Grading
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Back to Syllabus
The default grade in this class is a C, so if you start the semester with low grades, then it becomes imperative that you schedule time with us. CMCI students must earn a C- (minus) or greater to pass this course. Should you be confused about course requirements, or about our expectations... see us. We're here to help you succeed.
Evaluations
After you complete an assignment, we'll email you a brief evaluation that will look similar to the grading sample below. If you didn't receive your evaluation, then it will be your responsibility to inquire with us about getting it. We will strive to get you evaluations in a timely manner so that you can gauge your progress and pinpoint areas where improvement is necessary. Our intention is to award numerical scores to each of your assignments according to a rubric. We will grade against the following scale:
|
A- to A |
B- to B+ |
C- to C+ |
F to D+ |
|
9-10 Exemplary |
8-8.9 Proficient |
7-7.9 Partially Proficient |
1-6.9 Unsatisfactory |
As long as you want to get an A in this class, the expectation is that you perform exemplary work. Please refer to the grading rubrics (linked below on this page) to learn about the criteria we use to evaluate your work. Should you have questions about the criteria, then please see us. We're happy to address any of your concerns.
Sample Grading
Sample Grading
We'd be delighted to give you more detailed feedback as long as you make appointments to see us. Setting up these meetings on a regular basis will help you find success in this course. We evaluate your assignments using a numerical score that is based on specific criteria. We then add up the scores and take an average based on the number of criteria for that assignment. The average score will be the final grade.
Here's an example of an evaluation for a news package:
Here's an example of an evaluation for a news package:
Feature Story - Student Veterans
|
Visuals |
Audio |
Script |
Editing |
Web Story |
|
7 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
The final score is taken as an average of the individual criteria. In this example, the average is 8, which is considered a B- or Proficient work.
Missing Deadlines will impact your grade
Missing deadlines, such as deadlines for story submission, script submission and especially making the airdate, will impact your grade significantly. In this industry, making deadlines is crucial and, therefore, they should mean something in this class. Take deadlines seriously.
If you meet your deadline we will score a 10. If you miss a deadlines your score will be a 0. In other words, you either make your deadline or you don't - there's no grey area.
The feature story example above requires that you meet four separate deadlines: story submission, script submission, Web story submission and completed package. Below is a sample of what these scores might look like:
|
Story Submission |
Script Submission |
Web Story Submission |
Completed Package |
|
0 |
0 |
10 |
10 |
The deadline scores are added to the package evaluation scores and the average is taken. In this example, the average score for the Student Veterans feature story becomes 6.7, which is a D+ or Unsatisfactory, even though the work itself is considered proficient.
If you miss a deadline on a news (sports or feature) package, your instructors reserve the right to reject your work for the show. The reason why concerns the fact that if we never had the chance to evaluate and give you feedback on your story submission or script (and you must get approval first before you can produce the story), then you risk losing a grade for that assignment. So when it comes to your news packages, you're not allowed to submit a completed package without first going through the process of getting feedback and approval - this is required.
There's no doubt about it - missing deadlines will bring your grades down. But in the profession, missing deadlines might mean losing your job! When we produce NewsTeam as a show, the rationale for making deadlines becomes clear -- you have other students depending on you to get the work done, and to get it done well because one of our goals may include submitting shows for possible Emmy consideration and other awards.
NewsTeam is your capstone course, so the expectations are high. Yes, in prior semesters we've given many A's and B's to students. We've also had to dole out C's and even D's to students who may have struggled and worked hard, but still needed to put in more effort. We understand the challenges - hence the reason why we want to be accessible to you to go over your work and help you strengthen your chances for getting the grade you want. Getting a B in NewsTeam is still very respectable and shows Above Average work. But the students who get an A put in superior effort. These students were highly motivated, worked hard on their time management (even submitted work before their deadlines) and made regular visits to their instructors. These regular visits also help us get to know you and this can be an advantage should you ask us to be a reference for you on a job application. And, yes, employers do call us and we've helped many former students get jobs... even years after they graduate.
If you miss a deadline on a news (sports or feature) package, your instructors reserve the right to reject your work for the show. The reason why concerns the fact that if we never had the chance to evaluate and give you feedback on your story submission or script (and you must get approval first before you can produce the story), then you risk losing a grade for that assignment. So when it comes to your news packages, you're not allowed to submit a completed package without first going through the process of getting feedback and approval - this is required.
There's no doubt about it - missing deadlines will bring your grades down. But in the profession, missing deadlines might mean losing your job! When we produce NewsTeam as a show, the rationale for making deadlines becomes clear -- you have other students depending on you to get the work done, and to get it done well because one of our goals may include submitting shows for possible Emmy consideration and other awards.
NewsTeam is your capstone course, so the expectations are high. Yes, in prior semesters we've given many A's and B's to students. We've also had to dole out C's and even D's to students who may have struggled and worked hard, but still needed to put in more effort. We understand the challenges - hence the reason why we want to be accessible to you to go over your work and help you strengthen your chances for getting the grade you want. Getting a B in NewsTeam is still very respectable and shows Above Average work. But the students who get an A put in superior effort. These students were highly motivated, worked hard on their time management (even submitted work before their deadlines) and made regular visits to their instructors. These regular visits also help us get to know you and this can be an advantage should you ask us to be a reference for you on a job application. And, yes, employers do call us and we've helped many former students get jobs... even years after they graduate.
Tips for Getting a Good Grade
Time Management is a must!
To do well in this class, you will need to practice good time management, which is part of your professional development. Employers want a job candidate who is a problem-solver, a critical thinker, uses excellent communication skills and is reliable. Showing that you can meet deadlines will make you a desirable employee.
Take ownership of your education
Ultimately, your goal is to find a job, and doing exemplary work will get you noticed by prospective employers. We want to help you achieve success and we will strive to provide you with constructive feedback. But to get an 'A' in this course means that you need to go the extra mile. Choose stories that haven't been done before or find new and interesting angles for stories that seem to happen every year. The hard work you do now will boost your chances for getting the job you want.
Seek our help - Talk to us!
If there's a story you're working on, and you'd like to go over it with us, we'll gladly listen and give advice. If you need help with your photography, your editing, your writing... consider us a resource. However, don't ask us for story ideas - it's your job to find them, not ours. If you're wondering, students who decide not to visit their instructors typically get lower grades. We believe that students who develop a rapport with their instructors feel more highly motivated to succeed.
What if my work is unsatisfactory?
Seek our help - Talk to us!
If there's a story you're working on, and you'd like to go over it with us, we'll gladly listen and give advice. If you need help with your photography, your editing, your writing... consider us a resource. However, don't ask us for story ideas - it's your job to find them, not ours. If you're wondering, students who decide not to visit their instructors typically get lower grades. We believe that students who develop a rapport with their instructors feel more highly motivated to succeed.
What if my work is unsatisfactory?
To know our expectations, (and industry expectations) review the criteria we use for evaluating assignments. Getting an 'A' means achieving the requirements for Exemplary work. But if your work falls short of class expectations, broadcast or journalistic standards, then we (and your producer) reserve the right to reject it and you may be asked to revise it for the next broadcast, as long as the story remains timely. If you get evaluations that show you're not meeting expectations, then it becomes your responsibility to immediately schedule a meeting with us so we can help you improve. Don't wait until the end of the semester - especially after we give out final grades and you have no hope of submitting any more work. Extra credit is accepted, but cannot be used as a substitute for a missed assignment. To avoid any unpleasant surprises you should regularly check in with us and inquire.... don't ever hesitate to ask questions.
We welcome an open dialogue with you about your work. But the earlier you ask for our help the better we'll be able to assist. If you read this entire page, please email Paul.Daugherty@colorado.edu and say - "I will do my best in NewsTeam!"
Camera Rubric
Editing Rubric
Planning/Story Rubric
Anchor Rubric
Reporter Rubric
Web Writing Rubric
Producing Rubric
Weather Rubric