Here's a summary of how I'll assign final grades.

STEP 1. The main number is your HW total.  I sort the HW totals, and
figure out how many points deserves an A, A-, B+, etc. This gives everyone
a tentative grade. See Handout #0 p.1 for last year's grade curve.

STEP 2. I look at each person's record in the entire course to see if the
tentative grade should be modified. In this step I look for outstanding HW
extra credit, outstanding class participation/verbal extra credit, and
check if someone did well but the point score was brought down by a slow
start, or by 1 bad assignment, etc.  I also consult a file that records
exceptional circumstances people faced during the semester. I try to
incorporate everything I know about your performance in the course. Step 2
can raise a grade that is close to a borderline, to the next highest grade
(e.g., from B+ to A-, etc.). It never lowers a grade.  

3. CAETE: I grade the CAETE group separately. Often the curve is 1
grade more lenient for CAETE, because they cannot attend class or office
hours. E.g., an HW total worth a B for in-class becomes a B+ for CAETE.
In some years I don't do this, because CAETE performance is
outstanding in that year.

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