Grading Contract

So here's an idea (and most of a document) I got from Ira Shor, who is pretty much the foremost theorist on critical pedagogy (check out Empowering Education, the "bible" of critical pedagogy). Instead of just handing out a syllabus with your set-in-stone policies, negotiate a grading contract together with your class. I observed and have copied Shor's method, and I've found that the semesters I used the grading contract have been more successful. During those semesters, students didn't suspect me of being unfair or anything b/c they saw clearly what the expectations were.

That said, here's the process: hand out a proposed grading contract on the first or second day and let the students take it home, mull it over and decide if they'd like to change anything. Next meeting, negotiate, make revisions, sign off on it. In the past, my students have cared about tardies and absences.

And here's the proposed contract, originally drawn up by Ira Shor and revised a little by me (the teacher responsibilities part). Feel free to plagiarize and augment, as both Ira and I happily believe in sharing intellectual property:

Proposed Grading Contract

Please read and suggest any changes you think are needed.

For a grade of “A” (excellent):

• 2 absences ok, but not on essay due dates or scheduled conferences with professor (grade drops one letter for every 2 absences after first 2).
• 1 tardy ok (10 minutes)
• All HW and reading done in time for class (essays drop a letter grade for each day late)
• “A”-level quality on all written essays (including word count)
• “A”-level participation in class work and discussions
• Give useful feedback to other students in peer editing groups.

For a grade of “B” (good):

• 4 absences ok, but not on due dates or scheduled conferences with professor, and not 2 weeks in a row (grade drops one letter for every 2 absences after 4).
• 2 tardies ok (10 minutes)
• 1 HW assignment can be turned in late (essays drop a letter grade for each day late)
• “B”-level quality on written essays (including word count)
• “B”-level participation: do all class work and join most discussions
• Give useful feedback to other students in peer editing groups.

For a grade of “C” (average):

• 6 absences ok, but not on due dates or scheduled conferences with professor, and not 2 or 3 weeks in a row (grade drops one letter for every 2 absences after 6).
• 3 tardies ok (10 minutes)
• 2 HW assignments can be turned in late (essays drop a letter grade for each day late)
• “C”-level quality on written essays (including word count)
• “C”-level participation: do all class work, not much participation required in discussions
• Give useful feedback to other students in peer editing groups.

General Policies:

• If you miss attendance, you’re “absent” unless you come sign it after class.
• Students are responsible for anything the professor says in class.
• Stay till the end of every class, except for emergencies. If leaving early, tell the professor.
• No interrupting, insulting, or disrespecting others in class discussions (golden rule).
• Don’t talk over professor (including announcements during group work).
• All HW and essays typed
• Students may revise essays for a higher grade as many times as desired, but the grade will only be raised if students make substantial revisions (turn in with old draft).
• Plagiarism = 0 on the assignment, possible expulsion (non-negotiable)
• Turn off cell-phones and pagers.
• Food and drinks are a good idea, as long as you clean up.

Professor’s Duties:

• Return assignments in a timely manner (by the following week, unless it’s a revision).
• Treat students with respect and grade according to the policies on which we decide.
• Teach required essay genres, as well as the other genres we decide on as a class.
• Teach class only one time; if a student is absent, he or she should ask a classmate about missed material.
• I will only teach students who want to be taught by me. I reserve the right to ask students to leave.