IB Biology II Class Grading
Excellence does not require perfection!
The cumulative class grade 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 class grading scale will be used in IB Biology II:
Why such a generous adjustment?
Our focus in IB Biology II is on LEARNING, not grades. Students who LEARN do not have to play a points game to earn a decent grade. At our school there is an insidious tendency to care about nothing but grades and scores. It may seem counterintuitive to some, but I’ve found that having this system helps relieve much of the stress and anxiety students feel about grades, so they can focus on authentic LEARNING and curiosity about the subject.
Doesn’t everyone get an A, thereby lowering the perceived value of the high grade?
Actually, no. While many students do earn A’s, not all students do. The assessments are difficult (of course while still being fair) and it is actually hard to earn an A without actually LEARNING the content.
Our focus in IB Biology II is on LEARNING, not grades. Students who LEARN do not have to play a points game to earn a decent grade. At our school there is an insidious tendency to care about nothing but grades and scores. It may seem counterintuitive to some, but I’ve found that having this system helps relieve much of the stress and anxiety students feel about grades, so they can focus on authentic LEARNING and curiosity about the subject.
Doesn’t everyone get an A, thereby lowering the perceived value of the high grade?
Actually, no. While many students do earn A’s, not all students do. The assessments are difficult (of course while still being fair) and it is actually hard to earn an A without actually LEARNING the content.
Do students take advantage and slack off because of the score adjustment scheme?
No. That’s because we have a culture of LEARNING in our class. Slacking off isn’t tolerated in class or on assessments.
What do students think about this grade adjustment system?
Read these comments from past students about the benefits of the grade adjustment system. You’ll see, the focus on LEARNING is evident!
What are the IB equivalency scores?
Read this link for a description of each of the IB grade descriptors.
No. That’s because we have a culture of LEARNING in our class. Slacking off isn’t tolerated in class or on assessments.
What do students think about this grade adjustment system?
Read these comments from past students about the benefits of the grade adjustment system. You’ll see, the focus on LEARNING is evident!
What are the IB equivalency scores?
Read this link for a description of each of the IB grade descriptors.
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 three ways this work will be assessed:
You are permitted to resubmit a project/lab IF you score less than an 92% (A). Retakes will earn a max score of 92% 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.
The Internal Assessment assignments can NOT be resubmitted for a higher score and the final IA paper can not be submitted late.
Tests and Quizzes: (60% of course grade).
Unit quizzes are based on the syllabus statements and objectives assigned in class and will usually occur once per unit of study. In IB Biology 2, the quizzes are composed of all former IB exam questions. 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 patterned after the external exams given by the IB. They will be detailed and comprehensive, including multiple-choice, calculation problems, and essay/discussion questions. The test are challenging, there is no doubt. However, please remember that there are generous grade bands. In order to recognize and reward improvement over time, if a student scores higher on a semester final (Q2), then the midterm tests (Q1) 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 three ways this work will be assessed:
- Collaboration, lab skills, safety and responsibility will be observed.
- Completion of project/lab related tasks, including graphing and analysis.
- One formal lab will be completed and assessed using the IB Internal Assessment standards. This lab (the "internal assessment") is a hefty proportion of your class and IB scores, it is important that you submit your best work.
You are permitted to resubmit a project/lab IF you score less than an 92% (A). Retakes will earn a max score of 92% 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.
The Internal Assessment assignments can NOT be resubmitted for a higher score and the final IA paper can not be submitted late.
- Because submission dates are fixed by IBO and there are strict guidelines about the time students spend on those assignments, and the types and amounts of feedback they are allowed during the process, the Internal Assessment is NOT eligible for some 504 supports (i.e. extended time) that would otherwise apply to normal classroom assignments.
- Due to the long-term nature and complexity of the Internal Assessment, it is also not eligible for grade recovery like other classroom-based assignments. Students and families should work closely with teachers to understand the demands of the assignments so they can allocate sufficient time, care and focus during the process.
Tests and Quizzes: (60% of course grade).
Unit quizzes are based on the syllabus statements and objectives assigned in class and will usually occur once per unit of study. In IB Biology 2, the quizzes are composed of all former IB exam questions. There are multiple forms of quizzes given throughout the course:
- Surprise, “pop” quizzes completed individually.
- Announced quiz taken individually, with no notes.
- Announced quiz taken individually, with notes.
- Announced quiz taken as 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 patterned after the external exams given by the IB. They will be detailed and comprehensive, including multiple-choice, calculation problems, and essay/discussion questions. The test are challenging, there is no doubt. However, please remember that there are generous grade bands. In order to recognize and reward improvement over time, if a student scores higher on a semester final (Q2), then the midterm tests (Q1) 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”) spiral binder of all class work completed in class. The binders are checked once a quarter for organization, completion and accuracy. Binder check sheets list what needs to be in the binder. 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 Biology 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 Biology 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%.
