Written and designed by the staff of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Reproduce with permission only.
The following grading contract creates a flexible grading scale. The advantage of such a contract is that both teacher and student come to an awareness of the most important activities and topics of the course and also of the student's preferred learning style. The student and the teacher collaborate on the final grade, giving the student the chance to maximize a course grade while the teacher decides on a range of points which will maximize learning and coverage of class material.
With a flexible grading contract, the student will have a clear idea of what will be required throughout the course right from the beginning of the semester. Such a contract can avoid nasty surprises at semester's end for both the student and the teacher. With a grading contract between them, students will be less likely to haggle with the teacher about grades, since the students participated in selecting the grading scale.
It is important for the teacher to assign point ranges which correspond to the amount of class time spent on each activity or project, and on its importance in the general scheme of the semester-long course. A flexible grading scale does not give students the power to do anything they choose to do for a full grade, but it does establish guidelines which will ensure that the students do all activities, while also maximizing the grading on those kinds of activities at which each excels.
(Course Name)
Please indicate the points for which you would like to contract in this course. Choose points within the ranges provided and be sure that the total number of points add up to 200. This contract must be signed by you and given to the instructor at the beginning of the class period on (insert date). Once the contract has been signed, the agreement cannot be changed. Keep the top copy for your records. If you fail to meet the deadline for submitting your contract, the instructor will determine the point distribution for you.
Activity Point Range Your Point Value
Required:
Two Exams 40-70 ________________
Group Project 50-70 ________________
Optional: (You must choose at least 2!)
Book Report 10-30 ________________
Current Issues Journal 15-35 ________________
Mind/Body Experience 10-30 ________________
Activity Report 10-30 ________________
____________________
200
I have read the above contract and agree to abide by the conditions. I understand that my grade for this course will be determined by the point distribution that I have indicated.
Signed ___________________________________________ Date ________________
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Last Updated: January 30, 2001