Castle Chemistry Grading Policy
Homework:
Homework is a tool to help students to prepare for tests over the material covered in a particular unit. We do not place grade emphasis on questions or problems dealing with new material. The goal is for students to understand chemical theories and develop problem solving skills. Tests and quizzes are used to evaluate this understanding.
Testing:
The goal of the chemistry department is to have six test grades each grading period. Each student's test is individually scored and transferred to a data sheet containing the scores of all first year chemistry students taking the test over that particular unit. The grading scale is then established and letter grades and point values are assigned as follows: A+ = 14, A = 13, A- = 12, B+ = 11, B = 10, B- = 9, C+ = 8, C = 7, C- =6, D+ = 5, D = 4, D- = 3, F+ = 2, F = 1, F- = 0. The tests are not necessarily chapter tests. Often a unit may require more than one exam. Occasionally several quizzes will combine to make up a test grade.
Nine Weeks and Semester Grades:
The student's points for each test are entered into the gradebook and at the end of the nine week period the points are totaled and averaged. Each nine week grade is a measure of the student's performance during that grading period.
Example:
Test grades/points: B+/11, C+/8, A-/12, B/10, A+/14, B-/9
Total Points divided by six: 64/6
Average: 10.67
Nine Weeks Grade: B+
There will be a comprehensive test at the end of each semester, which count as three test grades. The points earned during each nine week period along with points earned on the final exam are averaged and a semester grade is established. Averages for the nine weeks and the semester will be rounded up from 0.5.
Example:
If the total points for semester were 174 and there were 15 tests, the average would be 11.6, which then rounds to a 12. The grade for the semester would be an A-.
By using the point system, the chemistry department feels that the student receives a more true evaluation of his/her performance.