Create assignment categories for a standards-based gradebook

Define the types of assignments you give in all of your classes by creating categories. For example, you might assign Classwork and Assessments. Define a category for each one.

You can use these categories to sort your list of assignments. Even if you do not want to sort your assignments in this way, you must create at least one category. You have to select the category you want to use each time you create an assignment in Aspen; it is a required field.

Important: You need to create at least one category.

To create a category:

  1. Log on to the Staff view.
  2. Click the Gradebook tab.
  3. Select a class to create categories for.
  4. Click the Details side-tab. The details for that class appear.

  1. Click Categories.
  2. Click Add. A pop-up appears.

  1. Also add to linked sections? is selected by default. The new category will be applied to all sections linked with this one. If you do not want to apply this category to the linked class sections, deselect this checkbox.
  2. Use the following steps to enter information in the fields:
    1. At Enter Category Code, type a code, such as HW, for homework. You will type this code each time you create an assignment in this category.
    2. At Enter Category Description, type a description.
    3. At Enter Category Weight, type a category weight.
    4. Click .
  1. When you create a category, a category bar appears.

  1. Click the Category Code. The category details pop-up appears.

  2. Because Aspen uses the Power Law to calculate standards-based Trend scores, you only need to define information in the Total points and Visibility type fields on the pop-up, if you enter all standards scores for assignments in this category.

  1. Enter a value at Total Points. Although this field is required, Aspen does not use this value in standards-based calculations. It is recommended that you enter a value here, since that value will default for each assignment in this category, so you won't have to enter a value in that field each time you create an assignment.
  1. If your students and their families use the Aspen Student and Family portals, the value you select at Visibility Type determines what they can view for assignments in this category. Select one of the following:
    •  Public: Assignments and grades appear in the portals.
    •  Private: Assignments do not appear in the Student or Family portals.
    •  Public-no grades: Assignments appear in the portals but without grades.
      Note: This is a default for the category; you can change the value for each individual assignment you create.
  1. Click Save.