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Hi Ken.
A process begun by a Focused Learning Team centered around "15
Fixes..." a year ago is about to bear fruit in my school here in
Oregon. I and the other middle school principal in my district are
drafting a middle-level grading policy to better reflect current best
practice and the state movement toward proficiency-based grading. Our
staffs are both, predictably, balking at the "no zeroes" aspect in the
100% scale. We're not ready to go to 0-4 by fiat. So, we're looking
at the 50% solution, knowing that it's a work-around for a flawed
system, but a system which will exist in some classrooms for at least
another year. I've seen elsewhere that you seem to endorse 40% as a
floor. Can you explain your reasoning on that? It would seem to be a
bit of a capitulation to the impulse to punish students for missing
work...? Is that what it is -- a political solution to appease
recalcitrants? Or is there a more mathematical/logic reason to use
40% as the floor instead of 50%?
Thanks for your work in this area. Your book truly helped my staff
deeply reconsider their long-held beliefs about, well, everything!
Geoff Penrose |
2013-05-09 Geoff Penrose
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I teach science. Is it okay to read a test outloud and/or allow a student to respond verbally if the student has reading difficulties but does not have a school plan or IEP? I would not provide any additional help...just read it word for word...so I believe this is an acceptable accommodation. I am accessing what students know about the science concepts. What are your thoughts on this? |
2013-05-08 C.A.
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I'm having some difficulty answering this on an application. What are the best ways (pre writing strategies) that I may tackle this question and answer in a way which wows them? |
2013-05-07 Dell
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I am having a hard time understanding if I am providing too much help to students. I have a student who is not self motivated so he hasn't been studying for tests or completing all of his practice work. I have had him come in to review with me a couple times prior to tests. His test scores have improved tremendously. I have teachers and administrators questioning me. Even the parents are upset that this grade does not accurately represent what (they think) he is capable of. They are saying this is what he is capable with my assistance..which won't be provided next year. Where is the line? When am I providing too much help? Is there such a thing. I feel that all students deserve to learn. Some need different paths (assistance) to get there. |
2013-05-06 Corey
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Hello docter..
I'm currently
in grade 12
and im a bit
worried about
the course
that I want to
do which is
being a
medical
docter,but my
ap score was
not what I
expected it to
be. I got a ap
score of 35
I'm my march
results and
I'm worried .
Can I still
get into the
field? |
2013-05-06 tshepiso
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My son is in 8 grader, right now he has all A's and 1 B+ which is a 87.5 percent. Why don't teachers calculate that to 88 percent. My son is trying to get Principal Medallion for 7th & 8Th grade. The teacher won't budge and give him his A. He worked really hard in math and deserves that grade to change. |
2013-05-01 Maria
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Ken: I'm struggling with end dates for assignments, especially projects. I do not have a 'late' policy, so students delay turning in their workproduct. This does allow me to provide individual instruction for those who seek it. It also allows the student to procrastinate. Then they don't benefit from the extra instruction to meet the standards. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. |
2013-04-30 gordon reese
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My son has a English teacher who don't add all grades in ok....assetments are with 50% of his grade, homework is 25% and class work is 25%......assetments he got 721 out of 1100 home work he got 251 out of 400 and class work he got 502 out of 700 what would his grade be in this class please show me how you got the grade.....I know he need to do better and he will....or else |
2013-04-24 Brigitte
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Previously, our district exam performance levels were set very close to the classic 90-80-70-60 percentage scale which did not account for most of the differences in content and rigor. This created a strong misalignment between district and state outcomes for students. A correlational study was done and it was found that for virtually all district exams, there were exceptionally strong relationships. With this information in hand each district exam performance level cut points were aligned to the state exams. This solved the consistency of outcome issues but created the problem of grading alignment.
Cut points on the state exams were developed by selected professionals examining the items and determining the number of essential content needed to be proficient. For example, on the Algebra I test this came out to about 58%. The test is very difficult and in our district only about 24% of the student can achieve this cut point or higher. When we aligned our 4 quarterly district algebra exams to this, the cut points averaged around 60%.
And here is the complaint from teachers: how can 60% be proficient? To them that is a D at best. I try to explain that the main purpose of alignment is to be able to use the district exams as one tool for predicting likely end-of-year outcomes so that intervention can occur earlier in the year when there is time to do so, not as the primary grading source. I can’t say the degree to which the exams are factored into the standards, strands and overall grades, since teachers vary widely in their interpretation and trust. But for most of them, Proficient is a B and 60% can’t be proficient. At secondary this is complicated by the fact that most grading software packages force teachers to enter percentages and weights to get results.
We have purchased “How to Grade For Learning” and will be starting PD very soon. This question will come up again. So, how do you recommend we proceed in providing effective feedback with regard to this issue?
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2013-04-16 Uve
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Check out the link on how this assessment philosophy is being accepted around North
America
http://globalnews.ca/news/474237/camrose-parents-students-voice-concerns-over-new-
grading-system/ |
2013-04-11 Don Grader
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after teaching a month units lesson then administer an assessment and the reuslt are 45%,
92%, 76% & 83% what to do |
2013-04-11 lolo
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I am having a hard time understanding your alternative consequences to assignments that are not completed at all or on time. You suggest that the students shuld help establish a consequence. Well, I'm sure that I have not been he first one to suggest that when you have a collective student body of 150 students, an educator will find it difficult to customize consequences; and, what sort of consequences do you mean? Detentions? Lunch Detentions?
Also, how do you respond to the daily reality that the "real" world is not going to accept self-imposed conseqences? And, what are you doing with those students that deliberately do not turn work in on time knowing that they have a teacher that is going to "allow" them to complete the work for full credit with a self-designed consequence? Have have been working with students for 20 years and have taught for 14. I have found that students wll rise to the level the bar is set. Rigor and relevance is the newest catch phrase. Student come in with the attitude that "I'll turn it in late because Mr. So an So allows me too". Having raised 3 children and fostered two others along with my grandchildren my evidence has proven against almost everything you have outlined in your book. Students expect to have consequences that directly align to their behavior. If you miss the assignment, you miss the points.
Can you help me further understand your point of view because I can not see myself allowing students to make my class rules. That is not to say that I do not listen to valid and reasons for late work. Sometimes, life happens. As one of my students, asked when I told them I was writing this email, "How long did YOU have to write this book?"
I am very interested in hearing your responses to my questions and concerns.
Thank You
Pamela Reddick
Patrick Henry Middle School
Woodhaven, MI 48183 |
2013-04-10 Pamela Reddick
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Our high school has adopted grading guidelines that follow the
philosophy in your book "How to Grade for Learning". Course grades
are based upon a variety of summative assessments. Homework is
considered practiced and not calculated into the final grade. Our
teachers now say that students are not doing homework because it
doesn't count. When students do poorly on their summative assessment,
they are not allowed to redo their summative assessment until they
have completed all their "homework" and any remedial work that
demonstrates they are prepared. We are finding kids are just not
doing the remedial work. The teachers are frustrated with chasing
down students to get them to do the work, yet are afraid to let them
suffer the natural consequences of a failing grade because our state
now tracks student success in courses to a teacher. I feel like we
are playing "chicken" with the student and the students are winning in
the respect of teaching giving in and not assigning homework. We would
like to hear your thoughts on this. |
2013-04-09 Lisa Albrecht
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Our District is in the process of implementing a 4 point alpha grade system. Within these 4 alhpha grades lies 16% points. eg; BEG=0-49, DEV=50-66, ACH=67-83, EXC=84-100 What are your thoughts on these broad levels? |
2013-04-08 C. Downey
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We are recommending a 4-3-2-1 grading scale for grades k-12. Of
course, our Board, as well as many members of our school and local
community are concerned about the translation to a transcript. When we
contacted 26 colleges and universities they kindly shared their
viewpoints on the topic and as you can imagine, they are mixed. From,
totally understanding the reasoning for transitioning to standards
based to worry about a students scholarship opportunities. How would
you recommend translating a 4-3-2-1 scale to grade point averages, if
at all, as the main concern is scholarship opportunities aligned to a
grade point average (that was typically built on an A-F scale. |
2013-04-05 MNS G4L
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Does the grade system in USA and social promotion go hand to hand?
Does beanch mark grading and promotion system will have better results? |
2013-03-30 Sergio Jimenez
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We are continuing our journey of reflecting, learning, and applying new grading practices and reporting throughout our school district in Indiana. We are making solid progress at the K-8 level; however, we have run into many challenges at the secondary level. Can you provide some examples of exemplar districts? Can you provide some districts that could be beneficial to speak with about a solid secondary grading and reporting framework? |
2013-03-26 Nate Davis
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My son is nine years old and in the fourth grade. He took a Social Studies test that entailed
labeling all 50 states with correct spelling. He got everything correct except for the
spelling of Kentucky (he added an "e" before the "y"). He had earned a 99%. He wanted the
100% so badly (which he told me later) that he erased the "e" and gave it back to the
teacher stating he had spelled it correctly. The teacher called me and told me what had
happened. In a nutshell, my son had cheated. When I asked him about it after school, he
admitted to it with lots of tears. He went to the teacher the next day who told him that he
should think of some consequences by third recess. At this recess, he met with her again,
and she did not ask him for his ideas but rather told him that he would be given a 59%
which is an E. This grade would drop his A to a C. She would offer him some extra credit
to earn some points back. My husband and I went to speak with her to tell her that we felt
this was a consequence that would not teach my son anything and that grades are a
reflection of what they know and shouldn't be used in this way. We also said that grades
are obviously such a huge focus that the consequence should not be grade-centered which
just adds to the problem. She said she felt that he was motivated to cheat by the grade
and that a consequence of reducing the grade would "get him where it hurts." She said the
district policy is a zero, but because he has never been in trouble, she spoke with the
principal and they agreed to give him 59% rather than a zero. Could you give me some
feedback re: this situation? What information can I be armed with as I enter parent-teacher
conferences to discuss this? Thanks. |
2013-03-25 Pam
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Ken,
I work in Winchester Public Schools in Virginia and you visited us
several years ago. We are still implementing grading changes but have
had a recent change in school board members. We would like to move to
a 4 pt scale next year. I am anticipating the school board asking how
many other schools use a 4 pt scale. Could you point me in a
direction to get the answer to this anticipated question? Thank You
Jerry Putt |
2013-03-21 Jerry Putt
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A co-worker just started a new practice of entering zeros on Monday for all of the week's assignments. Her argument is that this will motivate the student to complete the work. My argument is that their grade no longer reflects his/her actual ability and how well he/she completed the tasks. What are your thoughts?
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2013-03-20 Jennifer Higgins
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If a student receives instruction at a grade level above or below his/her assigned grade level, should the report card grade on a standards-based report card be stated for how well the student meets the standards of the grade level of instruction or for the grade level designation of the student? For example, an advanced third grade student might go to a fourth grade classroom for all math instruction. Should the student automatically be reported as one who exceeds standards in math? Or should the grade reflect the true work of the student? |
2013-03-12 John McCauley
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Ken,
We are in the process of researching different grading scales within
our school. We have narrowed it down to a 14 point scale and a 50-100
scale. Can you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each? The
biggest complaint is that with the 14 point scale is the difficulty in
explaining the new scale to the community. Do you have any advice on
that subject? |
2013-03-12 Jason Dvorak
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My son is a freshman in high school and at the beginning of the year, he brought home a syllabus on the grading scale in both Algebra and Physical Science (he has the same teacher) Toward the beginning of the year, it just seemed his grades in both classes were never going up when he made "A"s on his main tests..I went to the school to talk to the teacher, and he told me he had been going by the wrong syllabus the Mah Dept. set up. His first syllabus for Algebra was 80 percent for Main Tests, 10 percent for quizzes, and 10 percent for homework. When I looked at my son's tests scores and all the homework he had done to this date, it shows he had 3 A's, 2 B's, and one D o his tests. All the other homework assignments which were about 28 assignments (which were 5 points each), he got all the points for them (A's) and 1 homework assignment he had an 80 percent, (4 out of 5 points), which was a B. Right now he is sitting at an 89 percent in Algebra. To me the grade didn't seem right. I went to talk to the teacher again, (which was advised by the counselor) and he told me he can change the grading syllabus whenever he wanted, but never gave me a definite answer. While in the mean time, I had my son transferred out of both his classes and I talked to his new Algebra teacher. He told me that the Math Dept for the school has a syllabus of 65 percent for main tests, 25 percent for quizzes, and 15 percent for homework. So with this information, I really wonder if my son's score of 89 percent is correct. His old teacher has not yet transferred his grades over to the new teacher. I talked to my son's counselor, and she said all the grades are complete and up to date and the teacher should have transferred those grades already to the new teachers. I have not seen it yet. I'm a little confused now. (since his new teacher told me what the real syllabus was for the Math Dept) And I forgot to mention that my son re-took his last test he had gotten a D on in Algebra on March 5, 2013, and if he did well on it, it should move his grade higher than the 89 percent he has. The teacher never put his new grade for that in either. The counselor said she emailed him and asked him about putting in his new score on the test he re-took, but she told me she still does not see that grade entered in the system. I'm just kind of puzzled on what his grade should be right now (before the teacher enters the new score for his re-take test) Really need help to understand this? |
2013-03-09 Maria Ragnoli
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Ken,
What is your philosophy on allowing students in AP classes to retake summative
assessments prior to the AP exam? Personally, I believe students in all classes should
have multiple oppurtunites to demonstrate their level of understanding. If one of our
goals for AP students is to earn a three or higher on the AP exam in May; why would we
limit the students oppurtunites to demonstrate their level of understanding before they
take the AP exam? It's important to indicate that we allow students to retake summative
assessments in all of their other classes but some people believe AP classes should be
different because they provide an oppurtunity for students to earn college credit. |
2013-03-06 Ryan
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While we want very much to have give parents access to student progress, we are a school district that has been very slow in going in rigidly requiring teachers to post grades/student progress online primarily because we have seen too many poor grading practices re-emerge because most online grade books have an inherent rigidity to them: the ability to "average" and "weight" inaccurately, the difficulty posed in allowing students to re-do work, etc. Further, time restrictions some school districts put on teachers (e.g., "you must have 10 grades every three weeks")--we believe is not realistic for some subject areas and promotes mindless grading for no learning reason. It does not support learning and forces useless work on the part of the teacher. I could go on. Have you come across some sensible, reasonable guidelines for posting online grades that promotes good grading practices and honors the nuanced nature of teacher grading? We do not wnat to take the teacher's voice out of the grading picture and yet, we firmly believe parents need frequent access to their child's progress. I hope this makes sense. Thank you for whatever you can offer. |
2013-03-02 S. Mitchell
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I have recently done a test and got 94% the total amount of questions was 36. How many did I get wrong and how do you work it out. |
2013-03-01 Michael McDonough
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I just received my grades back for a few assignments in my Microsoft
Word class. I lost 10 points each on two assignments for not using
Word 2010 colors because I have Word 2013.
Now first I feel the college shouldn't be teaching outdated software
but that is a different topic.
The difference in the two colors in question is literally "green"
verses "olive green". I lost an entire letter grade because it was the
wrong shade of green. Like seriously?!?!
Should my grade be a reflection of my KNOWLEDGE (aka being able to
apply color period) or a reflection of what year / color pallet of
word I have?!?!
What do you suggest I do in this situation. I cannot stand to have my
GPA lowered over this non-sense. |
2013-02-27 James Holden
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I have used grading for learning as presented to us by Carol
Commodore) for the past few years. My middle school students do less
practice now than ever before because "Homework doesn't count." (We
have a 90% summative, 10% formative plan in place.) For those who are
intrinsically motivated, they do the homework every day. For those
who are not, or for those who are on the cusp, more likely than not,
the daily practice does not get done. We have a policy that retakes
can be done after all of the practice (daily work) is complete, but
that does not motivate the students. HELP!! |
2013-02-27 Diana
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Hi,
Thank you for the opportunity to ask questions regarding grading issues. Our district is working on improving our grading and reporting for K-12. Elementary is going to a standards-based report card with K-2 having three (1-3) levels of academic descriptors and grades 3-5 having four levels of descriptors (4=Advance, 3=Proficient, 2=Developing, 1=Needs Support). Our secondary is going to a 4-point grading system to eliminate zeros with 4=A, 3=B, 2=C, etc. My concern is the confusion the 1-4 system may create for our parents between the elementary and secondary purposes of the numbers. I am worried that many elementary parents will try to correlate a “4” to mean an “A” since that’s what it means in secondary. Elementary numbers represent a Standards-based method of reporting and the secondary numbers represent traditional grades. So far we have two solutions: 1) A lot of education for our parents to understand the differences between elementary and secondary numbers. 2) Change the elementary levels of academic indicators and descriptors from four levels to three levels for grades K-5 (3=proficient, 2=Developing, 1=Needs Support). What would you suggest? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Any other suggestions would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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2013-02-26 D Murphy
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My teacher uses a grading policy set forth in the syllabus that is
used in several classes in the business program. These classes are
document formatting, production, publisher, etc.
My concern is that the number of points to be gained is far less than
the number of points to be lost. The number of objectives, parts,
tasks, etc in an assignment doesn't matter. You could be asked to
change two things or change 50 things and the number of points off
remains the same.
For example, an assignment asks that you change 20 things in a word
document. Each one you do incorrectly counts off 10 points. Therefore
if you miss 5 parts you receive a 50. This just doesn't make sense.
You correctly completed 75% of the work or if the points off were
equal to points gained you completed 150 points correctly. Essentially
if you miss all the 'parts' you could hypothetically receive a
negative 100! This is insane. Please help. I have met with the
teacher, department chair, division chair, and dean and even though
they finally agree the policy is incorrect they wont change it. This
has to be illegal!! |
2013-02-25 James Holden
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I have B's in my grades and my tests are horrible. what would I do to
get a better grade and to get a great score on my tests? |
2013-02-24 Daniza
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My Daughter is averaging 83 in grade 11 of her IB program, if she
continues this trend what would her equivalent grade be under the
Ontario Secondary Schools Diploma in Canada. |
2013-02-19 Mohan Doss
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In our district we use a weighted system for grading where homework/group work is
weighted at 30-35% and assessments are 65-70% depending on the department. Some
teachers put the actual points into the system (I'll call it actual) while others convert all of
their assignments to 100 points so that the grades read like a percentage (I'll call it
percentage). My dilema is that every time I do the math, it appears that the grades in the
percentage form suffer greatly when they have a missed assignment/bad performance. We
use a 45% floor, but even so the percentage way appears to be double jeopardy because
the grades are already weighted. For instance, if a homework is worth 4 points and the
student forgot it, they would get a 0. Over the grading period there will be many attempts
to "recover" those 4 points, but in the percentage approach the student is trying to recover
100 points. Another way of looking at it is in the form of eating pizza. If person Actual
orders a small and person Percentage orders a large and both pizzas are cut in 8 pieces. If
they both eat 4 pieces, it is true that they both ate 50% of their pizza; but Percentage
would have to work out a lot more to burn off the extra calories consumed ("recover the
lost points"). My question is, am I off base with this thinking? Can you help with another
explanation if I am on the right track? My administrators still aren't convinced that it
matters, even though I have shown them the math. Thanks |
2013-02-19 Chad Oaks
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Hi I wanted to ask if i get 7 A+'s and 1 F what would my letter grade
be.
Thanks |
2013-02-19 tabassum
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Brandon correctly answered 24 out of 32 problems
On his first math test. What percent did he get
Correct? |
2013-02-17 Samantha horn
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: An instructor mistakenly gives credit for a wrong test answer. The
student tells her. Should the instructor deduct the points when the
student informs her of the error? Make a utilitarian argument that the
instructor should not deduct the points |
2013-02-15 Reniece Dixon
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I'm an experienced teacher who is new to standards-based assessment and reporting. Without any training provided here I'm struggling with a couple concepts. We use 4 levels (Advanced, Proficient, Approaching, and Below)to report learning to parents.
First, no one can come to agreement as to whether Approaching is passing or failing.
And second, other than in our narrative comments, how can parents get a feeling for where in the "Proficient" range their student falls. Having just from from a traditional grading system, I have "proficient" students who are earning anywhere from 70%-95% all receiving the same "P" mark on assessments and report cards.
Would love your thoughts! |
2013-02-10 Kristin
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Hi,
We are fully implementing the CCSS and are embracing a standards-based philosophy of instruction and grading. We would like some direction on reporting of the CCSS ELA and Math standards. We are looking at three options for a SBRC. 1) list all CCSS in ELA and Math which would result in a report cards with approximately 70 standards, 2)combine similar standards and not list all the standards which would cut the number of standards in half, or 3) list only the strand, domain or cluster cutting the number in half again. The advantage of having more standards is it gives parents, students and teachers more information about the progress of specific standards. The disadvantage is it requires more record-keeping and filling-out information on the report card. The advantage of using strands, domains or clusters is there is less to fill out on the report card. The disadvantage is it doesn’t give stakeholders much more information than a traditional report card label. For example, there are nine CCSS ELA standards for Literature. Version one lists all nine standards, version two lists three standards by either combining similar standards and/or leaving a few off of the report card and version three has one general label of ‘literature texts’. Which version would you recommend? I have samples of each if you would like to take a look.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts and recommendations. Your knowledge and expertise are greatly appreciated.
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2013-02-08 D Murphy
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Mr. O'Connor
I'm a senior in college and I have an issue with the way one of my professors grades her exams and I would like your input. The professor says that if more than half the class misses a certain question on a test then she gives those points back to the ones that missed those certain question. She says that it must have been her fault in teaching those particular subjects and thats why so many missed those questions. On our first exam she decided to give back 12 points out of 100 on certain questions that the class missed. Each one of those questions were in the chapters that we are required to read for the exam and I got each one of them correct. However, I missed 13 points on other questions. This allows one student who missed more points on the same exam to get a hgher grade than another student who missed less. I told the professor that this didn't seem fair to me and that she was rewarding the students who missed certain questions and not rewarding others who got them right. I get that she is trying to help students out but one student got a 79% and was bumped up to a 91% while others including me had to keep our raw score. I've had other professors give back points in a similar way but they always give extra credit points to the ones who got the questions right and this seems fair. I just can't get over how someone could miss more points on an exam than I did and get a higher grade. I hope that I explained this well. Thank you for your time! |
2013-02-08 Brandon
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Question
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What is the concept of zero-based grading system and its significance? |
2013-02-06 dong
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Question
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A student received the following quiz grades: 72, 84, 61, 95, 92, 98, 87, 84. Compute the students mean quiz grade and the median quiz grade. If on the next quiz the student earns an 80, will the mean go up or down? What about the median? |
2013-02-05 Mary
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My son's IB elemetary school uses the following grading scale: 93-100-A/87-92-B/78-86-C/70-77-D/ and 0-69-F. Should a good grading scale have even divisions? |
2013-01-31 Lu Garcia
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Question
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I am using grade weight calculators. I know what the weights are for each category.
However I do not have grades for each category. How do I compute a grade when I
have no grades for four of the six weighted categories? Thank you, Danny |
2013-01-30 Danny bordeaux
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I teach for an online high school. My district has fully embraced grading for learning
practices, and I embrace them as well, with one exception: deadlines. Currently in our
online school we have only one deadline at the end of the semester. 18 weeks is a long
time for high school students to stay focused and on pace, especially when they don't "see"
a teacher everyday. So many just don't stay on pace (despite us offering regular feedback
and consistently communicating "on-paceness" to parents and students throughout the
semester). What we inevitably see is the mass submission of work at the end of the
semester. And much of this work is low quality. Many of our teachers trend grade and
clearly see a trend down as the semester comes to a close. As a teacher who cares deeply
about my students' learning, it's so disheartening at the end of every semester. Ken, what
suggestions would you give for improving this situation? We're thinking about adding
another deadline around week 9 but would love to hear other suggestions. |
2013-01-29 Megan Panek
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I enrolled in a program through a technical college. My issue is that the instructor did not teach the classes and sat in his office all day. After two instructional quarters I was given passing grades for classes that I did not take, because he failed to provide the curriculum, which is going to hinder my ability to become gainfully employed as I will have no working knowledge to bring to the job. What should I do? |
2013-01-29 Tammy
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Hi, I was just wondering if a
student is getting 40% in a
class before the final exam
and doesn't show up for the
exam would that further lower
their mark? |
2013-01-29 caitlin
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This is my second semester in biology and it had not gotten off to a
good start. My first few assignments were 100's & 90+, but I recently
had a test with a score of 70% and two daily grades counted as zero.
If I continue to get 90% and above on my daily assignments and get 85+
on my tests, do you think my grade will become at least a B- by the
end of nine weeks? I had an average of 79% last semester (my biology
teacher did not count our final, the score on that test 94%), and I do
not want to have my grade be a C+ for my overall year average. Thank
you. |
2013-01-28 Nicole
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Hi! So I have straight A's and I just got a 69 on my final. It dropped my grade in the class from
a 94% to an 89%. I'm really dissapointed because that is a B+ and if I would have gotten a 90%
in the class then thats an A-. I'm wondering what I should do next, is it unreasonable to ask if
I can do some extra credit to bring my grade from an 89-90% ? Thank you. |
2013-01-24 Hannah7star
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i wrote a test .there were 30 questions.for each correct answer it is 8
mark and for each wrong answer 4 mark will go.my mark is zero .i am not
allowed to see the paper . can you say how many questions i made
correct.please help me. |
2013-01-24 shyma
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My son is a straight A student. Last week he gets a 60 on a mid-term in reading. When we question the teacher she informs us that the test was a "mid-term evaluation test prepared by the school district which measures a students ability to read and comprehend a passage and demonstrate that comprehension by answering questions" My question is, Should this grade count as a regular test score and be factored into his overall class grade? Assessment tests are usually independent of class grades, no? |
2013-01-24 Tom Quinn
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My district uses GradeSpeed PSC, which allows for both "INC"
(incomplete) and "MSG" (missing) as codes for grades. The district does
not allow incompletes to remain at the end of grading period. As a
result, I score all missing assignments as missing, which calculates as
a zero.
Do you see "MSG" and "0" as the same thing in that circumstance?
Should I continue to use "MSG"? |
2013-01-22 Adam Beckham
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How do you know what points to take off when the number of questions in your tests and class work varies? Do you have a chart that shows what to take off for a different amount of questions? |
2013-01-21 Sandra Johnson
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As our district struggles with transforming our grading and reporting practices, the subject of zeroes continues to be tenuous. Recently a teacher shared the following analogy... what's your take?
"I will continue to have trouble with no grade is less than __% (in place of a zero). Continuing with the real world analogies - not changing the tires of my car is 0 tires. This would not be an acceptable business practice. If we are following a business model of inputs and outcomes then telling me that I have 50% of my tires when I do not is unacceptable. How can we reconcile this?" |
2013-01-19 MNS
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an instructor mistakenly gives credit for a wrong test answer. the
student tell her. should the instructor deduct the points when the
student informs her of the error |
2013-01-18 ashley
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Well im from North Carolina and whie i was in school there all i had to do is pass my classes to graduate and i just recently moved to florida and now they tellin me i may not be able to graduate because you need atleast a 2.0 to graduate and i would have that if they convert my grades to there grading scale because they are on a 10 point grading system should'nt the change my grades to meet there scales? Or atleast i should be able to graduate to North Carolina graduation requirements? |
2013-01-17 Robert
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Our school is being directed to stop putting 0's in the gradebook when students don't turn in the assignment. Teachers do what is appropriate to try to get students to make up these assignments/assessments in a timely manner. At the end of a marking period, a teacher has a student with an Incomplete due to the missing marks, but the completed work is consistently of "B" quality. If missing work grades are all put in as 0's, student's grade turns to a "C". Teacher realizes that the "B" work that has been turned in does not reflect the full learning of all content. Board policy does not allow for an Inc. to remain more than 10 days after the end of term, and student does not do any more work after end of the term. The "B" is not the student's grade, nor is the "C". Where would you encourage the teacher to direct efforts? |
2013-01-15 David Ditzler
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I administer a test of 100 questions. Since April 165 students have taken the test. I track all missed questions in order weed out bad questions. How do I calculate the percentage of questions missed based on all 165 students. For example on question 1, 22 students answered the question wrong. What percentage of students missed that question? Now I need to create a chart or graph on excel to indicate those percentages. |
2013-01-15 Chuck
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Where does a district begin? The book says start with Fix #7. I agree, but what happens next? It doesn't appear that a district could just choose two or three to begin with and then keep adding. But to change the culture of grading in a district by attempting to incorporate all 15 Fixes at once seems like a daunting task. Thanks, Ken. |
2013-01-14 MaryLou McGirr
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I am currently in a heated discussion with my son's HS AP Geography teacher over a change
to grade weighting. I am trying to construct as valid an argument possible against raising
the grade weight for tests to 70%. I've been given assurance that the weight will be applied
to cumulative test average and not individual tests, but it seems ill advised to create a
situation in which on aspect of achievement is so heavily weighted. Can you "weigh in" on
this matter with your thoughts? |
2013-01-14 L Heyman
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We are using PowerSchool this year for the 1st time and coming up to
Midterms. We are to calculate their final semester grade only using
letter grades from previous quarters. For example, a person who
receives an 89% or an 81% will both receive B's, and be weighted the
same going into midterms. Is there any way to set up the grades to
only look at the letter grades to calculate the semester grade, rather
than the percentages? |
2013-01-14 Chris Jones
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I am taking a credit recovery class for history and everything is on the computer. I can also check my grades and see what i have missed. I have gotten 100s on the past 5 assignments but my grade is still the same. Why is that happening? |
2013-01-07 Niya Dennis
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If I get a B+ the first grading period and then get a F the second grading period will I still
get the full high school credit? |
2013-01-06 Hunter
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Do you know of any school districts that have used a point system of grading? My
school is looking into it. Now it is difficult for parents and students to get a keen sense
of their grade when assessments are weighted 40%' quizzes 20 % etc... I am grading as
usual (60 is the lowest grade) and also trying to see how grades would differ with this
system. Our thinking is we are asking students to go above and beyond and we're using
an antiquated system of grading. I teach in a Middle School. Thanks. |
2013-01-05 Debra Robert
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hi..i have been getting a grade of E ever since i entered high school.i realy need atleast to get a B in my next exam.but i dont realy know how to do that.please help |
2013-01-04 sadat
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Hello, my honors physical science teacher gave us a test. On the board apart from the
test he put an extra question that would not count against us if we got it wrong, but
someone in our class made a snide remark. The teacher then said that if we got the
question wrong that it would count against our grade. When he graded it though he
forgot to calculate the extra question for our class only I got a 90%. At the end of the
week he realized his "mistake" and re calculated our grades so all of our grades were
lowered and mine went down to an 85%. Is what he did right? |
2013-01-04 Francesco
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I have been a straight-A student- until now. I have 3 weeks until the final exam in an Expanded World History class that I am taking right now, and I have an 90% in the class right now. There is not a lot of work to do well on, and the exam is worth only 15%. If I'd like an A (93%) in the class, I would have to get a 110% now (not adding up the grades going in for the next two weeks). What do you suggest I do? Should I just do the best I can and hope for the best? Should I talk to the teacher about my views? I am really conflicted... What is really angering me is that my friends in different Expanded World History Classes are getting A's- because their teachers are easier on them. What should I do? I don't know... |
2013-01-02 Miranda
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Dear Sir,
I have a 12-year old, who is generally very bright, although we have a problem that his grades don't measure up to his intrinsic ability. He knows is materials cold when tested orally, which is also supplemented by the constant feedback from teacher that he is the first one to raise his hand in almost every subject and has correct answers. However, his test results have been unpredictable, with mostly B+/sometimes A- and infrequently As. While we strongly believe he is capable of straight As, we feel helpless helping him perfect on how to take tests, so as not to make silly mistakes, many times it means reading all question sub-parts, writing clearly so as not to confuse his own handwriting, rechecking his work before handing back his test, and learning how to write long answers carefully not to lose grades (he pretty much aces multiple choice/short answers almost every time). I wonder if there is a condition that might be holding him back on written tests. Could you please provide any guidance? It would be much appreciated.
Thanks and regards,
Vikas H. Shah
(201) 951 6961 |
2012-12-30 Vikas H Shah
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Ok for. The 1st nine weeks I had a 44 then this nine weeks I had a 48 but on my exam i
math a made 70 on it and I was wondering what's my grade. Or how would the grade
would average out . Please help and merry Christmas |
2012-12-20 Kim
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We are a division that is currently implementing Outcomes-Based Reporting for k-6. We often get the question from parents "So how does my child compare to other students in the class?" and we are looking for the approriate words to answer it. We are aware that comparing students to each other is counter-productive and that we should rather look at individual student progress, however communicating this can be challening at times. Plese help!! |
2012-12-19 Lenovo
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I have my world history exam tommorow and I'm really worried. I've always been a
straight a student, though. Right now my current grade in that class is a 94%. If I were
to get a 70% on my exam, so to speak, would I still pass? |
2012-12-18 Lila
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My children's high school has decided that the benchmark tests they take (the midterm version of the state's Standards of Learning test)will count as a class quiz grades. As a former teacher, I know that the students cannot prepare for this; the teachers are instructed to do no review. The tests are designed for teacher pacing and instruction, as well as student understanding. My belief was that students can't be held accountable for the failure of the teacher to cover the necessary material. Is there any information that will help support my claim, should I decide to present it? |
2012-12-16 Liz Armstrong
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I received a failing grade of 69% at the end of a semester for a class. I received this grade because I was given zero points for a test. I scored a 66 on this test.
The syllabus says about this one exame, "The exam counts as 5% of the theory grade only if a score greater than or equal to 70% is achieved. The test score must be 70% or higher to receive any points"
I was told this test wouldn't hurt me I just wouldn't recieve points. I understand that but it does hurt me. It is counted as 5% of 0 points. I was thinking it just wouldn't count at all and the 5% would be spread through other exams or i would be graded on 95% scale.
Does this sound correct. |
2012-12-14 jason
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If I am tutoring someone who is failing in history. How do I help them remember the
information that I am teaching them? |
2012-12-13 Britney Williams
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Help! I am in a middle school that has embraced a mastery learning and grading philosphy. Our next step is developing a standards based report card for implementation in the 2013-14 school year. From your experiences, what's the best resource that would help a faculty through the process of creating the template of a middle level standards based report card, including the process of identifying a reasonable number of priority standards to be included on this new report card? Thank you for any advice! |
2012-12-12 David Pearson
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My current grade is 69 in reading and I got a 35% on a essay that was worth 100
points what would my grade be now |
2012-12-11 shaquill Jones
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Hello!
We are a group of Spanish teachers and we have done a presentation called "Making Standards Based Grading Work in the World Language Classroom" at several local, state, and regional conferences. We are doing a full day extension workshop at the Central States on the Teaching of Foreign Languages conference in March in Columbus, Ohio. All partipants are being provided with the 15 Fixes book and we use the 15 Fixes as a starting point for the theory behind our presentation. We were wondering if you could look over our presentation materials to see if there are some omissions or inconsistencies that do not fit with your ideas about grading philosophy, policy, procedures, and practices. The link with our presentation materials is http://eurekaworldlanguage.wikispaces.com/ |
2012-12-03 Kim Lackey
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Good Morning,
As of late I have been having issues with students who continue to hand in their assignments past the due date. Currently, our school board believes that this is an indication of their behaious, not of their academic performance. I understand the rationale for this, however, our high performing students are now realizing that they can hand in their assignments, and do not adhere to the due dates as well. In addition, they feel as though their work is not as highly valued as it should be. Our government is beginning to find out that the higher performing student are actaully performing lower. In your experience and opinion how would you correct this issue? What would you use as an alternative to a reduction in marks that will fully correct the behaviour of the student. I currently feel that this new model of thinking does nothing more than create extra work for teachers and deprives students of real world skills that are expected to be transfered from the school level to the post-secondary and work world. Thank you for your time! |
2012-11-29 Josh LeBlanc
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I am currently teaching courses in curriculum and instruction and assessment to students who are in the Education program. I use rubrics as my main form of assessment coupled with descriptive feedback. My problem is how to turn my rubrics into letter grades which the University requires. My rubrics have been on a 1-4 scale with 4 being exceeding expectations. My students are very grade conscious (even though I'm teaching Assessment For Learning) and often question how I come up with my grade. Any help you can give would be appreciated. |
2012-11-26 Nancy Armstrong
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Hello, I'm not able to open the power teacher gradebook section on my home computer. A messege says that my computer cannot read the program, thereby not allowing me to enter grades or make comments at home.Can you plese help me with this matter.
Thanks,
Kay Cordero
Elementary School 5TH Grade Teacher |
2012-11-25 KayCordero
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I have a question about my college and weather or not the grading practices of this
program are fair. After we are given an exam the professors convene and give points
back on certain questions but they only give the points to the students who missed the
question. I have never heard of this. In every other school I've attended all students are
awarded points and the question is thrown out. On the last test they gave back 10
points but I only missed one of those questions. My grade went from a 74 to a 76. 80 is
passing. Some students got the full 10 points bringing their grades up to passing. Is this
fair? Technically I missed less questions but none of the questions I missed were
thrown out. So students who missed more than me got passing grades because they
happened to miss the "right" questions. I hope this makes sense. |
2012-11-20 Marilyn
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i got 3 wrong out of 20 on my spelling test what grade is that |
2012-11-08 hale
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What is the most advantageous grading system for MIDDLE School points or percentages?
This is the scenario:
Tests 40%
Class work/Homework 30%
quizzes 20%
class participation 10%
also know that 1 day late work is worth a max of 70%
and after that its a zero
There are no low grades thrown out or curves provided. |
2012-11-04 jenny
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Dear Ken,
We are a new IB HS school who is looking for a grading scale for our High School. We are standards based, do not use percents, only proficiency levels in our MS. We are looking to go with the IB 7 point scale. Using proficiency levels with bodies of evidence and teacher's judgements instead of percentages. Have you seen any report cards that we can see from the HS using a 7 point scale. What are your thoughts on the 7 point scale for both the strands and overall course grade? Would you alternatively recommend a 4 point scale for the strands and a letter for the overall class? We don't give an overall in the MS but will likely need to for the HS. We will also likely need to calculate a GPA. Is this better with a 7 point scale or letter grades.
As we have the opportunity to start from scratch, we want to get it right.
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2012-10-30 Geoff
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What is your opinion of having students swtich to a standards based grading system for two or three years in middle school, then changing back to a letter based grading system in high school? |
2012-10-30 Wayne White
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I am an education student and currently I am studying the document "Growing Success". In
reading the section about Evaluation under Late and Missed Assignments (pg 45), two views
are presented. One suggests that giving a student a zero for not handing in an assignment
teachs the student to be accountable for their work, especially in the light of post-secondary
or employment expectations. Another suggests that giving zeros does not motivate students
but rather discourages them.
As a respected education consultant, I was wondering which side you would agree with and
why. This is an element of evaluation that I have yet to form an opinion on and I would like
to make an informed decision.
Thanks |
2012-10-27 MegMac
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Our high school has moved to an 80% summative grade/20% nine week assessment system. We are not allowed to give zeros, and cannot give a grade less than 50%. I grade with points and typically most assessments are worth 5 or 10 points. Students are permitted to retake summative assessments. If I have a student who earns 2/10 points on a summative assessment despite retakes, why do I have to give that student a 5/10 when I go to average my grades? Right now, I have 150 points in summative assessments for this grading period, so I feel I allow for a fair amount of chances for students to prove their learning. |
2012-10-26 Susan Nolan
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For Debate I am Writing a persuasive essay and the topic i have chosen is that homework should be graded on particitation not off of the amount of points scored correct. My question would be what book of yours or any information can help me get conctrete details to be more persuasive and have evidence?
Thanks,
Nitro Samhill |
2012-10-25 Nitro Samhill
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My son is in 8th grade and taking Algebra I which is a high school credit. His teacher computes grades based on total available points available divided by total points earned. On the last day of the grading period he had earned 305 points out of a possible 315 points which gave him a 97%(A)for the 9 weeks. This school district has each class do Bell Ringers at the begining of class which may or may not be associated with the subject. The teacher gave an "open notebook" quiz on these Bell Ringers, which means if a student didn't have his notebook that he could not complete the quiz and would receive a zero. My son forgot his notebook that day and therefore received a zero or the quiz, when the grade was recalculated for report card he ended up with 305 points out a possible 415 points which gave him a 73%(D)for his final grade. I find this preposterous and have brought this to the teacher's attention, she informed me that I should just accept the grade that "he earned". I found that this one grade could drop his final grade 3 letter grades to be ridiculous, as any other way of computing his grade would give him a B. If a student were to have a B and then received a zero on that quiz he would end up with a F and find that insance. What is your take on this? Do I have the right to fight this grade? As far as the teacher is concerned I should just accept it and get over it. |
2012-10-25 Patricia
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I have a great deal of respect for your work. I am a principal and have worked closely
leading a district wide task force as they attempt to implement best practices in
assessment and grading. I have been trying to gather resources hat help shed light on
the actual role of class rank and GPA in filler admissions. This is an area that I'm
struggling to find substantive research on while there are certainly strong parental (and
other) perceptions as to the impact of these highly subjective factors. I am VERY
interested on your opinion, advice and whether you aware of any solid, summary
studies that tackle this issue. Respectfully submitted. |
2012-10-23 Casey Nye
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In this term, my math teacher uses three math tests for 80 percent of our mark. The other 20 percent we get for doing our homework. I've done all my homework and should get full marks for that part. and my test marks were 75, 69, and 81. What should my term mark be? |
2012-10-21 Alanna Jorgenson
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What is your view of giving students grades for homework? I worry about grade inflation and not knowing if they are truely ready for an assessment for a grade. |
2012-10-16 Danny Turner
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I have a 93% but i had a 96% before. it went down to a 93 because my teacher said i got an
invalid score on my vocab so i have to retake it but its a 400 point test and because of the
invalid entry he said he takes 100 points off. i did calculations and i saw that i will end up
with a 75. will that affect the 93? like will it make my grade go up or down? |
2012-10-13 workaholic girl
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If I had a test, with 37 questions, and I got 7 wrong, but the other 30 correct, what would my grade be? An A, B, C, D, or F?
I want to know, so please answer soon! Thank you!
-Lexi |
2012-10-10 Lexi Anderson
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25 question 9 wrong what would be my grade on this test ? How do I figure it out? |
2012-10-08 Beverly
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Im taking Microbiology this semester, it's a 5 week course. Every class there's an Quiz, 10 questions. The first quiz, I didn't do; so I end up getting an 0.01/10(0.1%),F. I can't make up for that quiz. The second quiz was this week, and I got 10/10 (100%) A. However as we speak my grade is an F (50.05%) 10.01/20, How do I get my grade to atleast an C+ or B. What will it take, I know I have to pass the rest of my quizes. But Will it get to an B+ or an C. I have 3 more classes left, so that means I have 3 more quizes left..
Plz help.. |
2012-10-05 Tia
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Hi Ken, I attended your workshop at the NESA conference in Athens last Spring. While I am
working on changing my own grading practice I am also heading up our grading for
learning conversation this year as MS Team Leader. Currently we have no written grading
policy besides the percentages and letter grade equivalents. I will need examples of
grading policies later this year once we are well enough read on your books to help us
write our own policy. I think I remember you showing us some policies in your
presentation, but can't remember where they are from. Can you point me to some solid
policies I could use as examples? Thanks. |
2012-09-29 James McGuire
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Question
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Have you ever considered a new answer to those who query grade calculation? As long as I
have had my eye on your site you have been trying to eliminate these. Could this be an
opportunity to share the reform. Instead of putting them down in frustration you could
summarize your quarrel with the grading status quo, point them in the direction to do
more research on grading and possibly provide a brief synopsis of your philosophy. You
might gain followers instead of enemies. |
2012-09-29 bailey Green
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Ken,
My district is moving towards standards based grading, no zeros, unlimited make-ups, etc. How would you propose that performing ensembles get students to attend performances since students are no longer held accountable through grades for performance attendance. |
2012-09-28 Jeff Sturgeon
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Question
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If I earn a 85% on the first quiz. 100% on the second quiz and a 76%
on the third. What do I need to get on the following quizzes to
received an A? During this semester, their will be 9 upcoming quizzes,
what do I at least need to have to pass with an A?
Thank you in advance for taking the time ! |
2012-09-27 Elsy
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Ken,I am a huge fan and have been working sound grading practices for the past 10 years in school districts all over the country. I just wrote a blog about the disconnect between grading for tasks/behavior and legislation on student growth in 24 states. If we measure compliance and tasks it is very difficult then to measure growth - learning with multiple data points. Before I publish this blog, I want more examples of standards based grading at the secondary level. I have some schools that have taken the plunge.. but I would like more samples. Do you know where to point me? Thanks for everything! |
2012-09-27 Katy Bainbridge
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Hello,
This may be a bit of a broad question, but our school is is an IB MYP
school which is also adapting standards based assessment for grades 7-
9 this year. For us as an IB school though, this means our standards
are the criteria which is set out specifically by IB. Teachers are
finding it a struggle in knowing where to begin with their grade books
and how to use their current assessments (which are well designed) so
as to fit into the IB standards (criteria). Most MYP IB schools mark
on a percentage basis and then certain assignments are used for the IB
criteria. Any direction you could give on where you may have
encountered a school with a similar journey would be very helpful. |
2012-09-25 Lovetoteach
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Our district is transitioning to SBG for K-12. The primary grades receive report cards with the 4-3-2-1-0 task score tied to specific standards. However, the high school students receive task scores on assignments and tests rather than specific standards. Tasks are weighted 80% summative, 20% formative. In addition, the district will convert the weighted task average for the semester into a letter grade of A-B-C-D-F. They site you as an expert but don't appear to have listened to you on assessment and grade reporting. Any advice on how we can convince the district to reconsider their grading methods so that our HS students have grades that are truly representative of learning and achievement? |
2012-09-22 Karen
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Question
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My district has been using power teacher for years, and I have contacted my district
multiple times to ask about accessing the app for power teacher. They have told me
that it should be working and they have approved it for mobile use, and they don't know
why it's not finding our district, and to contact Pearson. I don't see a point of contact
about technical issues like this on the Pearson website, and yours was the only email I
could find on the website for support for educators using power teacher. Could u please
help me find out how to solve this issue or tell my I.T.s at the district level to do to
activate it for mobile use. I know you mainy deal with issues involving the actual
grading process, not technical issues, so if you don't know theanswer, maybe you know
a point of contact and their e-mail address so i could forward this question to them? I
can login from my desktop, just not from the app. It says it can't find my district. |
2012-09-21 Mary Luscaleet
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If I missed 2 out of 18 questions, what did I make? |
2012-09-21 Kelsea
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Given the total refutation of the no-zero and separation of behaviour and academic evaluation pratices and policies in Canada of late, my question is:
When will you create the necessary reliable and valid empirical studies in order to get results that may or may not support your position?
You have told so many of us that you are not a 'researcher'; however, given the utter lack of scientific (that which can be repeated and verified) evidence presented in your books to date, I'd say you have some work to do otherwise you will be viewed as irrelevant and without credibility. |
2012-09-18 Roger Curtis
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Question
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Would you agree that the answer to the question, "When and how may a principal interfere
with the assigned mark of a teacher who is following all the guidelines of this "reformed
acessment" policy?" is vital for grades that are accurate, meaningful, consistent, and
supportive of learning? |
2012-09-18 bailey Green
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If a teacher identifies the assessments that he needs to show that a student understands the
material, in other words the summative assessments, and then uses the various codes, choosing
from around a dozen, to indicate non completion; should the principal be allowed to excuse these
assessments and force the teacher to guess at a mark based on the assessments completed? I am
assuming that the principal knows neither the course material or the student and that the student
has been given adequate opportunity to comply. |
2012-09-17 bailey Green
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Should there be a set % that assessments (defined narrowly as test and quizzes) count towards a student's grade regardless of the subject or grade level their in? And if so what should that % be? |
2012-09-13 Brian
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Can you tell me how long the DVD is that is included in the back of A Repair Kit for Grading 15 Fixes for Broken Grades?
Thank you! |
2012-09-12 sandy cristan
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Hi Ken, I believe I read somewhere that you taught at Ross Sheppard. Just out of curiousity--
when? |
2012-09-12 bailey Green
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Hi Ken, what is your opinion of the Alberta Diploma exams? |
2012-09-12 bailey Green
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Hi Ken,
I'm a high school vice principal in a school division that is implementing a new assessment procedure. Starting this year, all teachers must set up an outcomes-based electronic markbook that is available via "portal" to our students and parents. I have had many conversations with worried teachers who want to do this correctly but aren't sure how. Considering that many of our teachers are only recently setting out on their assessment journeys, and that they are not yet equipped to navigate all the implications that an outcomes-based mark book may have on their teaching/assessments, what would be your advice as to how to set up an initial outcomes-based mark book that won't require them to completely rennovate all of their teaching at once? |
2012-09-05 Reid Lansing
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My district will be adopting standards based grading next school year.
I am a middle school physical education teacher and am finding it
difficult to implement standards based when so much of a students
grade in my class is based on participation. Previously 50% of my
students grade was participation (i.e. coming to class on time,
wearing the proper uniform/shoes, not wearing jewelry, not chewing
gum, trying hard in class and bringing positive energy to class). The
other 50% was 25% towards a summative written test and 25% towards a
summative skills test. What advice do you have for implementing
80%/20% and where if anywhere does participation fit in? Thank you. |
2012-08-28 Kellee Gray
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Our 5-12 schools are using your book 15 Fixes as a basis to make some changes this
year. after reading your book I am still a bit confused on what they are doing and if it is
in line with what you are suggesting in your book. I am all for using only academic
information for grading. My confusion comes in the other aspects of school the
"citizenship area.".our district grades 5-12 are starting the only academic info for
grades and adding one citizenship grade overall for the report card. ok I can se that but
I'm not sure how they will get the grade from six different teachers..... With that said the
part I am confused about is this. If the student doesn't atttain a specific grade in
citizenship they will lose privileges....parking pass, school events even walking with
their class at graduation even if they are a straight A student, etc I understand that
there has to be something in place or at least the school thinks there needs to be but
not being able to participate in graduation.....Another concern is that teacher student
relationship that just doesnt happen or the teacher that doesn't get to know the students
and marks the student down. I know in your book they did but I can tell you when I talk
to my children's teachers they have to look at the grade book and can't really tell me
anything about my child not all teachers but I have run into a few like this where I can
tell them more about my child's learning and where the difficulties are in that subject
than they can. Is this what you were talking about. is this in line with your intentions? I
will get specifics on this if you would like. This is what I have heard form school
personnel at lowere grade levels involved with this process.
Thank you for your time
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2012-08-12 Slc
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Is weighting standards within your grade book a key component to
standards based grading? We have a couple of teachers pushing
standards based grading, but are presenting it as a no zero policy
with limitless opportunities to make up work. With all class work
linking to a standard of course, but all assignments are thrown
together so you could have 10 assignments for 1 standard and 2 for the
another. |
2012-08-10 Amanda Gray
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Question
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I live in california i got a d in english last year and im wondering if ill be put in an extra
english class next year |
2012-08-08 Jhovanny lefezma
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As my middleschool and district move toward standards based grading, several questions come up that I can't answer for the staff. The most frequently asked is: what should a science teacher do when a student is not in class for a lab or fails the lab. The answer should be to give them another chance, however, the lab equipment has to be shared by several teachers and once the equipment is put away, it's difficult for the teacher to reassemble the lab. The labs are based on specific standards, at a given time, and the material is usually not revisited during the grading period or even the year. This issue also raises its head in middle school math classes. Could you provide a bit of guidance or thought on how to deal with this issue? Thanks |
2012-07-27 gordon
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Ken,
Why do school districts/school boards/administrators allow teachers to have such a wide variety of grading philosophies (different grading breakdowns, policies on HW, etc.)? Don't they know that this causes large achievement gaps, grade inflation and a host of other problems? How can we accurately assess student learning if everyone is using a different methodology?
When I suggested that my administrators try to create a uniform grading philosophy and policy for all teachers in our middle school, they had no interest. Yet, these are smart, educated and well-read people. What is happening? |
2012-07-26 Ron Z.
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Hi, I've been snooping on this site and have a question. Do I understand correctly, that if a
student failed to complete enough summative assessments to allow the teacher to evaluate
him/her on a certain portion of the course that teacher should assign an incomplete
regardless of how well the student did on other units in the course? |
2012-07-10 fritzie
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I have a grade of 52.09%. I have 1 quiz left worth 10pts n 1 exam worth 100 pts n a participation grade worth 20pts. What grade would I need to achieve on all to at least get a 70? |
2012-07-04 Ann Marshall
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In your How to Grade for Learning book, you say that we need to use the most recent assessment data in determining a student's final mark. So if a student does poorly in solving algebraic equations early in a math course, but then improves later, he/she should get the most recent mark.
What about a situation where a student does really well early in the course but then slacks off and becomes less able to meet the outcomes at the end of the course? Which marks should be used then, the earliest or the most recent? |
2012-06-29 Jeff
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if your final avg in a class for the year is 83.93 and they average in your mideterm and final
exams(which are both 99) and the final grade for year is 87, how did they get to that grade. |
2012-06-20 jb
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Reading - If you got a C B C Then A What Is My Final Grade |
2012-06-14 robert
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Hello
I have looked at your list of publications and I was wondering if you could please tell me which ones include reports of empirically based, properly controlled scientific experiments where the results of different assessment measures are statistically evaluated. Since you spend a certain amount of time referring to the importance of such things as appropriately measuring central tendency and other statistical controls, could you please point me to any empirically-based studies, because I would be interested in reading them. Have you actually done any empirical research, or is your position based solely on a philosophical position? Thankyou. |
2012-06-13 Susan
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Have you had a look at this? Mike shares a very important and relevant experience.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/06/12/edmonton-no-zero-second-
teacher-facing-discipline.html?cmp=rss |
2012-06-13 bailey Green
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Hello,
My district is currently in the midst of a revision of our elementary school report cards. A debate has arisen, that is stalling possible progress. We currently use the DRA2, to assess student reading progress. We follow the benchmarks for each grade. The trouble is, we are torn on what should constitute an 'A'. Some are saying that an 'A' should be given if a student is exceeding his or her proposed DRA2 benchmark. I this case, a 4th grader ending the year at the proposed independent level for 4th grade, would not be eligible to receive an 'A' in reading, despite any other factors. Conversely, some believe that if a student reaches the benchmark, they should be eligible for an 'A', provided they have shown outstanding work in the other areas considered. One side claims that the level of achievement is lowered, if students who are simply 'on' benchmark, receive an 'A'. The other side claims that students in one grade, are being held to the standard that has been set for the next grade, which may not be fair. I would love to hear your take. Thank you. |
2012-06-12 Toney
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What is the opinion of educators concerning a group grade for a
project? I was part of a group that did a project. We were all given
individual grades, mine was an 80. Overall the group grade was a 60.
Two of the four students in my group received grades of 35 and 45,
which was the reason for the group grade of 60. For me this does not
seem fair. The people working on the project attempted to have the
teacher talk to the students who were not pulling their fair share we
were told that it was our problem and we should take care of it. Help
me understand why this is fair |
2012-06-12 Karl Weathers
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how do you account for an immediate increase in the difference between school assigned
grades and the diploma exam mark in some of the schools which have adopted the "grading
for learning" . you can check stats on epsb site. specifically eastglen and mcnalley are
interesting. considering the principal |
2012-06-11 bailey Green
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Are you at all concerned when the philosophy you promote is misunderstood and poorly
implemented--often in a draconian way? I am afraid that the Edmonton Fiasco will be a huge
set-back for all teachers who care for their students and strive to do what they believe is best
for them. |
2012-06-08 bailey Green
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If I have a D+ for my final exam but a B+ for my final grade, would
colleges decline/look at my exam grade? What do they look at on
your transfers? I am really nervous that if they see that D they
won't accept me at all. |
2012-06-06 Ivy
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"If a student writes a test and gets all the answers wrong, they are assigned a zero on that
test." This is a direct quote from a letter by Edgar Schmidt (Superintendent of Edmonton
Public Schools) to the public. Do you agree with this? |
2012-06-05 Bailey Green
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Ken,
My question is regarding how to grade and report Kindergarten and early primary. Our report cards right now have a 5 point rating scale and we are finding, as are other districts in the province, that using a 5 point rating scale does not always work for some of the developmental outcomes or outcomes that are either a got it or not type of outcome. What is your advice on this? Do you have any suggestions or examples of report cards that address this issue? |
2012-06-01 Renee Sherstobetoff
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i am in a criminal justice class in community college, i just took my first quiz, out of 20 questions i missed 8. each question is worth 2points. i notice on my repot online, under the grade that my instructor gave me, for that quiz he put 5.oo for my grade for the quiz. my question is, wshat does the 5.00 grade amont to, far as the grade that it represents? |
2012-05-31 karen cunningham
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If I have an 83% in a class and receive 30% for attendance, what my grade? |
2012-05-30 Alissa
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I was absent one day while presenting projects, and now I don't have a chance to
present mine. What will my grade percentage be if he enters in the 100point project
in the 30% grade category, and my current grade percentage is 73% for the class? |
2012-05-30 Preston B
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I have been working with teachers on setting up gradebooks on Power School. One teacher set up the outcomes across the top but then puts the individual specific outcomes down the side of Individual student gradebooks instead of listing the assignments/tests etc. Every time a new outcome is assessed, he changes the mark under the outcome so that it only shows the most recent mark. There is no history of previous scores because he keeps on overriding it. he has the "history" in a portfolio but his gradebook looks more like a report card would, with the final score showing only. He has agreed to change it to your suggested method if you respond and tell him what he is doing is not acceptable in terms of assessment reporting in a gradebook. Could you please respond to this request so I can pass on your ideas and work with him? |
2012-05-22 Dana
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I noticed that teachers who use "Point system in power school' will just add all of the earmed points /total possible points, however there is a huge discrepancy in the average if we compute the percentage/ # of tests or categories. It seems that the point system will only benefit students who are getting consistent 100 the others will have 2 to 6 points difference in their averages. |
2012-05-21 BRG
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Question
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If i have a 68 as a grade and my final exam
is worth 10%, what would my grade be if i
failed? |
2012-05-21 Cheyenne
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Our school is drafting a grading policy very closely aligned with your work, particularly your 15 Fixes book! I have two questions: 1) Our English Department is wondering if you know of any research, case studies, or specific schools where mastery based grading is done well, so they can learn more about what it looks like and sounds like in a high school English classroom? and 2) What are some practical suggestions for implementing mastery-based grading of essays in a high school English classroom, so that it won't take too long to grade all of them? Each of our teachers see about a 100 students total. Thank you! |
2012-05-18 Carolyn Diers Kaneda
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I will have done 4 units by the end of next year. my exam(s) at
the end of it are worth 60% whilst my coursework(s) at the end of
it are 40%.
this year i have done two of these. in my coursework, I got 37/40,
so what grade is this? in my exam i do not know what i got but i
think i got a dreadful 26/60, what grade is that?
so with those two bits of grades, can you work out what grade
it is overall so far please? Thanks |
2012-05-16 Naya
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Mr. O'Connor,
I see the benefits of grading for learning, but what formal studies have taken place to substantiate its relevance? Does grading for learning increase student achievement, or does it simply lead to a more accurate depiction/report of student achievement? Are there any studies taking place right now? |
2012-05-15 Jason Brinker
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My current grade is a 78% in government, my teacher lost a major assignment worth
100 points, we are still looking for it but I wanted to know how far my grade will
drop if he enters a zero |
2012-05-10 adrian marquez
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If my current grade in US History is a 93 and my final test is worth 30% of my grade what do grade do i need to make on the final test, in order to make a grade in the class of 70 or above, please respond asap. |
2012-05-10 Blake Green
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Question
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what is the effects of studying 10 minutes a day for 3-4 days before a
test |
2012-05-10 BOB
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Hello, Ken. I attend a workshop with you in Wisconsin recently. I know that you are not an advocate for "extra credit." How could I change a student selected history book, teacher-student book talk and reflective paper for my ap class that has been extra credit? Any more requirements in this packed class with overrun students and they will flip. I've always liked the option of using the book and its requirements to deepen content knowledge and build literacy skills AND give students a way to have ownership over their grades and learning. Students and myself feel as if it is rewarding. I already allow for rewriting, do test analysis and reworking and in addition count very little "daily work." (I actually didn't count any practice towards grades until I was forced to so I am the same as everyone else) I'm frustrated because now my book talks and the "extra credit" have been deemed "bad practice" and will be forced out in September. Please advise. |
2012-05-08 Kelli
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Question
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Do a students who earns a BASIC score on a CST exam deserve a minimal grade of a
C- for a semester course? |
2012-05-07 Rich Carreon
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Question
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what is the grading for learning's history?
and do you think its fair for the kids that have learning disabilitys to have to follow grading for learning? |
2012-05-02 jasmine
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The school district I teach in is looking to use PowerSchool next year. I love the fact that you can link standards to assignments and have many different ways to look at student assessment data. One thing that is confusing me is that all of the grading or data input and reporting in PowerSchool is percentage based. From a reporting perspective, how does a percentage based system support standards based grading. Am I missing something? |
2012-05-02 Matt Becker
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Okay so I got a 0,61,100,100 for my homework grades.to get a hw grade
you need to add them up, divide by 400 and then multiply by three.
then for my yest grades i got a 50 and an 88. To get an overall test
score you add them, divide by 200 and multiply by 4.then you add that
final hw score and test score and divide by .7 and multiply by 10. i
got the overall grade of a 67 in my class minus ten percent for
attendance and twenty percent for the final. hypothetically let's say
i get a 50 for attendance and a 50 on the final. How do I calculate my
new grade? |
2012-05-02 Whitney
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Some of the early primary faculty in our K-8 school have put forth the notion of identifying to parents in a letter a subset of skills (spelling sight words, recalling math facts, etc.) that students should show mastery. We already use performance levels for our academic achievement that match our California Standards Test. Should mastery equate to minimum proficiency or to minimum advanced? To master some skill seems to be a high level of achievement. Your thoughts, please. |
2012-04-30 Ted Davis
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Our school has "requirements" for 8th grade algebra (an advance section of math). My child has 4 out of the 5 requirements and missed the 5th requirement by 2 points on state testing (a 258 vs a 260). I asked the math teacher if my son could be successful in the algebra class and he said he would be BUT he couldn't be in it because he didn't make the cut. Can a public school deny a student an opportunity for advanced learning, especially when the student has had straight A's and A-'s in math for 2 straight years? Do I, as a parent, have a right to request my student be placed in the class? The other reasoning behind the cut is that there would be too many students in the 8th grade class. In your opinion is this a legit reason or simply an excuse? |
2012-04-29 Karen
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Question
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My teacher's grading system is the following: All 3 Summary Responses are worth 15% (I got
a 95, 90, and 85) Evaluation Paper is worth 15% (I got a 93) Causal Paper is worth 15% (I got
a 78) Definition Paper is worth 15% (I got a 95) Proposal Paper is worth 15% (It is not yet
graded) Oral Presentation is worth 5%(not yet graded) and my Final Exam is worth 20% What
do I have to get on my Final? And what should I have gotten in my Proposal Paper and my
Oral Presentation to get an average of A in my class? |
2012-04-27 lilia
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Question
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Hi. i had a 95% in my math class and i just took a 50 point test and got 28% on it what would my grade be now? |
2012-04-27 Libby
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Question
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hello. i am in the 4th 9 weeks of my school now and i got a 94 in math
on my report card. I just took a test on probability the other day and
i got a 84. I think it was a major grade. I do not remember if their
was any tests in this 9 weeks before the probability one. Can you
please tell me what my new average is in math? Can you also tell me if
i could still get an A in that class? Because you know in the 4th 9
weeks how their are EOG's. And those last nine weeks do not have alot
of grades in them |
2012-04-26 Caleb
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Question
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IF there are 16 questions on test and I missed 4 how do I mathematicaly find out
what my grade will be on. Since I will be the one grading it |
2012-04-25 Chris
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Question
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Dear Mr. O'Connor,
We are two students in 8th grade who attend a middle school in the Blue Valley school district. We are currently working on a project that promotes chunking psychology. We are proposing to help students transition from elementary school to middle school by having shorter, more frequent AOL's. As of now, the transition is made by having differently weighted grades in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. We would like to make the grades weighted equally, but give shorter, more frequent AOL's in 6th and 7th grade. Do you think that this change would be beneficial to students?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sofia Acosta and Morgan Killmar |
2012-04-25 Sofia Acosta and Morgan Killmar
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Question
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My final course assessment is 70% of my grade and my care plans are 30% of my grade.
right now I got mid term grade as 85
and my first care plan a 90
how do i figure this out? so I can learn this in the future? |
2012-04-25 Kristina
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Question
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I'm trying to mathmatically figure his
score. He missed 6 out of 24. What
would that b? |
2012-04-20 scott
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Question
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Help me understand the how a "no late work accepted" policy helps high school students. My 9th grade son has 2-3 Pre-AP classes that operate this way. It seem very rigid and communicates that you can't make a simple mistake like leave finished work in locker or at home. I understand teaching responsibilty and accountability. I would think having a late penalty would be enough to get student's attention but a zero on a daily can really hurt a grade average. Plus, it discourages the kids.
Example: My son did homework but forgot to have me sign it (part of assignment since they were starting Romeo & Juliet). Teacher would not accept it because it was not signed. Only four daily assignments for six weeks. Other three grades were 100 so zero drove it down to an 83. Daily grade is 30% of total grade. But that is grade consequence (which affects student) and I believe the larger issue is why did this happen(education issue). I talked to teacher and was told that this prepares the kids for college. My reply is that I am one course away from finishing my second master's degee (meaning I have taken 200 college hours) and I never had a situation where assignments would not be accepted late. Penaties (acceptable), no acceptance of late work after x amount of days (acceptable), but automatic zero if not turned in the very next day (unacceptable). I would appreciate you take on this. Thank you! |
2012-04-19 E. G. Mathews
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My son has a 66 average in math and is turning in a worksheet that he made a 65 on
the highest the teacher will let him make on the worksheet is 70 so can 5 more
points on a worksheet bring his average 4 points uo |
2012-04-09 Jason Colbert
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My son is in first grade. We just got his third quarter report card. He received mostly 3's and 4's (4 is the highest, 'exceeds expectations'). However in the cateogory of reading under the subheading of 'multiple literacies' he received a 1, does not meet standards. The only comment in this section of his report card was that he was at a DRA reading level of 18 (district standard 14-16) and that he has only checked out 3 books from the school library this quarter and has not turned in his home reading checkoff. We, his parents, did not have any idea that the home reading log check sheet was being used to factor into his grade. We also did not know that the number of books checked out was relevat in any way to his reading grade. I feel like this low score is more a grade of my parenting....did I put the reading check sheet and his library book in his backpack on Friday or not.
He is getting 4's in fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and he got a 3 in work habits.
What would you recommend as the best way to proceed. We have not and are not planning to tell our son about this grade. The teacher is regarded as the best teacher in our elementary school and we have in fact been very happy with our son's progress.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! |
2012-04-05 Gretchen
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i have one month for preparation of exams and i wanted to get addmission in medical college .what kind of hardwork i do to get high grades.is one month is ok?plz reply
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2012-04-04 hadia
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My sons third grade teacher does not weight grades at all. She say that EVERYTHING is equal- tests, projects, science fair, reports, homework and classwork. She doesnt check or track weather or not homework is turned in and then RANDOMLY choses one or two homeworks and classwork for the trimester to grade and then factors it in as a test score. My son - whose average test scores in math is 95% got a C+ in Math (84%). He was devastated. :-( Is that an acceptable form of grading? |
2012-04-03 Stephanie Criona
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English question paragraph writing What did I feel when I got my reportcard |
2012-04-02 divya
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Hello again, i was the one that asked about my son receiving a 69 after missing 12 days out of 15 days of school. I have emailed the teacher and she refused to change the grade. I am waiting on a response from the principal. If nothing gets done at this level then I will go to the superintendent. He says he can't force her to change the grade because she did not break any grading policy but I did remind him of the extenuating circumstances and that extra time should be given and not be penalized by 2 days. There are 2 papers that were turned in 2 days after the make-up "deadline" and he received two 50's just for being late had he received the credit because it was correct work. it would be two 100's but i'm not even asking for 100's because regular late would be 70 and that is enough for him to get a 70. His grade was 69.39 that is .11 points shy of passing. If they calculate the 70 that would be enough. All we are asking is and extended 2 days to turn in those 2 papers. Some other teachers accepted his work "late and he received full credit. Why are those teachers being flexible? |
2012-03-27 marcia
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Im in extra carricular activities and to be in them i need to pass i have a 67.6 in my class what will a 100 do?? The daily is 20% the Farmative is 30% and the Summative is 50%? Please i really need to pass so i dont dissapoint a lot of people please help!! Thank you |
2012-03-25 Kenneth Beal
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hello, I just wanted to know what the overall average score for my report card is.
these are my grades: A, F, D, B+, A, A, A, A, A, A, C+
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2012-03-25 Emma
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There isn't a consistent grading system in our high school. In an effort to get consistency some curriculum directors are looking to have one weighting system for honors and another for college prep. For example, honors may be 80% summative and 20% formative. On the other hand college prep may be 60/40 for the same class. The weighting hasn't been finalized yet. My concern is that tests are more challenging in honors, the curriculum is more challenging, and college prep students are allowed to retake tests if they perform poorly, but honors students are not allowed any retakes for low grades. As a result some parents are choosing to put their children in college prep instead of honors, because it is easier to get a better grade. By the way the multiplier for honors is 1.2 so a "C" in an honors class after weighting is 2.4 on a 4 scale. The bottom line is it is easier to earn higher grades and college prep than honors for numerous reasons. I want my children to have the academic challenge, but not also a level playing field for grading. Can you recommend a document or book that would help us parents discuss the issue with school to make the weighting of grades consistent for honors and non-honors classes? Honors curriculum already far more challenging. |
2012-03-24 Eileen
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Ken, We have an outcomes framework for our curriculum. Teachers teach and assess achievement in relation to those outcomes. When they evaluate and report they reference the outcomes, we do not report on each outcome.In grades P-8 we have 3 reporting terms. Our current report card states ...achievement in relation to the outcomes addressed during the current reporting period. We are engaged in a reviewing process and are questionng this statement. With current assessment practices and with curriculum design students would/should have multiple opportunities during the course/year to demonstrate that achievement. Can you provide some feedback on whether we should consider removing that statement? Should the final report in June reflect overall achievement in that course? Would appreciate your thoughts! |
2012-03-23 Kim
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Greetings Ken, We have separated our Learner profile items(work habits, social skills) from our Academic grades. In Grades P-8 teachers report 3x per year on these items. We have many requests to provide a layout on the report card that has all three terms there to show the progress in these items. We do not currently have a similar layout for the individual subjects in the academic report and some feel it may lead to a similar request and feel this would be negative. Is this an appropriate way to show that progress on the Learner profile items? |
2012-03-23 Kim
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Hello Ken, we have teachers using PTGB and entering achievment level scores , 1-4 at the specific outocme level. They use student view to review achievement- all good! But, then they have to produce a percentage grade- which right now we will not be moving away from.DO you have some suggestions that we can use to assist teachers in determining a percentage grade? Some are creating a report and pasting it into excel to calculate a percentage grade. IS this appropriate?It is our reality! Your thoughts would be appreciated on this topic! |
2012-03-22 Kim
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Our high school grading system is not consistent. Teachers are allowed grading freedom as long as they use the district grading scale. One teacher weights summative assessments 40% while another teacher of the same subject (using the same core tests) weights them 60%. As parents we have addressed these concerns are changes are happening. However, one proposal is to make the weighting progressive in math. For example, my daughter would enter as a freshman. Her Algebra 1 class would be weighted 60(summative)/40(formative), Geometry sophomore year 70/30, Algebra 2 junior year 80/20 and Adv Algebra/Trig 90/10 senior year. Although we are glad to see something happening, we are not sure the progression is the right way to go. Should the weighting be consistent throughout all math classes? We welcome your thoughts on this issue. |
2012-03-22 Rhonda Stefanski
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In your research and your posts, you frequently state that giving grades less than a 50% is not mathematically accurate. Your logic is that grading should be based on a 10 point scale for each grade. If I perform all of your other 15 fixes, giving students an ample amount of time and opportunity to complete a task, and a student scores 23/50 on a US capitals testfor their highest score (i.e. 46%), isn't that distorting what a student knows and is able to do by changing the grade to 50%? |
2012-03-21 Matt Slocomb
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My son missed about 10 days over a period of 3 weeks. He had been sick and had many Dr. apptmts, specialist, tests, bloodwork, mri's and many more test. He finally did get better after they found out what was wrong and gave him the right medicine. I did send emails to the teachers that he was sick and sent in all the medical notes that was needed. Anyway when he went back to school he went in everyday before and stayed after school to make up any tests, quizzes and received all the home/classwork he needed, plus any tutoring he needed cuz he missed so much. He went to the some classes more than others but he still made up all the work and tests etc. and his grades were raised except 1 out of 7 classes (high school). His teacher said his must make a high grade on his last test to pass. Well, he made a good score but not good enough. His overall score for that one class was a 69. He is in all kinds of extra activies which he has a chance to go to state but not with the 69 and teacher will not change or curve it to 70 because she says she never saw him in her class to make up things, But, he did turn in all the work he was suppose to and took all the test. He had 2 weeks to make up all passed work and still do the present work and projects. So I am going to fight for this to be changed because they do it for others, I could see if he had just missed school with no legitimate excuse and didn't make anything up. what do you think? |
2012-03-20 marcia
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Hi Ken, my daughter has been a straight A student all of her life. She is an honor student
in her Jr. year of high school. she recently received her first B+ in Pre-Calculus. Her final
grade was a 92. and in order to ge an A- she needed a 92.50. This B+ has pushed her
down to the Distinquished Honor roll instead of the Chancellors's HR that she has been on
all of her HS years. Her GPA is 4.57. My daughter asked her teacher if there was any way
to pull her grade up that .50 %. He said no, the quarter was over. such a small %. to keep
her of the Chancelor's HR. Should we persist and ask for grace? What are your thoughts?
Thanks much. |
2012-03-19 Gracie
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I go to suny geneseo and in my class attendance counts 10% of my grade I missed one
day of class and then on my midterm I got a 52 and it's 30% of my grade can I still
pass? And also I checked and it says I got an e |
2012-03-19 Joe
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I got an F in government in my 3rd nine week report card will i graduate |
2012-03-17 stacie
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hey, i just needed help . if my grade is a B 85% and i get a C 70% on a test how much will my grade percentage please answer this i need it today or by march 16,2012. thanks |
2012-03-15 adrianna
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I just got back a test today in Algebra and it was worth 100 points. I got a 19% on it and it is the first grade for the quarter. Can I still get my grade up to at least a D before the quarter is over or am I to far in the hole? She gives us homework everyday and they are worth between 5 and 20 points. Also in the quarter we will have 2 or 3 more 100 point test's. Thank you. |
2012-03-14 Justin
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I am curious about your thoughts on standards based grading and how it relates to students with disabilities. Our district is moving to standards based grading at the high school level and (I believe) will be equating a 3 from the standards based rubric to a B-(for example) and therefore if I only demonstrate understanding at a 3 then I will only be able to earn a B-. I understand the concept of the grade representing what I am able to do but I know there will be many questions surrounding this. Thanks |
2012-03-14 Beth Ladd
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In your recent webinar- How to take the leap from Letter Grades to Standards- based Reporting... you talked about the difference between growth, progress and achievement. Should there be a disctinction in the first years of school on the reporting of our early learners? In our curriculum, considered to be developmental, they are progressing toward independence as readers, writers and teachers look for that growth. Is it more appropriate to use a code that reports on the progress of the development of those skills rather than the achievement? I would appreciate your thoughts on this! |
2012-03-13 Kim
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If I got a B in the math section of my 5th grade report card, will that
effect me getting into AC math class in middle school? |
2012-03-12 Ally
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Our school system is looking at a uniform grading system. How much weight/percentage do you think homework/classwork/test should be to get a true picture of what has been learned? |
2012-03-12 Dale
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Hello Ken, In Power teacher gradebook there are a variety of ways that a teacher can look at a summary of their assessment information in student view, mean, median, mode, weighted mean with recent 3 being the default. Do you have suggestions for teachers on when it makes sense to use those options other than most recent 3? Thanks for your thoughts on this! |
2012-03-12 Kim
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I teach in a low-income district - 73% free and reduced lunch. Many of the kids in this
district come from broken homes. They don't experience much in the way of
accountability from anything but lessons learned in school. In that way I believe school
provides much more than merely grades to these kids. I think it provides some sort of
foundation in their lives - maybe the only place where rules are enforced consistently and
fairly. If we eliminate those rules, as you suggest, these kids will not learn any of the real
life lessons needed to achieve success at the next level. They will learn that you can be
late to work, late in submitting assignments in college, tardy with responsibilities with your
family and friends and not pay a price. Cheating will be enabled without repercussion.
Absences don’t matter – and they will learn that being present is unimportant. What your
fifteen fixes do, is enable kids to be lazy, dishonest, and truant and not pay a price in
society. My question for you – in our society where accountability is already being eroded,
and families falling apart, where do kids learn responsibility if it isn’t in the school? |
2012-03-10 Bob Wood
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My daughter achieved 180/200 in OCR AS Philosophy year, and achieved 68/100 for her first A2 module - what percentage does she need to achieve in her final A2 module to be awarded an A overall? |
2012-03-09 Mrs Brown
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What do you feel about REQUIRING students to make up assignments never submitted during their recess time? I would rather grade them on the knowledge of the subject than hand them F's for missing work. |
2012-03-07 Charlotte Gulden
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The most significant concern I have about grades is that grading in
most classes is little more than a race. Students do not learn at the
same pace, yet there is a finite time period until the assessment.
Students gifted with a better memory will almost always achieve better
grades. I am not certain that grades reflect real achievement.
What are your thoughts on student guided curriculum so that students
focus on areas until they are ready for the assessment? |
2012-03-07 B. Martin
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What are some ways to deal with late work. I am talking about formative assessments that are not for grades. Should there be an immediate consequence, ie finish the assignment in a "second chance room" or give them ample time before any consequence?
Thanks! |
2012-03-06 Mark Hefte
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Peter got 30% for assignment 1,and 80% for assignment 2,then got 40% in the exam,his final mark is? |
2012-03-05 Pinks
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If you got and F in citisinship and all a's tye rest of the trimester what would your final
grade be |
2012-03-05 Bob
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If I have an A in a class and I miss a 20 point summative assignment, how much will my
grade be effected? |
2012-03-04 Jessica
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if i have an 87% in my class, what do i need to get on it to raisse it to a 90%, if the exam in worth 20% of the grade? |
2012-03-04 Ash
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if I have a 83% in English, and I don't do a project worth 5% of my grade, what will my percentage be in English? |
2012-03-03 Autumn
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I have a 93% overall in my social studies class. If I make a 50% on a paper that is worth 100 points. What will my overall grade drop to? |
2012-03-03 Natalie
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if a quiz is 40% of my grade what will i have to get to go from a 79 to an 85 |
2012-03-02 Deri
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if you missed nine questions out of 35 what is your score |
2012-03-02 Kayla
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Would you comment on the scenario below? I'm trying to make sense of the apparent contempt or intimidation the teacher expressed when she threw the work away. Shortly after this happened, I got a text from my son (10th grade) asking me to withdraw him from school and homeschool him. He got a zero for this assignment.
Email from me to teacher - I got this report today from my son:
Christian went to school today ready to turn in Spanish HW. He forgot that Spanish and math were switched. He went to math. He left his Spanish HW in his math book and did not bring it to Spanish class. After Spanish class he went to his locker and got the Spanish HW. As he gave it to you, you said very emphatically, “I don’t want this!” He left it anyway saying that he just wanted you to know he had done it. As he walked away, you wadded it up, and threw it away. Is this an accurate account from your perspective?
Mrs. S., I had already told Christian that I would not accept his homework because it was due during my class period. Had this been the first time that he did not have his homework, I would have allowed it but this is the second time this week that Christian did not have his homework. What I emphatically stated was, "this was due last class period, I will not accept this." Yes, I did crumble it up and throw it away because I was not going to grade it. Yet, some details were left out....1. Christian walked in late to class because he had stopped by the cafeteria to buy a chicken biscuit breakfast sandwich. 2. Also, we took an open note oral quiz and Christian did not have his notes out to take the quiz. In fact, as I walked around the room, Christian was the only one without any notes on his desk. 3. Later, when we were reviewing for today's test, Christian did not have paper nor pen on his desk but was turned around talking to another student.
Christian did come to help class yesterday afternoon but even then when I asked him questions, he depended on another student's notes to answer my questions.
Since next week's test is a review of material which Christian struggled with, I will be emailing you a copy of my Power Point notes so that together we can help him better prepare. Have a good day!
________________________________________
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2012-03-02 Christina S.
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I went into my science provincial with 75% and I got 68% on my science provincial and my science provincial is worth 20 percent of my mark. (my mark i went into the provincial with is worth 80%) what is my final mark in science with everything put together? |
2012-03-02 kf
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Hi Ken,
We are currently using PowerSchool with our Outcomes-Based Reporting. Right now, we are encouraging teachers to only assess the standards attached to an assignment, and not the assignmnet itself. We understand this is good practice, however we are running into some issues with Parent Portal then. If we do not assess the actual assignment with a raw score, nothing shows up in Parent Portal, which is a real shame. Is there a way for Parent Portal to show the name of the assignment and then the assessed standards that are attached to that assignment? Because we want Parent Portal to be an effective communication tool, we are tempted to begin putting in raw scores under the assignments so that at least parents can see this. I'd appreciate any of your ideas or thoughts!! Thank you so much :) |
2012-03-01 Sheena
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Hello I have an 87 in my class my final paper is worth 40 points what do I need to get on my paper to get no lower than an 80 in the class? |
2012-03-01 Amanda
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I have a B in a class, I recently just got a C- on a test, what's my new grade? |
2012-03-01 Maddie
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what can I do to get a better grade than an 88 in physical education? |
2012-03-01 monica
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I believe that you mention Dale Skoreyko in one of your books--which one would that be? |
2012-03-01 bailey green
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If you get 7 questions wrong on a test with 50 questions, what is the percentage? |
2012-03-01 Candy
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If I sighned up for 27 hours of school and passed 17 hours whats my passing percentage? |
2012-02-29 jeffery zapata
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if i missed 2 questions out of 5, what would be my grade? |
2012-02-29 shuntae
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If there are 31 questions and i get 6 wrong what is my grade??? |
2012-02-29 Xtina
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We are trying to implement Marzanos 4 point rubric (using .5 increments) but are having difficulty making a decision on how to convert to percentages as we transition away from normative assessments. Your thoughts! |
2012-02-29 dmt
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If 25% of my grade is 58.44% and 25% of my grade is 66.22% and 50% of
my grade is 87.64 what is my final grade |
2012-02-29 jennifer
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Giving marks for quizzes and assignments often boosts the marks of students who are
hard workers but struggling--or have trouble writing exams. Of course one hopes that
they will also learn material as they do the work. Why would one want to take this
opportunity to get credit for work done and the incentive to do the work away from them?
"0 until you do this" works as a good motivator in many teacher's experience. |
2012-02-29 bailey green
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If I got three questions wrong out of 10 what would my grade be ? |
2012-02-29 Emily
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I received 32 out of 100 on an exam. What is my final %? |
2012-02-28 Martha Z
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Where would I find research supporting the no zero grading etc? I have been perusing your
material and am finding no documentation or bibliographies pointing me to research. |
2012-02-28 Bailey Green
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My son attends a York Region public school. If you average the marks on his latest report card it equals 81.3% (total of reported grades divided by the # reported). The school did not include him on the "honor roll" (average 80%+) as they calculate the average differently. They told my son they take an average of each subject and then calculate the average for the report card. For example they average about 4 different math marks to come up with one. Do you think this is correct? I believe the the more averages you take, the less accurate the final outcome will be. Do you recommend pursuing this with the school board? The same thing happened last year. |
2012-02-28 sandra
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I have an 87% but i just got an f on my 60 point essay. what will my grade drop down to? |
2012-02-27 john
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I have an 87% but i just got an f on my 60 point essay. what will my grade drop down to? |
2012-02-27 john
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What is the value of final exams at the high school level worth 20 percent of the final
grade? We are seeing that the final exam grades are significantly lower than the term
grades. Thank you. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. |
2012-02-27 Donna Dunar
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Hi Doctor,
I would want to inquire a substantial urge of knowing whether failing quizzes would
affect your overall average, since right now i'm in grade 11? Also, i would want to whether if
my grade 11 marks affect my university opportunity. |
2012-02-27 natalie
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I have a 74 in L.A. right now and I got a 100 on a worksheet that is 20 percent of my grade how much would it raise my average and what would it be? |
2012-02-27 blah blah
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What would be your grade if you missed 1 out if 29? |
2012-02-27 Amdusnvr mdhbdusn
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If I have an 85 in tha class and get a 0 on a major grade
how much wuld it go down or what wuld it be |
2012-02-26 jordan
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If there are 22 questions and u get 6 wrong wats the grade |
2012-02-26 James
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In Alberta, is it required of teachers to bump a mark from 79% to 80%? |
2012-02-26 Christina
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there are 20 questions on test. I got 8 wrong what would my grade be |
2012-02-25 cindy
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what grade will i receive if i get 1 wrong out of 7 ? |
2012-02-25 gabby
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what is the procedure when 83% of the students of one class fail math
midterm test ? |
2012-02-25 Haidy Soliman
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if i have a 85% and added 40 pounts what would my total percentage be after??? |
2012-02-24 andres
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Question
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I need a 80% on a test of 100 questions how many can I get wrong |
2012-02-24 Brian
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Why would a teacher use an 85 as a max on an
exam unstead of 100. The test is made up of fill
ins/matching/short answer etc. all valued
differently |
2012-02-24 timp
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Question
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If I have a 100% in my class, and I miss a 20 point assignment, how much will it affect my grade? What then will my grade be? Also, would it affect my grade differently if I had a lower percentage in the class? |
2012-02-24 Lauren
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If I miss 5 out of 20 in a test, what should my grade be?
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2012-02-24 alex
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My average on mt progress report was 80% and I made a 100 as a test grade which is
50% of my grade. What average will I get on my report card? |
2012-02-24 Algebra
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If I got 12 out of 31 wrong what is my grade for that test |
2012-02-24 Alyssa
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26 questions 1 wrong what is percentage right and how do you caculate? |
2012-02-23 susan eosso, CPC,CMRS
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Question
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I have got 2 zeros for daily grades and I want to know what it had done to my
average of 87% |
2012-02-22 Mikaela
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Question
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i got 4 questions wrong out of 26 questions on a new york state test?
wat will be my score? |
2012-02-22 sponegbob
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Question
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Whatt if I would I got 3 out of 40 questions wrong?
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2012-02-22 Joey Beaver
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Question
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If I got 17 out of 25 questions correct, would would be my grade? |
2012-02-21 rachel
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Question
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Anoka-Hennepin School District report cards does not show the learning targets across the report cards. So,it is a class and a letetr grade after it. When I give a re-test on a summative assessment, I know I should give the higher of the two grades, which I do. However, how can I show the parent their child was at a C for a learning target two weeks ago, but has shown growth and is now at an A? Unless I have both grades (the original and the retake) the parents can't see any growth on the grade reports. Ideas? |
2012-02-21 Lisa
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Question
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My daughter is in second grade and the only grades she receives for math and reading are from the school district's reading and math curriculum's theme/skills tests (Houghton Mifflin and Saxton) at the end of each quarter. This is a high stake test in which I don't feel shows what she has learned or lets me as a parent know what her strengths and needs are. What information/ideas can I present to her principal as to why this is not the best method to use? My daughter is beginning to get lots of test anxiety as well. Thanks! |
2012-02-21 Liz
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Hi Dr.- Here is a perfect example of teachers frustrations after implementing 15 Fixes-. Do you have any advice for me? I am a teacher-leader in grading and assessment and I don't always have the answers for the 150 teachers I work with. Please advise:
Hey Lisa,
I’m just curious as to what our building’s “official” stance is on penalizing late work. I know according to 15 fixes that this is not the best practice. I have discontinued penalizing late work for the past two years after reading 15 fixes. However, now it seems as though my students’ motivation for getting work in went from little to none.
I have called parents, assigned detention and written referrals for major assignments that have not been turned in. Too many of our kids couldn’t care less. As a result, I have a ton of students who are failing (more than ever before)! Has our grading committee discussed this at all, and what kind of direction is our school going to head with this dilemma?
Thanks!
Julie |
2012-02-21 Lisa
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First of all I am middle school teacher trying to do what is best for kids. I have read the book 15 Fixes to Broken Grades and I am currently reading Embedding Formative Assessments by Dylan Wiliam. I read the book Fair Isn't Always Equal by Rick Wormeli, in the book Rick suggests getting rid of a point system and using SBG, on a four point scale. I teach English and Reading. My question is what does that look like? I understand what it would look like for grading a paragraph or essay, but what about when it comes to grading a summative assessment on fact and opinion? The students read a paragraph and answer multiple choice questions pertaining to fact and opinion- 10 questions lets say- usually it would be the student earns 7/10 for a point scale grading system. How would I grade that for standards based grading? Just by the student earning a C, I don't see the difference in using the point scale vs SBG? Please help me! I am a teacher leader in grading and assessment for our school and this question comes up when I mention that it is best practice to get rid of points---I feel I am missing something. Thank you so much for your time! What a great resource for teachers who are trying to do what is best for kids in grading and assessment :-) I look forward to hearing your response. |
2012-02-21 Lisa
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Question
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I got a 52 on a quiz and quiz grades count as 20 percent how much will it bring my
average down if I have a 99? |
2012-02-21 Harley Sherbert
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Question
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if theres 6 possible and you miss 2 whats your percent |
2012-02-20 zak
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Question
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39 wrong out of 90
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2012-02-20 ben
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Question
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If i got 12 wrong out of 40 questions, what is my grade percentage? |
2012-02-19 bella
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Question
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7 students took a quiz. 4 students recieved an 85%. what % recieved 85%? |
2012-02-19 Claire
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Question
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I got 88% at AS for History with OCR, what is the minimum percentage I
can achieve at A2 and still get an A overall? |
2012-02-19 Lizz
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Question
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IF THERE WAS 9 QUESTIONS AND I MISSED 4 WHAT GRADE IS THAT |
2012-02-17 lindzie page
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Question
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my report card is a 92 in reading i missed 18 out of 20 questions what
is my report card grade now |
2012-02-16 david
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Question
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There are 6 grades in semester. The first grade a 90 worth 15%. The second grade 94 worth 20%. The third is 100 worth 5%. The last three tests have not been taken.but what is the average based on their % worth. I am guessing it is above 92 what the averag of 90 and 94. Thanks |
2012-02-16 Deann
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Question
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what would your grade be if you had 25 questions and you got 9 wrong? |
2012-02-16 rere
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Question
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i took a test that had 23 questions and i missed 8 what is my grade ? |
2012-02-16 kayla dual
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Question
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what would my grade be if i missed 19 problems out of 80? |
2012-02-15 Becky
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Question
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Is it correct, the more you allow each assignment/test's possible points count, the better the students' average(taking the total possible points divided by total earned points). |
2012-02-15 varn
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Question
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There were 72 questions and I missed 17. What is my grade |
2012-02-14 priscilla thompson
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Question
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What percentage would would given on a test with 190 questions with 37 being wrong? |
2012-02-14 Jeanne
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Question
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If I have a 100% in a class and get a 40% on a test and tests are worth 40% of my grade, what grade will i have in the class?
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2012-02-14 Jesse
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Question
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If I miss 10 questions on a test worth 30, what will my grade be? |
2012-02-13 Johnny
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Question
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what is my grade if I missed one question out of 6 |
2012-02-13 carol WALKER
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Question
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If I miss one quetsion out of five would would my grade be? |
2012-02-13 erica
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Question
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assignment and exam worth 50 percent each to get a 2:1 in uni (60 percent or above
overall) and I get 53% in assignment how much would I need to get in the exam? |
2012-02-13 Hannah
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Question
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out of a 25 question quiz, how many could you miss & still get an 87
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2012-02-13 garrett taylor
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Question
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if i am getting a 91% and fail a exam worth 20% what will my mark be ? |
2012-02-13 Carley
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Question
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What's your grade if you miss 6 questions on a 40 question test ? |
2012-02-12 Annette
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Question
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I am an elementary school principal in a district that has changed our grading system.
We identified Power Standards for each subject. Students recieve a grade (Exceeding,
Meeting...) depending on the number Learning Targets assessed that make up each
Power Standard taught and assessed. Students either get an IP (In Progress) or a Y (Yes)
for each Power Standrad on their report card. I believe we should move to a Scale for
grading (1.0-4.0) aligned with Rubrics. I need help convincing them that this is the
right thing to do. What do you suggest I do? |
2012-02-12 Jeff Soltez
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Question
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If I took a test that had 75 questions and got 13 wrong, what is my grade
plz? |
2012-02-11 Berry
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Question
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If I got 1, 2, 3, 4 wrong out of 6 on a test with a possible score of 100. What score would I get? |
2012-02-11 Stacey
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Question
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hi im in college and are having chemo therapy. i wrote a letter to my instuctor to me allow
me to send the work in..how many Hundreds does it take to make up a zero grade |
2012-02-11 tess
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Question
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Our school has started using a data dashboard for every skill.In math my child is advanced however usually forget's to label eventhough he get's the correct answer.Also forget's to show work many times.His teacher counts them all wrong.When the "data" is put into the system it shows that he has not mastered the skill eventhough he has mastered the skill but didn't label.......what do you think about this problem? Thanks! |
2012-02-10 Pam
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Question
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If I missed 4 out of 11, what is my grade? |
2012-02-09 Manny Rodriguez
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Question
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what is the percent if i got 1 question wrong on a 8 question test? |
2012-02-09 chelsea
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Question
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What would my grade on my math test be if i got 10 out of 14 right? |
2012-02-09 paige
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Question
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I got 88% on my science test out of 100% and there was 50 questions how many
would I have gotten wrong? |
2012-02-09 Maddie
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Question
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I had 65 questions on a test and I missed 7... What is my percentage?? |
2012-02-09 jerod
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Question
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I currently have 85.69% in math. There is a test coming up and tests
are worth 50 percent of the final grade. My current grade in the test
catagory is 76.76% What grade would i need to get on the test to bring
it up to a 90%?
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2012-02-08 savannah
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Question
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I have a 70% and i get 10 out of 10 on a spelling quiz what will my percent change
to? |
2012-02-08 Alysse Mattesom
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Question
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If I got one question wrong on a 27 question test, what will my grade be? |
2012-02-08 Michaela
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Question
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I had made a 76 on my test. My grade is a 75, what will my grade be now? |
2012-02-08 Alex
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Question
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I am looking for advice on how to encourage teachers to move from task-chasing to a Learning Outcomes based approach. Punitive marking has resulted in a high number of student failures in specific subject areas. I have shared your 15 fixes, but I am wondering how to reach that critical mass to influence change in our school. |
2012-02-08 Erin
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Question
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What is the score missing 3 questions out of 30? |
2012-02-08 Desiree
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Question
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Ummm.... I got a 68 on my math probability mark and i want to know if
they bump it up or will it stay a 68? I got like 70-90s in like
everything else . and also in drama we had to write a journal and we
did a presentation and thats all thats gonna be on the report card. i
got a 2+ on the journal but i nailed the presentation. what do u think
my percentage for drama is around? Thanks |
2012-02-07 Sunny Sidhu
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Question
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Considering Standards - Based reporting such as Physical Education- How do you separate "behaviors" such as effort and dressing for participation from the "grade" or should they be separated in participation based classes? |
2012-02-07 Arlene Borner
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Question
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if there are 15 problems on a test and you miss 4 what is your grade |
2012-02-07 lmt
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Question
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Can a outcomes-based report card be constructed in Power School? |
2012-02-07 Karen
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Question
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If a test is worth 110 points and tests are worth 50 percent of your grade how much is
this test worth |
2012-02-05 H
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Question
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I had a 78 and on my exam which counts 15% i got a 58 and on a project
which counts 15% i got a 68. Whats my grade now? |
2012-02-04 Amy
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Question
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if there's 6 questions and you miss 2 what is the percintage |
2012-02-04 Karma nichole howe
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Question
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Instead of assigning "zero" for missing work, could you please give some ideas for alternate
consequences that have been effective with high school students. Thank you. |
2012-02-04 Val Jarvie
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Question
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If I have an 89 in the class and I get an F on a quiz thats worth 50% of my grade, about what
will I have and how hard would it be to get back up to at least a B? |
2012-02-04 Brooke
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Question
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If I take a test and it has 25 questions on it and I want an 80% on it , how many can I
miss? |
2012-02-04 Nobody
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Question
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My son got one wrong out of 11 questions on his math test. He received a grade of 72 is that correct. There does not appear to be any weighted grade on the test per question. |
2012-02-03 Sue
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Question
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I am geting 75 in Spanish I got a 68 on my quarter test which is worth 40%of my final
grade for the quarter what is my final grade |
2012-02-02 Megan
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Question
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What percentage would you get if you missed 1 question out of a 6 question math quiz? |
2012-02-02 Benito
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Question
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If there are 61 questions on a test. The multiple choice are 2 points each and the fill ins
are 1 point. If I get 12 multiple choice wrong and 3 fill ins what is my grade? |
2012-02-02 Alyssa
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Question
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If I have a 50% and a 90% on two different tests what is my percentage? |
2012-02-02 tuen
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Question
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Do you have any idea about the Zero-Based Grading System? |
2012-02-02 Glenn
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Question
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if there was a test with 15 questions and you got a 60% how many did you miss? |
2012-02-01 amyy
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Question
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Dear Mr. O'Connor,
I teach grades 9 & 12 language arts at Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy in
Prescott, Arizona. Last November, I attended an EL Institute on Grading & Reporting, and
since then I've decided to reform my grades. Northpoint already does a number of the
"fixes" you talk about in your book. But, a sticking point has been not giving zeroes for an
academic grade when work is not turned in. For some reason, this gets the staff's emotions
going. They also fear that there is no accountability, and they fear there is not a good way
to report missing work without the zero there. We use JumpRope, so I am able to report a
zero for a Habits of Work grade and an M for missing as an academic grade. Parents are
able to see those grades. We also have a Friday School program (our normal school week
runs Mon - Thurs) for students with low Habits of Work grades, providing accountability
without punishing students by artificially lowering their grades. Still, many on staff are
resisting. Our director is allowing every teacher to do what he wants, so I and one other
teacher are forging ahead, piloting a program without giving zeroes for missing work. I am
wondering if you have any suggestions for this predicament. How would you handle this
situation and try to bring other staff members (some of whom have had similar PD as I
have) on board? Much thanks for any help you can provide.
Sincerely,
Jeff Dyer |
2012-02-01 Jeff Dyer
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Question
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if i got 1 question wrong out of 11 and it was 3 days late and every day it was late 1 point was subtracted what would my grade be?? |
2012-01-31 anika reed
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Question
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If i have a 96% in my class right now, i just took my final and recieved
a 50%, and my final is worth 20 points what will my end grade be? |
2012-01-31 Jessica Monelo
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Question
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I got a 50% on my science midterm how will this affect the 78 i got first semester? |
2012-01-31 Mike Roger
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Question
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If my mark is 78 percent before the exam and I get a 95 percent on the exam and it is worth 15 percent of the mark , what would my final mark be? |
2012-01-31 Bronwyn
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Question
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Mr. O'Conner,
One more question regarding the private school mid-year grade change. Administrators tell us if they include our child in class ranking with the 5pt scale applied (in-house) to college courses taken this year(senior) it will be unfair to the kids sitting at 2,3 and 5 with the 5pt applied to their ap course(junior). Our child would move from 4th to sharing 1st. Our child has been alone in 1st since freshman year. In what way would this be unfair to 2,3 and 5? Again, to us it seems the mid-year change gave advantage.
Thank you. |
2012-01-31 J.Simmons
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Question
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http://dennisssblegh.com|dennis
hello
Lovely site |
2012-01-31 dennis
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Question
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i have an 80 in my class and i got a 0 on my research paper thats worth 25% hat will my grade go down to |
2012-01-30 dina
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Question
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I have an 87% in the class. If I get 80% on the final, which is worth 15% of my mark, what will my final mark be? |
2012-01-30 Kristen
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Question
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if i have a 83 average and i get a 52 on my exam that is worth 30% of my grade what will my average be |
2012-01-30 logan
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Question
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I got 8 points on a paper out of a possible 12,
what would be my grade based on a normal grade
scale |
2012-01-30 mykey
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Question
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I'm involved a pilot of a standards-based report card and am not sure
what to do with students whose learning needs are out of grade level;
e.g., 7th grade student who is learning 4th grade reading/language arts
or another 7th grade student who is learning high school science. |
2012-01-30 Dan
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Question
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My school changed to a more standard based grading and are following Tom Guskey's philosophy. Our GPAs are lower now and I am worried about college admission. They keep telling us that colleges will look at the student's GPA in comparison to other students in his class and not other students? How is that possible? My GPA is now 06 lower than what it was before and we have fewer things being graded. Fewer assessments since homework and quizzes are not considered part of the achievement grade. Help make sense of this!!!!!!!!!!! |
2012-01-30 Ron
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Question
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What is the percentage of missing work if there were 17 assignments given and 6 were missing. |
2012-01-30 cheryl mills
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Question
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Will a late affect the assignments overall grade? If I get a 90 percent then will the late bring it
down or is there a certain amount of percent you can have if the assignment is marked late? |
2012-01-30 Taighe
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Question
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I got 94% on my report card and got 70% on my exam and my exam is worth 20% of my final grade how far did it drop. |
2012-01-29 Tina
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Question
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I have a 25% on my report card then I get a 100% A what will my grade on my report
card become? |
2012-01-29 Cheyenne reaser
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Question
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I'm getting a 77% in one of my classes right now but I got a 20/40(50%)
on my last assignment that weights 5.1. What's my mark now? |
2012-01-29 John
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Question
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The private school our kids attend changed the grading system mid-year last year to improve the grades of kids struggling with AP courses by adopting a 5.0 scale. This year the class ranking has changed due to this mid-year change. The school plans to drop the 5.0. Our child moved out of first rank as she was not in the AP course due to her schedule. She planned to take the course this year but they dropped the class. She has taken 3 college courses this year concurrent with high school and carried a 4.0, however the school will not figure in-house a 5.0 scale for these courses. This move out of the ranking takes away scholarship dollars. Can private schools do as they please in these matters? Is there any recourse for families? It seems odd, unfair? to change grading policy mid-year. |
2012-01-29 J.Simmons
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CLICK for the Grade Doctor's response |
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Question
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I forgot to turn in a paper, therefore I probably got a 0. What would that do to my grade? Before, I had a 98 in the class. |
2012-01-28 A
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Question
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I got 11 right out of 20 questions. |
2012-01-28 Midget
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Question
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I go to Brown Mackie College and I want to know If there are 50 questions on a test and you only got 32 questions right what would be the score for that test? The other question is if you have 50 questions
and you only got 40 right what would be the grade for that? |
2012-01-28 Faith Tisdale
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Question
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If I have an 80 average in a class, and I fail a summative worth 7.5% of the final mark, what is my new average? |
2012-01-27 Holly
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Question
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If I have an 84 in class and then get a 100 on a quiz how much will it bring up my
grade? |
2012-01-26 Steph
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Question
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What do I have to get on the final if I have an 88% in the class and the final is worth 10%. |
2012-01-26 Kristen
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Question
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I have a 99 in guitar class. I missed 2 assignments and got 2 zeroes. What is my grade
now?
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2012-01-26 Trevor jones
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Question
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if i have a 90% in math and i got a 76% on a math quiz how will that effect my grade? |
2012-01-26 cyman
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Question
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If I am getting 92 percent in science and my final exam is worth 20% of
my mark and I got 70% on it what is my final mark? Can you show me your
calculations? |
2012-01-26 balpreet grewal
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Question
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I have an 85 in my ASL class, how much will it drop if i get a zero on a
test grade and a daily grade? |
2012-01-26 Justin
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i have a 87 in the class the final is worth 15% of my grade. what grade do i need to get on the test to get and A in the class |
2012-01-26 hannah gramble
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Question
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I currently have a 68% in math, the exam is worth 30%, what do I need to
get on the exam to have my mark above 50? above 65? |
2012-01-26 Myles
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I have a 99 percent(A+) in math and there's a 35 question final tomorrow. That final is worth 100 points. The final is also 20 percent of my entire grade, so how low can my grade drop to if get a C on that 100 point final? |
2012-01-26 Brit
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if i have a 90 and i get 100 on my exam worth 15% of my grade, what will my final mark be ? |
2012-01-25 matt
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If there are a total of 15 questions on a test, and you need an 80% to
pass, can you tell me how many you can miss? What is the percentage if
you miss 1, 2, or 3 questions etc. And how do I calculate that? |
2012-01-25 Michael Anderson
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Hi i have 80% in my math class and i want to know if i can get an A by
getting 95% or higher on the final that is worth 15% of my grade. |
2012-01-25 brendan
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I have a 96 percent in spanish, and there's a test worth 50 points. If i get a c on that test, how low will my grade drop? |
2012-01-25 Brit
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What is the score if you miss 2 questions out of 9questions? |
2012-01-24 karen
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I currently have an 87.1 in my film class. we took a final today & I got
an 84 on it, which accounts for 10% of our grade. is my grade the same? |
2012-01-24 Gina
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Question
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If I have a 90% in math and I take the final exam which is worth 30% of my final mark
and on the exam I get a 60% what would my final mark be for math class? |
2012-01-24 Smith
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If a test is worth 50% of my grade which is at 91% now and i make a 50 on my test
what would my grade be |
2012-01-24 Angela
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If I had a test of 30 question an I missed 11 what's the number grade ? |
2012-01-24 Ashley
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My child had a 90% in Social Studies. She took an exam at the end of the
semester and got a 73%. Her grade is now a 76%. Can you tell how much
that one test was worth? |
2012-01-23 Bren Vitter
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if there is 12 questions on a test at 3 points apiece and i miss 2 questions what is my grade |
2012-01-23 derrick lee
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I have a 90% in science. If i get 25 bonus points what will my grade be? |
2012-01-23 farrah
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1. How should multiple scores in a single standard be tabulated? (Mean, median, mode, average of 3 most recent , highest?)
2. Should there be an overall standard grade for a class or should there just be a grade for individual standards?
3. Should we have decimals in standard grades? (At this time a student can’t get a 4 unless all assessments were all 4's.
4. In Powerschool, using standards based grading, how do we report missing work?
5. How do we report behavior, work ethic and citizenship?
6. In terms of athletic eligibility – what constitutes ineligibility based upon standards?
7. How or can we have an honor roll?
8. Should there be assessments and assignments displayed during the trimester so that parents can see how their student is progressively doing?
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2012-01-23 TJohnson
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if I have a 70 in math, what do i need to get on the exam which is worth 30 percent of my total grade to reach 80 percent overall |
2012-01-23 Thomas
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I missed 3 questions out of 35 what would be my score? |
2012-01-22 Ashlynn
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I have a 70% in Science 10 and my final is worth 30% of my mark. What do I need for a mark on my final to keep me above 60%. |
2012-01-22 Chris
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If i have seven question quiz and Its worth five
points and i scored three points how many Did i
miss? |
2012-01-22 van
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i have a 85 in science and the final exam is comming up if i get a F on this test and it is 20 percent of my grade what will it make it go down to
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2012-01-20 gabby
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If the test has 79 questions, what would the grade be if I missed 9 questions |
2012-01-20 Janice Kemmerlin
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i got a 85 on a test... what will be my grade if the test is worth 15 % of my grade?? |
2012-01-20 Sammie
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I got a 88% on a test ...what will be my grade if the test worth 5% of my grade? |
2012-01-20 voula
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I currently have a 93% in one of my classes. If I happen to recieve a 0%
on an assignment that is worth 15% of the course, what will my new grade
be? |
2012-01-19 Tyler
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Question
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If I'm getting a 96 overall in math and I get a zero on a task worth
10%, how much will my grade drop? |
2012-01-19 Sabrina
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if i get 10 questions wrong out of 23 whats my percentage |
2012-01-18 kassandra
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My average right now is 93%, on my exam that is 10% of our final grade I got 50% what is my final grade now |
2012-01-18 Jordyn Deschaine
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Question
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I have a low c in my math class if I missed
two summutives that were 70 and another
one 78 points what would my final grade
be |
2012-01-18 denise
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Question
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Greetings! Our English Department has been using your achievement model grading system - modified - we use 80 percent achievement and 20 percent effort. we have been inconsistent with make-up work policy though - what are your thoughts on make-up work (more importanty - time frame issues. |
2012-01-18 Michael Blaine
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If i have a 87.3 in my Spanish class then i get 50 points what would be
my new grade. |
2012-01-18 jennny
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if i had 61 questions and i got 9 wrong what is my grade? |
2012-01-17 kat
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If i miss 5 questions on a 15 question test whats my grade |
2012-01-17 John
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if there are 22 questions and 7 are wrong what is the grade percentage? if there are 22 questionsand 4 are wrong whats the grade percentage? |
2012-01-17 Lisa I.
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if there is 22 questions and i get 6 incorrect whats my score ? |
2012-01-16 zhyriah
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i didnt do an assigment that was worth ten percent, my grade is currently 69, what will this do to my grade? |
2012-01-15 rae
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if I miss 3 questions on a 20 question quiz what is my grade? |
2012-01-15 Angel
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my son made alpha honor roll in this semester he made 7 A'S and 1 B can he make alpha honor roll with 1B? |
2012-01-15 Milagros
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If there are 40 questions and I get 35 right what is my grade? |
2012-01-15 keisha
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what is my grade on a 75 questions test and i have 60 correct answers 15 incorrect answers |
2012-01-15 edward
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In test of 25 questions helen missed 6. What percent did she have right? |
2012-01-11 Chinglee
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Question
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We are looking for some guidance about what to do with a student who is caught cheating in
a standards based reporting system. Giving a 0 or an F does not fit into our current practices.
Thank you so much. |
2012-01-11 Paul L
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Question
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If my current math mark is 44%, my final exam is work 20% of my grade, what do I need
to get on my final exam to pass my math course? |
2012-01-11 Karry
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If I avereaged an 85 in math and got a 75 on a final exam worth 20 percent of my
overall grade, what will my final grade be? |
2012-01-10 Marissa
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If I scored 15 out 27 right what's my grade? |
2012-01-10 mikea henderson
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My grade for math is 87.19. My assignment is worth 25% of my grade. I got a 100 on
my assignment. How many points do i get? |
2012-01-09 Natasha
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i missed 9 out of 40 questions
what is my grade?
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2012-01-09 deepa
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If I get at least an 80 on a semester exam (for middle school,) how mnay points will my grade go up? What about for a 70 on the exam? |
2012-01-09 Jamie
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If i missed five questions on a test of 16 questions, what would my grade be? |
2012-01-09 sloan
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My son is in 5th grade. He has a worksheet with 10 problems on it. The teacher marked one wrong and gave him an 88, is this correct? |
2012-01-09 Nicole Starr
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Hi Ken, Our province has just developed a 4 point rubric of achievement levels to be used in assessing student work. Currently, for those schools using outcome-based assessment, teachers have to convert rubric scores for achievement to a final letter grade based on the number of outcomes met during the reporting period. (From quality 1-4, to quantity-A=all, B=most,C=some and D=few) Many have come to realize that these indicators do not mix well! So now our province is discussing changing the A-D descriptors to be more qualitative and are looking for some consensus on qualitative descriptors. I know many provinces across Canada are using 1-4 as reporting codes and I am thinking our qualitative descriptors for 1-4(which refer to level of understanding and skill application) should also be our report card achievement descriptors as well. Why have two different symbols that basically refer to the same thing. I get that the descriptors need to be specific to content, in student friendly language and co-constructed or at least student reviewed, when using rubrics to promote student learning and give descriptive feedback, but can the more general rubric also be used as evaluative and for reporting overall student achievement on report cards? (we also include anecdotal comments with students strengths, challenges and suggestions for improvement). What are your thoughts? If we should be looking for good qualitative descriptors for our A-D reporting codes, can you suggest some good resources? Thanks in advance! |
2012-01-08 Cheryl
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There is 60 questions on my math test I got 3wrong out of all of them, what is my grade
? |
2012-01-08 Milana
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Question
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what is the percentage if I got 83 out of 90 questions
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2012-01-06 Gill
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what is the grade of 59 wrong out of 190 questions
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2012-01-04 Jennifer Sclafani
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i got 605 out of 700 for formatives which is 65 percent of my grade i
got 26 out of 26 which is 10 percent of my grade and i got 91 out of 100
which is 25 percent of my grade. What is my final grade? |
2012-01-04 susie
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Is it illegal (in NYS) for a teacher to deduct points from EVERY student's test if she is only accusing SOME of the students for talking. A test is a test based on academics, not behavior.
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2012-01-04 Tracy
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I am part of a committee that has been working on outcomes-based reporting for K-6 students(sbp) and helping teachers use PowerTeacher correctly. Many teachers and administrators do not have a full understanding of how to report using the outcomes in the grade book. How do we get the teaches to focus on the achievement of the outcomes, not on the marks on a test? These questions were asked by some administrators and I'm not sure I understand what they are asking. Our committee would appreciate an asnwer to these questions, please. I did look over every single question and I didn't find one that answered these questions completely. Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. |
2012-01-03 LInda
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There is 40 questions and i miss 22 what grade is it? |
2012-01-02 Shavada Rosenboro
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if someone got 4 out of 5 questions right on a math quiz what will the grade be in percent |
2011-12-31 alexis
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Dear doc, if I have an 83% right now in history, and I don't do a project that is worth
80 points, how much will my grade drop? Thanks :)
-Sierra |
2011-12-24 Sierra
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Question
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dear doc,
right now in math i have a 82.3 and i just took a test and got a 62.5 on a formative. what
would my grade be now and how could i improve it because the quarter ends january 20
thank you,
natalie |
2011-12-21 Natalie
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If it was given in the teacher's syllabus that five points will be taken off every day for worked turned in late and later the teacher choses to ignore it and gives zeros, can we talk to the admisnistators? |
2011-12-21 vanram
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if u had 20 qustions on a 9 weeks test and u missed 5 what would u make?
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2011-12-20 joseph
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Question
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how do you find 15% of a grade when the grade percent in the
class is 76.11%? how do you deduct a percent from a percent?
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2011-12-20 britaney
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Question
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Dear doc, i have a 87.3 in my math class ( middle school only) and i got 26 out of 50..
Yeah reLly bad its only first semester and it counts as ten percent of my grade. What
letter grade and percent would i end up with?! Woupd i drop to like A d?!?! Please
answer i have been searching for hours on how to solve the problem but i cant find
anything! Please please help
From a concerned middle schooler searching for help |
2011-12-19 Leana smith
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Question
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Dear Ken,
I teach at a Private school with 200 students in grades 6-8. I implemented SBG last
year and was hoping to get our new hire on board this year (I believed we had an
understanding when we hired her). So far this year, I have gotten nowhere with her.
My principal says he wants to implement SBG school-wide but is very loose in his
leadership. I am so frustrated with the way she is assessing, things like grading
student's performance on math games, meaningless sounding homework assignments
and one or two quizzes for the entire year, that I am ready to quit. My principal
absolutely loves her so I am at a loss. Any ideas? |
2011-12-17 Svana
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Question
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I am doing research on standards based grading systems used in US
schools. Do you know what percentage of secondary schools in the US use
SBG? I imagine that 90% or so of school districts still use tradtional,
percentage based "academic" grades. Am I close? |
2011-12-16 Alex
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Question
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I have a 69 percent in math. I got four 5 out of 5's on homework assignments. What
will my grade be? |
2011-12-15 Scott
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Question
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Your answers are absurd!!! They are indirect and evasive. Standard Based Grading is ridiculous! Students absolutely should be rewarded for being responsible and getting homework done. In a real job you can not not call clients but still keep your sales rate up. What a joke. In today's world parents already do too much for our kids so they end up with no responsibility, now the schools are too. Enough to make you want to home school!! |
2011-12-14 katie
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Question
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If i miss 7 questions out of 90, what do i make? |
2011-12-14 Kayla
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Question
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My high school is currently using the standard 8-point (92.5-100= A) scale. I am writing a paper proposing a 10-point scale instead. What is your opinion on a 10-point grade scale being the standard for high schools across the country? |
2011-12-12 Skye
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Question
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If I took a test that have 92 question, but the teacher says it's worth 100 points how
many can I get wrong to get a c |
2011-12-10 Marilyn ruiz
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Question
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if you miss 5 questions out of 22 what would my grade be?
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2011-12-10 Angela Rodriguez
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Question
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If there's 6 questions and I get 2 wrong what would my grade be?
The highest grade possible is 100. My teacher gave me a 50. If I'm not wrong, you would have
to get 3 wrong to get a 50? I only missed 2. |
2011-12-10 Jehanna
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Question
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Our middle school is introducing standards based grading for the first time. We are using a
four level rubric in all class: beginning, developing, proficient, exceeding the standard.
Parents, students and teachers are all concerned about when during the school year we
should expect proficiency. Can the entire class be beginning-developing at the first
reporting period? |
2011-12-08 A Beek
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Question
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hello. in my school we have an 80% summitive and 20% formative grading scale. so tests and quizes are 80% and homework is 20% can i get a quote on w or two on why this should be changed, or how it sets kids up for failure? |
2011-12-07 Andrew Buzzeo
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Question
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i have a 92 in math then i got a 10/14 on a hw assignment what will my grade be |
2011-12-04 me
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Question
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The urban high school where I teach is trying to transform to the standards based grading system. One of the things we are asked to do is to not give zeros. I am comfortable with that when it means that I can mark an assignment "incomplete" and require the student to come in and show me what his level of mastery is. What I am uncomfortable with is that we have a policy of never giving a grade lower than 50%, including when a student scores lower than 50%. What is your opinion of automatically assigning a score of 50% vs using 'incomplete' at the high school level? |
2011-12-03 Connie Navarro
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Question
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Mr. O'Connor,
I am a member of the grading and assessment committee in our district and we have been debating whether to use points or percentages when putting student grades into progress book. We are not weighting grades and are only counting summative assessments in the final grade. Some teachers in our system are using percentages and others are using points. I prefer to enter all summative grades out of 100 points which is a percentage. My problem with points is that an assignment is weighted purely through the point value of the assignment. So a 20 point assignment is essentially worth twice as much as an 10 point assignment. If it is a summative assessment, in my mind, it should be given the same value and the only way to do that is by entering all summative assessments out of 100 points. What is your opinion of this. Am I correct? |
2011-12-03 Pam Skelley
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Question
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Dr. O'Connor
With standards based grading in place,should particpation in Phys Ed be assessed? or should it be reported as "behavior"? with cognitive and skills being assessed and reported? Thank you |
2011-12-02 Sandra Day
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Question
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Hi Ken,
Remember me? The pain on your Pearson Chat session.
I notice on your WHAT'S NEW tab you have the following description for Calculating standards from assignment window. Below the photo is the description:
Calculate Assignment Scores from Linked Standards
With PowerTeacher 2.3, when a standard or group of standards are linked to an assignment, the teacher can now have the assignment score auto-calculate based on each individual student's performance on the underlying standards.
Which is the opposite of calculating to standards. BUT it IS what we at Pattonville are looking for. Maybe together we could get Pearson to tell us how to do this.
Again, as always, appreciation all you do for education and student achievement. Beth :-) |
2011-12-02 Beth Blackwell
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Question
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I am leading a series of weekly study sessions on transforming the grading system for our district’s instructional leaders. We have been using readings and video clips from several experts. Yesterday was our fourth session. Based on previous discussions, the group appeared to have agreed that grades should reflect what students know and nothing else. However, after watching a You Tube video opposing assigning grades to homework, one administrator remarked that the expert was a “nut.” In the ensuing discussion it came out that the majority of the group believed (1) that homework promoted becoming responsible and was a necessary life preparation skill, (2) that if students put in the effort to do work, they should receive a grade for it, and they expected to receive one, and (3) that without a grade, they would not do the homework which was seen as a necessary part of practice. Can you suggest a method or questions I could use to create cognitive dissonance and get these folks to examine their engrained beliefs about grading and consider why they might need to abandon some of them? |
2011-12-02 James Greene
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Question
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My son is in 4th grade, and is a VERY good student. Recently he forgot about 2 assignments that were worth 100 points each. He was reminded of them by his teacher, yet forgot to have us sign that he did the homework,which is why he couldnt turn it in. After 3 days he was given a 0/100. I found this out by checking his grades online. My son was in the wrong, and I recognize this- but did he deserve a 0/100? he did do the assignment, yet turned it in 3 days late. He failed the assignment, I will back the teacher and the policy. But why give him a ZERO for doing the work? I would think a 50/100 would suffice the situation, or a 0/100 if it's not done at all. |
2011-12-01 Tom
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Question
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How do you weight grades on a 4 pt scale? We want to make assessments worth 80& of the grade |
2011-11-28 Jason
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Question
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When I give my students the opportunity to rewrite a test, is it recommended to use the best
grade between the two, the most current grade, or to take the average between the two.
Thanks! |
2011-11-23 Michele
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Question
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Hello Ken,
Some teachers at our school are currently working with tiered assessments for standards-based grading. In other words, teachers are dividing assessments into three levels from 2.0-4.0 per the recommendation of Dr. Marzano in his book over Formative Assessment & Standards-Based Grading. The question has arisen, what if a student bombs or leaves blank 2.0 content area on the test but masters the 3.0 content area on the test. Do we give students the 3.0 score? How do you respond to a teacher who doesn't want to give the student a score of 3.0 because they didn't successfully complete the 2.0 section of the assessment? I estimate this only happens on limited occassions but still wanted to ask for clarity. |
2011-11-21 John Unrein
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Question
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Ken - we do not give percentages on our elementary report cards and our teachers are
not marking their assignments with marks but against the outcomes of our curriculum.
We have a parent asking for percentages to be given her at the interview tomorrow.
What would you say to the parent? |
2011-11-21 Lois Gluck
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Question
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Why doesn't my child have percentages on her report card? What does this new report card
tell me? |
2011-11-21 Sherri
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Question
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Hello Ken, this question/topic recently came up in math discussions at our school:
Given the expectation that students in higher level math classes need to leave answers a given way (we ask them to leave all answers as simplified radicals or simplified improper fractions if they are not integer answers), how do we hold them accountable for this with standards based grading if there is not a grade-level standard that states answers must be given a certain way?
"In other words, we ask algebra students to leave answers as simplified improper fractions, rather than mixed numbers (leaving an answer as 9/2 instead of 4 ½)." While the answers are the same, success in higher math classes depends on their ability to work with improper fractions. How do we hold them accountable for giving the answer in the correct format using standards based grading? |
2011-11-21 John Unrein
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Question
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How well does this concept apply to physical education classes? I am disappointed by the conception that in PE "if you show up, then you pass" and I fear our students don't have clear targets for their physical growth. Do you know of anyone who is doing this? Do you know of any standards for PE? Any help would be great. Thanks! |
2011-11-17 PE Dan
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Question
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Ken,
I am principal at a high school that is in year 1 of a three-year plan to move to competency grading. Homework now is not part of a student's grade so we are seeing a drop in some student's course grades. I am telling my teachers this is a natural part of the growth process since for several years, homework has been part of a student's grade and thus can artificially inflate what the student actually knows. Please let me know if what I am telling them is accurate. Do you have any statistics relating to a dip in GPA until the students finally get the fact that their scores will now be based on what they can demonstrate on a summative assessment, and not necessarily how compliant they were in doing homework? I really appreciate your insight. I don't want my teachers to get discouraged.
Janet |
2011-11-15 Janet Granada
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Hi Ken,
In Alberta, in any gien subject area, we have Specific Objectives(SOs) (50-100 of them) that fall under General Objectives(GOs)(4 to 5 of them). When reporting to parents should I select the most important of the SOs OR filter/average the SOs into their respective GOs and report on the GOs? |
2011-11-13 Specific or Averaging
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Is allowing students to retake missed science laboratory activities/assignments advised - even if the department policy is to give the students a zero? |
2011-11-13 julia
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Hi Ken I took a test and all of the questions are of equal weight. There are 39
questions and I think I missed 10 or 6 is my score a C ? |
2011-11-13 Peter
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Should I grade on a curve...High school? |
2011-11-13 Magaly
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Can a school change its grading policy mid-year without telling the students at the beginning of the year that there will be a change? |
2011-11-11 June
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Hi there,
Do you know if there are any officiale "rules"/guidelines for retaking regular test (like math/science etc)in schools in Ontario. What happens if half the class received C's and D's and there are even a few failed tests, who if any should redo the test and how should a new test be graded?
retest or not
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2011-11-11 Beatrix Chang
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We are implementing Standards Based Grading in our building. What resources can you point us to or information can you give us on grading in Physical Education? Our belief is to grade our students on their effort, rather than their proficiency in skills, at this level. We want them to enjoy physical fitness and learn what it is about. Do you have any guidance for us?
Thanks! |
2011-11-11 GL
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I took a math test with 24 questions and i miss 3. What do I make??? |
2011-11-10 Reagan
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We are interested in separating academic grades from non-academic grades and are looking for some samples. Do know of some schools that have this as part of their grade card that we could use as a model? |
2011-11-09 Shirley Kantola
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Hello Ken,
The four middle level buildings in our district (grades 6-9) recently collaborated on grading fix #2, don't reduce marks on "work" submitted late; provide support for the learner. The following four questions is a sample of some of the curiosity generated by the over 200 participants in attendance. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
1. What should we do about students who are satisfied with a lower grade even when they have potential for higher scores?
2. How do we prevent students from falling behind with new concepts because they are still working on "late" work?
3. Can Ken O'Connor direct us to a research article that clearly shows parents prefer grade information in which academics and non-academics are separated?
4. How do I address the issue of homework tonight that is due tomorrow in order for tomorrow's lesson to make sense (example: pre-lab activities for a lab tomorrow)? |
2011-11-08 John Unrein- Instructional Coach- Liberty School District
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What does it mean when my child is pulling scores of 110 in AP classes in a public school rated a 5 out of ten stars. Will the AP courses be more rigorous in a school rated a ten out of ten? |
2011-11-07 Ita
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IF THERE ARE 24 POSSIBLE AND I MISS 6 WHAT IS MY GRADE |
2011-11-07 ASD
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A tiny private girls' high school I do some work for this year adopted a "work ethics" grade rather than the old method of cutting academic grades for behavior problems. Now they have a question... one student if "failing" on the work ethics grade (cutting classes and other behavior violations). The principal is not sure what the "consequences" should be for failing work ethics...?
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2011-11-07 Hershel
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what percent of a final grade of a student should have a rubric |
2011-11-06 howard loken
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What is your reaction to Wormeli's article, Redos and Retakes Done Right"? |
2011-11-05 steve
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Across the subject areas, many of us as secondary teachers are learning a great deal about connecting evaluative best practice with our teaching, whatever the subject area, and are making real progress with the connections between teaching and assessment for learning. Where this sometimes seems to break down, however, has to do with summative instruments. In other words, despite all of the new stuff people are embedding in terms of assessment of, and and for, when they get to final summative unit tests, exams, etc., we seem to sometimes return to a '1954 - style' instrument that does not reflect our Differentiated Instruction - influenced approach in every aspect of the teaching process before that point. Here's my question: is it appropriate to design summative instruments with 'tiered choice options' (e.g. "Choose two questions from the Level One section, two questions from the Level Two section..." etc.), or is that 'cheating'? I see no reason why what we're learning about effective assessment has to 'stop' at the summative stage, and return to older, less flexible instrument that do not reflect current best practice. Any help you can give would be appreciated. |
2011-11-04 Michael Black
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On a report "card", should half points be included in the scoring scale?
4.0,3.5,3.0, etc. |
2011-11-04 Karmin
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Ken,
Wondering if you could define, in a sentence or two, just what is proficiency-based or standards-based education? I'm part of a team of teachers at my high school in Oregon who are piloting standards-based instruction this year. (We represent a variety of disciplines, and we read your "15 Fixes" text as part of our summer preparation.) We're approaching parent-teacher conferences and are trying to create a "frequently asked questions" handout about standards-based instruction. Trouble is, finding a succinct definition is not easy. Can you offer any suggestions? |
2011-10-28 Paul Stieber
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How should a middle school be balancing the assignments that are weighted in a given course? For example, if 20% of a course grade only has one assignment and it is 2 points only and a child gets 1/2 or 50%...that has a huge impact on the overall grade. It also has a big impact if the student gets 0/2 or 2/2.
What is a good guideline of how often grades within a section of a course should be given over a semester? For example in the quizzes and test section...how many and how often should they be given? Is it more "fair" and accurate to given them spaced out over the semester vs. a bunch here and a few here?
How much should a final exam be weighted in a middle school course?
What is an appropriate guideline for a balance with group and individual projects in middle school?
Should self-assessments be graded and included? What about assessments done by peers for group projects?
How about giving out points for doing things like turning in a signed syllabus or other things that are not actually related to the course content?
What about the practice of "throwing out" one or two lowest grades?
Thanks! |
2011-10-28 Mrsweimer
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How fair is it when a 5th grade teacher gives a test of 6 questions and if you miss one you get a "C" there is no "B" and you have to get them all right to get an "A" |
2011-10-27 Tim Byram
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This year our school has moved to a grading system where 50% of the grade is Achievement (exit slips, projects, lab reports, formative assessments, quizzes, unit tests, and in-class/homework standards-based assignments) and 50% of the grade is Involvement (homework, notebook, binder, folder, formative assessments, class work, class participation/effort, current events, and Compass lab). The issue which arose this past grading period is that teachers are using points value for assignments, but are not keeping the points equal for achievement/involvement, so ultimately one category may have substantially higher weighted value than the other category. For example 14 assignments, 964 point value for Achievement; 6 assignments, 190 point value for Involvement. So, if a student turns in an assignment late and receives a zero the overall effect on the grade is substantial. What are your thoughts on this grading methodology? |
2011-10-26 Mother of 5
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I was really interested in moving my grading towards a 4 point scale instead of the 100 point scale. How do I describe a 4 versus a 3 to a students with respect to an outcome. What should I put on a course outline to parents so that they know how to interpret the 1, 2, 3 or 4? |
2011-10-26 Julie Biluk
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How do I, politely, suggest this material, or even bring up the subject of GRADING FOR LEARNING at a Christian School that has a policy to give ZEROS for late work?
Problem: being labeled the 'problem' mom.
Problem: would like to work at the school someday because my children are in it! |
2011-10-26 Rebecca
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14 question on a test I missed 4 what is my grade |
2011-10-25 Kim
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i took a college test with 25 questions, 4 questions were incorrect/ or missed what would my grade be on that test
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2011-10-25 becky
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We are currently working to establish a grading policy in our district and have noted drastic differences among teachers and subjects in the number of grades assigned per grading period. What would you consider to be the minimal number of grades to assign per nine weeks? Also, what would you recommend as an optimal number of grades per each nine weeks to provide a true perspective of learning for students? |
2011-10-25 Lana Major
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Recently my school board adopted a newly created grading policy in for all elementary students--A, B, C, and I (Incomplete). I am a first grade teacher in Wisconsin. Please recommend an elementary school using letter grades in all subjects to report student progress. I have been searching and have yet to find one. |
2011-10-24 Jodi Hoyerman
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With standards based grading at the high school level, what is your opinion re: allowing things to be retaken? What about for AP classes? Should other types of things be used to assess learning beyond tests/quizzes?
Thank you. |
2011-10-24 skg
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I am a Special Education teacher at a rural Michigan high school in the midst of my 11th year. As a staff we have referenced your book many times and are trying to "fix" our grading practices by using your suggestions. Our current issue is the idea of no zeroes on homework/practice. We are being told that when a student does not turn an assignment in we are to record that in our online gradebook as "nhi" (not handed in). This equates to 50% which is a failing grade, but not a 0. While I struggle with this idea of no zeroes, I am willing to accept it and work with it. My issue is that the online grading program we currently use does not allow us to print detailed progress reports without showing the percentage for each assignment. Our administration is telling us not to print these progress reports because we don't want to confuse parents by letting them know we are giving 50% credit for missing assignments. I think that not telling them is deceitful and goes against the whole idea of students and parents knowing and understanding how the students are being graded. What would you suggest we do? |
2011-10-24 Alison Hoendervanger
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My colleague and I are designing an assessment on our Ancient Egypt unit. You may recall they we have opted to use 3 designations of achievement: distinguished, proficient and not proficient. We are debating whether or not we need to provide opportunities to achieve "distinguished" for every section (fill-in, matching and essay) of the assessment. Should there be separate questions that would be considered an extension of learning and therefore "distinguished," or should every section have a built in opportunity for extending the response? |
2011-10-22 Donna Duffy
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My daughter attended a local private high school not generally considered in the top tier but where up to 10 girls each year graduate to colleges such as UVA and Yale as lacrosse players. While there from 6th-10th grade she earned grades consistently in the low B high C range. She worked very hard. The homework load was intense. She could not take any honors or AP courses because entrance was predicated on receiving an A in the previous course. Interestingly, she usually received one C each report card and it would float around from class to class. She asked to transfer to public high school in her junior year. She said she would never get anywhere at that school. We agreed and she did exceedingly well in all AP and honors courses. She took six full academic courses and earned 4s on the AP History and AP Language Comp exam and her SAT scores were dramatically better than her PSAT scores when she took the test in March of her junior year. She even took pre cal 2 over the summer and now is doing fine in AP Calculus AB. Our 2 sons graduated from the same high school and had similar experiences except that they did not go to public school. They each refused to take the SAT more than once as they had lost all hope of gaining admission to schools this private school touted. My oldest had scored well enough on the ERB to qualify to take the SAT in 8th grade. His scores barely improved between then and his senior year. It was almost like their place at the school had been set the year they entered, 6th grade, and never was it to change. Do you think that is possible? My middle son earned a 4.0 his first year at the University of South Carolina and my oldest went to GWU as a legacy and did fine his first year too. I thought private school was supposed to help one's college chances but I think if you are below the 50% mark in the class your chances are worse than good students taking APs in public high school. In short grade seem to be at the bottom of all of this. Someone has to take up the bottom at a private school. I really think our private school had some sort of grading scheme that favors students who have been at the school since early grade school and the children of very wealthy families. I wish there had been some way to know this in advance. |
2011-10-14 Joan
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I am a middle school math teacher, and my daughter is a ninth grader in the same district. She is currently taking Honors English 2 and recently received a "50" for not getting her progress report signed until the third day. For the record, she has never turned in anything late before this. She is an A student, an athlete, and has earned recognition at the district and state levels for her academic achievements. She was very upset by the impact this grade had on her average in the class even though it was only by 1 point. By our calculation she will now end up with a 92% for the quarter. (93%=A in our district)
I contacted the teacher who said it was a late "assignment." I met with the principal who said that he didn't normally support these types of grades, but that the grade would remain on her record. I contacted the school district superintendent who said that he had no major problem with this grading practice as long as it wasn't counted in a significant way. (A to B not significant...really?) I have been teaching for twenty years, and I am dumbfounded by this experience. What is your opinion?
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2011-10-12 Kathryn Watkins
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Greetings,
Do you have any research or input with regards to the impact of having an honor roll at the elementary level on student learning?
We are in the process of piloting a new report card that separates achievement on standards from behaviors. We are trying to arrive at how to address traditional honor roll based on grades. Your input and any research about this would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
Kathy Goddard
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2011-10-10 Kathy Goddard
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Our school division has recently begun the process of moving to outcomes based
reporting. We have a new report card and are using powerschool to report grades to
parents. Administration requires us to enter grades in all subjects in a K-4 school
every two weeks beginning September 15. Teachers feeling are that this is too soon to
begin reporting meaningful assessment and that every two weeks in non core subjects
is difficult to keep up with. When you only have an art or health lesson once per week,
some projects can take a month. What are your thoughts on this? |
2011-10-09 PKamphaus
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Our daughter took an AP class. At the end of the semester she received a 79.9% = C+. 80% is a B-. The teacher refuses to round up despite our daughter demonstrating she mastered the content by passing the AP exam! We know a student who received an A in the class but did not pass the AP exam? Thanks to the teacher's grading, our daughter and we as parents are discouraged on taking any future AP courses for any of our children. The AP class took time away from other classes and lowered her gpa. We were told not to worry about it as it is weighted and colleges don't look closely at 9th grade? The principal met with us to appease us but nothing changes. Are we being unreasonable asking what she can do for 1 point or .1% and should we continue to pursue? We are open to other suggestions as well. Thanks. |
2011-10-07 Julie
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Should summative assessments be weighted higher than formative
assignments/assessments? |
2011-10-06 Joe
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Hello: Ken My school had you visit several years ago. I was wondering your thoughts about online gradebooks where parents are able to see their students' averages in each class |
2011-10-05 Mike DiTullio,
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Dear Grade Doctor,
My daughter is a junior in high school and is taking chemistry. After attending one of your conferences, the Chemistry team at my hometown decided to use the following grading scale:
homework 0%
quiz 2%
tests 98%
Can you please educate me on the research they heard at your conferences that they said supports this decision? |
2011-10-04 Kim Bingham
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Dear Mr. O'Conner,
After consulting with you in the summer of 2010, our fifth to eighth grade team devoted the 2010-2011 year to reworking our grading policy and developing a standards based report card which we are piloting this year.
We are a private school in the Caribbean. While most parents are supportive of the idea, a number have posed two questions that relate to their children making transitions to the mainland
1) What is the percentage of private schools in the US using standards based grading/report cards compared to public schools?
2) How do competitive universities look upon standards based report cards as opposed to traditional report cards? In other words would coming from a high school that uses standards based report cards that do not use single symbols for grades impact their acceptance to competitive universities.
Thank you, |
2011-09-24 Denise Blanchette
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When creating a rubric should it always go from the highest point value to the lowest? Or can it start with the lowest and go to the highest?
Thanks. |
2011-09-24 Lu Ann Jacobs
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My grade is an 83 I need a 90 what can I do? |
2011-09-20 Ryan Germanotta
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How do you convence teachers that missing assignments is a behavior and not a reflection of knowledge of content. We are transitioning into SBG in our building and district and teachers still want to use grades for leverage purposes. Any suggestions and where do you draw the line with missing assignments? |
2011-09-19 Dan Bunnell
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I am developing a grading rubric with four categories. The most total points a student can receive are 10. How do I designate points to each category? |
2011-09-16 Barbara Compagnucci
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Our school has graduated to becoming a standards based school. We are now starting to
use Power School Grade Book with standards. Placing summative assessments on the
grade book is clear to me. What I am fuzzy about is being asked to place formative and
possibly diagnostic assessments on the grade book. Diagnostic assessments are for
guidance not for grades. Formative assessments also guide differentiation and next steps
and are often in the format of logs, running records, anecdotal observations, etc. Please
advise me as to how I should proceed. I greatly appreciate your advice and expertise. |
2011-09-12 Katrina
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If i got an 80 on a formative and sumative grading scale and i got 4
100's what will that bring my grade to???Oh yea and the 80 is formative. |
2011-09-07 Valencia Epps
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How should LSS teachers grade student work in their classes? |
2011-09-07 Lauri
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I am looking for research and information that will support the notion that teachers should accept late work. What rationale can I offer beyond, "The IRS takes late work" (relevance to the real world)? |
2011-09-07 Bonnie McGuire
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One of our state standards in science includes the ability to do calculations. How would one use standards based grading (4-3-2-1)to grade word problems that show a students' ability to do calculations. Is it when all questions are right equals a 4 or should there be some sort of a rubric that includes showing your work, elaboration, etc?
I feel that any standards bases grade that gets inputted to the grade book should have a rubric attached and everything else is not graded. |
2011-08-31 Lee
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I took a 90 question test, I missed 7 questions. what wood my score be. and how many points is each question worth (1 point 2points etc) Thank You Billy Watters |
2011-07-08 BILLY WATTERS
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A discussion about group work came up in a meeting I had today. Is it okay to give students individual marks on a group assignment and what is the best way of going about that? Having students decide their grades based on a formula does not seem like a good option, and we shouldn't give them a group mark. How do we assess their learning through the group without simply having them write a reflection on what they learned? I was wondering if you have any specific resources about group work and assessment that you can steer me towards? |
2011-06-28 Rose Pillay
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The Grading Committee at my school is looking at writing a retake/revision policy and are
looking for good models out there. We have the policies from Minnetonka (MN), Potsdam (NY)
and a few others. Are there others schools with clear retake policies that you could
recommend looking at? |
2011-06-22 Jen Kravitz
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my daughter is in the 10th grade in ga she took two classes in math in which she got Ds in both which in turn they said she had to go to summer school to make up the classes. we are relocating back to newyork where the grades she recieved here is passing .will she still have to retake those classes even though the grading system is different |
2011-06-19 dennis
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I was a student who had severe test anxiety. I would do wonderful projects that applied what I learned at a deeper level rather than fill in a bubble sheets for tests. I'm worried about how many of our "right brained" students will do in a district that counts 90% of their grade based on test scores alone.
I have concerns about this because although many creative, out of the box thinkers are extrememly intelligent, they just do not test well.
I worry that many schools will not meet the needs of multiple intelligences by just giving test after test with re-take packets before re-doing yet another test. And what about differentiation? Where do students with special needs fit into the realm of test after test?
I wonder: Are we preparing our students for future jobs where their intuitive skills and creative problem solving skills will benefit their employer or will our students not know how to "think outside of the box" and problem solve on their own? Are we in fact, "killing the creativity" in students as Sir Ken Robinson suggests?
Are we creating robotic thinking students who memorize well and regurgitate information for a test? How about the students who just aren't good at memorization? We live in a "Google" age. There are many dates in history that we can simply look up in a matter of seconds. Why do we insist on testing intricate dates and theories?
After teaching for 22 years, I believe these are valid questions that need to be examined. What are your thoughts on the above comments? |
2011-06-15 Rebecca English
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What if a teacher uses only the most recent grade as a student's grade? Even if that grade is an outlier? For example, a student gets all 4's and is proficient, but has a bad test and gets a 2. If that is the last test of the term, this teacher will give the student a 2. Is this how the system is supposed to work?
Thank You |
2011-06-02 Mary
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Ken
we have teachers who are giving students unit tests and then not wanting to let the students have them. they do go over the tests but students are not allowed to take, copy, have the test. is this good assessment practice? |
2011-06-01 stephen mackenzie
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Dear Ken,
I wonder if you have any materials that would help facilitate the work of a committee to design/re-deisgn report cards. What are the key questions? What processes have been effective in facilitating these discussions? What materials could the committee use to help move the work? Other considerations? Many thanks for any wisdom you can share! |
2011-05-26 Mary
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Dear Ken,
My daughter is a third grader and took a science test during the first week of April. She told me that she earned a 60%, which is a D. I am a high school teacher and a proponent of standards-based grading and have "How to Grade for Learning". I emailed her teacher two days ago, after reviewing my daughter's grades on the school's website. I explained my point of view, which is delicate for me as a teacher-parent, and asked her teacher if she could retake the test. My rationale was that I want my daughter to master the content AND to improve her mark, which accounts for 60% of her overall grade in Science. Her teacher's response was not a "yes" or "no", but that the test was five weeks ago and that she asked my daughter if she studied for the test and my daughter said "no." I told the teacher in my email that we studied together for that test. To top it all off, the questions that my daugher missed were matching, so if you miss one, you actually miss two. The teacher's advice was to start studying for the next test, which is one week from tomorrow and that they will go over the answers to the Chapter Review that the students did in class last week. She added that they will be playing review games for the rest of the week. I am fuming!! My daughter is an "A" student (for whatever that is really worth) and it appears that at best, she'll earn a "C" in Science. How else do you suggest that I communicate the importance of my request to help persuade the teacher to see the importance of allowing students to retake a test for mastery? Have I missed something here? By the way, this is a private school. I am seriously considering escalating my concern to the principal. Maybe I should send a proposal for them to hire me as a consultant to share your research. God help me in my own classroom to practice what I preach. HELP!!! |
2011-05-16 Marcia Davis
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Hello Ken,
I am currently sitting on a committee trying to rewrite our schools report cards. We are currently trying to decide how many different qualifiers to use. We currently have a developing, meets and unable to assess. We are trying to decide if we should have one or two qualifiers above meets. We have had some very different and intense conversations and would like your opinion on if there should be two different qualifiers for above standards and if so should we also have two for below? Thanks for your support. |
2011-05-04 Trina Ertman
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Dear Ken,
I recently attended a 'mixer' at the local college that was designed to provide area high-school teachers some insight into their program as it relates to our subject area.
It didn't take long for our partners in education to get around to the most important message of the day; namely, the college applies late-mark penalties and zeros. Furthermore, students are not free to write tests when ever they want to. All of these 'behaviourial' issues have lulled Ontario high-school students where such dealings with late and missed assessments was, until recently, a sad reality into a false sense of security. The college folk also added that the practice of separating behaviour from academic performance has produced a student with poor work habits and as a direct result one who does not do particularly well at this post-secondary level.
So what does the college want? They want students who can turn things in on time and take challenges more so than math ability. In light of this, my question is: when will you undertake controlled scientific efforts to ascertain the value of your assessment suggestions? I suspect--no, I know--that your null hypothesis would not hold up to scrutiny. Just ask students, parents, teachers, administrators, employers and other stakeholders both here and abroad.
Sincerely,
Roger Curtis |
2011-04-16 Roger Curtis
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Dear Ken,
According to Daniel Pink, if the task is a 'simple, straight-forward task', 'carrot and stick tasks', 'non-algorithmic' and 'if you do this you will get that' tasks, rewards such as marks are great incentives. Would this not then speak in favour of having late-mark penalties? For those kids who can only deal with these sort of challenges and respond favourably to 'more is better', NOT having such a 'reward' or logical consequence, as I see it, goes against Pinks assertions.
If you are counting on 'intrinsic motivation' you'll be sorrily disappointed. Again, the work I referred you to in my presentation describes how even the most self-motivated people are less so motivated when it comes to hard subjects such as math.
Roger Curtis |
2011-04-12 Roger Curtis
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Hello Ken - Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I am a teacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan and will be listening to you speak at Forest Hills auditorium April 25th.
Recently, our administrator dictated to our staff that we are going to follow the 15 fixes next year at our school. Some staff members received 4-5 days of training. Others, like myself, only received a 3 hour long in-service (and a free copy of your book :). Though I agree with pretty much most of your fixes, I do have some questions.
1. Do you have a model of lesson plans/ tests/ projects to look at for ideas on how to implement a test-only grading system? ( I teach middle school Social Studies)
2. How do you incorporate learning styles into your tests so that all students strengths are recognized in the grading process?
3. Do you have any examples of tests that are differentiated?
4. I use the tests that came with our textbook. WE are now to re-write these tests, making one set that focuses only on the state GLCEs and another for re-takes. I believe that we will also need to write a 3rd test so that special education students have a test that accommodates their unique needs. Do you have any test frameworks or guidelines to follow to make a reliable and valid test? Most teachers are going to have to write their own ... and I, for one, do not want to spend so much time writing tests that my marriage falls apart and my children forget who I am ;)
I realize these are big questions and I appreciate any and all answers you can provide. Again, thank you for your time!!!
3. |
2011-04-11 Elizabeth Brownell
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Dear Ken,
Our jurisdiction has made a commitment to develop an outcomes based grading and reporting system over the course of the next 3-4 years using Powerschool. We are currently in the process of building the Grade One report card and we are looking for advice on what you would recommend for an equal difference scale that corresponds to a 4 point numeric rubric e.g. 4,3,2,1 with 4 representing a student who is proficient, and 1 representing a student with limited understanding. We are building into our gradebook set an 'NE' for 'not enough' evidence to replace what would have formerly been a 'zero' in most traditional classrooms. I can support the 5 point scale which mitigates the impact of the zero, but we have some that are so opposed to '0' that they are reluctant to include it in the rubric replacing it with an NE instead. My question then is how do we differentiate between a students who is genuinely limited in their achievement and one who has not submitted sufficient evidence to be able to make a determination of their achievement of the outcomes. My understanding is that in order for the powerschool gradebook to generate the scores from our alpha rubric that we have tied to the 4 point scale it has to be pushed through some cut scores that are in the bcakground,so teachers and parents never see them. That leaves me with two questions. Why are the percentage cut scores necessary if we are using a 4-5 point rubric and if they are necessary in order for the algorithm to generate the alpha score what should they look like? |
2011-04-11 Glenn
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Dear Ken,
We have been using your book as a basis for changing our grading and assessment policies in our district. One area we currently discussed was getting rid of extra credit or bonus (understanding how it does, indeed, inflate the grade). Several teachers had been doing something different, however.
1) instead of a "bonus question" on a summative, they would pose a higher-level, challenging question. For students who got the question correct they would receive a different point value for that assessment (52/52) Those who got it wrong would not be penalized but receive a different score (50/50).
2) Another teacher allows students to do additional work- like a challenging math problem or science experiment. This might be worth 5 points. Since it would not be required, it would go in the grade book as 5/5 points and those not completing it would be exempt.
So while not student would have a point value higher than the assigned points (or a percentage higher than 100), they would have different total points.
I would like to know your thoughts on this. Would you still view this as bonus or extra credit? Do you have any suggestions as to how we address this? Thank you. |
2011-03-30 Bec
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Hi Ken, I linked to your site from Damian Cooper's site. I'm a high
school spec ed teacher.
I think I've caught the assessment bug...in that I'm finding I want to
read and learn more and more about differentiated assessment
practices.
Can you recommend and good websites, books, resources, for someone who
wants to delve further and further into this topic?
Thanks,
Jeff Hall
Brampton, ON |
2011-03-23 Jeff Hall
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Dear Ken,
"There is a literacy issue at the (school board) administration level." This comment prefaced her message regarding the current state of assessment and evaluation in the province. As we speak, the Minister has ordered every board to submit its A & E document yet again for scrutiny.
In a personal discussion with this writer, the Minister responded to my message of disgruntlement that many teachers feel in our board owing to the cumbersome and non-spirit-compliant pyramid of intervention that has the net effect of frustrating the role of the teacher when it comes to determining the best course of action for students who hand in material late or not at all with a promise that "teachers will decide what teachers do."
My question is, given the Minister's continued abatement of the policies you have advocated can you supply me with empirical evidence that supports your point of view? And I do not mean mere 'references' to fellow employees (Stiggens), philosophy, or why formative assessment is good and other pontifications; rather, peer-reviewed, scientific journal sources that has compared what you advocate and its alternatives. In the meantime, Ontario's 'new direction' striks me as a fine example of the facts speaking for themselves.
Sincerely,
Roger Curtis |
2011-03-17 Roger Curtis
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Dear Ken,
I currently teach at a school where the students are obligated to write mid-year exams for all of the subjects that they take in January. The exams cover all of the topics from September to January and are worth anywhere from 10 - 20% of the student's overall mark. From what I know about ALF, midyear exams do not show what the student knows at the end of the course so the exam really should take place at the end of the year and may take the form of a final summative exam. Many of the teachers at my school would like to change the midyear exams to final exams, but I don't see this change being embraced anytime soon. I would like to show my administrators what an AFL guru says on the subject, in hopes to change the current practice for next year. Any information that you could give me would be greatly appreciated. |
2011-03-03 Marisa Schille
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We are working in Power Teacher and trying to get a handle on quality Gradebooks. We have people all over the place and many trying to move with the new philosophy of assessment but using traditional Gradebook setups and it’s not working. I have sent out your site and encouraged people to get ideas from you. One of the main issues is we have those who believe there must be a mark every 6 weeks in the Gradebook that shows up to parents in parent portal. The teachers who are more advanced in their assessment philosophy, feel that is not really necessary if all the formative and summative is showing up in parent portal. Parents and students, who communicate regularly with the teacher, especially if they have questions about marks, can see the patterns and have a good idea as to where a student is in his/her learning. Is this unreasonable? Or is it reasonable to expect all teachers to put a percentage every 6 weeks? I believe the only students and parents this is a problem for are those who are all over the map and have inconsistent performance and those parents who are concerned about every .5 of a percent in marks. Those parents and students need to be communicated with on a very regular basis to be sure they are in the know. How should a gradebook be set up? Do you have any samples you could share with us? |
2011-03-03 Dana
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Hi Ken,
I have been struggling with the idea of not allowing students to work collaboratively on
projects (for example). I know in authentic assessment we are not to give "group" marks,
but the students usually get so much from collaboration. Could the students get a "group
mark" for the actual project, but a collaborative mark based on their ability to work
together? Collaborative learning is a learning outcome in the course. The students would
have to provide reflection for this, as I would not always be supervising their work.
Thank you. |
2011-02-19 Kate Sellars
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Hi Ken,
My district is moving in the direction of SB grading (thanks in part to your presentation this fall!). We are looking closely at a 0-14 point grading scale. 14 = A+, 13 = A, 12 = A-, 11 = B+ and so on until 2 = E+ (59%-40%), 1 = E (39%-20%) and 0 = E (19%-0%). While our grading committee feels this looks good on paper we haven't found any infomation if it in fact works in practice. What are your thoughts on this grading scale?
Thanks for your time! |
2011-02-17 Erin
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I had a question regarding your 15 fixes. Let's take P.E. for an example. Some students, for a variety of reasons, naturally have a propensity to do better in some areas. This is evident to some degree in core courses, but in P.E. it really comes out. If we use a fixed standard for performance in those areas which is clear (e.g. the president's fitness standards, consistent with your fix number 8), how would you recommend adjusting for students who improve a drastic amount but do not meet the standard for advanced, in a world where we still are forced to assign letter grades? Should we even consider growth as a measure for grading, or should we just focus on the summative assessments of fitness testing? Thanks... |
2011-02-14 Matt Slocomb
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Ken,
I am a high school teacher and began implementing standards-based grading in my Spanish classroom during last school year. My students who are involved in athletics routinely must have a "grade check" for their coaches weekly. Coaches want what is essentially a current summative "letter grade". What suggestions do you have as to how to report a "grade" at these intervals using standards-based grading? Thank you. |
2011-02-02 Marcia
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My colleague and I have been using Standards Based Grading for a
number of years in our high school Spanish classes. We use the program
Easy Grade Pro which has a component that you can use specifically to
assess using Standards.
In our district traditionally each quarter must be weighed equally and
the semester exam may not exceed 20% of a student's grade. So
typically on the traditional side of the Easy Grade Pro gradebook,
teachers combine quarters 1 and 2 and then the semester exam to
calculate the students final grade (and their grades may be weighted
by category within each quarter grade as well).
In the past we have sort of "fudged" the gradebook to work with the
district system. We cut off scores at the quarter and recorded them
for grade reports. Then we transferred all of our 1st quarter grades
into the 2nd quarter section of the gradebook and then basically
ignored the original quarter 1 so that our grades were not going to be
averaged at the end, it was an ongoing grade based on the standards
with no real averaging involved. When students took the semester
exams, their summative reading grade was entered as a reading grade,
summative speaking grade was entered as a speaking grade, etc.
Grades were transparent in this way so students would always know what
their individual grades were in the categories of speaking, listening,
reading, writing and culture so that they could easily identify their
strengths and weaknesses on an on-going basis. They would also always
know exactly what their overall semester grade was at any given point
in time.
This year we were told that while we could use Standards Based
Grading, that we HAD to average quarter 1 with quarter 2 grades and by
no circumstance could we include 1st quarter grades into the 2 quarter
portion of the gradebook. We tried to explain that you can't average
standards and they really aren't starting over with an A at the
quarter, as many teachers/administrators believe. That 1st quarter
grade is really still there - it just isn't transparent at the moment
but will come back in at the end since it still exists!
When our principal asked the higher ups in the district the principal
was told that they'd never heard of not averaging grades and that it
was not part of Standards Based Grading and we were completely wrong
to grade by semester (we even think the entire year as an on-going
grade but for conformity-sake start over at the semester since they
get recorded as a separate grade from the 2nd semester grade anyway).
We disagree with the "higher ups" having read your book, Wormeli's as
well as articles/books by Marzano and feel that the problem is that
the district is just not well versed in how Standards Based Grading
really works and why averaging defeats the purpose of grading based on
standards. Are we completely off base? And if we are not - how can we
explain this to the "higher ups" so that they will understand our
position? Thanks! |
2011-01-13 Carmen
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The school district I work in is moving toward standards-based reporting at the middle
school level next year. We have most teachers on board, but I have a few who are asking
for data about student achievement specifically related to standards-based grading. I
realize the tool in which you report out is just that, a tool and standards-based grading is
also about the other things you discuss in your books (i.e., retake policies, formative
assessment/feedback, etc.). Do you have any research or places to find research that
show student achievement rises as a result of standards-based reporting? |
2011-01-11 Steph Wilson
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This may be outside your area of expertise, but one of our local high school principals has adopted the following grading policy. If a teacher has not made actual contact with a parent 3 times, then he/she CANNOT fail the student. In essence, if parent answers phone and talks to teacher - kid fails. If parent ignores teacher contact - kid passes automatically. Is this legal? |
2011-01-10 K. Dunlap
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I am a K-6 Principal from Phx. AZ. Recently our district adopted the "fix" of not averaging homework with the subject area grade(s). We report progress regarding homework completion under the Study Skills section of the Report Card. In addition, we use a standards-based number to assess progress towards mastering the state standards.It is a site-based decision regarding the use of the zeros fix. Schools can use a 50 % cut-off or a 4-point scale. My staff reached consensus on a 50% cut-off. I am concerned that some of my intermediate teachers might not be implementing this with integrity.. My question is: the number of students earning the Principal's List (all A's) and Honor Roll (all A's and B's) has markedly decreased since we started implementing these fixes. In your opinion, what is/are the reason(s) for this decline? |
2011-01-07 Bill Greer
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I am a mature student in nursing school. On my final exam, they were 90 questions but the teacher graded it out of 100 which caused me to end up with a 56.4% and failing.If she had graded it out of 90, I would have ended with a 58.63% and would have gotten an offer to rewrite the exam. Could you tell me why the instructor graded the exam out of 100%. I made an appt to meet with her ASAP do you think I am doing the right thing. Ps the final exam was 35% of my mark. I am looking for your reply. Thank you. |
2010-12-28 Eliz Brathwaite
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Hello Ken!
Thank you so much for your work! I just finished "Repair Kit . . ."
and am starting "How to grade . . " I am a secondary mathematics
department chair and would like to move my own classes to a standards
bases system of grading and hopefully develop some interest and move others toward the same. I am fine creating skill based learning
targets, but I struggle when I'd like to create problem solving or
critical thinking the targets. It would be very helpful to see an
entire curriculum of High School learning targets for mathematics.
Could you please point me in the write direction for examples or more
instruction on creating mathematics learning targets? |
2010-12-10 William Tozzo
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Are you aware of any schools in Indiana that have gone to outcomes-standards based report cards? |
2010-12-07 Louis J. Mahern
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It's clear that your system will result in grades that more accurately reflect student knowledge, but do you have any evidence that grading in this manner will actually increase student achievement? |
2010-12-06 Darya Gemmel
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Ken, We are currently working through our Instructional Council the idea of standards based grading. A few easy questions:
1. Can you share with me a specific middle school who is using the standards based report card?
2. I agree with your approach, but I am realistic that this is a major cultural shift in thinking for American Education both for parents and teachers. What is the best way to unveil this shift: gradually, a few grade levels at a time or all at once?
3. Thomas Guskey talks about adding points to your grade for doing homework, but not penalizing for not doing your homework. For example, you do all your homework, add five points, most of the work 4 points, etc. Are you familiar with this and what are your thoughts?
Thanks for being a pioneer a la Marzano in effecting true change in education. |
2010-11-29 Cory R
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My school has been very involved in implementing all of your fixes; however, I'm at a loss.
I teach Choir to grades 4-8 and have been told that I must grade the children. I have 300 students and see most of them only once a week for 45 minutes. Due to the amount of holidays at my school, this only amounts to eight times a reporting session. I have explained that I can't grade the students if I don't have enough contact time with the them. Listening to the children individually isn't a possibility.
The students love to sing and sing well. The choirs produce and the school is happy with the results. I don't want to give them product-based evaluation because the course is singing.
In the past, I have only ever had to give anecdotal comments on the report card.
Any advice? |
2010-11-26 Duncan Frater
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Hello, Ken.
Can you point me to an example of any junior and senior high schools currently using an outcomes-based report card?
Evan Dearden, Assistant Superintendent, Alberta |
2010-11-25 Evan Dearden
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Hi Ken
Our school board is working on revising procedures around assessment and evaluation and
I am interested in your thoughts around exams and exemptions.
Thank you! |
2010-11-23 Tanya
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Can you please explain how an over-achieving student who "masters" all levels would be so inclined to do "more" or "better" in a specific class or task? For instance, when I received a 98%, I searched for a way to get 100% Do you feel the standards based system is better directed towards those who do not do well under the conventional percentage scoring? For some reason, I seem to recall those in my high school who constantly scored in the 95% or better all did well on AP tests and continued on to be very successful in college. I personally believe a standards based approach wasn't what would have motivated us because we had already exceeded the standards for our age in high school--that's why we were in AP classes. Have collgeges in the US gone to this paradigm? Has there been any retro-conversion to see where these students who get the 95% and above would fall in the stadards based paradigm? Thank you for your time. |
2010-11-15 Nika Johnson
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Hello Grade Doctor!
I am a parent of a child in a school district using your grading and reporting system.
I wonder if you could provide for us parents some insight to what your program is and what the learning advantages are for our children?
The district is putting something together, but it is not prepared for us to yet...and there seems to be a lot of questions and concerns that may be dispelled with some information.
Thank you so much! Cheryl |
2010-11-13 c smythe
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We are in the process of discussing and changing our district philosophy on grading.
During one to our discussions about offering "second chances" on summative assessments
it was the question was asked "Is the any research on the effect over time of offering
second chances? This question was prefaced by the comment that in college students
wouldn't be offered a second chance. Is there any research? How would you answer this
question? Thanks very much.
Fred Rimmel |
2010-11-12 Fred Rimmel
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Dear Grade Doctor,
My name is Mark Vagle and I teach a classroom assessment course at the University of Georgia. As part of a small group class discussion, we pose 5 questions for you.
1) How does (or should) one grade creativity?
2) In your opinion, is there an accurate way to account for participation in a single grade? (i.e., the grade that is on the report card)
3) For test essay questions, what percentage do you think should be devoted to content and what percentage devoted to grammar?
4) Have you found that students do quality work without grades being attached to the assignment?
5) Do you think homework should be used more for summative or formative purposes? If it's formative, would you suggest it be graded? |
2010-11-10 Mark Vagle
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Ken,
In making the transition to separate grades from behaviour, what schools or districts are
reporting these separately and what, if any, feedback to they have from post-secondary
institutions? I've heard higher education is looking at character in addition to achievement
but don't have any examples. |
2010-11-04 Dean Shareski
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Hi Ken,
Our school division is in the process of 'chewing' on a Grading and Reporting policy for the year with plans to begin implementation next fall. One of the areas that schools are struggling with is final exams and the 'doing away with' of recommends. what advice would you have to offer in this area and is there any research that could support us in this area? |
2010-11-02 Lori
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What percentage of a student's grade do you recommend be based on
summative assessments?
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2010-11-01 Katherine Brooks
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Ken,
I am disappointed that my earlier questions have been removed from your website or, at the very least, seem impossible to find. Could it be that you have found the evidence I have presented is to difficult to refute? I would still love to read your reactions to the the data I sent to you in the form of an electronic presentation. |
2010-10-28 Roger Curtis
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There is a group of us working on your 15 fixes in our school; we participated in your Webinar recently. I
think it's going well but we're having some difficulty with the number crunching aspect and need more guidance
there.
If we're using a 6 point scale in our English classes, how to we justify a percentage at the end? We did get
together and came up with a 6+ = 98%, a 6 = 90%, a 5+ = 83%, 5 = 78% etc... If not using a 6 point scale, is
it appropriate to look at the percentage earned on the summative assessments when determining the final mark?
In English, I find that mode is more feasible, while in teaching Social Studies, median seems the way to go
due to large number of content based outcomes. Is it better to use median or mode when determining marks?
Also, one source of confusion is our do we set our "bins". In English we've separated assessments according
to standards: writing, reading, and oral language. Each bin counts for a different percentage of the course:
60-30-10. Is this appropriate?
We appreciate any assistance you can provide. |
2010-10-24 Christa
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Pleasen try to explain me why is important "Don’t include group scores in grades; use only individual
achievement evidence"
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2010-10-16 Rene
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Dr. O'Connor,
Please outline the "fixes" that should be applied to honestly, accurately, and gracefully grade and report progress for students who qualify for special education, Gifted Education, and/or English Language Learner services. Also, those who are in alternative learning centers/high schools. Thank you! |
2010-10-07 Linda Perdaems
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Hi Ken,
If only summative assessment is counting on the final grade I am wondering what your
thoughts are about how the first assessment and the retake should be graded. 1. Should
they be averaged together? 2. Should only the last assessment count? or 3. Should the
student only be allowed to score a certain % (lets say 80%)?
My son is in middle school and his teachers have told him he can only retake a test IF he
scores below 80%. Then he may only achieve an 80% no matter what he actually gets. This
seems contrary to showing the student's actual achievement.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
Michele |
2010-10-06 Michele Wrzesinski
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Hi Ken,
I have been asked to find articles/books/internet sites that would explain why marks for participation should not be given. I have your book "15 Fixes" and the cached webinars from last fall, here in Alberta, but I am wondering if you could provide me with more resources. I know they are there, but I just can't seem to find them when I need them.
Thank you for your help.
MJ |
2010-09-29 Mary Jo Rawleigh
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Please provide me with information and samples of current, best practice grade reports for
7-12 physical education. Thank you very much! |
2010-09-27 Shelley Joan Weiss
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Hi Ken,
Thanks so much for your work in the area of assessment. I am a coordinator of schools and learning in Prairie Spirit School Division in Saskatchewan. Interesting buzz on the radio these days around school divisions removing zeros and allowing kids to get away with plagiarism...you are being quoted (see below). ALso - articles in recent Globe and Mail around Ontario returning to allowing zeros - can you comment on a. whether that is actually the direction Ontario is moving? b. your thoughts/comments around that?
Similar approach overturned in Ont.
Officials in Ontario took a similar approach to student evaluations in 1999, but there has been a reversal this year. Many schoolteachers came to see the approach as unfair.
In effect, it penalizes students who do their own work on time and accurately, said Ken Coran, president and CEO of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.
"So you've got some students who are adhering to timelines and they're meeting those and in fact they were penalized for the others that weren't doing their work on time," Coran said.
Helen Horsman, an assistant deputy minister of Saskatchewan's Education Ministry, said she couldn't say how many of the province's 27 other school divisions are taking the same approach towards plagiarism and tardiness.
"We don't know that kind of detail," she said.
Ken O'Connor, an expert in educational assessment, said he found it odd the province would unveil a standardized high school curriculum for 2010, yet not have a standardized way of evaluating students.
"If you don't know that an 83 per cent or an A means roughly the same thing in Regina and Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, then it really is, it seems to me, a pointless exercise," O'Connor said.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2010/09/26/sask-report-cards-no-docking-marks.html#ixzz10lmfgRlV |
2010-09-27 lori jeschke
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Love your books Ken! I worked in Hawaii and was lucky enough to have been there when we transitioned to standards based grading and the GLOS. The impact it had was amazing and I am a firm believer in such practice now! I now work in Idaho and am helping my administrator with a grading policy for students who are special needs. What do you recommend in grading such students, especially those working on a modified set of standards, i.e. officially a 3rd grader but working on 2nd grade standards. What should the report card reflect to be fair and legal?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Andrea
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2010-09-12 Andrea
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Starting to implementing standards based grading...teachers are concerned about too many "data points/standards to measure" and the sacrifice of assessment taking up teaching time. Any advice on how to present this in a new light, articles that specifically address the imporance of using assessments to determine student progress toward standards. |
2010-09-02 Tammy DiPonio
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Dear Ken,
If you haven't seen it, here's an article from the August 25th edition of the Toronto Star. My question follows the content.
Province gets tough on students’ late assignments
August 25, 2010
Amy Dempsey
Staff Reporter
Students across Ontario will face tougher penalties for missing deadlines when they return to school this fall.
New guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Education will allow teachers to hand out zeros to students who don’t submit assignments on time — a policy previously discouraged in many school boards.
“It doesn’t mean that teachers are going to give zeros all the time,” said Ken Coran, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. “It means this is now one strategy that can be used to try and improve the students’ behaviour, work habits and achievement.”
Coran said the new guidelines will correct inconsistencies in the way students are evaluated across the province.
“Some school boards were saying you can’t give a mark of zero, you can’t deduct marks for late assignments. And seemingly others were (giving zeros).”
Until now, handing in a late assignment would have had an impact on the work habit component of a student’s report card, but not necessarily on the student’s academic grade. A 1999 directive from the Ministry of Education said teachers should separate students’ work from their behaviour.
Oksana Holadyk, who teaches summer school at Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton, said she agrees with the new policy.
“As a teacher, if I do not penalize a student who hands in their work late then I am assuming a role as enabler for bad habits in school,” she said. “These bad habits will certainly not stop when the student enters the working world.”
But Jad, 15, a student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Ajax, said it’s already tough enough to get good grades.
“Some teachers are different than other teachers,” he said. “But usually if you hand in a late assignment it’s a zero.”
Ray, a grade 11 student at Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga, agreed and said he thinks teachers should go easier on students.
“I think it’s a bit harsh for students. Maybe that’s okay in university, but not high school.”
My question is: Given the reversal of Ministry policy regarding assessment and evaluation, can this not be seen as failure of your recommendations regarding late policies, zeros, academic theft and the like? |
2010-08-28 Roger Curtis
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Good day Ken. I'm the co-author of the book, What's Wrong With Our Schools, that several readers of your website have recommended you read. I'm not sure where you are getting the idea that our book was published by a libertarian think tank. The publisher is actually Rowman & Littlefield Education and they publish books on education from a wide variety of perspectives. I'm currently a high school teacher while my co-authors are education professors at the University of Manitoba. If your local Chapters store doesn't currently have the book in stock, you can ask them to order it in or order online through Chapters or Amazon. Plus, you have the option of ordering directly from our publisher at www.rowmaneducation.com |
2010-08-28 Michael
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Hello Ken,
Our school district is taking the first steps toward implementing the ideas presented in your book -the 15 fixes. A very small group of us completed a book study and are now prepared to share and teach these ideas to the rest of the staff. I was hoping you could offer some good advice as to how to respond to those who are resistant to change. Just from sharing what we have been reading, I have heard comments such as
1. "We are an excellent rated school, why do we need to fix anything?"
2. "How will I get some of my students to complete their homework if they know there will be no grades or no penalties for late work?"
3. "So will everyone be getting A's if we continually allow them to redo their work?'
I know the staff members will present me with some difficult questions, especially those reluctant to change. I could use a few motivational and supportive ideas to share with my coworkers. Finally, on one of your comments, you posted North Canton, Ohio as one school in Ohio that follows your guidelines. Are you aware of any others in Ohio that I could contact? Thank you for your time. |
2010-08-19 Becky
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I recently read your titled " How To Grade for Learning". I think there are some valid
points but you seem so committed to your cause I think you might be loosing touch
with reality. Might I suggest to you reading "What's Wrong With Our Schools". I found
this book more carefully though out in terms of implications for new fad educational
fixes. The authors offer real commonsense approaches to important education matters.
Were / Are you also a strong advacate of Whole Language over the traditional
Phonics approach.? |
2010-08-13 James
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My question to you is this. How can you continue to support the idea of not giving zeros, late penalty mark exclusion, failing to provide extra credit opportunities that count for grades, ignoring the real-world consequences of plagiarism, and more in light of recent trends in Canadian productivity, the acknowledged failure of No Child Left Behind, University upheaval with respect to grading in Canada and policies that do not resemble your recommendations employed around the world? As evidence and for your consideration I have accumulated much evidence in the form of an electronic presentation which I will email separately. |
2010-07-17 Roger Curtis
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When Dallas (Oregon) School District recently redesigned our assessment policies and practices, we were heavily infoluenced by your writing and your presentation at the Solution Tree Assessment Summit in Atlanta (2008). Now we are grappling with a problem that threatens to derail us:
Many parents and students have questioned our decision to allow "retakes" of assessments, especially as we've placed no limit on the number of times a student can retake an assessment (until the semester ends). Do you have any suggestions about how we should handle the retake issue?
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2010-07-15 Cory Bradshaw
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How can I apply in a class the fix 6 by ken O'Connor "don't include groups scores in grades; use only individual achievement evidence" |
2010-07-10 Vanessa
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As assistant superintendent in a Mississippi school district of about 4,000 students, I have been directed by the superintendent and school board to research the negatives and positives of moving from a 7 point grading scale that highly resembles a bell curve to a 10 point grading scale (90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 65-69 = D). After speaking to the registrar office of several junior colleges and universities, I have been advised by the registrars that a 10 point scale is best for our students - especially when it comes to competing for scholarships. To date 110 out of 152 school districts in Mississippi have moved to a 10 point scale. What is your take on moving to a 10 point scale? Are you against it or for it, or is it as simple as that? |
2010-05-25 Jack Linton
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Several from my school heard you speak at the 2003 EARCOS conference in Bangkok, and you radically changed our thinking. After all these years our school is finally ready to implement a new assessment and grading philosophy. For our teacher training next school year, we have been considering two of your books-- How to Grade for Learning and 15 Fixes for Broken grades. We are doing training for teachers in grades 6-12, and we use a small group book study format supplemented by an all-school in-service day. Which book would you recommend for the book study, and what resources would you recommend for the in-service day? Note: We can't afford to buy both books for all the staff. |
2010-05-17 Brian Foutz
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Hi Ken,
Could you explain to me why it is not good practice to average a student's grade even though you are not using zeros? What about putting more weight on certain assignments and tests? |
2010-05-12 Becky
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Hi Ken,
I am looking for resources on rubric for assessing to outcomes/standards. IN particular, I am looking for some quality research or examples that illustrate what "mastery" would look like. Htere is a lot of debate amongst some colleagues that mastery of an outcome should hit the highest levels of bloom's taxonomy. Any clarification/support you could offer, would be appreciated. |
2010-05-09 Lori
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How much of a final trimester grade or yearly grade should be from summative assignments and what percentage should come from formative? What is best practice for formative vs. summative? What does the current research state? Can you lead me to some of these articles/books? Thanks in advance. |
2010-04-08 Jason Kieronski
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Good Mr. O'Connor, We are reading your book as a school and are hoping that you can provide us some clarification on what your definition of "effort" is in regards to developing a common grading practice. Thank you in advance, Susan Britton |
2010-04-05 Susan Britton
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Mr. O Connor:
As a middle school PE teacher, I am trying to sort through how to get going on Stand. Based Grading. I like deaing with the standards and not the behaviors, dressing out, etc....If it is my departments philosophy to have our units last only 2 weeks before moving on to another unit, how am I to gather enough information to assess all 37 kids? Since my domain is physical performance, should I not take longer? What about the child who just has no skill, no matter how much I work with him? thank you so much for your vision on grading & assessment. |
2010-03-20 anne-marie tomek
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After reading your book on the "15 Fixes", we've decided to rewrite our school plagiarism policy. The one we currently have is far too wordy and quite ineffective. Would you have any samples of effective policies? What do you think should be included in such a policy? |
2010-02-24 Christa
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It appears that elementary schools are taking the first step in our county to "fix the broken grade" syndrome and that middle schools and high schools are "fighting" the changes. However, it also appears that there is still a lot of subjectivity in assessing and interpreting the standards at many levels. For example, our county is changing the meaning of the standards every nine weeks via a rubric for the standards based report card. This makes reporting confusing to parents because one nine weeks students may earn a "3" for meeting expectations (based on the particular quarter's rubric) and the next nine weeks students could drop to a "2" which means "in progress" based on the newer/more difficult expectations for the same standard based next quarter's rubric. In order for the child to pass to the next grade they have to have a certain number of "3's" in the Language Arts and Math areas. It is very possible that if teachers have been grading via the rubric certain children have gotten "3's", but will not be able to "meet the expectations" the last nine weeks and end up with "twos" and possibly not earn enough "threes" for promotion. Do you have any suggestions/comments? Is it OK to assess using the standards and standards based report card with the last quarter rubric and assess with the "end in mind"? Also do you know of any states that have used standards based report cards in the past and have gone back to traditional report cards? Can you suggest a good example of a standards based report card format for middle school and high school that are being used in the United States? (PS.I am using your Repair kit book and How to Grade for Learning as texts in an assessment class I teach at the university level for teachers working on their Masters and specialist degrees. Both are thought provoking and encourage teachers to self reflect on their grading practices!)Thanks for setting up this web site and offering this opportunity to get some questions answered! |
2010-02-16 Debbie
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Ken - How do I reach mastery learning at the 8th grade with 160 students? I focus only on summative assessments for mastery because it is overwhelming to do formatives to qualify for summatives. In the last 6 months, I have had 5 lunch periods without students needing to "redo work for mastery." I tried to reduce days, but cannot meet the needs in 2 or 3 days per week. I am working hard on formatives to prepare them for the summatives, but I am still having about 8-10 percent struggling below a 3. To me, if students need more time or practice, then mastery needs to be within the school schedule (a class period) day (not at lunch or after school) or it is viewed as punishment. Many of the teachers are hesitant to try standards-based grading because of the mastery component. Please advise. |
2010-02-08 Nancy Smith
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Our school division is currently looking at changing our report cards. Currently we report a percentage. Because our curriculum is outcomes based, I would like to see us move toward an outcomes based report card. My idea would be to get rid of percentages. There are people at the high school level that argue that we need the percents to report to universities for entrance and scholarships. Is this an accurate statement? What would a university do if they received an outcomes based report card without a percentage grade? |
2010-02-04 curtis uyesugi
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Ref: Making the Grades
Hello,
I was wondering if you could clarify some points for me in regards to your article, Making the Grade.
1. "Eliminating the use of penalties for behaviors such as submitting required assessment evidence after due dates, absence, and academic dishonesty." Would you mind elaborating? Here is my thinking - cheating is against the law and there are penalties for breaking a law. How do such policies prepare anyone for life? If students aren't going to consider due dates, why should they consider being on time to school, going to school, etc.?
2. You are against giving a student a grade of zero for work not done. Do you apply this policy to homework as well? What is the alternative to a zero, assuming the student is still held accountable?
3. You stress the importance of commenting, "each standard could have space to record comments on student strengths, areas for improvement, or observations." If I grade using a detailed rubric and supplement that rubric with comments, is that not the same as what you suggest? I ask because another part of your article states, "well written generic descriptors become the basis for the scoring tools..." Should a rubric not be detailed? I always considered a detailed rubric as an excellent learning tool because it 1) breaks down the assignment and 2) directly shows the student his / her strengths and weaknesses.
4. You state that "quizzes, most homework, and most daily work have no place in grades." Why, then, should a student do homework? Why come to school? What is so challenging about having a student do homework? I agree with some points of your article, such as homework should be used as a supplement, done without parent aid, and done for a purpose. Why the strong opinion to ban such a tool?
I do not mean to be overly blunt in this email, I am just very interested in the logic behind what you write. Most importantly, is it possible for you to give me the name of a school district that follows your guidelines. I am most interested in contacting teachers to get their feedback on your system.
Thank you,
Susan Chiulli |
2010-02-02 Susan Chiulli
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My children's school division has recently started using a reporting rubic instead of traditional letter or percentage grading. Although I am not opposed to this system necessarily, I am finding it difficult to determine where my children stand with their learning. I understand that this new assessment based system is probably less troubling for the children but I wonder how effective it is for their futures. Do you know of any universities/colleges that accept this system when applying to post secondary education? How do we know as parents where our children are falling behind in their learning if basically there can be a 30 – 40 % (if you equate it to the old percentage based marks) difference within the four options given to assess a child’s performance? I guess I am just trying to understand how this system helps them in the long run. An example another parent gave me was as follows:
If I have to have surgery and I have a choice between two doctors; Doctor 1 has graduated from Yale Sum Cum Laude with outstanding grades and doctor 2 has several letters saying what a great guy he is or how well he performs appendectomies, which would I choose to operate on the tumour on my spine?
I had a hard time arguing against this above scenario and I am looking for more information so as not to be uneducated about how this new system can help and/or hinder my children’s education? If you could provide feedback regarding this area of assessment based grading In would really appreciate it.
Thank you in advance,
Nicole
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2010-01-21 Nicole
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I am currently working with school administration and Math department teachers at one high school who have a unique assessment practice. When students given back a marked test or quiz, they must schedule a 1:1 with the teacher to go over their corrections. If they do not show-up for the meeting, they receive a zero for the test or quiz.
This is a practice that I can not find written of in any research, or practiced in any other high school in the province. It has a significant and detrimental impact upon students and grades their behaviour, not achievement.
Have you come across this practice at any other school in Canada? |
2010-01-11 Todd Eistetter
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Potsdam Central School in Potsdam New York is implementing their interpretation of your effective grading model with minimal positive results. Has Potsdam Central consulted personally with you on their new homework and grading policy? If not, would you be willing to critique their policy and point out areas where they might have gone astray? |
2010-01-04 Tim Connolly
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We are using your book as we go through the process of piloting a standards based report card. I am confused about how this all applies to the elementary school student. The growth for younger children isn't a huge amount. Parents want to see a percentage. How do you explain the subjectiveness of the grading system? |
2009-12-24 K Carrier
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My school is looking as revamping our grading policies and we are using your book as a guide. I teach Kinesiology (physical education)at the high school level, and have been trying to come up with a rubric that uses your grading philosophy. When I think I have something good I'm told to add more to it. I would like to know if you have any Physical education rubrics I could look at or could you take a look at the latest one that my department has designed? Thank you for your time. |
2009-11-24 Bobbie Jo Hawkins
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Hello,
I am an assistant professor at The University of Georgia and am currently (as in literally, right now) teaching a classroom assessment course. We have read and discussed your chapter in Ahead of the Curve and have two questions for you.
Question #1
How does/can a standards-based grading system work in middle and high schools, particularly given the large number of students each teacher assesses?
Question #2
How do you help parents understand how to make sense of what a standards-based grading system communicates when they are accustomed to a traditional A-F grading system?
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2009-11-03 Mark Vagle
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Your example Figure 5-3, page 109 "A Repair Kit for Grading" indicates that Bob is "basically the student who doesn't need a teacher,.... " (Statment) Question is; After Gwen "learns", and Roger and Pam are graded up to achieve equality of condition, what need is there for a teacher? |
2009-11-02 Ron Clifton
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Having been to your sessions in the past, I am just wondering if you can answer a question that was never answered. When a teacher has 200 students, and is expected to provide regular summative and formative feedback, how is this possible without having deadlines? Without giving a "0" The government requires us to give "grades" by eventually by a certain date. If left to June, our deadlines, which must be met can not. I find today we are getting so bogged down by research (which can be questioned) that is not practicle in the "real world". Our profession has changed so much in the last 5 years alone, so I don't believe anyone who has not taught FULL TIME in a real classroom in the last 5 years has any appreciation for the inpracticality of certain ideals vs realism. How do we deal with the ideal vs the real, in a world that gives deadlines and expects people to be accountable for their actions at least at some point? |
2009-10-22 garry
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Having studied your book 15 Fixes for Broken grades, and having worked through parts of the professional development program, CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING, our team of middle school teachers (grades 5-8) are interested in rethinking our report cards so that they more clearly communicate information about student achievement as well as about important behaviors. Can you recommend appropriate Middle School report card formats. |
2009-09-25 Denise Blanchette
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Mr. O'Connor,
Will you please help me find samples of high school standards-based report cards? I would appreciate it if you would help me find school districts who have adopted a new reporting format at the high school level. Thank you! |
2009-08-24 Jackie Pfeiffer
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We have spent the past yoear on the book study for 15 Fixes with our school based administrators. This fall we are concenttrating on the principles of grading in our schools. It has been the practice for our schools to administer comprehensive final exams that "cover" all the course content from the beginning of the term to the end of the term. As we examine grading and assessment and the old practice of comprehensive fial exams, can you give some guidance as to how the summative assessment could loo? Does it have to be on the entire course or on the outcome that was currently learned?
As well, some schools still use the pracice of recommendations from final exams. Any suggestions as to how to explain this is not a good assessment practice?
Any guidance or thoughts would be appreciated. |
2009-07-07 cheryl bashutski
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Ken, there are a number of computer programs in the field claiming to be standards-based, but upon closer inspection don't measure up.
Do you have any recommendations for teachers looking to separate summative from formative assessment scores, do median averaging, and do conversions to the four-point scale? |
2009-06-19 Hugh O\'Donnell
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I am writing with a question about your 15 Fixes for Broken Grades. My school has recently adopted the theories of Assessment for Learning and we have done a book study in learning teams on the 15 fixes. It is now the end of the school year and we have reached an issue that we cannot seem to solve on our own. We do not give zeros for missed essential assignments, we give I's (incomplete) instead. We have six school days left of this school year and we have a few students who are carrying I's from previous marking periods. We as teachers have repeatedly asked the students to fulfill these I's but to no avail. Many of us have set this Wednesday or Friday as our cutoff point for the missing work. This gives us time, as teachers, to grade what needs to be graded and clear off our "To Do" lists before final exams.
I spoke to my Assistant School Leader (ASL) who is in charge of grading and curriculum to ask if I could give 50% for the missing assignments as of tomorrow (my cut off date). My rationalization is that a zero would artificially deflate the student's grade in an extreme way. The 50% would show that the student failed the assignment (as it was not done), but does not kill their chance of passing for the marking period. My ASL argued back that if the student did not do the work at all, they should receive a zero showing that they did not learn that target at all. If they are re-assessed on the material through the final exam, the teacher could then go back through the incomplete assignments and alter the scores based on the outcome of the matching sections on the final exam.
What are your thoughts on our situation? Your input is greatly appreciated. |
2009-05-29 Natalie Hyman
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Ken, in my job I support high schools in all their school improvement efforts. I know the topic of grading and reporting practices rocks a high school teacher's world. What might you suggest as a FIRST approach to even just opening up this topic to high school teachers and administration? |
2009-05-05 Becca Lindahl
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