EXPLANATION OF GRADING

EXPLANATION OF GRADING

Lovett String Program

Complete 9-Weeks Grading Period NOTE: Cycle grades are based on grades for individual class, after-school meetings, and
performances (see below).

Each student receives a grade every time he/she is in class , in an after-school rehearsal, or participating in a performance.

CREDITS

Percentage of Total Grade Grade Level Years of Experience

In-Class* After-School

80% 20% 1^st / 2^nd 0

75% 25% 1

70% 30% 3^rd-5^th 0-1

65% 35% 2 or more

*Each concert or contest performance counts as an additional week of class grades, except that an unexcused absence from a performance
results in a greater negative assessment than does an unexcused absence from a class meeting. See below, under "Deductions," Items 4/5.

Composite Averages and Report Card Letter Grades:

> 90 = E 78 - 89.99+ = S 67 - 77.99+ = P < 67 = U

Please note that there is no rounding in the determination of the composite average.

DEDUCTIONS FROM CYCLE GRADE, PER INCIDENT Deductions for loss of instrument or materials are assessed only once per
           loss. For example, a student who loses his/her violin does not have a letter taken off his/her cycle grade each session the
           instrument is missing. However, once the instrument is either recovered or replaced, a subsequent loss will result in another
           one-letter deduction.

1. Loss of Instrument: 1 letter off cycle grade (E drops to S, S drops to P, etc.)

2. Loss of Folder or Book: 1 letter off cycle grade, plus replacement costs

3. Loss of Single Sheet of Music: ½ letter off cycle grade per sheet, plus replacement costs

4. Unexcused Absence from Performance

a. Without Permission Slip Previously Returned: 1 letter off cycle grade

b. With Permission Slip Previously Returned: 2 letters off cycle grade (E drops to P, S drops to U)

         A signed permission slip is a firm contract to be present and perform except in cases of either the student's illness or serious,
    genuine emergencies that arise too late to be worked around. Parents who could encounter unexpected work conflicts should
    have contingency plans (carpooling, etc) for their children's transportation to and from concerts. Family members / friends making
    visits from out of town with little or no advance notice are always welcome guests at concerts.

5. Skipping Lovett Performance to Perform Elsewhere: cycle grade lowered to “U.” Please note that both the Houston Youth Symphony and the
Greater Houston Youth Orchestra stipulate in writing that their members' school orchestra concerts take precedence over HYS and
GHYO concerts.

6. Any deliberate act that, either directly or indirectly, seriously impairs the ability of any orchestra member to
perform effectively in a concert or contest OR compromises the performance level of an ensemble: 2 letters off cycle grade

7. Second offense (#6) within SCHOOL YEAR: Cycle grade of "U," demotion to lower group, loss of eligibility to perform in next two events

8. Unexcused Absence from Scheduled Rehearsal (including any absence for which a note from home is not provided) --

a. 1^st and 2^nd time: ½ letter off cycle grade, each incident

b. additional times: 1 letter off cycle grade, each incident

9. Leaving Instrument at School --

a. overnight during week: 10 points off next daily grade

b. over regular (2-day) weekend: 15 points off next daily grade

c. over extended weekend or non-school interim of not over 5 days: 1/2 letter off cycle grade

d. over period greater than 5 days: full letter off cycle grade

Individual Meeting

CREDITS NOTE: Each student has a grade of 100% on first entering the orchestra room. Points are maintained by having instrument, folder, and all written music; demonstrating preparedness; meeting objectives; and having good behavior. Points are lost by falling short in one or more of those areas.

Criterion Percentage of Grade_________

In-Class After-School

Preparation / Meeting of Objectives 75% 67%

Behavior 25% 33%

DEDUCTIONS

Description Amount off Daily Grade________

Class After-School

Not Bringing Instrument -60-65

(without excuse note - see 3, below)

Not Bringing Folder -20 -35
Not Bringing Music (if folder is brought) -10 / item -15 / item

Not Returning Signed Notice, Slip, etc., -10 -15

by or before the NEXT class or rehearsal
date. Orchestra members must be RESPONSIBLE.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Deductions start being assessed after the first week of school for returning players, and deductions are assessed after the
second week of school for first-year players.

2. Failure to bring equipment, materials, and so forth, includes (but is not limited to) leaving those items in the home classroom.
     Except under unusual circumstances, as determined by Orchestra Instructor, students who leave equipment, materials, etc. in their
       home classrooms will NOT be permitted to go back to those rooms to get them. This is preparation for middle school orchestra, in which
       directors do not allow students to retrieve their instruments, folders, and so forth from lockers or elsewhere once class or rehearsal has started.

3. Students who leave their instruments and/or folders at home on music days and whose parents bring the instruments during class time
will be assessed fifty percent (50%) deductions after the first such incident and full deductions after the third such incident. It is the
responsibility of the student, not the parent, to remember when music days are.

4. A student who fails to bring an instrument due to its being in the shop will not lose points IF s/he has a note from home explaining
the situation. The note must be hand-signed and must be turned in no later than two (2) class meetings after the failure to bring
the instrument. Folder and music MUST be brought to class and rehearsal even if the instrument is in the shop.

5. Students who lose points may earn back up to one-half (50%) of them with excellent conduct and active, proper participation in
teacher-directed discussions.

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