{"id":601,"date":"2011-09-02T09:23:46","date_gmt":"2011-09-02T13:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aplusphysics.com\/wordpress\/regents\/sbg\/skills-based-grading-and-tower-of-power\/"},"modified":"2011-09-02T09:23:46","modified_gmt":"2011-09-02T13:23:46","slug":"skills-based-grading-and-tower-of-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aplusphysics.com\/wordpress\/regents\/sbg\/skills-based-grading-and-tower-of-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Skills Based Grading and Tower of Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

Agenda:
   Textbooks
   Math Assessment & SBG
   Tower of Power
   APlusPhysics Review <\/p>\n

Homework:
   1) Return Expectation Sheets by 9\/7
   2) APlusPhysics.com
      A) Watch "What is Physics" by 9\/6
      B) Introductory Forum Post\/Response by 9\/9<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Intro to Skills-Based Grading<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Welcome to a new way of looking at the classroom \u2013 and a new way to learn. We\u2019re going to be doing some things differently in our physics classroom this year. What sorts of things? Everything! Your grade, your homework, your way of learning \u2013 you are finally in the driver\u2019s seat!<\/p>\n

\"grades_md_clr\"<\/a> During this year, you will be learning information related to many topics in physics. In this course, a non-traditional criterion-based assessment system is used. Rather than using a standard point system to record scores on various assignments, quizzes and tests, you must demonstrate your level of proficiency on various learning goals. For example, instead of getting one grade for a worksheet that may cover many topics, you will be scored on individual learning goals such as, \u201cI can interpret\/draw d-t graphs for objects moving at constant velocity.\u201d These learning goals and achievement levels for each will be provided to you.<\/p>\n

Grades will be assigned based on descriptors of achievement only. Grades will not be affected by issues such as effort, attitude, participation, and attendance. Those factors will be reported separately.<\/p>\n

New information showing additional learning will replace old information. Grades will reflect the trend in most recent learning, which means that you will have multiple opportunities*<\/sup> to improve your grade. Maybe you forgot about a test, or were having a bad day. In this class you have the ability to go back and relearn the things you didn\u2019t know, and improve your skill level on topics in need of improvement. This also means, however, that cramming information into short-term memory will not benefit you in the long run, as skill grades can also decline if mastery is not maintained. I don\u2019t want grades to be a stick, and I don\u2019t want you to be scared of them. I want grades to be a carrot, a motivator, and I want them to mean something. I want them to be a communication device that tells us both where you\u2019re strong, and where you need to focus your efforts.<\/p>\n

The key to success in this course is consistency in study habits both inside and outside the classroom. To assist in this manner, in many portions of the course, homework will focus on mini-lessons to learn new material, while class time will focus on hands-on activities and problem solving (a \u201cflipped\u201d model compared to most classrooms where materials introduced in the class, and practice occurs at home).<\/p>\n

You may re-attempt assessments provided that you have documented an effort to engage in additional learning (e.g., tutoring, additional practice, test corrections, etc.)  In addition, an alternative assessment may be accepted if the work is pre-contracted between you (the student) and me (the teacher). Deadline for reassessments within a quarter will be one week prior to closing of quarter grades.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For each skill and learning goal in each unit of study, you will be scored using the following scale out of 10 possible points:<\/p>\n

10 = Mastery<\/strong>. Indicators include:<\/p>\n