Qualifiers
In our classroom, students must earn the right to take tests. They do this by showing me that they are ready (in other words, that they have some hope of passing). Research has shown that failing a test only depresses the student. Contrary to popular belief, a low grade does not motivate a student to work harder! Therefore, why make a student take a test that she is not ready for?
Students show their readiness to take a test by earning a passing grade on the qualifiers for that unit. The qualifiers for a unit are typically the completion of all elements of the project or that topic. These assignments must be completed at least one day before the test is given. Qualifiers turned in on test day will not be graded in time for the student to test that day!
Students show their readiness to take a test by earning a passing grade on the qualifiers for that unit. The qualifiers for a unit are typically the completion of all elements of the project or that topic. These assignments must be completed at least one day before the test is given. Qualifiers turned in on test day will not be graded in time for the student to test that day!
Tests
Tests are broken down into sections, usually by unit objective. These sections appear in my gradebook as individual grades. My grades are weighted, so that tests make up 40% of the overall grade, no matter how many points there are.
Once a student has achieved a passing grade on his qualifiers, he can take the test. If he achieves an A or a B (80% or higher) on any section of the test, he will receive a grade in the gradebook. Grades lower than 80% receive a "Not yet" in the gradebook. This will appear as a zero in Focus, BUT there will be a note next to the grade explaining where they are in the process.
Students receiving a "Not Yet" will be given an additional practice assignment for that section. Completion of the additional practice qualifies the student to re-take the appropriate section of the test. Once the section is re-taken, the student will either receive credit (again, if he or she scores at 80% or above), or will be given yet another additional practice assignment, and repeat the cycle until mastery is attained.
There are two testing opportunities provided in-class for each unit. If a student has not passed all sections of the test after that, it is up to her to schedule a time to come in to take the test with me. I am available before school, after school, and during First Lunch for this purpose.
Remember, each section is a separate grade, so it is entirely possible for a student to get credit for one section and not for the others, or the other way around!
The process looks like this:
Once a student has achieved a passing grade on his qualifiers, he can take the test. If he achieves an A or a B (80% or higher) on any section of the test, he will receive a grade in the gradebook. Grades lower than 80% receive a "Not yet" in the gradebook. This will appear as a zero in Focus, BUT there will be a note next to the grade explaining where they are in the process.
Students receiving a "Not Yet" will be given an additional practice assignment for that section. Completion of the additional practice qualifies the student to re-take the appropriate section of the test. Once the section is re-taken, the student will either receive credit (again, if he or she scores at 80% or above), or will be given yet another additional practice assignment, and repeat the cycle until mastery is attained.
There are two testing opportunities provided in-class for each unit. If a student has not passed all sections of the test after that, it is up to her to schedule a time to come in to take the test with me. I am available before school, after school, and during First Lunch for this purpose.
Remember, each section is a separate grade, so it is entirely possible for a student to get credit for one section and not for the others, or the other way around!
The process looks like this: