Grading, Grades, Cheating, Exams, Homework....

I am a practitioner of an altered form of Mastery Teaching. In MasteryTeaching, students are allowed to master the content at their own pace. In my class, I use homework, exams, lab reports, and projects as tools for learning.

Students are allowed to hand in lab reports, projects, and other assignments after the due date. However, for each day an assignment is late, ten percent of the toal points will be duducted from the grade earned. After fiveschool days, or one school week, the late assignment will no longer be accepted and recorded as a zero.

If a student earns a grade on an assignment that s/he feels is unsatisfactory,the student has the option of fixing the assignment on a separate sheet of paper and stapling the correction to the old assignment,and handing the assignment in for possible full credit. The student will always receive the higher grade. The deadline for re-doing an assignmentis the deadline for late assignments, or one school week after the original due date. I do make some exceptions, however. If a student earns a 95%on an assignment, s/he cannot re-do the assignment for a higher grade. I do not allow corrections on textbook reading assignments, extra credit assignments, and quizzes (other assignments might be added during the year).

If a student earns a 50% or greater on an exam, then that exam can be taken again. However, exams must be retaken before school, after school,and during lunch. A sign up sheet will be posted with dates and times that the exam can be taken (usually for 4 days following the exam). A maximum number of students be be able to take the exam on any given day, depending on the class.

It will be the responsibility of the student to sign up for a day and time, report to class at the appropriate time, and take the exam. I will not remind any student of her/his impending retake. If a student misses his/her retake day, and another retake slot is not ipen, the student cannot retake the exam. Remember, the student must take responsibility for retakes. This policy is a privilege, not a right. (Note: the Genetic Exam and the Invertebrate Exam cannot be taken again.)

Up to date grades will be posted at the beginning of every week. Students are responsible for checking his/her grade. I am not perfect, and I have been known to make mistakes. If a student finds a mistake in her/his grade,s/he is expected to see me in a civil manner and point out my mistake. I will correct the mistake and the correction will be posted with the new grades.

With my Mastery Teaching, I am angered and frustrated when students attemp to cheat. If a student cheats, s/he will be caught. If students copy each other or another, everyone involved will receive a zero. If I feel thatthe assignments are copied, all parties will have to civilly defend themselves. I hope that I will not have to deal with cheaters.  However, if cheating seems to be the norm, I will rescind my Mastery Teaching policy.

There will be a time when students are allowed to use a 'legal cheatsheet.' When exams are announced, students can write on both sides of a3 inch by 5 inch index card. There can be no typing, taping, gluing, stapling,or adhering of anything on the card. Students are expected to complete his/her own card. Sharing or selling of the Exam Card is not allowed and will be treated as an attempt to cheat. Students who cheat on an exam will receive a zero on the exam with no chance of retaking the exam.

Due dates, for assigments, are recorded on the classroom calendar, which is located in the back of the room. Students need to make sure that their calendar matches my calendar. Nothing is ever written in stone, and assignments are moved from time to time. I try to kep my website up to date, however, the best source of due dates is the classroom calendar.

Homework is to be handed in the correct 'IN' box at the beginning of every class. It is the responsiblity of the student to hand in the homework before the tardy tones sound. Students are also to collect their homework from the correct 'OUT' box. Students are required to pick up her/his homeworkand not the homework of other students (this would be considered cheating).

I also consider the following cheating: students using notes, exams, quizzes, and laboratories of students who have taken my class in prior years. Do not ask an old student to 'borrow their old AP Biology material.'

If a student needs help, I will be available and happy to help beforeschool, after school, and during lunch.

It is my dream that each and every student in all of my classes earnan A. In my class, student motivation is the only limiting factor in student success.

If you have any questions please feel free to call me at Chapel HillHigh School (929-2106 ext 1210), email me (bwartski@chccs.k12.nc.com), or visit me in my room A210. For notes, book reading assignments, and due dates, please visit my website: www.mindspring.com/~lwartski.

Wartski