How Late Papers Fit Into A Grading Policy

What role should responsibility issues of students play within the grading structure? Are we grading all aspects of the child, or are we looking at content mastery?

Grade level standards should provide the basis for determining grades.

There should be some performance standards as the reference points when determining the grades. Given clear descriptions of the performance standards, then grades will reflect that accordingly. For instance, proficient would equal a B.

Achievement of the standards should be the sole basis of the grades. Attendance, participation, attitude, responsibility, effort or potential should be scored separately.

Due to the deadly effect of issuing zeros for the failure to acquire the desired knowledge or to complete a learning activity, the only mathematically-sound practice would be to issue 50% E scores. Never should there be a score in the grade book below the 50% score.

Think about the students that typically turn in work late. There are a couple categories of students. One group are the children who struggle with the content. Another group are the children who are capable and disorganized. And finally, there are the academically talented children who are disorganized and disinterested.

Looking at the group of children who struggle: The activity is hard, they are unsure of what to do, may not have parents to help at home, and the activity takes them longer than expected. So, contemplate the idea that the child finally turns in the activity finished. Most is not correct, but the score is scraping by at 62% D-. Now you take another 31% off for being late since the grading policy says 1/2 off late papers. What has been achieved for this child? It will only take a couple of these activities scored in this manner for the child to be unable to pull himself out of E range even if he turns in a bunch of A papers. And what is that chance? Now the child is doomed for the entire marking period, and at the end, there still isn’t any concrete evidence that he has or hasn’t learned any of the content presented.

The next group of children are capable yet disorganized. The activity has been finished with a degree of accuracy and then folded up into a book, squashed into the back of the desk, or put into the black hole of the backpack. After repeated reminders the child produces the work, probably completed at an average or proficient level. By the time the late paper policy is imposed on this child, her grades reflect D or E level which would indicate that she hasn’t learned that content. Often a child’s assignment report in this group would have A's and B's for all of the assignments turned in and E's and F's for those hit with the late grade policy. Again, the grades imposed on the report card do not reflect concrete evidence that she has or has not learned any of the content presented.

The final group of children are the academically talented children who can respond to classroom activities in a manner that seems to be disorganized and disinterested. In this scenario it is imperative to discern whether a child knows the content that is being graded. Looking at the root of the issue and the content being graded and how these relate to the performance of the gifted child will glean important insight. Often these children do not need the same amount of practice to master a skill and that manifests itself as missing assignments, which turn into poor grades, which is then related to the report card grades as not mastering the content when the reality is that a child has learned the content and is bored. These children are often heard saying, "Why should I do this? I already understand." And if the answers to this question include "Because everyone else has to" or "Because the teacher says so" or "Just play the game and do what the teacher says" then there should be some reevaluation of the assigned activity. Again, with this group of children, the grades imposed on the report card do not reflect concrete evidence that he or she has or has not learned any of the content presented.

What are some solutions to this grading dilemma?

One option is to grade only for content mastery. The grades on the report card reflect whether a child knows or does not know the content. When using this method, another assessment tool is provided along with the report card to evaluate the proficiency of life skill types of attributes such as work ethics, classroom behaviors and initiative and study skills (as seen from a rubric used by Hudsonville Public Schools.)

Another option, if late papers must be integrated into a scoring system, would be to use a policy that a late paper/assignment/project cannot ever earn the grade of an A. In this manner, the child can still prove to be proficient in the content. Most grade book programs will allow for an assignment to be noted as late. Yet, this won’t affect whether a child is proficient in content area, just not exemplary.

Another question is about redoing learning activities that do not reach the proficient level on the first try. Looking back at child development we see that children learn to walk, talk, or use the bathroom at varying ages. So why would we assume that all children can learn to perform a task in the exact amount of time?

If using grades to reflect learning, then allowing for retesting or redoing assignments and then replacing with the new score should be the standard rather than averaging the two scores together. Again, most grade book programs allow for footnoting that an assignment was redone to meet the goals. By using proficiency of content as the goal, then children achieving "not yet proficient" scores should continue to work on that assignment until proficient. Having to continue working on an assignment until it is right (even during recess) is a much better lesson for children to learn than just getting a bad grade and moving on. There are children who find it easier to just do enough of an activity or none of an activity and get the bad grade than to apply effort. The pain of a bad grade lasts for a little while, but having to continue working on an assignment until it is correct builds strong character. Soon the child will understand that it is easier to do the activity right the first time.

Grades should be a reflection of learning. The bottom line is that the grades assigned to students should be a direct reflection of the knowledge the student has acquired. Did your students perform an understanding of the content? When parents read a report card does the grade given reflect the learning that the child has accomplished?

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Dissertation Writing: Basic Steps

Writing a dissertation is a stressful time. But here are some basic guidelines that might help with dissertation writing:
1. Go over possible ideas. It helps, if you write them down. Choose carefully, and do not eliminate topics too quickly. Be specific and remember: the narrower, the better. A theme too wide does not do help in writing dissertations.
2. In writing a dissertation time management is important. Dissertation writing also supposes that you are familiar with scholars that might help you on your long way. It becomes especially essential once the topic is chosen.
3. When you are done with researches, it is time for dissertation thesis writing. Remember that a thesis is a central idea of any dissertation. Dissertation thesis writing is something you should think about all the time. When writing a dissertation, mind that neither of the following sentences should contradict your main argument. On the contrary, every new paragraph should unroll the thesis step by step.

4. While writing your dissertation, make sure that all the notes are in the correct order. It is important to organize detailed notes of all the references to be ready for writing an annotated bibliography (see below the tips on how to write an annotated bibliography).
5. Schedule your work carefully. Dissertation writing is not a one-day work. Check your timetable and mark the days you can commit to writing your dissertation. Give yourself from 1 to 2 hours of work on these days. The best help with dissertation writing is your time. You know how it sometimes goes: today you think there is enough time, but next thing you find out is that the deadline is right here, and you are not done with writing dissertation.
6. Go on with writing a dissertation by starting a draft. During the dissertation writing you can print out parts of it on colored sheets of paper, read them out loud, and correct the mistakes.
7. Do not forget about the structure while writing your dissertation. It must have an introduction, main body and a conclusion. Table of Contents and Sources are vital, too.
8. Use the table of contents to improve your manuscript. Dissertation writing is a complex and long process. It is natural, if you leave something out. That is why it is important to check yourself. While writing your dissertation, check with the table of contents to fill in the blank parts or those places that need to be improved.
9. The Suggestion for Further Research section is the last one you finish in writing a dissertation. Usually by this time you are exhausted. Probably this is the reason why it usually does not make any sense. Dissertation writing suggests that you earn some experience and be able to put forward reasonable propositions. After writing a dissertation go over it to make sure that your propositions are correct.
10. Now it's time to do the last chapter in your dissertation writing. After you've had a chance to write your dissertation all the way to the end, turn back to Chapter One. Reread Chapter One carefully with the insight you now have from having completed Chapter Five.
11. How to write an annotated bibliography? It should include explanation of the purpose of the cited work, theoretical basis of the authors argument, work’s intended audience, your own brief impression. Writing an annotation may help improve the impression from your work.
12. Be prepared to defend your dissertation. Writing a dissertation is only half of the job. It is better to attend 1 or 2 defenses to see how things are going. Be open-minded, not aggressive.
If you take into consideration all of the above, writing a dissertation may be a little easier for you.

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Are You Searching For Controversial Research Paper Topics?

But you might not be able to sort through so many topics to find one which is the best for you. If you have to write a term paper on notorious topics then here is how you go about it:

• Find out several recent or old litigious topics. Take your time to sort through several current as well as old newspapers, magazines, journals, news portals, research articles, critics and online sources for research purposes.

• Try to find a topic which is relevant to the current time. But it's not really necessary to have something which is in the news right now! Try to find a topic like the American involvement in the Gulf war. Not really current but still a hot topic of debate.

• Do the research completely. You might have to sort through several different sites. Please do take the time to find both sides of the conversations. If you have to present the topic is front of an audience then you should be prepared to know the oppositions view point as well as the justifications for your stand. If the topic you've selected is local then do interview the local people interviewed. But take the extra effort of getting in touch with the big players involved in the topic you are researching. With email making things so accessible, drop a mail to leading people involved in the issue you were debating on and you should get a reply.

• Research all current and archived information on the subject before you ask for comments from the leading players. Prepare an outline of all of the latest information with the archived information in an outline so that you can understand the flow of events. This can even act as the tentative outline for your thesis presentation.

• Read everything you have written and then immediately jot down points or ideas as they come to your mind. Please do put in personal thoughts and opinions too.

• Once you've understood the topics and your points on it write it down in your own words. The whole point of the exercise is that the professor wants your opinion on the essay. He also wants to know your viewpoint and how you formulate your arguments to discuss it. Do not add conjecture and gossip to your essays as you will not have proof to back it up. Show clearly, logically and concisely how you reached the conclusion you have presented in your paper.

Most professors may also want to look at your tentative controversial research paper topics list before you start. Please select a specific format, bibliography and reference source for your essay. Best of luck on your presentation!

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Formatting A Research Paper

The following points should be kept in mind while formatting a research paper:

PAPER: you should try to use clean and good quality white paper which should measure around 8 1/2" x 11", and the printing should be done on one side only.

MARGINS: the paper should have margins of about 1" inch each from all sides. The only exception is the page number which should be placed half an inch from the top right corner.

TITLE PAGE: usually a title page is not required while writing a research paper, unless of course your teacher has asked you to include. If you decide not to include a title page, you can start your paper one inch from the top of the 1st page with your name against the left side margin. After you have written down your name, in the same format on a separate line comes the name of your teacher, followed by the course code and the date respectively. Care should be taken not to type the title completely in capital letters, not to put quotation marks on either side of the title, and finally not to underline the title of your research paper.

NUMBERING OF PAGES: the pages of your research paper should be numbered consecutively on the upper right hand corner, and aligned with the right side margin half an inch from the top.

LINE SPACING: the entire essay must be double spaced between the lines, it doesn’t matter if its handwritten or printed, all the lines should have double spacing and a one inch margin on all the sides so that the teacher can write comments.

WORDS SPACING: it is standard to leave 1 space between words, every comma, semi-colon, or colon.

INDENTATION: if you are handing over a typewritten paper, then indent about half and inch at the start of each paragraph. Quotations should be indented one inch from the left hand side margin. If you are not required to do any indenting, each paragraph should start flush to the left margin.

RIGHT JUSTIFICATION: if you use a word processor to type your essay, don’t right justify your essay and also do not format the hyphens automatically. The hyphens should be typed in you, and the entire essay should either be left justified or justified depending on what the requirement is.

USE OF BOOKS, MAGAZINES, and NEWSPAPERS: the titles of all the books, plays, novels that you have used in your research paper, should be underlined. On the other hand, titles of newspapers, journals, magazines should be put in quotation marks if they have been referred to in your research paper.

CAPITAL LETTERS: even though writing in capital letters might save time and effort for you, the entire essay should not by typed in capital letters. They should only be used for headings, start of sentences, or if there is a grammatical need to do so.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: usually a short research paper does not need a Table of Contents. However, if the research paper written by you is extremely long, it is advisable to use a table of contents which shows the page numbers where each section begins. The suggested order for the table of contents of a long research paper is: Acknowledgements, Foreword, Introduction, Body, Conclusion, Appendices, Glossary, Endnotes, and Bibliography.

END: there is no need to use any special word, symbol or a phrase to end your essay. The only thing required is simply a period at the end of the last sentence of your research paper.

KEEPING ESSAY TOGETHER: the different pages of the research paper should be stapled at the upper left corner. Care should be taken not to use a pin or to fold the paper, the paper should also not be handed over in a binder or a folder, and giving loose sheets is unacceptable.

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How To Write A Term Paper

Writing a term paper can be very overwhelming and scary for some people. However, if broken down into steps, it can be very easy to get that term paper done easily and quickly.

Here are some proven steps that have worked for many college students. If you follow these basic steps, you will always get a high scoring paper. If you are not clear on exactly how to approach your paper, use your instructor as a resource to explain further. This is a very important factor of writing the right paper and fulfilling everything that the instructor requires. Your instructor will be aware that you want to write a quality term paper.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. It is better to know exactly what you are doing or not. Discuss the project with your classmates. You would be surprised how someone else has a different perspective and can answer some questions for you and give you ideas.

The first step you should take is to look carefully at all the materials you have to include in your paper. Utilize all the textbooks that you have on the subject, notes you have taken in class and any course handouts given in class.

After you have carefully examined your materials, decide on your thesis, which is the question that you want to answer in your paper. If your instructor did not give you a specific topic, but a broad subject area, then you can experiment with your thesis and write from a different and interesting angle. Make sure your term paper is not too long and laborious. Your instructor will probably give you a page limit. With that in mind, choose a subject that will not turn out too long or too short. To do this, you have to narrow your topic as best as you can. You can usually tell if it is going to be too long or too short, by the bibliography that you are able to find.

Your next step is to do your research by putting your bibliography together if it has not yet been assigned to you. Compile your list of sources online and in the library. Use your college library. It has a lot of information on different subject topics. Your research will determine whether you write a good term paper or not. Use magazine articles on the topic. Take as much notes as you can when going through the actual research websites, articles and books. Use quotes only when it is necessary and relevant to the topic.

Go on to outline your term paper by using the notes you gathered. Your main outline should include what you want to discuss in the term paper. Following your main outline, you can now create a draft of our term paper. Use the simple format of having an introduction, body of term paper and conclusion. The Introduction will state what you want to say in your term paper, the body will actually state your case and the conclusion will summarize what you had to say and answer your thesis question for the reader.

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Custom Term Papers And Research Papers

Most of graduate students or the USA and Canada work, either full time or part time while they attend school. Often, they have little time to complete all their tests or term papers by themselves, and writing is even longer. Others simply don’t think of writing as the most pleasant activity.

Our skilled and experienced writers compose a model variation customized documents, including essays, college term papers, research papers, book reports, MBA essays, summaries, briefs, dissertations, and research proposals for college students and scholars at all levels. Furthermore, we offer editing, proofreading, and research services, even for students who must meet the most demanding academic standards. In serving as excellent examples our unique writing and research products help our clients become more effective in their studies and career

Many students, even some who were successful during their school career, misunderstand the real purpose of writing a research paper custom. Research papers are not assigned to a student to demonstrate his talent in the collection of facts and quotations that others have already submitted as their own. Rather, the aim of drafting a good research paper is to prove a’s ability to come to its own conclusions after the analysis and evaluation of information. The teachers are seeking new, original thought of their students - and that's exactly what we provide. What follows is what you can expect when you come to us for your research paper personal needs:

Our editorial team of term paper is composed of several degreed authors from different backgrounds. As such, our writers have a long experience in the compilation and processing large amounts of information. Whatever your research needs We will be able to bring with you a writer who is qualified to set up an excellent research paper for you.

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Student Stress And Academic Performance: Seven Ways In Which Too Much Stress Can Affect Your Grades

You've probably been hearing the same mantra since elementary school - if you don't get good grades, you won't get into a good college, you won't get a good job and you'll end up living like a bum on the street...

All joking aside, your academic performance really does affect what fields you can go into and what type of job you can hold in the future. After all, you wouldn't expect a straight-D student to get into medical school - nor would you want them to. However, whether you're in high school, college, or graduate school, constantly dealing with stress can have a big impact on your overall academic success in any of the following ways:

1. Stress Affects Your Health

Stress suppresses your immune system, which causes increased susceptibility to bugs and viruses, as well as chronic health problems like headaches and upset stomach. It doesn't take a Harvard graduate to tell you that if you're sick, you won't be able to give 100% to your classes. You may not feel up to studying or you could suffer further from missing classes. If stress is causing physical symptoms, it's time to consult a professional therapist or stress management consultant.

2. Stress Affects Memory Retention

Students who experience large amounts of stress in their lives often have trouble with memory retention. When you're stressed, you're more likely to forget the facts and figures presented in class, and you'll be less likely to successfully recall this information on tests, labs and on real life applications. Obviously, this is a problem for anyone who wants to do well in college, so try to identify and remedy the causes of stress in your life if you find you're forgetting more than you retain from your classes.

3. Stress Causes Anxiety

Students who face a tremendous amount of stress may also suffer from anxiety - ranging from mild cases of worry to severe, can't-leave-the-house cases of nerves. If you're suffering from anxiety at any level, you'll find that you can't focus as well on your school work or on other aspects of student life like extra-curricular activities and personal relationships.

4. Stress Affects Your Judgment

Stress has a definite impact on student judgment. Some students will turn to illegal drugs, prescription medications or binge-drinking in order to escape from the affects of stress. However, turning to drugs and alcohol doesn't erase the source of your stress - it only adds more. Substance abuse is a serious problem, so if you find yourself pouring a glass or four of wine each night to help you wind down, it's time to seek professional guidance.

5. Stress Compromises Your Future Outlook

Stress can turn an ambitions, driven student into one who's nervous and unsure about the future. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a test Monday, a paper due on Wednesday and a major lab on Friday - but don't let the little things affect your drive for success. If you find yourself thinking that there's no way you'll get everything done, try breaking large tasks down into smaller pieces and tackle them one bit at a time.

6. Stress Affects Your Self-Esteem

Students who feel overwhelmed by stress may experience feelings of guilt and hopelessness, causing their self-esteem to falter. If you've dropped the ball on your academic work, it's easy to feel like you'll never get back on track - but don't think like this! If you get too caught up in your recent stumbles, you'll lose track of all the positive strides you've made in your studies. Remind yourself of all the good things you've accomplished so far and find small, concrete ways to get back on the right path.

7. Stress Can Lead to Mental Health Problems

It's easy to let the competing academic and personal priorities of being a student get the better of you as a student, and it can become difficult to see outside all this stress. As a result, many students - particularly college-aged students - end up dealing with depression or thinking suicidal thoughts. If you're ever feeling that there's no way out of the stress you're under, seek proper care immediately - there are people who understand what you're going through that can help you work through the stress you're dealing with.

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