- If you missed the test
because you fell behind during the month, or got busy, or
had trouble with the math--but did not do the math early
enough in the month to be able to come in often for math
help--then there is a 20% penalty. I know that seems
harsh, but it is absolutely vital to keep up with the
schedule. If someone falls a little behind, then they
get more behind, and more behind, until it's almost
impossible to pass the course. It is the parents'
responsibility (for middle schoolers) and students'
responsibility (high schoolers) to make sure to get done
with the work, and prepare for the test, in time.
STILL NEED TO TAKE THE TEST, because not taking it would be
a zero...the 20% penalty means the highest score a student
can get is B-, but that's still better than an F.
- There really are unavoidable
situations where it's not someone's fault for being late
taking a test, such as really sick in bed, or a parent too
sick to drive a student to school for a test, or a relative is in the hospital about
to have surgery, or a grandparent just got hurt and parent
needs to go there, no time to bring a student for
testing...I do understand such things happen, and IF A PARENT CONTACTS ME AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION (via email), then there will not
be a penalty for taking the test late. Notice that
main point: a parent, not a student, must contact me via
email.
C. FALLING
BEHIND--DANGER! A student who misses a test--no matter how legitimate
the reason---is now behind in the learning and work for the
next month. No, the next month's work will NOT be
lessened or put off as well...the student who fell behind must
work extra on school days and also on weekends in order to
catch up for the next month. In a perfect world,
everyone would work at their own pace, so there would be no
falling behind, but unfortunately the end of the semester is
set in stone...I have to issue a final grade at that
time. Since I don't want students failing because of
falling behind, I must recommend that the parent and student
make a huge effort to catch up as soon as possible (and
without falling behind in other courses...the same this is
true with those courses). This huge effort means extra
work on school days, working on weekends, whatever it
takes.
D. WOULD IT BE OK TO
TAKE THE NEXT MONTH'S TEST LATE SINCE I HAD TO TAKE THIS TEST
LATE? No, even
if it was a legitimate reason for missing this month's test,
with no penalty, you are still fully responsible to work extra
and on weekends in order to catch up for the next month's test
on time. If you miss that test because you were unable
to catch up, the 20% penalty will apply to the test.