GRADING FAQs
How is my language arts grade weighted?
Language arts grades are divided into four categories:
- Tests - 30% (weekly spelling units and bi-weekly vocabulary units)
- Classwork - 30% (all grammar assignments)
- Essays - 30% (quarterly essays, grammar chapter tests, literature tests/projects)
- Accelerated Reader - 10% (see formula below)
How do my AR points become a grade?
The Accelerated Reader grade for language arts is determined through a formula that takes into account not only points (50% based on the minimum number of points attained), but also percentage of tests passed and average scores on all tests taken (50%)
Minimum points:
Formula: AR = (pts. earned/quota) x 2 + (pct. tests passed) + (avg. scores on all tests taken)
Example: 6th grade student earns 20 points for the quarter (out of a quota of 25), passes 4 of 5 tests taken, and averages 85% on all tests.
AR = (20/25) x 2 + (4/5) + (85/100) or 80 + 80 + 80 + 85
AR = 325/4 or 81.25
Minimum points:
- Grade 6 - 25 points per quarter
- Grade 7 - 30 points per quarter
- grade 8 - 35 points per quarter
Formula: AR = (pts. earned/quota) x 2 + (pct. tests passed) + (avg. scores on all tests taken)
Example: 6th grade student earns 20 points for the quarter (out of a quota of 25), passes 4 of 5 tests taken, and averages 85% on all tests.
AR = (20/25) x 2 + (4/5) + (85/100) or 80 + 80 + 80 + 85
AR = 325/4 or 81.25
What is the difference between "test score" and "unit score" in spelling?
The test score is the raw score a student receives on our weekly spelling test. The unit score is the score that goes into the grade book for that unit. The unit score is derived from a formula that counts test score as 50% of the unit score. The other half is comprised of the book exercises (due Fridays), activity sheets (due Friday), and sentences using the words in the unit (20 words, 20 sentences).