I grade based on proficiency. Proficiency means either you know and have mastered the concepts taught in class or you haven't. I do not give points for participating in class. Why should I give you points for something you should do anyways? I do not give points for homework. Why should I give you points for something you should do at home? Your grade in this class is based on how you do in two different areas, quizzes and tests. Quizzes count for 10% of your grade. Tests count for 90% of your grade. Tests can be retaken at any time to improve your grade from as low as an F to an A-. When you retake a test I record the higher grade
Grading is based on a yearly scale. This means at the end of the quarter you do not start over. I do this because math (unlike other subjects taught in middle school) is sequential in nature. If you cannot do arithmetic, you cannot do math.
I may not grade homework but I care about it. I check to see if students have any questions about the homework every night. If they do I respond to their questions if no other students have responded. The next day I check to see that students have completed the homework. Those who have not completed the homework are recorded in School Loop.
At times I work with students who are working very hard and they still are not proficient. Many times their grade will show they have an F (or the grade I prefer which is "not yet"). When it is time to report final grades at the end of the quarter I change the grade to a C - Any students that have the F (not yet) grade know in advance that I will change their grade. The reason I change the grade for students in this type of situation is because they have "ganas/desire" and I want to do everything I can to keep their spirit alive and growing.