Grading:

     Grades A-F are determined on a point system.  All Tests, selected homework assignments and selected classroom activities have an assigned point value.  It is from the total point’s possible for a given grading period that the curve will be established.  A student's grade will be determined by the percent of the total possible points he or she has earned.  The scale used is the following:

     Homework will be assigned on a regular basis with a predetermined point value of 10.  Grades of       ,      ,      , or       with a corresponding value of 10, 7, 4, or 0.  All homework is to be completed because it serves as the topic of conversation for the class period.
     The Due Date for the homework will be the day after it is assigned unless stated differently.  Material can be collected and graded on their Due Date or anytime thereafter.  The Collection Date will usually be on the day that the material is to be tested.  Not all homework is collected, but all homework will be gone over in class and will be tested.  Students will not know in advance what homework is going to be collected.  The key for interpreting graded homework is supplied.
     Chapter homework will be done in a spiral notebook.  Text title, unit, chapter and section will identify the notebook.  The section reviews for each section will be written one to a page and clearly identified.  All questions in a section are to be completed.  All words used in the, define, identify, locate sections are to be underlined.  Each word starts on a new line.  Locations can be done by either the relative or exact method.  If there are two or more parts to a question, then each part must be identified by letter.  Letter must identify answers to questions.  Answers to questions must be in a complete sentence with the question incorporated in the answer.  Identify each part of the review by number and title.
     In class work will be assembled in a 3 ring binder.  Page number will identify each page.  This will be done in class.  This material will consist of be worksheets, maps or readings.
     When homework is collected, it will be removed from either the spiral notebook or binder.  Do not remove work from your spiral notebook unless told specifically to do so. Your name, class, date and hour will be placed in the upper right hand corner and then the teacher will collect your work.  When the teacher has graded your homework, it will then be returned to you and all the material will be placed in the binder by page number

Tests:

     Regularly scheduled tests will be given.  Tests can consist of Homework Tests, Pop Tests, Map Tests, Section Tests, Chapter Tests, Unit Tests, or Final Exams.  The terms, test and quiz can be used interchangeably, and have no discernible difference.  The differences between tests will be on their point value, whether they are announced or unannounced, and whether books, notes, homework, maps or nothing can be used to complete the test.   If a student misses a homework test, then the student will not be allowed to use their homework on their test.  The reasoning here is that homework tests are usually unannounced and the students present only have their completed work to fall back on, while students who were absent, have the opportunity to learn about the test and finish their homework, thus giving those students an unfair advantage.

Make up work:

     The Swatek History Homepage and the Home Work Hotline makes it possible for every student to remain caught up even when absent from school. Therefore, in order to receive maximum credit, when a student misses a test or homework assignment due to an excused absence, it is expected that they will hve the required homework completed and ready to hand in upon their return.  Students will make up the test immediately upon return. Should they want to be allowed the same number of days they were absent plus one (+1) to complete make-up course work and /or tests they may do so by setting up arrangements in writing with the teacher.  This is not considered a characteristic of an A/B Student.  If the material is not turned in after the appropriate number of days, then the work will be considered late. If the student knew of the test or project and the student knew of it prior to the absence then, they will make it up and turn in required work the day of their return.
     Make up tests may not be the same tests that were taken by the rest of the class.
     It is absolutely the total responsibility of the student to make all arrangements and accept total consequences for their absences and their make up work.

Late work:

Since students are required to bring all material to class every day, it is assumed that when an assignment is asked for the student will be able to hand that material in.  If the student does not have that assignment then it is considered late.  Students will not be allowed to go to their lockers to get their assignment.  That assignment is considered late and the most a student can learn for that assignment is 50% of the total possible.   All late work must be handed in by the end of the day, on the last day of the seventh week.

Supplies:

     It is the students’ responsibility to supply themselves for all class activities.  The student will have as a bare minimum a:

    Students are required to bring the textbook along with their supplies and any other materials that become part of the class, to class without having to be instructed to do so.  Students will not be allowed to go to their locker after the bell to obtain any material and will have to suffer any consequences related to coming to class unprepared.  This might include but is not limited to, not having homework for homework tests, having homework be recorded as late or receiving an incomplete for projects or any other assignments.

Bell Work:

  Students will enter the class at the beginning of the hour and immediately sit in their assigned seat and in the bell work section of their spiral notebook answer the question that is on the board or the overhead.  Students will be prepared to discuss their answers after attendance has been taken.

Discipline and Class Participation:
 
     Students are required to act in a mature and responsible manner and to participate in a positive and constructive way.  It is expected that the student is able to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior, therefore when a student acts in an inappropriate way it will be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the class.
  When a student behaves inappropriately a parental contact will be made. If student behavior continues to be inappropriate, as defined by the Classroom Code of Conduct and the Student Handbook, then the student will face the consequences as outlined in the Classroom Code of Conduct, the student handbook, and the behavioral consequences as posted on the board.   Student behavior will affect class grade.

     You are expected to be polite, respectful and to participate in a positive manner.  I will do the same.

Student Agenda:

     Students will be required to bring their agenda to class with them without being told to do so.  Passes will only be accepted if they are in the agenda.  Grades will be recorded in the agenda after they have been posted on the bulletin board.  Notes to and from parents will be recorded in the agenda.  Extra credit points will be issued at unannounced times during the school year if you have your agenda with you in class.  Agenda is defined as the Student Agenda in good shape.

Grade requirements:

     The students’ grade is influenced by their academic work, behavior and class participation.  Certain behaviors are expected at each grade level.  Behavior, attitude and positive participation are as much a part of your grade as is your performance on homework and tests.  Essentially if your behavior is unacceptable, then your grade will be affected regardless of your point total.  The teacher can add or remove up to 10% of the total possible points based on your behavior, attitude and participation.

To obtain a grade of A, a student will earn required total possible points.  Demonstrate the behaviors listed on the Profile of the A/B Student.

     To obtain a grade of B a student will earn required total possible points.  Demonstrate the behaviors listed on the Profile of the A/B Student.

     To obtain a grade of C a student will earn required total possible points and demonstrate the behaviors listed on the Work Skills Checklist.

     To obtain a grade of D a student will earn required total possible points and demonstrate the behaviors listed on the Work Skills checklist.

     To obtain a grade of D- a student must hand in all work on time and behave properly in class.  A student is guaranteed a passing grade if the above criteria are met.
 
     All criteria for the grades must be met or you are ineligible for that grade.  When you are concerned about your grade and wish to discuss it, come in and see me.  But be forewarned that your points, behavior and student profile all affect your grade and will be discussed.

Extra Credit:

     Extra credit cannot be used to raise an "F" grade to a passing grade.  Since the required work is not being done satisfactorily any additional effort should be directed toward mastering required work.  Extra credit is viewed as an attempt to raise a passing grade to a higher passing grade.
     Extra credit projects must be submitted in writing on a full sheet of paper to the teacher.  Upon teacher approval, the student can begin working on the project.  The extra credit project must come from the Extra Credit Product Possibilities List.  The difficulty and the quality of the finished product will determine the point value of the EC project.  Extra Credit is limited to 10% of the total possible points.
     Extra Credit is due by the end of the day on the last day of the seventh week of the grading period to which it is to apply.

Tardiness and unexcused absences:

 Tardiness is unacceptable.  Students are to be in the room with their material at the sound of the second bell.  Excused lates will be obtained from a teacher, administrator, library or guidance, prior to coming to class.  Tardies will be addressed as per the student handbook.

The teacher maintains discretionary control of this policy and when interpretations conflict, the spirit rather than the letter of the law will prevail.

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I have read the grading and discipline policy for Mr. Swatek and agree to its provisions.

________________________________ Student

________________________________ Parent or Guardian

________________________________ Date