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Science PreAP Class Guidelines
Dear Parents and Students,
PreAPscience classes are more demanding than regular science classes, and students are expected to devote more time and energy than they would in regular science classes.
In order to enroll in the course, students and their parents(s) must sign this contract, agreeing to the workload and to the commitment to stay in the class for the entire year. Please read the following carefully and discuss it with your family.
1. HOMEWORK
The daily average for homework may be up to 30 to 45 minutes per night. Homework may be given on weekends and holidays.
2. PROJECTS
Project assignments in PreAP classes will be graded using a higher standard of expectations than regular classes. Project based assignments may be used for test scores (at the teacher’s discretion) and can greatly effect a student’s overall average. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in assignments in a timely fashion and late work may not be accepted. If the student chooses not to turn in the completed assignment, they will receive a grade of zero. Any zero in the book for a major grade (test grade) is grounds for removal from the PreAP section of the course.
3. COURSE RIGOR
The material covered in PreAP classes is greater than the amount covered in regular classes; therefore, the classes proceed at a faster pace. Concepts are covered in greater detail, and with a greater emphasis on critical thinking and more individual rather than group learning compared to regular classes.
4. CHANGING INTO REGULAR SCIENCE
Students are expected to commit to a full year of PreAp when they enroll in the course. A try-out period is not offered.
The teacher may recommend that a student be re-scheduled into Regular Science if that student is encountering difficulty with the workload or with the higher-level thinking skills required in the course.The expectation is that the student will maintain 80% or above at each 6 weeks grading period. The parent will be notified of the student’s progress and the expectation for them to be transferred into a regular section course if they are unable to maintain this average.
5. PARENT/TEACHER/STUDENT RELATIONSHIP
Students are expected to solve their problems directly with the teacher. Parents are not expected to be responsible in any way for the students’ assignments. Of course, parent-teacher conferences are welcomed if the difficulties cannot be worked out between teacher and student. However, this course offers a good opportunity for students to experience academic independence and responsibility before college.
6. GRADING
Fewer grades are given in PreAP classes than in regular classes – 3 to 6 major grades per six weeks. If daily grades are given, they will count 30% and major grades will count 70%.
If you are scheduled to take an PreAPScience class for the school year 2015-2016, please sign the contract attached and return it to your teacher by Friday, August 28, 2015. Failure to return the form signed by the student and guardian is grounds for removal from the PreAP course.
7. LATE WORK/WORK POLICY
NO late work is accepted (as defined in the classroom rules/procedures packet).
1.Graded assignments cannot be passed back to the class until all students have turned in their work.
2.If an assignment due date has been given ahead of time and a student is absent for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to submit the assignment (have a parent deliver the assignment to campus, email) by 4:00 p.m. on the due date.
3.If an assignment due date has been given ahead of time and a student is aware that s/he will be absent on that date, the assignment should be turned in ahead of time.
4.For each day a student is absent, s/he will have the same number of days to make-up any assignments given during that time.
5.If a student knows ahead of time that he/she will be absent (school related or personal), s/he should ask ahead of time for that day’s assignment. If a student fails to do this, s/he may not be allowed to make up the assignment.
6.If a student has an unexcused absence, a zero will be given for any grades that were given that day.
7.If a student is absent for more than one day, please call the counselor’s office and/or email the teacher to obtain assignments/homework.
SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE ONLY!!! (You have a copy of this in your packet)
LATE WORK/WORK POLICY - please initial each space
______1.NO late work is accepted (as defined in the classroom rules/procedures packet).
______2.Graded assignments cannot be passed back to the class until all students have turned in their work.
______3.If an assignment due date has been given ahead of time and a student is absent for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to submit the assignment (have a parent deliver the assignment to campus, email) by 4:00 p.m. on the due date.
______4.If an assignment due date has been given ahead of time and a student is aware that s/he will be absent on that date, the assignment should be turned in ahead of time.
______5.For each day a student is absent, s/he will have the same number of days to make-up any assignments given during that time.
______6.If a student knows ahead of time that he/she will be absent (school related or personal), s/he should ask ahead of time for that day’s assignment. If a student fails to do this, s/he may not be allowed to make up the assignment.
______7.If a student has an unexcused absence, a zero will be given for any grades that were given that day.
______8.If a student is absent for more than one day, please call the counselor’s office and/or email the teacher to obtain assignments/homework.
PreAPSCIENCE CLASS CONTRACT
Initial above and sign below then return this page to your teacher by Friday, August 28,2015
I would like to enroll in Honors Science. My family and I have read the information described on the pages of this contract and agree to the requirements of the class. I understand the workload and commit to a full year.
Student Name (Printed): ______
Student Signature: ______
Parent Signature: ______
Date: ______