Because our course is rooted in growth and active learning our grading policies are a little different than you might be used to. Make sure to thoroughly review our grading materials, so you are fully prepared to engage meaningfully in our course and meet your personal course and grade goals.
Make sure to carefully watch the grading overview video, as this should help address and clarify some of your initial questions. There will also be an additional workshop video during the first week of our course. I know it's a little long but crucial to your understanding.
A New Way to Think About Grading
Introduction to Grade Goals
Moving away from a traditional points system, this course allows students to revise their work to the highest quality. Instead of formal points, your grade will be based on the number of assignments completed and the level of your revised essays at the end of the semester. You will be working toward completing your best work possible. You will have the opportunity to receive feedback and rework your assignments to grow as a writer. There are no limits on how many times you can revise a piece of writing before the end of the semester. Our grade goal chart clearly outlines the assignments you must complete and the required level of quality for an A, B, or C final grade.
Rationale for Grade Goals
In the first week of class, we will be reading about growth-mindset, which establishes that learning and knowledge are based on growth rather than fixed intelligence. Additionally, we will be considering the importance of active learning because you are an active participant in your own learning. This grading system focuses on students' ability to grow as writers and thinkers because students have the opportunity to rework their assignments as many times as needed to improve their skills, engaging in active learning.
Additionally, as students, you commonly need to prioritize multiple obligations. Because different grade goals require different numbers of assignments and effort, students can clearly identify what goal is reasonable given their multiple responsibilities.
Grade Goal Expectations:
All grade goals must successfully complete ALL essay assignments to the standard indicated in each goal (this is a writing course).
To obtain each grade goal you must also meet ALL of the minimum requirements for ALL activities listed for the goal.
There are a certain number of activities that you must complete for each goal, and each assignment is contributing to your success and grade even though they are listed as 0pts.
Students are expected to turn in their best work (this is how you improve).
This class is still rigorous no matter what goal you are shooting for. The assignments are designed to challenge you. This is how you will improve as a writer, critical thinker, and student.
Revision is a privilege, not a punishment
YOU ALL ARE ABSOLUTELY CAPABLE OF TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE!
Understanding Your Grade Goal Requirements
Below is a chart that outlines all of the minimum requirements to earn an A, B, or C. Note that if you do not meet the minimum requirements for a C, you will not pass the course. These goals reflect the engagement necessary to demonstrate your comfort with the critical thinking and writing skills outlined in the Course Learning Outcomes.
Do not be intimidated by the number of assignments. Some assignments are shorter than others and many provide you with opportunities to work with and support your peers. Also, remember that we are completing this over 18 weeks. Because you are completing these assignments independently make sure you are giving yourself plenty of time to think ahead.
Understanding Paper Assessments
Paper Assessments: After submitting your major writing assignments, you will receive one of 4 assessments to indicate your paper's current standard. Refer to our grade goal chart above that indicates the minimum assessments for each grade goal. Remember that you will always have the opportunity to revise a paper prior to the end of the semester! Below is a breakdown of these assessments
STARTING: A starting indicates that you made an attempt at the paper, but did not complete the basic requirements (pages etc..), completed an incorrect task, misunderstood the assignment, or did not use the essential skills for the assignment.
EMERGING: An emerging indicates that you understood the task and were beginning to implement the essential skills. However, you were struggling in particular places and/or did not have an adequate grasp of the skills. This is just below but working toward passing work.
CAPABLE: A capable indicates that you had a clear understanding of the task and were implementing most of the essential skills adequately. However, there are still some important struggles and/or awkward implementations of the skills. Skills and/or ideas may not quite be fully developed. This is passing work.
OUTSTANDING: An Outstanding indicates that you had a clear understanding of the task. The essential skills were confidently implemented throughout the assignment, and you started to build further and more creatively on these skills. While there are still a few struggles, they are minor and there are places where the author goes above and beyond. Ideas are fully developed. This is above passing work.
Assignment Types
Below are some brief descriptions of the types of activities and assignments that we will be engaging in during the class.
Homework Activities: These are activities that you will complete outside of our class time in order to prepare for our live sessions. Your preparation in these activities is essential for successful live sessions and your growth in the course. These include reading, drafting, and discussion activities, which are all essential for your success on the major assignments.
Class Activities: This is where we will cover any major concepts, discussions, and questions during the course. Our live sessions, will most often be a combination of video conferencing and supported collaborative live activities in Canvas or other applications. These will be collaborative and interactive group and individual activities that will be completed during our regular live zoom sessions. You are expected to be fully present and engaged with your peers. These activities support the concepts and tools that we will be developing throughout the semester. You must engage in all of the days activities to receive a complete on the class activity assignment for the day.
Major Required Assignments: This includes your personal goal statement, literary blog project, and final portfolio. Each of these is required for all grade goals and must be completed according to the grade goals in order to pass.
Major Writing Assignments: You have 3 major writing assignments that will help you work through the essential skills for the course, and you will receive an assessment with comments for each assignment. You have the opportunity to revise your assignments as many times as you need to reach your grade goal.
Paper Assessments: After submitting your major writing assignments, you will receive one of 4 assessments to indicate your paper's current standard. Refer to our grade goal chart above that indicates the minimum assessments for each grade goal. Remember that you will always have the opportunity to revise a paper! Below is a breakdown of these assessments
STARTING: A starting indicates that you made an attempt at the paper, but did not complete the basic requirements (pages etc..), completed an incorrect task, misunderstood the assignment, or did not use the essential skills for the assignment.
EMERGING: An emerging indicates that you understood the task and were beginning to implement the essential skills. However, you were struggling in particular places and/or did not have an adequate grasp of the skills. This is just below but working toward passing work.
CAPABLE: A capable indicates that you had a clear understanding of the task and were implementing most of the essential skills adequately. However, there are still some important struggles and/or awkward implementations of the skills. Skills and/or ideas may not quite fully developed. This is passing work.
OUTSTANDING: An Outstanding indicates that you had a clear understanding of the task. The essential skills were confidently implemented throughout the assignment, and you started to build further and more creatively on these skills. While there are still a few struggles, they are minor and there are places where the author goes above and beyond. Ideas are fully developed. This is above passing work.