Many teachers also collect a portfolio of each student's work, which parents are welcome to review upon request. Parents also can always call their child's teacher to check on progress. Beginning in the 1998-99 school year, high school sophomores will have the opportunity to tear a Certificate of Initial Mastery, or CIM, which demonstrates through classroom assignments and state tests that they have met or exceeded state standards for learning. Benchmarks describe the smaller steps students work on all through their school years to reach the standards. These benchmarks provide a clear progression of what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through graduation.
Elementary students begin work to meet benchmarks in kindergarten.
Parents play an important role in supporting children to meet the CIM standards. Attend informational sessions offered at your school on the CIM so that you're aware of the expectations at the elementary level and can help your child understand. After third grade, begin asking your child about how he or she is progressing on the standards. Encourage your child to share work samples with you that demonstrate progress toward standards. Learn about the scoring guides used to evaluate work samples.