Greetings!
I've had an e-mail from a parent with a great question about the percentages and scores. I would guess that some of you have the same or similar question, so I thought I would do my best to clarify how the scores and percentages are figured.
For the past two years I've been using Engrade, an online grade book. With this program, I can assign a category to each assignment, for example, Writing, Literature, Grammar, Assignments (in-class work.) Engrade figures percentages for total scores and for scores within each of these categories.
However, the four categories used for Writing 1 and Writing 2 did not have the same number of assignments, so a straight averaging of the scores does not give an accurate total percentage/grade. For example, the Assignments category had 19 scores, and 17 of them were small, 5-point Quick Writes. Writing section had fewer assignments, but the scores were higher per assignment.
Though the categories are not exactly even, I feel that dividing the scores like this is helpful because it helps parent, students, and teacher have a better picture of the work done in the semester. For example, if a student scores 100% on this Assignments section, I know that he showed up and participated well in class. A low score in the Literature section is most likely a sign of a significant number of missing assignments. Likewise, a low score in grammar could be because assignments were not handed in, or it could be a lack of knowledge in this area. As it is with all homework assignments for any subject area, the scores reflect a mix of quantity and quality.
I hope I haven't further confused the grading for this class. Working with students to help them develop into first-rate thinkers and writers is my primary goal. Points, scores, percentages, and grades are only small parts in the learning process.
Have a very Merry Christmas! My house is filling up with family; it's loud, active, and completely delightful!
Be blessed,
Tammy Prichard
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