mandated grading policies
I will be entering my seventh year of teaching in the fall. I teach high school social studies- a course that students must pass in order to graduate and must pass its state exam in order to receive credit for the course. It's a beast of a class. Period. For most of the time I have been teaching I have been using a total points system because I feel like it helps more students be successful.
Cut to a week ago.
For next school year, our district is moving to a mandatory grading system for next year. It applies to all non-AP high school courses.
Tests and Projects- 70%
Classwork and Quizzes- 20%
Homework- 10%
I am trying my hardest to be positive about this, but am finding it hard to do. I can understand that their intent is to make sure no one fails because they do not do homework. However, to mandate that tests, projects, and other similar assessments count for 70% each grading period, I think, is setting many students up for failure. My state EOC is already 1/4 of their grade for the entire class. For my students who test poorly this will almost certainly cause them to fail.
So, do any of you fellow teachers out there teach in a district that uses a similar mandated grading policy, and how did you make it work for you if you were not pleased with it?
edited for clarity
Cut to a week ago.
For next school year, our district is moving to a mandatory grading system for next year. It applies to all non-AP high school courses.
Tests and Projects- 70%
Classwork and Quizzes- 20%
Homework- 10%
I am trying my hardest to be positive about this, but am finding it hard to do. I can understand that their intent is to make sure no one fails because they do not do homework. However, to mandate that tests, projects, and other similar assessments count for 70% each grading period, I think, is setting many students up for failure. My state EOC is already 1/4 of their grade for the entire class. For my students who test poorly this will almost certainly cause them to fail.
So, do any of you fellow teachers out there teach in a district that uses a similar mandated grading policy, and how did you make it work for you if you were not pleased with it?
edited for clarity