Re: Extra Credit

["Bernard G. Cleyet & Nancy Ann Seese" <georgeann@REDSHIFT.COM>]

annecdotal -- high correlation of test grades and home work.  Earlier this year I gave ~ five tests (+ final) in the ten week course (regular HS Chem,).  Being my first experience, I was considerably
more swamped than the students, so I looked at only a small portion of the home work -- The grade was totally based on the tests, the final and the best four of five.  By the time of teh final the
classes were small enuff. so that I could catch cheating.  therefore, If teh final was better than the average of teh tests they got that as their grade. Otherwise, (if I remember correctly) the tests
were two to one.  early on I had to tell many to stop talking and looking at each other's papers.  In one case two gave the same "off the wall" answers!  If you're that "dumb" you need to cheat.  Many
wanted extra work to raise their grade -- I suggested they do extra "studying."  and stay after class and during inrichment/study hall for tutoring.

bc

"Steven D. Richardson" wrote:

> I think this is great for college and university instructors but as a high
> school instructor, I could see myself getting torn apart for the differing
> grading scale. What do other high school instructors think?
>
> The other issue is that extra credit sometimes gives me the flexibility to
> help a student out of one poor test. I KNOW I will get grief for this but if
> I can somehow let a kid feel better about the class and science because they
> EARNED a higher grade through additional work, I feel I have done a great
> service to the student. They never realize what a small increase in the
> quarter it truly is. They do, however, feel better about science. If this
> encourages them to work harder (which they do) and they continue to pursue
> science (which I hope they do) then I can pick and choose another battle. I
> would not let this be abused and let them do poorly all quarter and save
> themselves at the very end. Any thought? (Please be gentle, it is summer
> after all ;-)...)
>
> Steve
>
> Steve Richardson
> richarsd@one.net
>
> The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right
> time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.