Can I give a grade for an SAE?

   In a word...Yes!  It has always been understood that students enrolled in Agricultural Education will have a SAE of some kind.  The objections to this rule usually develop out of a misunderstanding of what is considered a SAE.  The key to assigning a grade to the SAE is to communicate clearly the definition of a SAE, provided examples, and set specific criteria for the grade that will be given.

    Each course offered at the school should have a grading policy.  These policies reflect what actions and/or knowledge is required of the student.  As long as the administration, student, and parent(s) or guardian are informed at the beginning of the class and it is in line with school board policy, grading criteria can include almost anything.  As long as it pertains to the subject or program in which the student has enrolled, a grade can and should be given.

    For example, most school board policies only outline a certain grading scale expressed in percentages.  (e.g. 94-100 A, 85-93 B, 76-84 C, 65-75 D, below 64 F.  This is only an example.)  Check your local district's scale.  Most of the time, school policy does not dictate specific items to be graded.  Very seldom will a school board policy state that a certain percentage of the grade will be tests or a certain percentage will be quizzes, etc.

    The key to establishing a grade for an SAE is communication and clarification.  Students, parents and administrators must have a clear understanding of what constitutes an SAE and why it should receive a grade.  Some questions I would ask are:

A.  What end result will you be looking for to assign this grade?  

B.  Will the grade be subjective or objective?  

C.  What criteria will be used to determine the grade?

D.  What is an SAE?

E.  What does an SAE have to do with the class?

    If you are planning to include an SAE grade component in your classes, you will need to be able to answer the questions above.

    It would be wise to add the SAE explanation to the course syllabus.  You could also have a separate information sheet on SAEs.  Either way, you will need to present an in-depth view of what constitutes an SAE.  You will also need to list examples of SAEs.  This list should include traditional and non-traditional projects.  A good rule of thumb for you to follow would be, if it fits into a FFA proficiency area it's an SAE.  You will need to list several specific items.  

    Once you have developed your SAE criteria information sheet, you will need to decide the impact the SAE will make on the grade and how you plan to assign the SAE grade.  The following is a possible example:

    Your grade in Ag Ed will be a combination of:

    1. 70% subject content knowledge measured through written exams and quizzes

    2. 20% SAE grade

    3. 10% laboratory activities  

Note: The SAE grade will be determined as follows:

        -maximum 100 pts completed record book or journal

        -maximum 100 pts completed local proficiency application

        -maximum 100 pts photo portfolio

        -The SAE will be visited at least 2 times per semester.  Positive progress can result in up to 10 bonus points per visit.

    Figuring a student's grade based on this criteria:

    *1.  Joe student earned 800/1000 pts for tests and quizzes

    *2A.  Joe earned 95 points for completing his record book,

    *2B. Joe earned 95 points for completing the local proficiency application,

    *2C. Joe earned 100 points for the photo portfolio,

    *2D. Joe received 20 bonus points for quality visits.

    *3.  Joe received 80/80 points for lab excercises.

     Totals

    *1. 1000/800 = 80 for exams X .7 = 56

    *2. 300/310 = 103 for SAE X .2 = 20.6

    *3. 80/80 = 100 for Lab X .1 = 10

    *Total grade                        86.6 B

    The example given above can and should be modified to fit your grading criteria.  An SAE should be an important part and experience in your program.  It is not necessary to have elaborate SAEs for all students.  If you communicate your expectations at the beginning, the importance of the SAE in the scheme of the program, define clearly the areas of SAEs, and explain how the SAE will be evaluated, you should have very little trouble with assigning a grade.

If you have any questions or comments you can send an e-mail to: kmurr@okcareertech.org