Classroom Performance

During class time, students must demonstrate satisfactory involvement with class activities. The conversations about reading and writing that occur in class cannot be reproduced through a classmate’s notes or a teacher’s patient and tolerant recollections of “what happened yesterday.” The interaction of a group at work cannot, obviously, be recreated. Therefore, each student is expected to be present in class and to participate actively in the learning. Participation means that the student will be engaged with the material, speak thoughtfully when appropriate, listen to classmates and the teacher, and be productive in all activities, including groupwork. Class participation will be a significant factor in the marking period grade. When a student’s actions detract from the learning situation, that student’s grade will reflect the negative impact of his or her behavior on the learning of other students in the class.

Class Attendance and Makeup Work

Following an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to ask for and secure any makeup work. A student must make up missed work either after school or during an open period, at a time convenient for the teacher. Work missed due to an excused absence must be made up within two school days. Work missed due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up.

Preparation of Assignments

Longhand papers (in blue or black ink) are acceptable for in-class assignments, but typing or word-processing is required for out-of-class pieces. Students should turn in prewriting and drafts with their finished pieces when directed to do so by their teacher.  Written work must reflect adequate time and care on the part of the student. It is the student’s responsibility to prepare written work that demonstrates facility with and accuracy of language. The Writing Center, the Academic Lab, and Student Writing Tools are valuable resources to assist students.  Essays, papers, and projects are due at the time indicated by the teacher. Such assignments turned in after the designated time are considered late, and therefore subject to a late penalty of one letter grade per day. This type of work must be submitted within five days to be eligible for credit. A student who misses class due to an unexcused absence on the day an essay, paper, or project is due may not submit that work for credit.

Cumulative Writing Folders

Students are required to maintain cumulative writing folders housed in the Writing Center. Each semester from the freshmen to the junior year, students are responsible for filing their written work from all classes in their cumulative writing folders. In their English classes, students will maintain folders of their written work until the end of the semester, when the work will be transferred to their cumulative writing folders.

Homework

Work outside class is expected, and students will be held accountable for this work daily. Often, homework involves long-term writing and reading assignments. Students are required to use the Media Center and/or the Writing Center to complete certain core requirements. A student will be held responsible for this work even if he or she is not allowed to use the Media Center or Writing Center because of some infringement of its policies.

Grading

The English Department believes that students should be graded against standards established for each course. We believe, regardless of the specific course, that an “A” signifies excellent and exemplary work demonstrating much more than just proficiency. A “B” signifies commendable accomplishment, work that, while not exemplary, demonstrates substantial merit that is usually the result of quality effort. A “C” indicates that a student’s work meets performance standards with proficiency, but without the characteristics evidenced by “A” or “B” work. A “D” indicates that work or effort is rudimentary, falling short of the performance standards established for the course. We expect students who earn a “D” to improve through greater commitment to academic achievement and attention to the teacher’s directions. A student who demonstrates little or no evidence of work or effort fails.  The department feels that it is important to make students recognize that there are standards they must meet. Each student bears ultimate responsibility for meeting course standards.

Plagiarism and Cheating

Plagiarism and/or cheating on any assignment is automatically assigned a failing grade of “0.” In addition, the matter will be brought to the attention of appropriate school authorities, as discussed in the Student Handbook. A student who willfully supplies material to another student for copying will be subject to the same penalties.  As defined in Student Writing Tools, plagiarism is “to present someone else’s language, ideas, or creations as your  own .... This is a serious offense, much like stealing someone else’s brilliant new invention or shiny new car.” Students should refer to Student Writing Tools for detailed information on how to avoid plagiarism.

Summer Reading

English students are expected to complete a summer reading program each year. Their reading is assessed through their English classes upon their return to school. The grade a student receives on the assessment will be factored into his or her first quarter grade for English.

Public Speaking Program

Students are required to participate in the classroom levels of the school-wide public speaking program and competitions.

Sequence of Courses

Each course lays the groundwork for successive courses. Students must pass each English course or its summer school equivalent to move to the next level in the sequence.  A student is only eligible for summer school if he or she receives a grade between 55-59% in the regular course.

Course Placement

Students select their English courses based on consultations with their English teachers, who consider carefully students’ needs, interests, and abilities. Students must be recommended by the English Department for enrollment in Advanced Placement courses. Students eligible for Advanced Placement must also meet the standards of the Qualifying Test and complete a special summer reading requirement.