Your education is an active team effort involving a commitment from both you and me. Your responsibility is to come to class prepared and ready to do your best, and my responsibility is to have an organized class environment in which you will be able to learn. Each person in our class is an individual worthy of respect, and courtesy will be shown to everyone in the class. You are expected to follow all KISD rules as outlined in the student handbook. In addition to those rules, no food or drink is permitted in the classroom.

As you come into class, please take your seat with your supplies ready, so that class may begin when the bell rings. There will be an assignment on the board for your immediate attention. Please do not leave class until you have been dismissed

* blue/black pen and red grading pen, pencil
* 3 x 5 index cards (Pre AP only)
* wide ruled notebook paper, notebook, dividers
* calendar (this may be printed from a computer)
* composition book
* one box of Kleenex

Grading Structure
Pre AP: Daily 35% Test 65%
Regular: Daily 50% Test 50%

Late/Make-up Work
Missed work is your responsibility. As a sophomore in high school, you will not be reminded to check for missed assignments. YOU must check your calendar yourself! There is a class calendar located in the room and on-line as well as the one you have been given in class.

School activities are NOT acceptable excuses for late work. If you will be gone from class because of a school activity, turn your work in before you leave for the activity.

Kilgore High School Regular English Late Work Policy:

Work late on date due – 10 points off
Work turned in next day – 30 points off
Work turned in two days late – 50 points off

Kilgore High School Pre AP and AP English Late Work Policy:

Late work will NOT be accepted for daily grades!
The following will apply for major grades such as essay, projects, and tests:
Work late on date due – 10 points off
Work turned in next day – 30 points off
Work turned in two days late – 50 points off

***A Note About TAKS***

Students will take the 10th grade Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) English Language Arts test in February. The tenth grade TAKS test combines reading selections with short answer questions and adds not only a revising/editing section but also includes an essay. We work digilently on all skills needed for this very important state mandated test. In addition to being present in class everyday, please come to class prepared.

The following is an excerpt from the “User Agreement” from Parent Connection:

Parent Connection is a tool for parents to use to communicate with their child about grades and attendance. We hope by offering this program, you will be able to sit down with your child and discuss any low grades or missing assignments. We, as teachers and parents, would like to offer the following suggestions in order for you to get the most benefit from this opportunity.

1. Remember that grades accumulate over a six weeks and fluctuate until we can gather an overall picture of how your child is doing. Your child will have some grades higher than others while some might be lower. Watch his/her progress and encourage him/her to work harder when a grade is low and praise him/her when your student is doing well.

2. If your child has a missing grade, please teach your child to take responsibility for turning it in. Talk to your child about what the assignment is and what steps he/she needs to do to get the assignment in to his/her teacher. Most likely, the student knows or has the assignment and can clear up the grade by turning it in. Our goal is not to create more stress or work for you, but we want to help you to be aware of your child’s progress and have the information in print to share. This lets you “be in the know” when discussing grades with your child. We do not want to take the valuable lesson of responsibility away from the student and place the burden on you.

3. Please understand it takes time to grade, review, and offer good feedback on many assignments like projects, essays, and long tests. Please give the teacher time to review the papers and enter the grade. As soon as the entire class is graded, the grades will be entered.

4. If your child is still confused about a missing assignment after he/she talks to the teacher, you may email the teacher for further advice. Since sometimes teachers cannot check email for a day or two due to workshops, class load, meetings, or computer difficulties, please be patient as the teacher tries to get back to you.


Remember that the grades you see might not include all the assignments or tests that have been completed by your student. Please allow time for thorough grading as well as time to enter grades. Sometimes it may be several days before you see grades entered. Ask your student!