For the most part, 60% of the grading evaluation criteria are dictated by the school’s administration on every course syllabus. Each grade distribution is as follows: 10% participation, 25% midterm, 25% final exam and 40% - 50% instructors’ discretion quizzes, assignments, research papers, group projects, etc.
I typically have assignments/homework as 15%, pop quizzes as 10% (to make sure the student is reading the materials), 15% for in class activities and in some courses, 25% for a research paper or class project. My attempt is to provide the student with theory and an opportunity to apply/reinforce course content.