Grades & Expectations

General Expectations. You are required to demonstrate professional behavior and attitudes during class and at your field experience site by (1) arriving on time and ready to learn/participate/teach; (2) articulating your point-of-view and questioning others in a professional manner; and (3) planning, planning, planning, and reflecting, reflecting, reflecting.

Grading Standards. An A represents outstanding performance and most students should expect grades ranging between A- and C+. Quality, not quantity counts. Effort alone does not guarantee above average grades. Grades for each assignments are based on the level of detail, the soundness and justification of your ideas, and the quality of your writing. Assignments should be well organized and demonstrate that you have sound reasons and solid support for your ideas and opinions. Sentences should be clear and well constructed, with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. All projects and major assignments must be typed on a word processor. For additional details, see Writing Tips. Use the writing lab on the fourth floor of Hawthorn Hall if you are challenged by your writing.**Should you require adaptations to meet course requirements, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor within the first few weeks of class.

Plagiarism. Plagiarism is academic dishonesty and strictly prohibited. Students sometimes commit plagiarism without understanding they are doing so. Avoid this by visiting http://www.education.indiana.edu/~frick/plagiarism/ and taking the quiz. If you’re still uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, it is your responsibility to ask for my assistance. I visit sites like School Sucks, Other Peoples Papers, and Evil House of Cheats on a regular basis so that I will know what my students can access on the Internet. I also submit papers that may have been plagiarized to Turn It In, an anti-plagiarism website. Students who plagiarize will be reported and receive a grade of “0” on the assignment. Plagiarism can also result in course failure and university dismissal. In cases of suspected plagiarism, university policy will be followed.

Grading Rubrics. Grades are not given, they are earned. By using the assignment rubric as a design template while working on assignments, you can help ensure that you don’t lose points needlessly. Links to rubrics for projects and assignments, which you may print out, are available on the Assignment page. Paper clip the rubric for each assignment on top as a cover sheet. There is a 5% secretarial fee for printing out or writing names or numbers on rubrics and assignments. There is a 10% investigator’s fee for identifying rubrics and assignments without names or other identification.

Review of Drafts. In order to help you get the most out of assignments, I will review drafts of papers provided I get them far enough in advance to make comments you can incorporate into your final product–––7 to 10 days before the due date. Comments made at these preview sessions such as “good,” “fine,” “satisfactory,” etc. denote that you have met the basic requirements and DO NOT imply that you have an A.

Late Assignments. You are a college student and I expect all assignments to be submitted on time, no excuses. Individual assignments that are turned in late may receive half credit at the end of the semester if all assignments are completed, otherwise they receive no credit. Grades for major assignments and projects are reduced by 10% for each calendar day the assignment is late. For example, a major project worth 50 points that is turned in two days late will receive 10 fewer points (50 points x 10% per day x 2 days) than it would have if it had been turned in on time. Failure to turn in assignments on time can adversely affect your grade.

Active Class Participation. Class participation is part of your final grade. Topics and concepts students are expected to master are listed under course goals, and are met through active participation in class activities and discussions. In order to actively engage in critical thinking about important science teaching-learning issues, you are expected to complete assigned readings on time. Active participation is important because (1) readings and class activities are designed to be useful to you as a prospective teacher; (2) assessment (quizzes, exams, etc.) will be based on discussions and activities done in class; (3) some class meetings will be spent doing TEAM activities—if you are not there on those days you may be asked to complete the activities on your own—and; (4) I keep track of attendance and make notes about class participation. Remember, your participation (or lack thereof) is a reflection of your commitment to the dispositions expected of developing teachers, especially in regard to creating a positive learning environment. At the end of each class you will assess your learning and participation by completing a Learning Log. Later, you will be asked to look through your Learning Log and to write a reflection on what you contributed to your learning and to that of your classmates throughout the semester. This reflection is due on the last day of class and is part of your class participation grade. Go to: Active Participation Self-Assessment

How Do I Know If I’m Prepared to Actively Participate? As you complete readings and other assignments, consider the following questions:

• Do I understand what I read/did? Have I noted questions I still have? Are my reading notes detailed enough?
• What impact have my previous science teaching-learning experiences had on my thinking about this topic/assignment?
• How does today’s reading or assignment inform my knowledge vis-à-vis science teaching-learning?
• How can I articulate my ideas about science teaching-learning and show respect for others’ ideas?

Attendance.  I expect you to arrive on time, attend EVERY class, and come prepared as a demonstration of your active engagement in professional development as required by the IPSB Standards for Teachers. All assignments and readings must be completed and submitted on time, regardless of class attendance. In the event that an absence is unavoidable, you must notify me in advance when you know you will miss class because of a doctor’s appointment, religious observance (follow university procedures), job interview, etc., or as soon as possible if the absence is unexpected such as a personal illness, death in family, emergency, etc.

A missed class is defined as any consecutive or accumulative 2 hour and 30 minute time period. The first absence is a freebie and no points are deducted, but notification is required. For each additional class missed, 5 points are deducted from the total points you earn for the semester IF you make-up missed assignments and in-class activities within one week of the absence. Failure to make-up missed class activities will result in an additional 5 point deduction per class in addition to any points lost for late or assignment not handed in. Also, for every three tardies (5+ minutes late), 5 points will be deducted from the total points you earn for the semester. Missed classes mean missed opportunities for learning and this can affect your grade for the semester.

Calculation of Final Grades.  To calculate your grade: (1) add up the points you earned for major projects and assignments, and active participation (your estimate). Then (2) subtract 5 points EACH for missed class (10 points if you did not make-up missed work), and (3) divide by the TOTAL number of POSSIBLE POINTS. The scale below is used to determine course grades:

Grading Scale

Grade Concerns & Appeals. In order to allow time for thoughtful reflection, I do not discuss major papers and projects with individual students on the day they are returned. You are required to put your questions and concerns in writing and e-mail them to me so that I may provide you with additional feedback.

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