A note on grading and homework expectations. Dear parents (and students): Although it would be wonderful for us to live in a world where every student earns "straight-A grades," this would not reflect the reality of a rigorous, demanding course . In reality, students generally perform along a curve, so that most American students can be expected to fall somewhere in the 'B' to 'C' range. relatively few students can be expected to be "above average," and fewer still should be performing at an 'A' level. By the same token, very few students should be performing below the 'C' or "average" range, and only a very, very few can be expected to perform at a failing level. This is a function of a mathematical , bell-shaped curve. Students in my course tend to start out very strongly, but as the year progresses, the curve begins to assert itself as the course material gets more difficult. Many parents are dismayed to see their students performing below their own expectations or their child's performance in past classes, and think that something is wrong. That is not necessarily the case.
On the other hand, most students are capable of achieving great success, and of gaining a year's worth of growth in a year's worth of time, by adhering faithfully to a plan of study and preparation that includes the following:
1. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mandatory homework for homeworks' sake is counter-productive. On the other hand, homework is needed to build upon information obtained in class, practice new skills, and remediate weaknesses. Homework should meet the needs of the student, not the teacher. Please see the course syllabus for what it means to be a self-directed, entrepreneurial learner students must do all homework on time and completely, as well as professionally..
2. Students should read, read, read. Students should not think that it is possible to learn everything there is to know about the subjects they encounter in a nine-month survey course that covers the period 1877 - present, plus other material required to be covered in review by the Ohio Senate. Every student should have a library card and should use it frequently.
3. If your student has reading challenges, there are many, many good historical films and TV shows that will expose a young person to American history. Be advised however, that much of what is presented on TV is filled with historical inaccuracies and is focused on sensational "production value" rather than truth.
4. Students must come to school every day. Missing a single class can throw a student permanently behind. It is the student's responsibility to make up missed work, tests and quizzes for excused absences. I generally do not allow that work to be done during regular class, because then the student falls even further behind. I am available before school during second period, and after school to assist with make-up studies and testing. In keeping with board policy, I do not normally allow work to be make up that is missed because of an unexcused absence. There are rare exceptions, but I will need to speak with parents on an individual basis to work out the issues.
5. My education training includes licensure as an intervention specialist, and so I value greatly academic intervention and reasonable accommodations for students with learning challenges - frankly, I think EVERY student has certain strengths and weaknesses that need to be encouraged or mitigated. I also expect, however, that students with learning challenges will be self-advocates, to know what their strengths and weaknesses are, and to take advantage of their accommodations without having to be forced to do so. On the other hand, I will not accept a disability as an excuse to avoid work that is fully within a student's capacity to perform. When in doubt, I will consult with parents and the student's assigned intervention specialist to determine what makes sense.
6. Education in Ohio has changed greatly in the seventeen years that I have been at Mohawk High School. It is more demanding of teachers as well as students, more complex, more rigorous in depth as well as breadth, and more deeply based in accountability. I am not perfectly happy with everything that has resulted, but I am determined to make the most of it and help my students achieve great success in life. Everything I do is based in that determination. I strongly encourage parents to visit my classroom if they have time (I recommend that you not sit in on your own child's session - that would be very embarrassing for the student). I also encourage parents to call or e-mail me with concerns; communication is one of the keys to success.
Updated 8/19/2018
On the other hand, most students are capable of achieving great success, and of gaining a year's worth of growth in a year's worth of time, by adhering faithfully to a plan of study and preparation that includes the following:
1. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mandatory homework for homeworks' sake is counter-productive. On the other hand, homework is needed to build upon information obtained in class, practice new skills, and remediate weaknesses. Homework should meet the needs of the student, not the teacher. Please see the course syllabus for what it means to be a self-directed, entrepreneurial learner students must do all homework on time and completely, as well as professionally..
2. Students should read, read, read. Students should not think that it is possible to learn everything there is to know about the subjects they encounter in a nine-month survey course that covers the period 1877 - present, plus other material required to be covered in review by the Ohio Senate. Every student should have a library card and should use it frequently.
3. If your student has reading challenges, there are many, many good historical films and TV shows that will expose a young person to American history. Be advised however, that much of what is presented on TV is filled with historical inaccuracies and is focused on sensational "production value" rather than truth.
4. Students must come to school every day. Missing a single class can throw a student permanently behind. It is the student's responsibility to make up missed work, tests and quizzes for excused absences. I generally do not allow that work to be done during regular class, because then the student falls even further behind. I am available before school during second period, and after school to assist with make-up studies and testing. In keeping with board policy, I do not normally allow work to be make up that is missed because of an unexcused absence. There are rare exceptions, but I will need to speak with parents on an individual basis to work out the issues.
5. My education training includes licensure as an intervention specialist, and so I value greatly academic intervention and reasonable accommodations for students with learning challenges - frankly, I think EVERY student has certain strengths and weaknesses that need to be encouraged or mitigated. I also expect, however, that students with learning challenges will be self-advocates, to know what their strengths and weaknesses are, and to take advantage of their accommodations without having to be forced to do so. On the other hand, I will not accept a disability as an excuse to avoid work that is fully within a student's capacity to perform. When in doubt, I will consult with parents and the student's assigned intervention specialist to determine what makes sense.
6. Education in Ohio has changed greatly in the seventeen years that I have been at Mohawk High School. It is more demanding of teachers as well as students, more complex, more rigorous in depth as well as breadth, and more deeply based in accountability. I am not perfectly happy with everything that has resulted, but I am determined to make the most of it and help my students achieve great success in life. Everything I do is based in that determination. I strongly encourage parents to visit my classroom if they have time (I recommend that you not sit in on your own child's session - that would be very embarrassing for the student). I also encourage parents to call or e-mail me with concerns; communication is one of the keys to success.
Updated 8/19/2018