Graded_Work_CP

I have created an unusual grading system, in hopes of accomplishing the following goals:
 * Students should know that there is always room for improvement, and that persistence pays off;
 * Students should know when they are in danger of failing, and have a chance to make adjustments before it is too late;
 * Students should know that regular practice is important to strengthen their mental abilities, and have some flexibility in making time for that practice;
 * Students should have some idea whether they are on track to meeting their personal academic goals;
 * Students should learn to distinguish "good" work from "excellent" work, and also from "average" or "poor" work.

That's a lot to ask from a grading system, which may be why mine looks so complicated! Think of it like a set of stairs rising upwards.


 * Benchmark Assessments** form the scaffolding of the whole set of stairs.
 * When benchmarks are failed, the whole stairs are unsteady.
 * When a student misses a benchmark, they can have every opportunity to get help and try again.
 * When a student fails to correct the problem, they are in danger of failing.
 * //An "F" in my course means one or more Benchmark has gone uncorrected. Fix it, and the danger of failing goes away instantly!//**


 * Graded Exercises** are part of a training program.
 * They are designed to be a manageable challenge, so that students should expect to master them.
 * Students who are committed to doing their Graded Exercises are setting themselves up for success.
 * Students who miss out on these exercises, or do them without mastery, aren't necessarily failing to progress, but the are slowing their progress.
 * //A good student will complete these exercises for full credit, even if it takes more than one try or extra work outside of class! Keep track of these assignments in the Grade Portal, and don't allow a "0" or "1" to remain!//**


 * Quality Points** are the various activities that distinguish the quality of student work.
 * These activities are not "pass/fail" in nature, but show variations from "excellent" to "good" to "average" to "poor".
 * These scores are put on a 5-point scale, where 5 is truly amazing, 4 is excellent, 3 is good, 2 is average and 1 is poor.
 * Since there are many activities that can be classified in this way, I average them all.
 * There will be "Quality Point" grades for tests, projects, essays, and other creative products.
 * I will average them to determine a student's letter grade.
 * It may help to think of this like a GPA, where 4=A, 3=B, 2=C, 1=D.
 * //Don't miss your chances to pursue "Quality Points", and feel free to suggest side projects that will showcase your strengths and demonstrate your growth as a student!//**


 * Test_Score_Conversions || Graded_Exercises_Score_Conversions ||