It is my firm belief that I am here to teach physical science and help students understand the world around them. I am not here to simply find out what a child knows on a certain day. It is for this reason that I provide the opportunity for retakes on any assignment that receives a grade below 70. If I allow a child to simply move on without mastering at least 70% of the material taught, then I am not doing my job. Conversely, a student who is satisfied with a failing grade is not doing their job as a learner. Sometimes the retake may be as simple as coming in early before school or seeing me during an activity period. Other times the retake may require a help session or two and a stay after school. All test retakes will be held after school and the date will be announced in clas at least 3 days prior.
For students receiving a grade below 60%, this is not an option, but rather a requirment. Should a student refuse to retake an assignment which he/she received below 60% then they will receive a disciplinary slip for 1 office detenteion (failure to comply with a reasonable request) and the failing grade will be final.
Retakes are not offered for assignments simply not done. These are recorded as zeros. In other words, late assignments are not accepted unless of course the child has been absent or there is an unforeseen emergency and the parent has contacted the teacher. In these cases the sudent is expected to turn in the work within a reasonable amount of time determined by the teacher (usually 1 day for each day absent).
My responsibility and goal as a teacher is to teach. To teach each student requires many different styles and approaches, but it is my job to ensure that every student is learning to the best of their capabilities. It is my belief that by encouraging content and mastery and limiting telling a child "what they don’t know" I can increase an appreciation for science, increase test scores, reduce grade anxiety, and have a fun productive year.