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• New Report Card Standards Explained
The following information pertains to our new school-wide standards
based report card, reporting system and reporting process.
During the process of developing this report card questions arose
regarding the new grading scale or value of the marks, what they really
mean, and what families should look for in concerns and strengths. We
hope to address some of these questions.
The new report card is part of our school’s process in becoming current
with educational reform in our state. The categories which are listed
are Essential Learning Academic Requirements, or state standards. The
numbers 1-4 are used to summarize student performance in the context of
each standard: 1= Not Meeting Standard-Novice Work; 2= Approaching
Standard-Basic Work, 3=At Standard-Proficient Work; 4= Exceeds
Standards-Advanced Work.
Typically in a standards-based reporting system students will achieve 3s
when they are demonstrating skills at grade level. A score of 4 should
be a rare occurrence and only given to students whose work exhibits
extraordinary skills. Students are encouraged to do their best in all
work, and we would hope to see grade level achievement, thus a 3.
Students receiving a 2 are progressing in their skills, this score is
often seen when a new skill is introduced. This should be an area to
continue practicing in order to improve. Also, the report card will
indicate students who are on an Individualized Learning Plan (IEP) in
the particular areas in which they receive specialized instruction, in
lieu of the numbering system.
Another aspect of a standards based report card is that the grades are
reflective of a students’ understanding at the time of grading. For
example, a new concept may be introduced at the beginning of the year
and through instruction and practice a students understanding grows. In
other words, when introduced the student may be receiving 1s and 2s, but
by the end of the reporting period there are at a level of understanding
that demonstrates they are at grade level. In this situation a student
would receive a grade that reflects this level of understanding, or a 3
rather than an averaged grade.
Some questions also arouse regarding pluses and minuses, such as might
be received with letter grades (A- or B+). Generally with a standards
based report card the grading scale does not include pluses or minuses.
This practice is believed to maintain the integrity of the 4 point
grading scale. Teachers are able to distinguish “high” or “low”
achievement on the scale in their comment section.
We hope to continue sharing information with you in meaningful ways. If
you have any questions please feel free to contact my office or your
classroom teacher.
Katherine B. Baehr
Principal, Chautauqua Elementary