accurate, meaningful, and timely feedback to both students and parents throughout the learning process. Reporting of student achievement should reflect student progress toward mastery of key academic concepts and identify multiple pathways to deeper learning. GRADES ARE NOT ABOUT WHAT STUDENTS EARN; GRADES ARE ABOUT WHAT STUDENTS LEARN. Why have we moved towards a standards-based reporting system? A report card is an ongoing conversation between the teacher, the student, and the parent or guardian about what is expected of students and how to help them to be successful in a rigorous academic program. For this purpose to be accomplished, however, the reporting system must accurately mirror the instructional model that exists in the classroom. In the past, grades reflected not only what had been achieved academically, but also how students behaved or how they compared with classmates. Reporting systems did not reflect the academic standards and performance assessments that exist in today’s classrooms. Our instructional model has shifted away from a focus on basic skills and moved toward a deeper analysis of content that requires our students to think, plan, integrate, and construct. In this environment, the traditional grading system is inadequate. Traditional Report Card Standards-based Report Card Subjects are listed by name with one grade given per subject Major subjects are defined by curriculum or content standards and indicators with a grade given for each learning goal Letter grades (A-F) reflect and individual teacher’s expectations and student achievement with effort as a factor Numerical levels indicate mastery of the grade level standards. Achievement and effort are reported separately Curriculum and instruction are teacher centered, textbook driven, and not necessarily aligned to the state standards Curriculum and instruction are aligned with state and diocesan standards Grading is based on teacher determined criteria Student work is compared to state and diocesan criteria and student performance is measured against predetermined performance levels Uses an uncertain mix of achievement, attitude, effort, and behavior; uses penalties and extra credit Measures only achievement; behaviors reported separately; no penalties or bonuses given Includes every score regardless of when it was collected; scores are averaged Emphasizes the most recent evidence of learning Includes group work scores Includes individual evidence only Explaining Standards… Standards are specified learning goals applied to all students. They provide consistent and clearly defined targets for students, teachers and families to meet. By defining students’ academic responsibilities, standards by implication define the teaching responsibilities of the school. At the heart of the standards movement is the belief that effort leads to ability. In other words, the harder students work, the closer they will come to achieving the standard. The standards movement strengthens the classroom ethic. Additionally, standards
Will my student still receive teacher comments on his/her report card? Yes. Individualized feedback is an essential component of standards-based grading. Effective feedback is a more useful source of information than simply assigning a numeric value or letter grade to student work. A goal of using standards-based grading is to improve communication between students, parents, and teachers regarding student achievement. Each assessment of a Priority Standard (standards printed on the Report Card) will be accompanied by an Assessment Rubric specifically pointing out a student’s mastery of the given standard. This is the best form of communication a parent can have to judge their child’s progress. The final assessment to be placed on the Report Card is a reflection of these Assessment Rubrics. How will I access my student’s report card? The classroom teachers will communicate with each student and his/her parents regarding accessing PowerSchool. Parents will receive a link to access student reports via computer. The ongoing status of a student’s mastery level and end-of-term (quarter/semester) grade reports will be available. Paper copies of reports will also be available if needed. Where can I find grade level learning targets? We encourage all parents to be informed regarding the academic content and concepts students will learn each year in school. Information on grade-level learning targets can be found on the school’s website at the following link: (create a link to your website) What if I have additional questions? Please visit with your child’s classroom teacher about learning targets and standards –based grading, as well as with your school principal. GRADES ARE NOT ABOUT WHAT STUDENTS EARN; GRADES ARE ABOUT WHAT STUDENTS LEARN.