors/omissions or needs help on the more complex ideas/processes.
• 1 With help, partial understanding of some of the simpler ideas and processes.
• 0 Even with help, no understanding or skill demonstrated
Adapted from Robert J. Marzano "Classroom Assessment and Grading that Work"

How Are Overall Grades Calculated?

Calculation of a student's overall grade in the course is based on the student's overall median score in each of the skills.

• A No skill score lower than a 6
• B No skill score lower than a 5
• C No skill score lower than a 4
• D No skill score lower than a 3
• F At least one skill score of 2 or below

Any skill earning a 5 or below can be retaken.

Revisions + Reflections + Homework will be required prior to retakes. There will be periodic deadlines for retakes of certain skills. If a student misses the deadline, more work will be required in order to be eligible to retake.

Homework Policy:Homework is assigned [Geometry: and it will be collected]. It is expected and anticipated that students will have questions about the assigned work and that they will have an opportunity to ask these questions in class.

Though homework does not directly effect a student's grade, it is expected and anticipated that the student has worked as far as possible on each problem and has sought help if there are many questions. If a student does not know how to complete a problem, s/he should leave as much work as s/he knew how to do. Then, they should write a sentence about what s/he did not know. This will help the student articulate and identify the specific challenges and help the teacher provide more efficient and helpful feedback.

Of course doing homework in a studious and serious manner will effect a student's grade through their work on assessments.

[Geometry: A student's homework grade must be at least 80% to be eligible to retake assessments.

In the case that a student has lower than an 80% completion rate, s/he must complete each missing assignment.

Retake Policy:

• 1. A student must have either an 80% completion rate or all homework assignments turned in to be eligible to retake.
• 2. All retake forms must be turned in the Tuesday before the retake. Retake forms are printable from this website. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• 3. The retake form must be complete. Incomplete forms will be rejected. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• 4. No single skill may be retaken within a 1 week period.
• 5. Retakes on skills may have deadlines. After that deadline passes, the amount of work required to apply for a retake may increase (additional prep problems).
• 6. If the grade does not improve with a retake, additional problems and a consultation with the teacher will be required before another retake can be taken.
• 7. Once you begin a retake and start the assessment, the assessment counts. Do not begin an assessment that you will not have time to finish.

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