Grading Policy

Two major goals of this course are to prepare you for success in the AP Biology exam and future work in science practice and/or inquiry. Consequently, assessments and labwork are awarded a significant portion of your overall grade. 

Assessments (approx 65%): Quizzes and unit tests summarize student understanding of multiple skills, often requiring higher level problem solving skills, multiple steps in finding a solution, and clear communication of reasoning or student understanding. Whenever possible, assessments will utilize released AP exam items from the College Board.

Classwork and Assignments (approx 20%): This class consists of daily assignments, projects, and work completed outside of class. If you are absent, please review our agenda found in Google Classroom to see what you missed and email or check in with me at the beginning or end of class on the day you return to school. Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 10% each day it is late for up to 5 days past its due date. After this, you may earn up to 50% of the points available. Late work will not be accepted after a marking period has ended.

Labs (approx 15%): You will be able to apply AP Bio science practices and Big Ideas throughout your laboratory work. Graded work includes pre-lab preparation, work completed in your lab notebook, and lab reports completed throughout this course.

If you are absent the day of a lab, you will have the opportunity to make-up the lab activity, if possible. Note that a lab setup will be available for a period of 1 week after the original lab activity. After this period, the lab can no longer be made-up.

All students in New York State are required to show understanding of state learning standards as assessed by the Regents exam in June. Consequently, success in this course should mirror success on this exam. Your grade will be based upon total points earned and include assessments and projects, lab activities, and classwork and assignments.

Assessments (approx 50%): Quizzes and tests summarize student understanding of multiple skills, often requiring higher level problem solving skills, multiple steps in finding a solution, and clear communication of reasoning or student understanding

Lab activities (approx 25%): A minimum of 1,200 minutes of hands-on lab work accompanied by lab reports is necessary to sit for the Regents Living Environment test in June. Lab reports must be complete and have a passing grade to be counted towards these minutes. If you are absent on the day of a lab, you will have the opportunity to make-up the lab activity but note that you must schedule and complete the lab by the end of the marking period to earn credit.

Classwork and assignments (approx 25%): This class consists of daily assignments, projects, and work that may need to be completed outside of class; you need to be present in class to do well on these. If you are absent, please see me at the beginning or end of class on the day you return to school for assignments or make-up work.

Late work will be accepted with a penalty of 10% each day it is late for up to 5 days past its due date. After this, you may earn up to 50% of the points available. Late work will not be accepted after a marking period has ended.