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UNDERSTANDING GRADES
Grading student work in this course is often difficult. Like your post college work, however, you will be evaluated on achievement. In this and other college courses, grades reflect achievement, not simply effort. The following descriptions suggest from my vantage point why different students get different grades.
The "A" Student: Superior or Outstanding
- Attendance: "A" students have virtually perfect attendance. Their commitment to the class resembles that of the teacher.
- Preparation: "A" students are usually prepared for class. They always read the assignment, usually before class. They use the study guide, and from time to time they review lecture notes. Their attention to detail is such that they occasionally catch the teacher in a mistake. He rather enjoys that.
- Curiosity: "A" students show interest in the class and in the subject. They look up or dig out what they don't understand. In class they are engaged: they often ask interesting questions or make thoughtful comments.
- Retention: "A" students have retentive minds. They can connect what they learned in past courses with the material in History 131. They work to organize and thus control the flow of facts.
- Attitude: "A" students have a winning attitude. They have both the determination and the self-discipline necessary for success. They show initiative. For example, in writing papers they seek to build a larger vocabulary and hone their writing style.
- Talent: "A" students have something special. It may be exceptional intelligence and insight. It may be unusual creativity, organizational skills, commitment--or a combination of them. These gifts are evident to the teacher and to other students.
- Results: "A" students make high grades on tests and papers--usually the highest in the class. Their work is a pleasure to grade.
The "C" Student: An Average or Adequate Student
- Attendance: "C" students miss class frequently. They put other priorities ahead of academic work. Sometimes, their health or other problems render them unable to keep up with the demands of high-level performance.
- Preparation: "C" students prepare their assignments consistently but perfunctorily. Their work may be sloppy or careless. At times, it is incomplete or late.
- Retention: "C" students allow themselves to be overwhelmed by all the names, places, events and dates. For them, nothing fits together.
- Attitude: "C" students are not visibly committed to the class. They participate without enthusiasm. Their body language expresses boredom.
- Talent: "C" students vary enormously in talent. Some have exceptional ability but show undeniable signs of poor self-management or negative attitudes. Others are diligent but simply average in academic ability.
- Results: "C" students obtain mediocre or inconsistent results on tests or papers.
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