Need advice from former teachers or those who have issued grades

[Staci in MO]

My oldest ds is in 7th grade this year, and there is a possibility that he may go into ps for high school, which in our town will be 10th. I've decided that if and when that day comes, the transition would be smoother if I have in hand more of a transcript for the next three years (I realize I'll need his 9th grade stuff for his college transcript regardless). Anyway, I'm having trouble deciding how to weight grades.

 

For example, when I was in school, I remember being told that homework counts for x%, tests x%, labs (for science) x%, etc. It seems like some assignments, like math homework, points were issued for completing it. How do you ladies do this? TIA!

[Laurie4b]

My oldest ds is in 7th grade this year, and there is a possibility that he may go into ps for high school, which in our town will be 10th. I've decided that if and when that day comes, the transition would be smoother if I have in hand more of a transcript for the next three years (I realize I'll need his 9th grade stuff for his college transcript regardless). Anyway, I'm having trouble deciding how to weight grades.

 

For example, when I was in school, I remember being told that homework counts for x%, tests x%, labs (for science) x%, etc. It seems like some assignments, like math homework, points were issued for completing it. How do you ladies do this? TIA!

 

There is no standard way. Each teacher decides for him or herself. So do what you think is right.

[Janet in WA]

First, decide on your proportions. Simplified example: Tests count 50%; homework counts 10%; participation counts 40%. That's a 5:1:4 proportion. Just multiply the student's cumulative grade in each category by its corresponding # in the proportion. Add up the resulting #'s and divide by 10. Example:

 

Tests= 93% (multiply by 5 = 465)

Homework=95% (x1 = 95)

Participation= 85% (x4 = 340)

 

465 + 95 + 340 = 900. 900/10 = 90. Grade = 90%

 

ETA: Maybe you aren't asking literally how (as in the math) to weight grades, but rather how to assign the weight itself. Up to you -- there's no one correct method.

Edited August 6, 2009 by Janet in WA

[kiana]

If you want him to get used to the ps system, you might consider seeing if you can find their syllabi online (some do) and reading a few to get a general idea as to how much they weight things.

[HollyinNNV]

I looked at a ton of biology syllabi last summer. I found trends for that particular class. Most classes I looked at counted tests/quizzes as 50% or more of the grade (usually 50-75%). Labs were 15-25%. Homework was usually 10-25%. Homework seemed to usually be weighted lowest.

 

I would suspect that each discipline would be somewhat different.

Holly

[Staci in MO]

I actually know how to calculate the grades quite well. I spent an inordinate amount of time in college calculating what I needed to get on each test in order to pull a certain letter grade in each course. LOL.

 

I realize it's up to the teacher, but I wanted more of an idea of how most people do it. I'm just having a hard time coming up with the numbers. I would like to see how others have done it, so I don't feel so much like I'm pulling proportions out of the air.

 

I did get a few ideas from our ps teacher's websites. The Jr. High algebra teacher gives 4 points for daily homework if each problem is attempted. The science teacher starts every student out with 100 participation points, and points are deducted for every infraction. He also has a paragraph about not touching stuff on his desk. He sounds like a treat. :D .