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For those of you teaching (or having taught) music in public/private schools would you mind sharing some insight into your grading policies and classroom policies. I'm starting my 3rd year teaching this week at my 3rd school (one change by choice one change not by my choice) and am just looking for more or different ways to do things. Currently I teach PreK-12th at a very small school district in southern Colorado so I teach everything, general music, recorders, choir, & band.

Thanks for your input and advice.

If everybody does not get an A:
1. The parents will be unhappy.
2. The principal will be unhappy.
3. You will be unhappy.
Even many of the strictest, toughest band directors out there have unfortunately had to adhere to this policy except in extreme cases.

MartyNeilan wrote:If everybody does not get an A:
1. The parents will be unhappy.
2. The principal will be unhappy.
3. You will be unhappy.
Even many of the strictest, toughest band directors out there have unfortunately had to adhere to this policy except in extreme cases.

This is often, but not always true. This much I can say with certainly. If #1 and #2 are true, #3 will be also.

As for grading systems, a lot depends on your individual situation. At the present time, I assign a weekly grade for each student. This may be subjective, but it provides a type of documentation to their participation. I also give a test, or tests, each grading period. These are either on fundamental things, or they are over music we are currently performing, or possibly both. I then follow the district policy concerning the percentages each one counts toward the final average.

Of possible note is that not all of my students make A's. Usually the percentage of A's is between 50% and 70%. I seldom have students fail, but it happens. This is generally reserved for those who thumb their nose at me or to the system. With this system, when a students doesn't play the test(s), the penalty is pretty severe in the grade department.

Thanks for the input. I was just curious to see what others were doing. Currently the bulk of my grades are based off of participation points. I enter participation points in weekly, 20pts per day for coming to class prepared and not giving any problems, give random tests both written and playing, a semester project such as a term paper or something involving writing (have to incorporate reading, writing, and math according to Colorado Standards), and then a small portion of their grade is for performances. I also add in practice logs for the younger bands.

Much appreciated.

Can you imagine awarding algebra grades simply on participation? I endorse a much higher percentage based on acceptable performance.

windshieldbug wrote:Can you imagine awarding algebra grades simply on participation? I endorse a much higher percentage based on acceptable performance.

Just to clarify on my response: When I refer to a grade assigned on the basis of participation, I don't mean to imply that it will be a good one, regardless of the quality of the participation. In fact, I have given failing grades for participation. Quite often, too.