Standards and Grading

Freshman English focuses on essential standards from the Common Core State Standards. 

The essential standards were chosen because they align with the Top 10 skills of 2025.  Lessons and projects for the course are designed give students knowledge and practice in skills that will be necessary for success in the 21st century global world.

In addition, classwork is designed to teach and reinforce academic behaviors that are needed for life-long learning and critical thinking.  Those behaviors are:

1. Metacognition,

2. Self-concept,

3. Self-monitoring,

4. Strategy,

5. Motivation,

6. Volition, and

7. Collaboration.

Research has shown that students who possess the following specific academic skills and behaviors will find greater success than those who do not:

1. Taking and actively using Cornell notes

2. Conducting internet research and citing sources

3. Memorization and using note cards

4. Tracking assignments and using calendars

5. Organizing work in a notebook

6. Goal setting

How are Grades Determined in Freshman English?

Grades in all BHS English classes are based on measures of proficiency toward the essential standards.  NOT ALL WORK IS ASSIGNED A GRADE OR RECORDED IN SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS.  Students will frequently complete tasks that are used as checks for understanding or quick formative assessment.  

When work is being formally graded for inclusion on report cards, students will receive assignment descriptions and scoring guides identifying expectations and standards of assessment. Students will have frequent choice of how they demonstrate proficiency and growth.  

Proficiency of standards (student's work) are scored on a 0 to 4 standards-based scale (left) based on the demonstrated level of proficiency.  

Not all standards carry equal weight - standards aligned with 21st century skills are worth more in the overall grade.

Semester 1 Standards are weighted as follows:

• Writing - 50%

• Reading - 50%