Economics is a one-semester course REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION. Students are expected to master the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the course. A PISD district examination is administered at the end of the course to determine mastery. This exam counts 25% of the student’s grade

COURSE OUTLINE

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Notebook paper, #2 pencils, highlighter and a calculator.  These are to be brought to class each day.

HOMEWORK AND ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are issued a textbook and must read assignments prior to discussion of the lesson.  All homework questions must be answered in complete sentences.  Class discussion will consist of explanation of difficult concepts, application of concepts and time for teachers to answer student questions.  Students are responsible for material in the text, teacher lectures, videos and class discussions.  It is very important that each student attend every day to be successful in economics.  The class is very similar to math and the concepts build on each other

GRADING POLICY:
The final grade is an average of the three six weeks grades and the semester exam.  Each six-week grade includes pop and scheduled quizzes, homework, class work assignments and unit test and projects.  Major evaluations, such as unit tests, count 75% of the six weeks grade.  The remaining grades make up the other 25% of the six weeks grade.  Students must maintain a 70% average or higher to pass and receive credit for this class

GRADE REPORTING POLICY:
So that you as a parent can be aware of your child’s progress in economics, progress reports will be sent home often, at least at the mid-six week intervals,  to all students.  Students are expected to show these to their parents, have them signed and returned to the teacher.  Please feel free to contact the teacher via email any time that you are concerned about your child’s progress.  We also encourage you to utilize Parent Viewer and attend the open house to meet the teachers.  Each of the economic teachers’ names and email addresses are listed at the end of this document.

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY: 
Students have the same amount of time as their absence to make-up work, including homework, tests and projects.  After that time, any make-up work that has not been completed will receive a maximum grade of 70%.  Extended absences will be handled on individual contracts.  Students are issued a calendar and a packet at the beginning of each unit, so being absent is not a reason for NOT completing the appropriate assignment.  Specific weekly make up and tutoring times are posted in each economics classroom.  Additional times may be arranged with the teacher on an individual basis.  Students must report to the appropriate make-up room at the beginning of the make-up period.  Except under extenuating circumstances, all make-up tests are essay/short answer and different from the original given in class.

LATE WORK POLICY:
No late work will be accepted unless the student has been absent and the appropriate sub-school has designated the absence as excused.  A zero will be given for work not turned in to the teacher

TUTORING POLICY:
If a student is having difficulty, he/she should attend during the times posted.  Tutoring is offered every week at four (4) different times so that each student may take advantage of these sessions.  If those times are not sufficient, individual appointments should be made with the teacher.

TARDY POLICY:
Tardies are very disruptive.  They cause the student to miss work/evaluations and are an interruption to the learning of others.  The current Plano East tardy policy will be followed.  Please see the handbook for details.

TEAM TEACHING POLICY:
The Economics Department of PESH utilizes this method of instruction.  All teachers work together to develop all of the instructional materials including calendars and evaluations/tests.  At the beginning of each semester it is frequently necessary to move students to another team teacher in order to balance the size of the classes.  This equal distribution of class size aids in the learning process for all students.

The Economics Team of Plano East Senior High:
Mrs. Brooks, kristen.brooks@pisd.edu
Mr. Buntyn, tom.buntyn@pisd.edu
Mrs. Frost, paulette.frost@pisd.edu
Ms. Meek, julie.meek@pisd.edu
Mrs. McKeever, lisa.mckeev@pisd.edu
Mr. Rapp, tom.rapp@pisd.edu
Mrs. Storz, susan.storz@pisd.edu