IB Biology I Class Grading
Excellence does not require perfection!
The class assessment will factor into your Skyline GPA and appear on your transcript. Your class grade is calculated against a high academic standard, appropriate for a college level course. You earn your grade; Ms. vB does not “give” grades. Grades will be updated and posted on-line on a regular basis. The final grade for the class will not be a surprise to you. Ms. vB DOES NOT ROUND GRADES (you are given ample opportunity to go above and beyond to raise your grade).
The following grading scale will be used in IB Biology I:
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
A |
92% - 100% |
A- |
88% - <92% |
B+ |
84% - <88% |
B |
76% - <84% |
C |
64% - <76% |
D |
52% - <64% |
F |
0% - 52% |
You will earn points in this course based upon scores in the following categories:
Projects and Laboratory Work: (30% of course grade).
Collectively, projects and lab work are worth 30% of your overall SHS course grade. There are four ways lab work will be assessed:
Although variable, there is roughly one project and/or lab per unit. You are permitted to resubmit a project/lab IF you score less than an 92% (A). Retakes will earn a max score of 88% of the points possible. Projects and labs can be resubmitted ONE time. The resubmission must occur by the end of the unit for which the project/lab relates.
Tests and Quizzes: (60% of course grade).
Unit quizzes in IB Biology 1 are based on the syllabus statements and objectives assigned in class and will usually occur once per unit of study. There are multiple forms of quizzes given throughout the course:
You are permitted to retake a quiz IF you score less than an 92% (an A). Retakes will be completed during FLEX time or at an arranged retake session. Students will have up until the end of quarter to retake a quiz. Quizzes may be retaken only one time and you can earn a maximum of 92% on a quiz retake. On a retake, there is an alternative minimum score of a 52% (D); this means the retake score in the gradebook will not be lower than a 52% of the points possible (even if the earned score is lower). You will earn the retake score up to the maximum (even if it is lower than the original).
Tests are given once per quarter and will be multiple choice examinations. They will be detailed and comprehensive. In order to recognize and reward improvement over time, if a student scores higher on a semester final (Q2 and Q4), then the midterm tests (Q1 and Q3) will be marked "no count" and will not impact the final grade. There are no retakes on tests.
Class Work and Notebook Checks (10% of course grade).
All knowledge audits, 1-page summaries and check-in work completed throughout the course are considered class work. Class work assignments can not be resubmitted for a higher score. All "above and beyond" points are added into the class work category of the grade.
Projects and Laboratory Work: (30% of course grade).
Collectively, projects and lab work are worth 30% of your overall SHS course grade. There are four ways lab work will be assessed:
- Team work, lab skills, safety and responsibility will be observed.
- Completion of lab/project related tasks, including graphing and analysis.
- The Collaborative Sciences Project assignments are part of your second semester laboratory work grade.
Although variable, there is roughly one project and/or lab per unit. You are permitted to resubmit a project/lab IF you score less than an 92% (A). Retakes will earn a max score of 88% of the points possible. Projects and labs can be resubmitted ONE time. The resubmission must occur by the end of the unit for which the project/lab relates.
Tests and Quizzes: (60% of course grade).
Unit quizzes in IB Biology 1 are based on the syllabus statements and objectives assigned in class and will usually occur once per unit of study. There are multiple forms of quizzes given throughout the course:
- Surprise, “pop” quizzes completed individually
- Announced quiz taken individually, with no notes. This is the most common, and typically occurs at the end of each unit of study
- Announced quiz taken individually, with notes
- Announced quiz taken with a student group. Everyone in the group earns the same score
- Oral quizzes in which you explain a process directly to your teacher
You are permitted to retake a quiz IF you score less than an 92% (an A). Retakes will be completed during FLEX time or at an arranged retake session. Students will have up until the end of quarter to retake a quiz. Quizzes may be retaken only one time and you can earn a maximum of 92% on a quiz retake. On a retake, there is an alternative minimum score of a 52% (D); this means the retake score in the gradebook will not be lower than a 52% of the points possible (even if the earned score is lower). You will earn the retake score up to the maximum (even if it is lower than the original).
Tests are given once per quarter and will be multiple choice examinations. They will be detailed and comprehensive. In order to recognize and reward improvement over time, if a student scores higher on a semester final (Q2 and Q4), then the midterm tests (Q1 and Q3) will be marked "no count" and will not impact the final grade. There are no retakes on tests.
Class Work and Notebook Checks (10% of course grade).
All knowledge audits, 1-page summaries and check-in work completed throughout the course are considered class work. Class work assignments can not be resubmitted for a higher score. All "above and beyond" points are added into the class work category of the grade.
A major portion of the class work grade category is the notebook check. Students are required to maintain a large (3”-4”) spiral binder of all class work completed in class. The binders are checked once a quarter for organization, completion and accuracy. Because the course is cumulative over two years, you must keep and review material often. The organization and maintenance of the binder is therefore vital for your success in the IB Biology class. The binder will also become a helpful tool when you take a biology class in college.
Late Work
In general, please complete your work on time. With the exception of initial knowledge audits, late work is accepted without grade penalty through the end of a unit. If you will need additional time beyond the unit deadline, please speak with your teacher in advance about your need for an extension and your plan for completion. SHS IB Bio teachers are extraordinarily flexible and accommodating of student circumstances and different needs, but advance communication is key. Work submitted past a unit deadline will earn a default score of 52%.
In general, please complete your work on time. With the exception of initial knowledge audits, late work is accepted without grade penalty through the end of a unit. If you will need additional time beyond the unit deadline, please speak with your teacher in advance about your need for an extension and your plan for completion. SHS IB Bio teachers are extraordinarily flexible and accommodating of student circumstances and different needs, but advance communication is key. Work submitted past a unit deadline will earn a default score of 52%.
