Grading: Homework/other: 20%
Tests/quizzes: 80%
For the Semester grades: Quarter Avg: 40% Final Exam: 20%
Homework is assigned daily. Many of the problems will have the answer given in the back of the book (there is a complete solutions manual for PreCalculus). This is one of the most important learning tools. It will allow you to gauge your own progress to determine when and how much you need help. You cannot afford to abuse this. Always check, but never change your own answer without understanding why it was wrong to begin with. Typically, completion of homework counts for half of an assignment’s value (work must be showing) and selected evens count for the other half. If ANY odd answers are incorrect, the assignment is considered incomplete and loses at least half of its value. If ANY of the odd answers are recorded without sufficient evidence of understanding, the assignment is given zero credit and a discipline referral will be written up. You should place question marks by each odd problem you did not understand.
Late Work may be accepted when students come in after school to discuss why the assignment is late.
Tests and Final Exams: Our Charter states, "We flatly reject the practice of grading based on perceived effort, instead focusing on real accomplishment and demonstrated mastery of subject matter measured against a high, objective standard." Too often, schools compensate for poor student achievement by lowering test expectations and increasing the graded value of homework. As a result, many students believe that they have mastered the material, only to find out later that they are woefully under-prepared for more advanced topics. My tests are designed so that the AVERAGE student that completes all of their homework should expect an AVERAGE score. If I ever find that class test averages are falling below my expectations, I will reteach and further develop the key topics and retest the entire class.
Test Re-Takes are allowed once per semester. However, the re-take must be completed within 2 weeks of the original test date. This option is intended for a student who suffers a particularly 'bad day' with a drop of at least 20% from their average. There is a 10% penalty on the retake and students are required to come in after school to discuss the situation before planning to retake any test.
Additional Help It is absolutely essential that you ask for help when you feel that you are, 'missing something.' Concepts in mathematics tend to build on each other and any confusion typically gets worse unless problems are immediately addressed. I am the Study Hall Tutor after school everyday from 3 – 4 PM. I strongly recommend students use this time to ask for additional help and/or work on assignments so that I can monitor progress and assist as needed. I am also happy to take phone calls at home when a student needs a, "nudge" in the right direction. The Khan Academy has many of the topics from Geometry and Precalculus presented in a very straightforward manner. This may be helpful to some students. Extra credit is occasionally offered to an entire class. It is never given to an individual student as a way to raise their grade. However, any student that desires to raise their grade should not hesitate to discuss the matter with me after school. I am very open to individual needs and concerns.
Emily Scarborough is a professional mathematics educator who has taken some time off to raise a family. She is available for tutoring and she does an excellent job. Her number is 819 9646
Classroom Evaluations 2010-11 link to Student Surveys 2010-2011 My Teaching Profile
I feel it is important that we form opinions based on data, not on other opinions. Therefore, I gladly make these classroom evaluations available for everyone to see. If there is an issue with the instruction in my classroom, then I will make every effort to remedy the problem. Math is a difficult subject and students have a wide range of abilities. It is very difficult to address the needs of all students at all times. That is why communication is so vital to my success as a teacher and your success as a student. I am posting my personal student evaluations so that everyone has a 'big picture' for what goes on in my classroom. These are graded on a scale of 1 – 5 (poor – excellent). 1st and 3rd
periods were PreCalc, all others were Geometry.