Frequently Asked Questions

How come PowerSchool isn't calculating grades in my classes?

What's a four-year college degree worth?

How can I get help from Mr. Afifi?

What is IM technology?

Is there anyone else who can help me?

What were the average semester grades for Fall 2009 in Mr. Afifi's classes?

What are the classroom rules and policies?

How are grades calculated?

How can I figure out what score I need to get on the final exam?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How come PowerSchool isn't calculating grades in my classes?

One reason is that I do not use the two quarter grades to determine the semester grade. In my view, the first and third quarter grades are progress reports. The semester grade is a running total for the entire semester.

Another reason is that grades are recalculated continuously when scores are entered for new assignments and this has led many parents and students to contact me, or the administration, demanding explanation. I am happy to explain grades but it is terribly time consuming to respond to so many demands so often when grades are in flux because of new assignments and scores. Please see my FAQ How are grades calculated? if you need to estimate your grade more often than when they are due.

Please note that all of the assignments and scores are still posted in PowerSchool. The only feature that is not functioning is the calculation of the total grade. Again, if you need to estimate your total grade more frequently than when grades are due, you may calculate your own grade as detailed in the FAQ How are grades calculated?

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How can I get help from Mr. Afifi?

I attempt to meet the needs of my students by offering extensive opportunities for student-teacher contact outside of class. I am available at lunch nearly every day, also after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4:00, and in the evenings through instant message (IM) or email.

Email address is mafifi@pgusd.org
Yahoo! Messenger screen name is marc_afifi
AIM screen name is marcafifi
You can reach me through facebook or phonebook.

I have helped several students with their homework using IM technology. I am able to ask diagnostic questions, provide instant feedback, and I am also able to scan and send files containing diagrams and explanations for particularly confusing assignments if necessary. Typically I am available online in the evenings until 9:00. You must give me your screen name in advance so I know with whom I am talking. I do not accept IM requests from people who are not on my buddy list because some people have decided to make a joke of my efforts. So, if you think you might want to make use of my online help offer, please give me your screen name in person and I will add you to my buddy list. If you are already on my buddy list you do not have to do this. You are on my buddy list if you have contacted me prior to 2/1/08 by IM. Remember, IM help is meant to be just that. Please do not waste both of our time by being silly. But please DO take advantage of this opportunity to clarify problems you are having with concepts we are learning.

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What is IM technology?

IM stands for instant message. Many services are available for free. I use AOL's version called AIM and you can get a free screen name from AOL by visiting their website. I also use Yahoo! Messenger which is free from their website too but requires a downloaded application. Please let me know if you need help creating a screen name.

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Is there anyone else who can help me?

Yes. I can get you in contact with a private tutor or you could use the Yellow Pages in the phone book to find one yourself. Let me know if I can help. Of course, my help is free!

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What were the average semester grades for Fall 2009 in Mr. Afifi's classes?

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What are the classroom rules and policies?

Classroom rules and policies were handed out at the beginning of the school year in my Message to Students and Parents. If you lost your copy, please email me and I'll send you another copy.

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How are grades calculated?

I do NOT average quarter grades to determine the semester grade. The quarter grade is simply a progress report as far as I'm concerned. As detailed in my classroom rules and policies, I use a weighted grading system. Homework counts as 15% of the total grade, labs are 25%, tests and quizzes are 30%, and the final exam is 30% of the semester grade. For purposes of estimating your progress prior to the administration of the final exam, please use 60% for the tests and quizzes category. It has been my experience that students typically achieve nearly the same grade on the final exam as they have averaged on tests and quizzes during the semester. Failing to take this into account results in a calculation that misrepresents the student's likely semester grade. Also, please note that scores on assignments are merely a guide to determining the final grade. In general, using scores on assignments results in a good representation of a student's learning. However, there can be extenuating circumstances which require teacher interpretation of student learning and modification of the numerical tabulation. In my experience, these modifications have only benefitted students.

To estimate your grade do the following:
Add up your HW points earned and divide by the HW points possible. Multiply this by 15 since HW contributes 15% toward the semester grade. (Let this be x)
Add up your Lab points earned and divide by the Lab points possible. Multiply this by 25 since Lab contributes 25% toward the semester grade. (Let this be y)
Add up your TQ points earned and divide by the TQ points possible. Multiply this by 60 since TQ and the final exam account for 60% of the semester grade. (Let this by z)

Now, add together x + y + z = your percentage

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How can I figure out what score I need to get on the final exam?

For this calculation you need to change the TQ percentage in the previous FAQ to 30%. Then, since we have only earned 70 points out of 100 prior to the final exam, take your percentage and multiply it by 70. That's your total points earned with 30 to go on the final exam. Using the grade scale I gave you in the Message to Students and Parents handout at the beginning of the year, you can see how many points out of 30 you need to get the grade you desire. Take those points and divide by 30 to see what percentage you need to earn on the final exam. Here's a sample calculation:

Say a student has followed my instructions on calculating grades and determined that s/he has earned 48 points of the 70 that were possible (15 from HW, 25 from Lab, 30 from TQ). Then this student needs to earn at least 16.5 more points from the 30 available on the final exam to get to 64.5% for the minimum C-. Therefore, this student now knows that s/he needs to achieve a 16.5 out of 30 on the final exam... or 55% on the final to keep a C- for the semester. Give it a try to see if you can make it work. Sadly, because this student has only earned 48 of 70 points leading up to the semester final exam, there is no way s/he can get a B (would need to earn 31.5 out of 30). Can you prove that to yourself?

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