Work in progress: Modeling employer assessments: Using professionalism in computer science courses

This paper outlines a grading system designed to replicate a manager's perception of an employee's reputation which starts out high and sinks with the employee's unprofessional behavior. By modeling this perception, our program has begun to increase the number of seniors who can successfully complete their capstone projects on time. This program stands out from other similar attempts increase consistent effort and conscientiousness because it increases the impact of unprofessional behaviors on a student's overall grade. Results from the senior capstone course inspired the use of professionalism grades in our freshman lab courses as a way to help students understand how the demands of college are different from the demands of high school and to help them take responsibility for their academic success.