Progress Book

CALCULATING GRADES:

Progress Book calculates grades based on the criteria set forth by individual teachers. Some grades will be weighted more than others, some grades might be worth only a small percentage of the final average. Weighting is determined by the teacher.

GRADING CRITERIA:

In Band and Orchestra, grades are calculated as follows:

Ensemble Attendance/Preparation = weight 1

Lesson Attendance/Preparation = weight 1

Written Assessments = weight 1

Performance Assessments = weight 2

Concerts = weight 2

After School Rehearsal = weight 2

Overall Participation = weight .5

This system offers students a great deal of opportunities to achieve an "A."

FINAL AVERAGE:

The final average changes almost daily as grades are entered and weighting is inputted. Checking grades every day can leave you with a false sense of security, or a feeling of despair, depending on what your average is. Since this is the case, checking periodically can let you know where you stand or what needs to be done to improve your status. But checking too often can lead to unnecessary stress. So be wise when choosing to check. And always check with an open mind. If you are unsure of something, never hesitate to ask. Mistakes are sometimes made and can be easily corrected once found.

At the end of the marking period, teachers are given a few extra days to complete entering grades, catch up with missing assignments, and be sure grades are accurate. Because of this, grades shown on the day the marking period ends may not necessarily be the same as the day they are DUE. The report card is your absolute FINAL indicator each marking period.

PROGRESS BOOK TERMINOLOGY:

Some simple terms that will be used on Progress Book are as follows:

EXCLUDED - This is used to note that a child was excused from a particular class or assessment and the reason for this will be noted in the comment section. It is usually because a child is absent.

The grade for that particular assignment WILL NOT be calculated into the final average. It is as if the assignment never existed. But it keeps the information available for students and parents.

MISSING - This is used to indicate that an assignment is missing and needs to be made up. If it is not made up, the grade will convert to a zero. It is important to rectify this as soon as possible. See Mrs. Mark with questions. I will usually note why the assignment was missing in the comment section. Also, the "missing" grade is still calculated into the final average as a zero until it is made up. This will indicate a lower average than will actually be achieved once the assignment is completed.

GRADING EXPECTATIONS:

Instrumental music grades are given weekly. I do my best to input them as soon as possible so parents and students can gauge their progress. This also allows parents to know whether or not your child attended as scheduled.

As long as students are at their lessons and rehearsals when scheduled, they will receive a 100 for that class. If a student attends the meeting but has no instrument, they still receive a 50. Students who are present in school but who do not attend or who do not make arrangements to make up the lesson will receive a zero. Absences from lessons/rehearsals are only excused if students are not in school or if they made every attempt to reschedule and I was not able to accommodate them. Student must notify me BEFORE there is a test or other conflict, not after the fact. It is hard to schedule a make-up lesson if I find out at the end of the day. There is flexibility built into my schedule to accommodate students as best as possible.

Performance assessments and concerts are double-weighted since they are the apex of being involved in the music program. Students will be given ample warning of an upcoming assessment - no less than 4 weeks - and we will prepare for the assessment/concert in each lesson each week. Also, assessments will be noted on the HOMEWORK section of Progress Book, as well as on the music website. There should never be a reason for not knowing about an impending assessment.

After school rehearsals are REQUIRED. Students are given an extra credit grade for the time they spend after school each month. Excused absences are for school-related games or meets only. Sports practices are not excused. If a student does not attend, it will be noted with an "excluded," and "did not attend" will be marked in the comment section. This means the student will not receive the extra credit for the missed rehearsal. Extra credit goes a long way towards improving the final average, especially if a student misses a lesson or two.