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Assignments and Grading

Three Assessments on the Same Day Motion

Approved January 14, 2022

If a student has three or more major assessments (ex. summative* unit tests, oral presentations, performances, in-class essays, or other assignment that falls into the major assessment category) scheduled to be taken on the same school day**, the student may arrange with their teachers in advance to move one of their assessments to a different day. The students must get a Major Assessment Conflict Form/Shamrock Sheet signed by each teacher giving assessments that day and turn this Shamrock Sheet into the teacher of the assessment being rescheduled. The student must take the rescheduled assessment within three school days of the original assessment due date. 

*A summative is a culminating, end-of-unit test, presentation, or performance that assesses a larger amount of material normally covered over the span of two weeks. 

**This does NOT apply to major assessments that are simply DUE on the same date if a students was given time in class or out of class to complete the assessment in advance. 

Final Exams
Hanover High School conducts a final exam period at the close of each semester.

General Information

  • All courses are required to have a final examination or course completion exercise.
  • This final assessment counts not more than 20% of a final grade. Semester grading will be set at 40%, 40%, 20% (exam) Any other grading weighting or percentages must be approved by the department coordinator.
  • Individual teachers (with approval) have the option of exempting seniors with a course average of A or A- from final exams.
  • Exams consist of paper and pencil tests, oral exams, and student projects and performances. Conferences are used in selected courses to discuss student progress during the semester.
  • Exams and conferences reflect the goals and objectives of the particular course. The value or importance of the experience should be clearly stated in the teacher’s course standards.
  • Teachers report all midyear and final exam grades on student report cards. A conference is designated by a “p” on the report card indicating that it has occurred.
  • Exams must require that students study the course content and be of sufficient length. Conferences should also require student preparation.
  • During the last week of classes, teachers may not assign tests or papers to be due during the same week or during exam week.

Goals of Exam Week
The function of exam week is for teachers to evaluate the student’s learning of the course content and skills; and for students to:

  • review and synthesize course material;
  • complete unfinished work and assignments;
  • practice self-discipline in preparing for exams and conferences.

Review Period
Courses requiring an examination of the material learned as the final course experience will have at least two consectuve days of formal review periods during the last two class periods prior to the week of exams.

  • Some courses do not require a formal review period since the final course experience is not an examination of material learned.
  • Most final course experiences test a substantial body of knowledge and skills that require some structured review. The specifics of each teacher’s review period are explained within the Course Standards; which should reflect the Test Preparation Motion below:
  • Previously taken tests, quizzes, and assessments will be made available for student test preparation in one or more of the following ways:
    • Tests will be available for study during one of more periods in advance of the next test (provided the upcoming test builds on subject material covered in the previous tests).
    • Tests will be handed back for review at home.
    • Tests will be available for supervised study in the appropriate resource center.
If none of the above options are feasible for the student, an alternative arrangement, such as a meeting before or after school or during a free period, should be made.


Final Exam Schedule
A final exam schedule is published one week prior to the exam period.

  • Each student should construct their own exam schedule from the master list.
  • If a student has more than two exams listed on a given day, they may defer the additional exam to the makeup day.
  • If two exams conflict, the student may take one on the makeup day.
  • A student who defers an exam to the makeup day is responsible for making arrangements before exams start by negotiating directly with the teacher(s) involved.
  • A student who misses a regular exam with an excused absence may take the exam on the makeup day.
  • Unexcused absences from exams result in NC on the exam and no chance of makeup.

 

Course Concerns
To Register a Concern with a Course or Evaluation:
Passed 05/06/2015

When issues emerge, Council encourages the student to first speak with the teacher. If there is no resolution, the student should contact the teacher’s supervisor (if applicable). If there is still no resolution, then Council provides this recourse:

If a student wishes to register a concern, then the student must do so in writing (typed or handwritten, but printed and signed) to a Curriculum Committee member of Council or submit the Course Concern Form. The Curriculum Committee will then notify the following persons about this concern: the teacher, the teacher’s supervisor (if applicable), the principal. The Curriculum Committee will remove the student’s name from the letter unless otherwise requested by the student. The Curriculum Committee will give the letter to the principal. The Curriculum Committee will keep no permanent records of the concern. The Curriculum Committee respectfully requests that, insofar as possible in keeping with the teacher’s privacy rights, the teacher’s supervisor or the principal inform the committee of any action taken so that the Curriculum Committee can provide feedback to the student.