Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Do I really need a calculator?
- How are grades calculated?
- When can I make up missed work?
- Are exams cumulative?
- Do I have to take chemistry or physics to graduate?
- What is the difference between the Honors and AP courses?
- What happens if I do not pass the safety unit?
Do I really need a calculator?
Yes. Math is a major part of Chemistry and Physics and in order
to complete
assignments in a reasonable amount of time a calculator must be
used. A
scientific calculator is best as we often work with scientific
notation. A
graphing calculator is not needed as I have several of these
which can be
used in class when necessary.
How are grades calculated?
All assignments are graded and grades recorded. All classes also
have a 9 weeks exam.
The exam counts for 20% of the nine weeks grade and all other
work,
including tests and projects, counts for the remaining 80%. As a
general
rule, tests will account for approximately 40% of the class
grade, labs for
approximately 20%, and classwork, homework and quizzes will make
up the
remaining 20%.
When can I make up missed work?
Only work missed due to an excused absence may be made up. All
make up work
must be done after school. I will generally have 2-3 designated
make up
days per week. Labs will have one assigned make up day per lab.
If you
were absent and have a good excuse for missing the make up day,
you will be
given a written assignment to replace the lab grade. You can
make up tests
and quizzes or come in for additional help on any make up day.
Are exams cumulative?
Yes. First and third 9-weeks exams will cover material from that
grading
period only. Second and fourth 9-weeks exams, however, will
cover an entire
semester. This year there will be no third 9-weeks exam, but the
fourth 9-
weeks exam will cover material from the entire second semester.
Students will be given a study guide approximately 1 week before
their exam
to help determine what to study.
Do I have to take chemistry or physics to graduate?
No. Chemistry is required for TOPS and for admission to 4 year
colleges and
universities in Louisiana. It is not a graduation requirement.
Physics can
count as a 4th science or a substitute for a core course for
TOPS. It is
required for admission to some universities. Check the admission
requirements of the schools you are considering before
registering for your
senior year courses.
What is the difference between the Honors and AP courses?
Honors courses move faster than and go into more depth than
regular classes,
but are still considered high school level classes. AP classes
are
equivalent to a first semester/year college course. Students
enrolled in AP
classes can take the AP test in the spring and possibly earn
college credit
for the course.
What happens if I do not pass the safety unit?
In order to be allowed to work in the lab a student must have a
signed
safety contract and passing (74 or higher) grades on the safety
lab
questions and the safety test. Safety questions not turned in on
time will
receive a grade of zero, but may be completed late to earn lab
privileges.
Students may retake the safety test as many times as necessary
during the
first nine weeks. Grades received on the first retake will be
averaged with the
original grade for calculating grades, but a student only needs
to receive a
74 on one testing to be granted lab privileges.
