PowerTeacher Pro Errors
This is a reminder to all teachers that when you create Summative Assignments[i] and assign a category, then that category must be used in the Traditional Grade Calculation. If the category is not in the calculation, then the assignment/s will not be included in the Final Grade for the Term.
Example:
This English Teacher has created 13 Assignments.
What are the categories used?
See the Category Box with abbreviated name.
- Final Exam with 1 assignment
- Term Work with 4 assignments
- Daily Work with 5 assignments
- Class Work with 3 assignments
These assignments and the scores make up the scoresheet to calculate the GRADE column for the term.
How is the Term Grade Calculated?
Open the Traditional Grade Calculation page. Settings -> Traditional Grade Calculations
Choose the Section (Class) and the Term to calculate the grade for by clicking on the pencil in the right column called Actions.
What is wrong with this calculation method?
There are only three categories used when there should be four. Category called Class Work is missing and hence 3 columns in the scoresheet will not be included in the final grade.
The calculation method should look something like the following depending on the weight assigned to each category.
The scoresheet will now be automatically re-calculated to this new formula settings.
Term Grade with 3 Categories Term Grade with 4 Categories
Note: When you assign a category to an assignment, make sure the category is setup in the Traditional Grade Calculation otherwise all assignments using that category will not be included in the term final grade. Make a Plan for the years grading and the categories you are going to use, then stick to it. Do not create more categories ad hock and forget to add them to the final grade calculation setup.
If you wish to record assignments, but not included the assignment to be calculated in the term final grade, then when you create the assignment untick the ‘Count in Traditional Final Grade’ box. You can track all your Formative Assessments[ii] in this manner.
End of Term Processing
At the end of the term, notify your PowerSchool Administrator that you have finished entering the scores for the term and those final grades are ready for Report Cards. This is not a verbal communication. You tick the box for Final Grade Status. The administrator can print a report listing the status of all sections. Report cards cannot be printed until all teachers have marked each class as completed for the term.
- Select a class and verify that you are in the correct term.
- Click Grading.
- Select Traditional.
or select Comment Verification. - At the bottom of the page, click Final Grade Status.
- When you have completed your final grades, click [Term] Final Grades are Complete.
- Enter a comment indicating that “final grades are complete”, and click Save.
The green tick mark next to “Final Grade Status” indicates that final grades are complete for the current section.
If you are not done with final grades yet, leave the tick box clear, enter a status comment, and click Save.
[i] Summative Assessment
This is an evaluation made by the teacher at the conclusion of a unit of work, instruction, or assessment activity to assess student skills, knowledge, and understandings at that particular point in time. However, these assessments can also be used formatively if they are used to promote future learning.
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[ii] Formative Assessment
Refers to all those assessment activities undertaken by teachers, and by the students themselves, which provide information, to be used as feedback to modify the teaching and learning activities in which they are engaged. Such assessments become formative when the evidence is actually used to adapt the teaching to meet the needs of students. It is widely and empirically argued that formative assessment has the greatest impact on learning and achievement.
