Uniform Department Policies Algebra 1

QUARTER & SEMESTER GRADES are based on assignments and exams.  Teachers will assign points accordingly.  Here is the breakdown of percentages:

Assignments:	40%
Exams:	60%
TOTAL:	100%

The following scale will be used to determine report card grades:

90 - 100%	A
80 -   89%	B
70 -   79%	C
60 -   69%	D
0 -   59%	F

ASSIGNMENT POINTS consist of homework, classwork, Problems of the Week, and math journal/notebook (mandatory).

ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC is decided by the teacher, however, students MUST SHOW WORK in order to receive full credit.

EXTRA CREDIT should be limited in scope.  No student should move from D to C, from C to B, or from B to A for the grading period (quarter or semester) because of extra credit.  This leads to unrealistic expectations in future math courses.

EXAM POINTS consist of quizzes, chapter tests, Mid-Year Benchmark, and Year-End Benchmark.

MASTERY QUIZZES are generally below grade level or are a fundamental skill.  They are given every quarter and require an A or A- to pass.  Students are allowed to re-take as many times as necessary in order to pass.  Therefore, students MUST SHOW WORK & NO CALCULATOR.

BENCHMARKS are given Mid-Year and Year-End.  These are SECURE tests and cannot leave the classroom.  The teacher must grade them and keep a record of how each student does. Also, while results can be reviewed with the class, the test itself cannot.  The tests cannot be re-taken.  They cannot be the sole basis for a student's grade. The points for the Benchmark Tests should be 25% of the exam grade or 15% of the total grade each semester.  This will prepare students for future math courses where the Benchmarks (or Finals) are heavily weighted.  These are multiple choice tests modeled after the STAR exams.  Therefore, no notes, NO CALCULATOR, and they must be administered on Scan-Tron forms.

TIMELINES by grade level should be similar (within a week of each other.)  The Benchmarks are given before the end of each semester.  The practice STAR should be given before the actual STAR testing.  The Mastery Quizzes can be given any time during the quarter, however, they should be given as early as possible so students can have time to re-take them.

PLACEMENT  upon completion of Algebra 1 is as follows:

Algebra I students who earn a B- minimum in Algebra I and B- minimum on the Mastery Quizzes will be placed in Geometry. Those students with a C or less will repeat the course in high school.

Algebra I 7th grade students who earn an A- minimum in Algebra I and A- minimum on the Mastery Quizzes will be placed in Geometry in the 8th grade. Those students with a B or less will repeat the course.

SUPPORT is available after school in Math Lab.  Classes that support Algebra in the schedule are: AVID, and Algebra Support.

MATH COMPETITIONS are held two times a year.  Parent and community volunteers are welcome to help out.

MathCounts is the first competition of the year and is held in February.  MathCounts which is sponsored by CNA Financial Corporation and the National Society for Professional Engineers.  For more information, go to www.mathcounts.org.

Mathletics is the second competition of the year.  It is held in late April or early May and is sponsored by Monterey County (www.monterey.k12.ca.us)

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