Assessment: AP Physics

Grading: I will exercise my professional judgment based on my teaching experience as to what constitutes an A, B, C, etc., only after reviewing all student work at the end of each quarter and semester. Your Semester Grades will be determined using the Bishops School semester grading policy. Each exam will be analyzed statistically using the method of T-Scores and will attempt to replicate the environment and expectations of the AP Exam. T-Scores will be explained after the first exam when results are compiled.

Quarter Grade Contribution:

Exams*	40%
Quizzes	15%
Homework	20%
Labs	15%
Participation	10%

*40% of your grade will be composed of your 2 Exams scores, 20% for each Exam, unless you decide to "upscale".
Exam 1a and 1b combine for the Exam 1 score.

Grade cutoffs:
A- = 89.5
B- = 79.5
C- = 69.5
D- = 59.5

Exam Scores: T-Scores will be used to evaluate the individual exam performances of students in AP Physics. This gives the ability to assess students regardless of how hard or easy an exam is. Each exam is normalized (mean placed at 50, 1 standard deviation at +/-10) and weighed equally across the semester. For more about this philosophy, please visit the web site by Lawrence H. Cross (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) called Grading Students.

Exam Dates are as follows:

*Chapter assignments are a rough estimate. If we are ahead or behind for certain exams, we will make necessary adjustments.

Exam dates subject to change once official school calendar gets updated.

AP Exam: Monday May 9th Noon (Physics B & C same start time)

AP Exam, Class Final Exam:Seniors enrolled in AP Physics achieving a B- or below at the end of Quarter 3 will be required to take a in-class final exam in order to graduate. Seniors who are in good standing at the end of quarter 3 (B or better) will also be required to take the in-class final if there is a drop in performance during the 4th quarter and leading up to the day of the AP Exam. For those required to take the final, your 2nd Semester grade will be determined with these percentages: Quarter 3 (37.5%) + Quarter 4 (37.5%) + Final Exam (25%). Students are much better off being in the position, with hard work and determination, so they do not have to take the final.

Quizzes: You will be given quizzes roughly on a weekly basis. About 60% (3 out of 5) of the quizzes will be scheduled. About 20% (1 in 5) will be "pop" format. And another 1 in 5 will be "take home". The objective for weekly quizzes is to ensure that the AP Physics students stays up-to-date with the reading and homework, and maintains a basic understanding of the material. Quiz questions (in class) have a tendency to be easier than the more challenging homework questions, and should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Announced quizzes may be very specific: I may tell you something like "next time we meet I will give you a quiz on free fall kinematics." Thus, knowing this, I expect that you would practice a few problems and anticipate what steps need to be taken once you read the problem so you can complete it in the required time. I like to reward students who prepare.

Homework: Two Types: Required and Recommended.
There will be required homework from the chapters as well as handouts. They will be from various parts of the end-of-chapter homework problems. Homework will be turned in using an online collection service, as well as physically turned in to me. The reason I want to look over your work will be explained in class the first week. Physics is not just about the final answer: it is about reasoning, units, clarity, presentation of solutions, etc. Homework will not be accepted late. There is also recommended homework, which will give you practice for the advanced problems to be seen on tests. If you plan to upscale your test scores, then you will be required to turn in all of your Recommended problems at the date of each test in a folder (which I will talk about).

Labs: The lab portion of this class is a very important component. You will gain hands-on experience with the equations and concepts we discuss in class. Lab procedure will be discussed during the first lab day. You may see procedures and questions from labs on your exams. Note: some labs will be designed for you to "dive into" and not require a lab write up. In such labs with no formal write-up, you will have a simple answer sheet to turn in, and your lab work & methods will affect your participation points.

Student Photo & Participation: I will take a photo of every student during the first week so that I can get to know you by name, and I will monitoring attendance and punctuality throughout the semester. Attendance and punctuality will be factored if you choose to "upscale" your exam scores and/or it can factor into your participation grade, along with your classroom interaction between student and how often you participate in physics discussions during lecture and lab. Things that affect your participation points: discussing a non-physics topic in class, working on another class project during lecture, asking questions about your test or quiz scores during class (come to office hours for this), and complaining out loud in class that the protocal and logistics of class policy and test dates is "unfair" (or any subsequent synonym).

Upscale your exam scores -- It's easy!
1. Meet with me individually and sign up for upscale option (contract)
2. Keep all assigned homework in one of these which can be purchased at Office Depot.
3. Keep all of the Recommended Problems in assigned order in your folder. Even if you can't complete them, turn in your attempt. Your folder should be together in an organized way so that I can go through it at any given time. (You'll turn it in at every exam)
4. There will be times when your lives get hectic. I understand you have other classes & responsibilities. Therefore, I will expect you to attempt "about" 90% of the recommended problems.
5. You must come to at least 2 office hour sessions (after school or evening tutorial)
The Reward: At the end of each quarter your tests will be weighted to your advantage: your highest score test will be worth 25% and your lower scored test 15%, instead of both being 20%.