Grading System

Students enrolled in Agricultural Science and Technology (AST) classes will have a clear understanding of my expectations and their responsibilities. I will spend time in the beginning of each course explaining and handing out the course syllabus. Students will sign and take home the course syllabus for a parent/guardian signature to ensure complete understanding of course objectives, expectations, and grading methods. My grading policy will be explained verbally as well on a course syllabus, and presented at the beginning of each course.

Agricultural education combines three components: classroom and laboratory instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and FFA. To offer students the best education, all three components must be integrated into the grading system. Students will be required to have a SAE program; documented through record-books. The record-books will be used as the assessment method for the SAE to ensure fair grading across all levels and complexities of programs. To encourage active involvement in FFA, students will be offered extra credit points for participation in Career Development Events, chapter meetings, and community service projects.

I will implement a grading system of percentage points for each class. The standard provided in course syllabi will be used to measure how well a student performs in the class. I will create a grading system that students and parents/guardians can easily follow. To reward students accurately I will use the following plus/minus grading system:

97-100%- A+ 93-96%- A 90-92%- A-

87-89%- B+ 83-86%- B 80-82%- B-

77-79%- C+ 73-76%- C 70-72%- C-

67-69%- D+ 63-66%- D 60-62%- D-

59 and below- F

Clear expectations will be provided at the beginning of each course, placing success in student hands. Instructional materials will be provided in a variety of methods to meet the different learning styles within the class, and every effort will be made to recognize and assist students understanding assignments and projects. I will strive to motivate students to achieve beyond their own expectations, but ultimately success is dependent on student participation, classroom assignments, and laboratory activities.

The use of a variety of assessment methods will create the ability for all students to reach and exceed their potential. To offer fair assessment to all types of learning styles, I will assess student performance in several formats, including written and verbal tests, papers, notebook evaluations, individual and group projects, homework exercises, authentic assessments, presentations, and other assessment techniques. Written and verbal assessments will be derived directly from course objectives; posted in the classroom at the beginning of each class day.

Agricultural education provides a unique opportunity to authentically assess students. I will utilize grading rubrics to grade activities which require a multitude of skills and assignments such as, shop activities, greenhouse tasks, group and individual projects, participation, and notebooks. In order to keep students organized and goal-oriented I will require students to bring notebooks to class everyday, record the day’s objectives, and evaluate what was accomplished before class is over.

Assignments will receive due dates, and tardy papers will receive proper penalization. I will continually review and adjust my assessment methods to ensure students are receiving fair and accurate grades. My grading system allows all students who are motivated and participative in class to receive a passing grade. Course syllabi allow students to understand at the beginning of each term how they can achieve the highest grade.