A - To receive an A in a history class, a student must consistently display a thorough understanding of the material explored in the class and the ability to discover relevant connections. The student is able to convey this knowledge through both written and oral expression. Student’s work is of a uniformly excellent nature that routinely meets the highest expectations. Student’s achievements include all of the following: exceptional accuracy in research and presentation; creative projects that possess excellence in both design and execution; well-written, well-supported, insightful essays; active, beneficial involvement in class activities.

B - To receive a B in a history class, a student must display an above-average understanding of the material explored in the class and the ability to make relevant connections. The student is able to convey this knowledge through both written and oral expression. Student’s work often meets the highest expectations. Student’s achievements include all of the following: accuracy in research and presentation; effective projects that meet the highest expectations in some categories; papers written with solid support and few grammatical errors; active, appropriate involvement in class activities.

C - To receive a C in a history class, a student must display a basic understanding of the material explored in the class and the ability to see relevant connections as they are pointed out. The student is able to convey this knowledge through both written and oral means to an acceptable degree. Student’s work consistently meets basic expectations. Student’s achievements include most of the following: accuracy in research and presentation; effective and complete projects; papers written with support and with a reasonable grammatical correctness; active, appropriate involvement in class activities; a consistent pattern of submitted, acceptable assignments.

D - To receive a D in a history class, a student does display occasional understanding of the material explored in the class. However, the student’s work or class involvement is inconsistent. Work may be sloppy or haphazard with fair content, or it may be prepared cleanly with poor content. Student meets some expectations while failing to meet others. Student’s overall performance includes some of the following: inaccuracy in research or presentation; weak or "last-minute" projects; papers that are poorly supported or written; inappropriate or infrequent involvement in class activities; incomplete or missing assignments.

F - To receive an F in a history class, a student must consistently fail to meet minimum expectations. 

The effort grade in the History Dept. is based on the following four elements:

• satisfactory completion of all assignments (in-class and homework)
• active and appropriate participation in class
• positive attitude in and towards the class
• willingness to take on challenges.

All of the above criteria should be weighed in order to determine a student’s effort grade. In general the following guidelines apply.

4 – To receive a 4, a student should complete his or her assignments, both in-class and homework. Assignments should be thoughtfully, neatly and thoroughly completed. The student should actively participate in class on a regular basis. He or she should participate fully in class activities and either contributes to class discussions or carefully follows them. He or she should be a major contributor in group work and class work. The student should take advantage of optional opportunities or take the initiative to follow interests on his or her own. A positive attitude and good organizational and study skills should be demonstrated.

3- To receive a 3, a student regularly completes his or her assignments. A student may have a late assignment, but all major assignments must have been made up. The student participates appropriately in class activities. He or she is a positive influence on the class’ work.

2 – To receive a 2, a student frequently has difficulties completing assignments in a timely and thorough fashion. The student often has had trouble focusing in class and may have been disruptive to the class’ efforts. The student has not followed through on constructive criticism or other opportunities to improve his or her performance.

1- To receive a 1, a student has neglected several assignments and/or a major assignment without making them up. The student frequently turns in incomplete or unsatisfactory work. He or she does not regularly involve him or herself in class activities and is frequently disruptive. He or she refuses to take advantage of constructive criticism to improve his or her performance. The student frequently displays an unwillingness to cooperate and a poor attitude towards the class.

General Expectations for Students – Students are expected to put forth their best efforts to learn and to succeed.

General Expectations for Teachers – Teachers are expected to make it possible for students to learn and to succeed. To this end, teachers will be prepared for class, available to answer questions, flexible, open-minded, and fair. They will provide a variety of activities with the purpose of engaging and challenging the students. They will respond to student work constructively and promptly. They will also hold themselves to standards as rigorous as they apply to their students.

Expectations for Completing Assignments – Students are expected to complete all assignments to the best of their abilities. Clear requirements for individual assignments will be provided. Teachers will be available to help clarify tasks or guide students as they require or desire assistance.

Late Work – Late work is discouraged. Appropriate consequences, ranging from deduction of points to non-acceptance, will be determined based on factors such as the nature of the assignment, degree of lateness, and student’s track record, and may vary by grade level.

Expectations for Class Participation – Students are expected to be prepared to participate in all classroom activities. Participation should be active and appropriate. Participation may be a part of determining grades.