GRADING STANDARDS

FOR EVALUATING WRITTEN WORK

C work is satisfactory because it indicates a level of understanding that is sufficient for further study of the material. Explanations are coherent and plausible, but lack precision and detail.

B work is good because it demonstrates solid mastery of the material. The presentation is clear, focused, and analytical.

A work is excellent because it shows insight and mathematical sophistication. Arguments employ abstract thinking and generalization. The student is making connections and tying ideas together.

D work is unsatisfactory because it fails to meet the basic objectives of the assignment. The poor quality of the work suggests gaps or confusion in fundamental areas. The student should seek help and resubmit the work.

F work is unacceptable because it show a lack of effort. Resubmission is not an option.

You can use these standards to evaluate your own work, even before you turn it in to me. In fact, each time you turn in a portfolio draft, I would like you to indicate which grade you think the work deserves. Put that grade, along with any supporting comments, on a separate sheet attached to the draft.

These standards will be applied to honors level work as well as to the work of students who do not elect to work at the honors level. That is, there are high standards for all students. Notice that it is indeed a challenge to get an A under these standards. I hope that some of you will relish that challenge. I also hope that you recognize that to get a B is also a significant accomplishment. I want these grades to mean something.

To work at the honors level, you must make a commitment to intellectual independence. You will not simply be explaining what you learned in class; you will find a way to extend that exploration. Perhaps you will relax one of the assumptions we made in class, and see how everything changes when that assumption is gone. For example, we looked at modular arithmetic using positive whole numbers. Some of you have already wondered if the system can be expanded to include negative integers or fractions. Good questions! That's the type of thinking you will be doing if you choose to work at the honors level.

You will find suggestions for honors portfolio topics on some of our worksheets (marked "PHPT"). Sometimes I will respond to something you include in a write-up or bring up during class and I will suggest that you could pursue it further as portfolio work. Also, suggestions for topics will be listed on this web site. All topics for honors papers must be cleared with me first to determine if they are appropriate. If you decide to try the honors level, but you aren't sure about a topic for a portfolio piece, simply make an appointment to see me after school. If you are interested in what you are doing, it should be easy to help you find a good topic for your paper.

By the way, don't worry if you attempt an experiment and it fails. That is still valid work and it can make a good paper. It's helpful for others to know what you tried and why it failed. This is all part of being willing to take a risk, and that is what I want to encourage you to do. I love it when students think of something that I never even considered, and many of you have already done that. Keep up the good work!

Send email to Ms. Koch