This document outlines a grading contract for an English 102 course that specifies the requirements for earning different letter grades. To earn an A, students must have near-perfect attendance, submit all assignments on time, consistently complete classwork, actively participate in discussions, and submit a final portfolio with three significant revisions. Earning a B requires meeting most but not all requirements, such as allowing for one absence or late assignment. A grade of C or below will result from missing multiple classes or assignments. The contract aims to clearly define the path to each grade to reduce uncertainty.

1. ENGL 102 – 02
Fall 2019
Grading Contract Information
To the students in my English 102 course;
Rather than utilize a points-based grading system, this course uses a grading contract. The
purpose of a grading contract is to tell you exactly what you need to do to earn each letter
grade. This takes away from the dauntless amount of time you may spend wondering why
you got a certain point grade and what you could have done to earn a better grade.
This grading contract pushes you to meet the requirements of a B but also explains how
you can push yourself to earn an A. While this grading system may not work in every type
of course, it is extremely beneficial in composition courses such as this one. Rather than
focusing on a grade, you will be given extensive feedback, tailored towards your work, that
you can use to improve as a writer. You are competing with no one but yourself. The effort
you put in with regards to this feedback will make you a better writer—a writer that can
write in any class or situation relevant to your future.
While my comments and feedback will tell you where you stand on that assignment, it will
be up to you to put this to use for final drafts and the final portfolio. Meeting expectations
the first time a draft is due, will not guarantee that grade when the final draft is due.
You will find the terms of this contract below.
You are guaranteed a final grade of B if you meet the following conditions:
(1) Discussions. Interact with your peers during our weekly discussions on BBLearn.
Each week we will discuss a specific set of questions in relation to course materials.
You are responsible for both posting and responding to at least one of your peers
each week.
(2) Attendance. Do not miss more than one week’s worth of class (three class periods).
(3) Classwork and Prep Work. All work deemed as class work or prep work will have
specific due dates and requirements. You are responsible for meeting the
requirements and turning them in on time.
(4) Late assignments. Do not have more than one late major assignment. Extensions
may only be granted when requested at least 24 hours ahead of the due date and for
legitimate reasons only.
(5) Major Assignments. Each assignment will have specific, measurable guidelines that
must be met in order to earn a B. These will be detailed explicitly on the assignment
sheet.
(6) Final Portfolio. At the end of the semester, you will submit a final portfolio of
revisions that includes a reflection of the course. In order to be eligible for a B,
revisions must be significant and meet the requirements displayed on the final
portfolio assignment sheet.

2. Earning an A:
As noted above, earning a B depends on meeting a set of conditions. Earning an A, depends
on the quality of work above and beyond simply meeting the conditions mentioned above. I
hope that you all challenge and push yourselves to earn an A. Challenge yourselves to go
above and beyond the requirements and towards my standards of excellence. Taking any
opportunity you can to revise an assignment, especially if you’ve earned a B, will help push
towards an A. Your final portfolio will play a big role in this decision.
Knowing where you stand:
This grading contract allows you to have a clear idea of your final grade at any moment
during the semester. Each major assignment will include feedback that will clearly tell you
if you have failed to earn a B or if you have exceeded a B. You are responsible for keeping
track of absences and late work but can check with me at any time. Because we are using
BbLearn, all assignments will be scored as out of ten points. Meeting all requirements will
earn you an 8/10, exceeding all requirements will earn you a 9/10, and failing to meet all
requirements will earn you a 7/10. This should give you an accurate reflection of your
grade throughout the course, but it is important to remember that your final portfolio can
push you above or below what your current grade is.
Grades lower than B:
The quickest way to lower your grade to a C or F is to miss class and fail to turn in
assignments. If you are concerned about your grade or need to miss class, please
communicate with me for ways to stay on top of your coursework or your chances of
passing the course.
Summary of Contract:
As stated above, grades in this course are determined on your ability to reach and/or
exceed conditions and requirements. Below you will find a more concise breakdown of the
requirements you must exhibit to earn an A, B, or C or below.
To be eligible to earn an A, students must:
• Have no more than 3 absences
• Have zero late assignments
• Have submitted every major assignment
• Have consistently completed classwork and prep work assignments
• Have responded and critically engaged with discussions
• Submit a final portfolio with a reflection and three revisions

3. To be eligible to earn a B, students must:
• Have no more than 5 absences
• Have no more than one late assignment
• Have submitted every major assignment
• Have only occasionally skipped classwork or prep work assignments
• Have responded and engaged with discussions (skipping no more than one week’s
response)
• Submit a final portfolio with a reflection and two revisions
A student will automatically earn a C or below if they:
• Have more than 5 absences
• Submit more than one late assignment
• Skip one or more major assignment
• Do not consistently turn in classwork or prep work
• Do not consistently respond and engage with class discussion board.
• Submit a final portfolio with/without a reflection and one revision
Please read the grade contract above and sign the contract below, cut on the dotted
line, and return to class by Friday, August 30th.
I, , have read the English 102 grade contract above and
understand its terms.
Signature: Date: