Participation in Government

Syllabus

Course Description

Participation in Government (HVS11) emphasizes the teaching of basic civic values that are reflective of the principles of civility, citizenship, and character. Throughout this course there is an emphasis on the duties, obligations, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship.

PiG aims to provide students with opportunities to become engaged in the political process by acquiring the knowledge and practicing the skills necessary for active citizenship. It adapts its approach by using local, national, and global circumstances by selecting current events to illuminate key ideas and conceptual understandings. In the internet age it is vital to encourage active, authentic participation in personal education, government, and in communities as fundamental to creating a more perfect Union that leads to the success of American democracy.

Credit

Successful completion of HVS11 awards one (1) social studies credit towards graduation. Students should confer with their school counselor to track their progress in meeting graduation requirements🔗.

Devices, Instructional Materials, and Resources

In addition to traditional in-person instruction students may be required to use an online learning management system (LMS) to complete course assignments, assessments, and projects. In addition, from time to time, students may be required to visit government, mass media and other websites not specified.

Units of Study

This course has three units. Each unit has essential questions and corresponding textbook readings. All students are expected to complete any reading when assigned.

Course Expectations and Responsibilities for Success

All stakeholders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic and personal integrity. If a student engages in academic dishonesty disciplinary action shall be aligned with the NYCDOE Citywide Standards of Intervention and Discipline Measures (Grades 6-12): The Discipline Code 🔗. Student submission/completion of assignments after a semester scoring period shall not be accepted.

Academic success comes from routines in student learning—building habits and through regular pattern and cadence of instruction. All students are expected to establish regular and punctual attendance along with the timely submission of assignments to maximize teaching and learning of fundamental and required concepts.

New York City has published a calendar of instructional days, holidays, and parental conferences 🔗. 

Grades

Grades are a reflection of students’ understanding and command of content, their progression through a course or subject, and their proficiency of skills at a given point in time.  All appropriate stakeholders that have access can monitor progress throughout a Marking Period by viewing unofficial grades and marks through the school's use of an online learning management system known as Jupiter Ed🔗. 

Marking periods are intervals during a course when the teacher of record awards an interim mark, which provide status updates to students, families, and other stakeholders. Report card grades are indications of students’ progress toward proficiency of the courses’ learning standards at a given point in time. These are grades that do not appear on the transcript. Report card grades for this course are cumulative. They are also often called marking period grades, of which there are three per term. Final grades (marks) are given at the end of the term, representing the work students completed over the course. Final grades reflect the ultimate level of proficiency at the end of the course, as of that point in time and are cumulative. The final grade may also confer credit(s) because this course is credit bearing. The teacher of record determines the final mark in accordance with the school’s grading policies and the City and State’s academic policies.

Student grades are grounded in equity, accuracy, and the social-emotional well-being of students. It is also based on how well students demonstrate understanding of the subject matter, concepts, content, and skills addressed in this course. At High School of Economics & Finance, terms are divided into two semesters. This course is a one term course. Student submission of in-person instructional classwork shall be submitted at the conclusion of an in-person session unless otherwise specified by the teacher. 

When students miss class time, the teacher assigned may give a student a reasonable chance to make up missed instruction before final grades are entered. 

The teacher may only consider make-ups under specific and compelling documented emergencies (serious illness, accident, family crises, etc.) or school/district authorized absences. If for some reason a major grading event is scheduled for or due on a religious holiday a student observes, the student's parent must notify the teacher, in writing, no more than three weeks into the start of the term to arrange completion prior to that due date. 

Having other assignments or exams due on the same day or having computer problems are not considered emergency situations. Make-up exams or assignments may differ in format from the original ones given.

Worked missed should be completed within the scoring period it was assigned. Completion of assignments after a semester scoring period shall not exceed 20 aidable days as deemed necessary by school administration, without exception.

Late submission of any assignment may be accepted with a penalty of up to 35%, time permitting. 

A student's final course grade will be recorded to the official academic record at the conclusion of the semester term. If needed, Academic Intervention Services will be offered in accordance with and in compliance of New York State's Education Department Guidelines for Implementing Academic Services 🔗.

Score Calculation

The teacher assigned will calculate and determine a student’s grade using these weighted categories: Assessment, Engagement, Extension, and Instruction. Students can demonstrate competency of the New York State Common Core Social Studies 9-12 Framework 🔗 standards by earning a minimum cumulative passing average (65) during the term to earn course credit.

A student's final course grade on a 100-point scale will be recorded to the official academic record at the conclusion of the term. The teacher assigned will determine a student’s grade using the weighted categories of Assessment (40%), Extended Learning (20%), and Instruction (40%).

Academic Intervention Services (AIS)

AIS is offered to provide supports and means for a student to meet missed standards. Any AIS is offered in accordance with and in compliance of New York States's Education Department Guidelines for Implementing Academic Services and the New York City Department of Education Academic Policy Guide 🔗.

Students that do not meet the minimum standard for a passing score may be assigned AIS on an as needed basis throughout a scoring period. Any student that has missed meeting a standard within a grading period must meet with their assigned teacher for the purpose of receiving (AIS).  

The administration will inform the family about the services the student will receive, the reason why the student needs these services and the consequences if the student does not meet expected performance levels. The school must also notify parents or guardians when it terminates AIS for a student. Schools do not need parent permission to start or to end AIS. 

For AIS services in a student’s identified area of need, instruction supplementary to what is occurring in the classroom will be provided. Along with choosing the specific content of additional instruction, the teacher assigned, or school administration may choose to differentiate the intensity of AIS by changing the length and/or frequency of sessions, as well as the group size.

Regular progress monitoring is a part of the AIS program and the teacher assigned will keep records of interventions used and student academic growth. The parent/guardian will be notified and updated regularly on a student's progress through an online grading system selected by the administration. Additionally, the teacher assigned will communicate progress to the parent or guardian at least once per semester.

Any AIS for this course, regardless of its weighted category, will take place within a regularly scheduled school day, unless administration provides an additional service to those being offered by the teacher assigned.

Fall Semester Scoring Periods

Marking Period 1 Grade Report - TBD

Midterm Growth Assessment Administration - TBD

Marking Period 2 Progress Grade Report - TBD

Final Growth Assessment Administration - TBD

Marking Period 3 Progress Grade Report - TBD

Semester Course Grade Report - TBD

Bonus Assignments

Periodically, additional assignments may be posted. Completion of these limited, timed, and exclusive opportunities may be completed voluntarily to increase a grade with additional points to be earned for successful completion. No score penalties shall be applied for incorrect or non-completion of bonus assignments. Any points accrued may only be applied at the end of the term in which they have been earned, not before. 

Record-Keeping and Period Attendance Rules

Student attendance shall be recorded in the official record for each session that the course section meets. A student shall be marked as "A" for absent if they do not attend in-person; or “L” for late, if arriving after the start of a session.  Find out more information regarding school attendance 🔗 posted by NYCDOE.

Attendance may not be factored into a student’s grade. Attending and engaging in class, and demonstrating understanding are all essential components of student learning. When students attend school consistently, they have the greatest opportunity to make progress, receive support to demonstrate their learning. Students’ grades must reflect the extent to which they have met the learning outcomes for their courses.

Remote Instruction Emergencies

In the event that public school buildings must close due to an emergency or other event, students will participate in remote learning. Remote Instruction is declared by the New York City Department of Education. It is not decided by the instructor or student.

Students can access all the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) technology platforms they will need for remote learning through their NYCPS account.

To participate in remote learning, students will need access to a computer, laptop, or iPad that can connect to the internet. Students can request a NYCPS-loaned device from the school. More information and guidance on how to get started using a loaned device is available. 🔗 

Contacting Students and Families

The instructor will contact students and families will be contacted through Jupiter Ed, digital classroom chat/messaging and/or the instructor's professional NYC DOE account. It is expected that a student/family contact the instructor using Jupiter Ed or digital classroom chat/messaging.

Video Conferencing and Chat Etiquette

Synchronous learning sessions using video/audio conferencing on platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom, or NYCDOE Zoom are not required at this time but is subject to change.

In the event of a synchronous remote instruction session, students are expected to conduct themselves by traditional classroom norms.

Sharing of Student Work, Information, and Location

Students that wish to share their work with other must comply with the same rules as in person learning.

• Students must submit a completed media consent form 🔗for any student images, videos, or work that are posted

• Student responses—whether via chat or through submitted work—must be:

  • Treated with respect within the classroom

  • Shared only to support student growth and development

• Student locations—geolocations, street signs, or other clearly identifiable landmarks—are not to be included in pictures or videos

• Backgrounds need to be blurred or cropped to protect privacy

• Never share any other types of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) like grades, student account names, contact info—even handwriting