Grade Break Down - Per District and Department Guidelines
55% of Grade - Tests and Projects (recorded as 'Test/Major Assessments' in PowerSchool) Tests In AP, tests are formatted like the AP Exam with timed multiple choice.
Tests are timed. 45-60 items - 50 mins 61-75 items - 60 mins.
Tests must be completed in one sitting. No starting and finishing at a later date. Students who ask to leave the classroom to use the bathroom will not be given additional time. Students must surrender their phones before leaving. Any questions left empty will be marked incorrect, however, student may re-attempt them during test corrections (see below) for partial credit.
Free Response Questions Students will be given two or three options, they may choose one of two or two of three to answer for 15 points each. Students will complete these FRQs on the day following the mulitple choice exam. Prompts will be different in each section, and no advance knowledge of the prompt will be given.
All tests will be graded on a 100 point scale.
Multiple choice tests are not returned due to maintain test credibility from year to year. Any student may come in and review their exam on their own time. I do not "go over" tests because tests can be corrected for points back. FRQs are returned as soon as they are graded for critique and growth.
Projects There will be at least major projects per quarter (no more than 2). Detailed rubrics with the desired components of these projects will be given as they become relevant. Project point values will vary, though they will be no less than 100 points.
25% of Grade – Quizzes (will be recorded as 'Quiz/Secondary Assessment' in PowerSchool) Reading Quizzes Reading quizzes check for reading comprehension of assigned text pages. Quizzes employ a variety of assessment types (matching, multiple choice, true/false, short answer). Reading quizzes are curved on a 1.5 point scale. Map Quizzes A major component of the summer requirement is a student designed atlas. Students will be quizzed throughout the year on the maps they create via matching identification. Maps quizzes are not curved. Media Quizzes Every other Friday (unless there is a schedule conflict or holiday) students will have a quiz on the notes that they compile from watching our daily bell ringer, CNN 10. They may use their notes on the quiz. CNN quizzes are not curved.
20% of Grade – Assignments (will be recorded as 'Classwork' in PowerSchool) Each unit of study has a variety of assessments due during the course of study. Students will have in class time to work on them, but what they do not complete must be done at home. Typical assignments include (but are not limited to): Bell Ringer Activity & Procedures To complement our studies, the class will watch a ten minute student news presentation every day but a test day or if the schedule prohibits it. Students are given sheets to take notes on and given a daily participation grade. Students do not have to make up days they miss to do abscence (late to class, bathroom, nurse, etc. is NOT an absence) however, the student is still responsible for the material on the corresponding media quiz. If students lose their sheets and request another, they MUST make up the days they 'lost' or they receive no credit (all shows are archived online). Sheets are turned at the same time as the Media Quiz, and students may use their sheets on the quiz. Two sheets count as 1 assignment grade. Vocabulary All students will be expected to do a vocabulary study in every unit via Quizlet. Every term must have a definition, an example, and a visual. All quizlets must be posted in Edmodo. DO NOT EMAIL. They frequently get firewalled. AMSCO Book Review Questions Students will complete the questions in the supplemental text as proof of reading and understanding. Online Assignments Via Edmodo, students will be assigned additional readings, short videos, webquests and review questions that are relevant to each unit of study. Details will very per assignment. In Class Notes In class guided notes are a required in-class assignment. No excuses for not completing them (“I was absent,” “I wasn’t paying attention”, or my person favorite, “I’m an auditory learner.”) will be accepted. Other in-class assignment include thematic maps, guided viewing sheets for videos, and practice Free Response Questions.
Quarterly Breakdown & Course Weight Each quarter of the course counts for 20% of the student’s final course grade, and the final project will county for 20% as well.
Finals and Exemptions Students will take the AP Human Geography Exam on the second Friday of May. It WILL NOT count as part of their grade – HOWEVER – Taking the test is a non-negotiable. Any student who does not attend the AP test date will receive a ZEROfor a final exam grade. Students are only excused from the AP Exam for one of three scenarios: 1) the death of an immediate family member. 2) an emergency illness that must have a VALID medical documentation. A routine doctor's appointment is NOT excused. 3) a legal appointment such as a court date that can not be rescheduled. They will take a separate make-up exam on a date established by the College Board.
Students will be assigned a separate cumulative project to work on AFTER the AP exam that will count as both a 4th quarter and final grade (if applicable). Students who average a 90% across all FOUR quarters and meet the attendance requirement (fewer than 10 unexcused absences) at the conclusion of the Final Exemption deadline established by the administration of WHS may opt not NOT have their project count as a final exam grade (however most do in the event that the grade improves their final average).
The Score Floor Policy (Formerly 62 Policy) Students who average 49% or below in either the FIRST and/or SECOND quarter will be given a score floor grade of 50%. However, if a student scores 49% or lower in the SECOND semester (THIRD, FOURTH, and/or the FINAL) the score than they earn will be recorded.
Incomplete Grades I do not give incomplete grades unless instructed by administration to do so. Your grade will post as it is scord on the close of the quarter, and no late work or make up assignments will be accepted.
If you miss an end of quarter due to a documented illness, your report grade will run as posted in Power School. You will have 5 school days from the close of the quarter to make up your work or your grade will stick. Grade changes will be field via an official WHS change of grade form, and though will be noted in Power School immediately, will not be noted on the report card until the next 9 weeks.
Parent Grade Notification Policy Parents are asked to return the parent contact information sheet - all parents will be notified IMMEDIATELY if a student’s grade drops below a 65% (D) in any AP. The parent will continue to be notified until the grade is satisfactory.
Interims Students will be given interim reports approximately 4.5 weeks into the quarter. Interim reports below 70% require a parental signature.
Parents and students alike are encouraged to be active on PowerSchool to stay informed on their grades. Grades are updated within 72 hours of the close of an assignment due date or a quiz. Please allow up to one week for tests with Free Response Questions.