American Government Email: jon_hollander@hcpss.

org
Howard High School 2014-15 Website: http://h-doghohs.weebly.com/
Mr. Jon Hollander
Room (N100)/ Office (B104)


Course Description
The units of study are:
Principles of Governmental Systems
Structure, Organizations & Functions of American Government
Influencing Government
Establishing Public Policy
Establishing Justice
The American Economic System
Financial Literacy

Students will engage in a rigorous exploration of the facts, concepts and processes of American Government.
Students will also learn to use specific information critically, evaluate general principles and ideas about
government and politics, present data relevant to government and politics in well organized and defended
written arguments.

The HSA (High School Assessment) will be given in May. Passage of this exam, as well as this course, is a
graduation requirement. To help students prepare for this assessment, quizzes and exams will model the HSA
format.

Materials Needed
1. binder with dividers with pockets for odd sized handouts for 4 sections (Warm-Ups, Class Notes and
Homework, Class Summaries, and Vocabulary)
2. notebook paper
3. writing utensils (pens and #2 pencils)


Behavior Expectations
Students are required to follow all Howard County Public School guidelines in the student handbook.

Everyone deserves the right to learn. Disruptions should be limited. Students are expected to be in the
classroom, seated and ready to go at the bell. Mr. Hollander will apply consequences for lateness, inappropriate
behavior and/or violations of school policy following the PBIS discipline ladder. If a student is repeatedly
disruptive, a verbal warning and parent contact will be made. Following a second infraction, a student will
receive an after school detention and parents will be notified to confirm the time and date of detention. Further
classroom disruptions will be referred to the appropriate PBIS coordinator or the appropriate administrator. If
the offense is of a serious nature, Mr. Hollander reserves the right to immediately refer the disciplinary issue to
the front office for review.

Electronic Devices
Electronic devices should be on silent mode and put away during class and should only be used by students when
instructed by Mr. Hollander to support classroom learning.





Grading Policy
All graded work will be given a point score. Student grades are based upon the point system. The total number
of points the student earns on all graded work is divided by the total possible number of points the student could
have earned to receive the marking period grade. There will also be a Midterm Exam and Final Exam that will
impact the students final grade for this course.

If a student is absent or has another legal reason for absence that student is afforded the opportunity to make-up
all missed work. Students must contact teacher for missed assignments. The student will only have the exact
number of days he/she was absent to make-up the missed work and turn it in for grading. Students may consult
Mr. Hollander for assistance with meeting this deadline in a timely manner.

Students who miss midterm and final exams must arrange to make them up in a timely fashion. Missed midterms
must be made up within two weeks of their original administration date. Students should contact Mr. Hollander
to set up a time and date to take the midterm exam. Students who miss the final must contact Student Services
to arrange a time and date to make it up.

Assignments must be turned in on time to receive full credit. Students can earn up to 50% credit for the
assignment if turned in the next time the class meets. Each student needs to take responsibility and be
accountable for his or her grade and learning.

Academic Policies
Students are required to complete their own work. Any form of academic dishonesty, which includes plagiarism
and cheating (for more specific examples see below) will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for the
assignment as well as an office referral. Any work that is copied or provided for other students to copy is a
violation of policy.

Any attempt to obtain credit for work done by another is unacceptable, including
cheating on a test
copying work of others
copying ideas or copying word-for-word from books, magazines, encyclopedias, technology media
(plagiarism)
failing to cite proper documentation or authorship
using someone elses term paper
or other similar activities

Cheating includes the following:
possessing and/or using unauthorized material during quizzes, tests, and exams
providing or accepting specific information about a class assignment, project, homework, quiz, test, or
exam (example: The essay question is or Study all the definitions on page 3.)
sharing work product on any independent assignment (The student is responsible for understanding
when assignments are to be completed independently or as a group.)

ASPEN/Family Portal System
The countywide ASPEN/FAMILY PORTAL system will be used as the primary source for relaying information
regarding grades. Parents should have updated contact information in the system. Hard copies of grade sheets
will be available to those students who request them.

Do It Over
The Social Studies Department believes in the success of all students; therefore, we support redo opportunities.


Pride Pacts
















Keys to Success
o Students should bring required materials and assignments on a daily basis.

Parents and students are encouraged to use the teachers website for useful Internet sites, daily
class and home assignments, and important updates.
Mr. Hollanders website address is: http://h-doghohs.weebly.com/

Study and review guides will be given to each student and they are strongly urged to use these
resources.

American Government students are encouraged to form their own study groups. This will assist
them in gaining an outside source of self-testing, review and peer assistance.

Mr. Hollander can be contacted at Howard High School via telephone @ 410-313-2867 or email.
jon_hollander@hcpss.org


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We have read and understand the above information for American Government for the 2014-2015 school year.

Student Name Student Signature

Date Parent Signature

Parent(s) Email Address

Please indicate below if you have access to the following:

The internet at home Yes No

A printer at home Yes No

Please initial that your contact information in ASPEN is correct. _________