grading and policies
Grading Policy
In order to maximize student performance in a second language, I have implemented a program of testing in which the student is to demonstrate the proficiency standards in order to be awarded credit for the course. These standards are aligned with national (ACTFL) and state (ODE) standards.
The semester grade is categorized as follows:
Speaking Assessment - 30% of grade Students will be given an Oral Achievement Test (OAT) 2-3 times during each term. These will assess the students’ ability to understand and respond effectively and appropriately in real-life situations reflecting communication in which students engage in direct oral communication with others. These are “two-way” communication activities, preparation will include tasks such as conversing face-to-face, describing picture situations, giving personal opinions, and asking and answering questions. OATs are re-doable until proficiency level is met.
Written Assessment - 30% of grade Students will be given a Written Achievement Test (WAT) several times during each term. These will assess the students’ ability to present information, concepts and ideas to an audience of readers. Examples of this “one-to-many” mode of communication include posting to a blog, writing a short article for a newspaper, or writing letters to specified people/groups. WATs are re-doable until proficiency level is met.
Homework - 10% of grade Students are expected to complete homework and classwork on time, and be ready to correct assignments with the class as a whole. Late homework assignments will only be accepted in the case of an excused absence. Homework will be gone over in class the next day and is a good way for both Mrs. Virlouvet and the student to gauge the student’s level of comprehension. Furthermore, if a student wishes to retake a proficiency exam (OAT /WAT) they must have completed a certain percentage of their homework among other requirements (see section on retakes).
Shorter Formative Assessments - 15% of grade
Vocabulary, grammar, and listening comprehension quizzes. Sometimes this will be a group project. Anything that doesn’t fall neatly into the other weighted categories counts as a short formative assessment. Nothing in this category is re-doable.
Semester/Final Exam – 15 % of grade
Absences and Interventions:
In the case of absence, it is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed, and make up any required tasks or assignments (check the blog). Students with an excused absence have two days to turn in homework for credit. If a student misses any quiz or assessment that falls into the 20% category (those that are not re-doable) the student has one week to make up this quiz before they are given a zero; if you miss a vocab quiz on a Monday you will have until the following Monday to make up that quiz. Proficiency assessments and some assignment make-ups may require meeting with Madame Virlouvet outside of class time.
Retake Policy:
- A student must have 80% of homework assignments turned in to be eligible to retake.
- All retake forms must be turned in on the first day of the week (usually a Monday). NO EXCEPTIONS.
- The retake form must be complete. Incomplete forms will be rejected. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- No single skill may be retaken within a 1-week period.
- You may be required to visit a peer tutor to be eligible to retake.
- If the grade does not improve with a retake, additional work will be required before another retake can be taken.
- Once you begin a retake and start the assessment, the assessment counts. Do not begin an assessment that you will not have time to finish.
Classroom Behavioral Expectations:
1. Come to class (and be ready and open to learning)
2. Do your work (always to the best of your ability)
3. Respect the learning environment (yourself, your peers, your teachers, the building, the community)
4. Speak in French!
Tutoring/Extra help: I will be available for students to receive tutoring, mentoring, answer questions, or discuss content or classroom management issues during Flex in room 234. There will also be French tutors available during FLEX and/or after school—stay tuned for more information. If I feel that a student is in need of extra help I may make meetings during Flex-time obligatory.
Syllabus:
syllabus_french_34.pdf |