So when Yim heard that the Chula Vista Elementary School District was switching to report cards that would offer far more information on a student' s progress, she got involved. Together with the district staff and other parents, Yim helped craft what should be included. More detailed report cards are catching on in school districts throughout San Diego County and the nation. That can mean receiving up to 50 grades for math and language arts alone. If Yim' s daughter earns A' s and B' s in most writing areas, for example, but receives a C in writing clear, coherent sentences, Yim can work with her daughter on clarifying her writing.
Educators offer many suggestions for parents interested in keeping on top of their child' s grades.
Regardless of what kind of report card a school uses, parents should find out what each grade means, said Tim Suanico, principal of Bethune School in the Paradise Hills neighborhood of San Diego. Some schools use the A through F system, some use 1 through 6, and some use only comments. Teachers also differ in how they determine grades. Some may weigh tests and homework heavily, while others may factor in participation or projects. Establishing a pattern of good grades at an early age can set the tone for the rest of a student' s education, particularly in high school when grades play a large role in determining college and career possibilities.