Attached is a copy of what I will be sending home on the first day of school with my 8th grade Algebra 1 students.  I do not want there to be any confusion about what is expected.  For many, this transition to a high school level course will not be an issue.  Others may struggle, and that’s OK.  If this class may not be the right fit at this time, that’s OK, too.  We just want to make sure that all students are where they need to be in order to succeed academically.

In my view, the biggest transition from middle to high school is the grading policy.  At the high school, we limit corrections and retests.  Our “retest”, so to speak, is a cumulative 9 week test given at the end of the quarter that will replace the previous lowest  test score.  Thus, a low test grade from earlier in the quarter will remain in the grade book until the end of that quarter when we take the 9 week test, and, hopefully, score high enough to replace that low grade.  This policy drives home the point to be prepared for tests the first time through, so a student doesn’t have to carry that lower grade for 5, 6, or 7 weeks. It also give the student plenty of time to know that they need to prepare for the 9 week test and get the help and assistance necessary.

Click here to see the 8th grade student expectation form.  Please ask to see your student’s physical copy.  Sign and return.