2015-2016 GRADING POLICY
North Penn High School, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
12th Grade American Government
Mrs. Behm, Social Studies Department
Please read this grading policy carefully. Please be sure that you understand it fully and share it with your parent(s) or guardians.
NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE
PLEASE NOTE: The grading scale that will be used in all courses will include a “plus” designation for grades of C or higher. The grade of D will be the equivalent of 65% - 69%. All numeric averages will be rounded to the nearest whole number.
Grading Scale for Marking Periods Final Course Grades
A+ 97 – 100% A+ - D course averages parallel the marking period grades.
A 90 – 96% E 50 – 64% (Remediation permitted)
B+ 87 – 89% F Below 50% (Remediation not permitted)
B 80 – 86%
C+ 77 – 79%
C 70 – 76%
D 65 – 69%
F Below 65%
Factors used in the determination of quarterly grades may include test scores, quiz scores, classwork, homework, and project grades. Extra credit assignments will not be available.
CHECKING GRADES & HOME ACCESS CENTER
It is expected that students will keep track of their grades at all times. Grades can be verified online by checking the Home Access Center (HAC). The School District should have already provided you with the logon and password information for your HAC account. If you are having a problem with your existing account or are new to the School District and need a new account, then please complete the Home Access Center – Request Form available on the District’s website (www.npenn.org) under the “For Families” tab at the top of the webpage. If you have a concern about the accuracy of grades on HAC, please ask for an appointment with Mrs. Behm. However, class time is limited and may not be immediately available for this purpose.
FINAL GRADE FOR THE YEAR
Your final grade for the year will be determined by three grades -- the percentage grades you received in each quarter and your final examination grade. Because this is a semester course, the final exam will count for 1/5 of your final grade. Each of your quarterly percentage grades will be counted twice and your final exam percentage grade will be added to these. The sum will then be divided by five. Below is a percentage breakdown for those who prefer it.
1st marking period 40%
2nd marking period 40%
Final Examination 20%
HOMEWORK
Various types of homework will be assigned at the discretion of the teacher. All assignments will be checked or collected on time to receive full credit. Homework is due at the beginning of class and will be accepted until the end of the marking period for ½ credit. Homework that is not done or incomplete will affect a student’s grade by lowering the marking period grade.
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT
As part of the North Penn High School Social Studies Department policy, all students are required to complete a research assignment. Detailed instructions about the research assignment will be given during the course.
FINAL EXAMINATION AND CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT
The final exam will be cumulative, meaning it will assess a student’s understanding of content and skills from the entire course. It is therefore important for students to not only attain mastery of the course content and skills at the time of the unit test, but to also retain that content knowledge and skill. To assist students in this, questions based upon previous units of study may appear in graded assessments given later in the course.
MAKE-UP WORK FOLLOWING AN EXCUSED ABSENCE
For an excused absence or tardiness it is your responsibility to find out what tests, quizzes, activities, assignments, and/or handouts you missed during your absence.
Generally, the time allotted to make-up homework and classwork is equal to the number of school days missed. For example, if you are out for three days, you have three days upon your return to school to complete any assignments. For work that is not completed within this time frame, it will be determined by Mrs. Behm whether the assignment can be made-up.
The time allotted for making-up tests and quizzes is usually one full rotation of the school letter-day cycle. For example, if you miss a test on a "C" day, you will have until the next "C" day to make-up that grade. Tests/quizzes not completed within this timeframe can still be made-up, but the time and date will be determined by Mrs. Behm rather than the student.
If you must be absent for several consecutive school days, kindly contact Mrs. Behm by e-mail at . Please plan ahead and allow time for assignments and materials to be gathered. Also, if there are circumstances that you believe may keep you from making-up work on time, please let Mrs. Behm know as soon as possible.
GRADES FOR WORK GIVEN DURING AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE
If your absence or tardiness is unexcused, you will receive a zero for the missed assignment, quiz, or test. You will have many opportunities to earn a satisfactory grade – or better! Make consistent effort and take advantage for those opportunities J
Please remember that I am here to help you be successful!
I want you to have a fantastic final year at North Penn High School!!!