Our elementary report card will have a new look this year. Some of you may already have seen it at the end of last year when many teachers were part of a trial project. This year all of the elementary report cards from kindergarten through fifth grade will have the new look.

Why do we have report cards?
The purpose of a report card is to communicate with parents about their child’s academic progress. It is one of the ways in which we can inform parents about what their child is doing well and what needs to be improved. We also try to tell you about your child’s progress through conferences, written comments on school work, notes sent home, school newsletters and more.

What do the grades on the report card measure?
The grades measure your child’s progress toward achieving the Ohio Academic Content Standards. The State of Ohio determined what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Those content standards form the basis of instruction for all schools in the state. This move towards standards-based grading was the reason for the change. Our old report cards did not reflect the Ohio Academic Standards.

How will parents know what the standards are?
You will receive a version of these standards for your child’s grade level at your November parent conference. They are written as statements that begin with “I Can... You will also receive a brief list of some of the standards in a one page “snapshot” that will come with every report card. If you want more information, the complete list of academic standards is available on the Ohio Department of Education website at www.ode.state.oh.us.

What grades will be used to report student progress?
The grades will look very different. The reason is that they are now reporting progress toward the standards:

E = exceeds achievement of the grade-level academic standards. Student masters and applies skills independently in most academic situations and produces sophisticated work.
M = meets achievement of the grade-level academic standards. Student consistently applies concepts and skills to assigned work.
P = progressing towards the grade-level academic standards. More practice needed to meet grade-level standards. Skills developing but require additional support.
I = insufficient progress towards grade-level standards. Significant amount of academic support is needed to develop skills.

***Remember that these grades report how your child is progressing toward meeting the standards, not how he or she compares to other students in the class.

What other things will the report card tell parents?
The report card will specifically tell parents about the effort their child is making. In the past, this has often been included in the academic grade. When academic progress and effort are combined in one grade, it is difficult to tell whether the grade has gone up or down due to effort or how well the student meets the standards.

Now parents will clearly see a child’s effort in the areas of following directions, participating, completing class work and completing homework. These will be marked as follows:

1- Outstanding
2- Good
3- Satisfactory
4- Minimal

There is also an area in which teachers can report on personal behavior such as cooperating, following rules, demonstrating self-control and respecting others. The marks in this area are the same as those listed above for effort.

You will notice a box used to indicate if a child is receiving an “alternative program.” This will only be used for some special education, limited English proficient and gifted students. If that box is not marked with a yes or check mark, it does not apply to your child.

In what other ways can the teacher communicate regarding a child’s academic performance?
In the first quarter of the year, the teachers and parents talk at individual student conferences. This face-to-face meeting provides an opportunity for discussion about expectations and student performance. During the second, third and fourth quarters, there are areas on the report card for written teacher comments about specific student performance. In the past, there was just one column on the report card for comments. On this new report card, there is space for teacher comments in every subject, every quarter. It does not mean that every teacher will fill every box every quarter but it does provide an opportunity for specific comments if appropriate or necessary.

How should the report card be used?
The report card is to be used for communication about student academic progress, effort, behavior, and attendance. It is not intended to be used for motivation or punishment. It is not meant to compare one student to another.

This new method of reporting student progress will be dlfferent for children, parents, and teachers. It will certainly take all of us some time to get used to the changes. However, we believe it is a more accurate and effective means of communicating academic progress and effort. Thank you for your understanding and support as we make this transition.

Lakewood City Schools Division of Teaching and Learning
November 2007