Contents: 
General Note on The Regents Exam 
Required Lab Hours
Grading Policy
Homework Policy
Required Materials

YOU MUST PASS THE REGENTS EXAM IN JUNE TO RECEIVE HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE! 

General Note on The Regents Exam 

There are state requirements for Regents Living Environment course that must be fulfilled before students are allowed to take the examination. Passing the exam in June is REQUIRED in order to receive high school credit for this course. Students who fail the exam will have to take the course over again in high school. Students who have very low passing scores may be required by their high school to take the course over again, at the discretion of the school. It is therefore essential that all students strive not just to pass the exam, but also to do as well as possible on the exam. 

Required Lab Hours 

This course requires successful completion of 30 periods of laboratory activities before you are allowed to take the exam. Students must show success through a portfolio of completed lab reports. Good record keeping and organization are essential. Completed lab reports will be kept in students' floppy binders in the classroom. I repeat, the lab requirement must be met or you will not be allowed to take the exam in June.

Grading Policy 

Since this is an examination-based course, students should expect a lot of practice exam questions. Most questions on the regents exam require application and analysis rather than factual recall. Practice questions will give students an opportunity to become familiar with these types of questions and provide strategies for answering them. At the same time, there are a lot of laboratory skills that must be mastered, and a thorough understanding of the scientific process is required. Homework and projects will allow students to develop deeper understanding of selected topics through independent research.

Ø Tests 25% 
Ø Quizzes 15% 
Ø Lab Reports 20% 
Ø Long-term Projects 20% 
Ø Classwork/Participation 10% 
Ø Homework 10% 

Note that passing the regents exam alone does not necessarily mean that you will pass this class. You must do the work for this class - homework, lab reports, projects, etc. - to get a passing grade.

I repeat, 

YOU MUST PASS THE REGENTS EXAM IN JUNE TO RECEIVE HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE! 

Homework Policy 

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Many of these assignments will be reading or test practice questions that we will go over in class. Therefore lateness will not be tolerated - late homework will receive only 50% credit after one day. Any lateness beyond one day will not be accepted for credit. Since all homework is posted on this website, if you are absent the homework is due the day you return from the absence and will not count against you as long as your absence is excused with a note from your parent/guardian.

 

Required Materials

Regents: Living Environment is an advanced science course with a rigorous laboratory requirement.  As such, students MUST arrive to class every day prepared with a few essential materials.  Please purchase these materials this summer and have them available for me to check on the first day of school, September 13, 2004. You may already have some of these items, but if you need to purchase everything on this list, the total will be about $20.00 - $25.00 at Staples, Office Max, etc.