Questions and Answers and the Standards Based Report Card
What is the purpose of the Standards-Based Report Card?
The purpose of the Standards-Based Report Card is to provide more detailed feedback to parents regarding the progress their children are making toward specific learning standards at their grade level. The report card will allow parents and students to understand more clearly what is expected of students and how to help them be successful in a rigorous academic program.
How does the Standards-Based Report Card compare to the letter grade system?
Letter grades measure how well students do in comparison to their classmates. The Standards-Based Report Card measures how well an individual student is doing in relation to the grade level standards, not the work of other students. This gives parents a better understanding of their children’s strengths and weaknesses and encourages all students to do their best.
What is a standard?
A standard is a statement that identifies what students should know and be able to do. Learning Standards for each content area subject and grade span are identified in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. These can be viewed online at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's web site.
How frequently are report cards distributed?
Report cards are distributed four times a year. Your child's report card can be discussed with your teacher during PTA nights, which are scheduled three times per year.
How will the performance ratings of E, M, P, and N be determined?
Students can receive the following ratings: N/A (standard not assessed this term), N (not meeting the standard), P(progressing toward the standard), M (meets the standard) or E (exceeds the standard consistently). Students' ability to meet the learning standards will be determined by both their oral and written work. For each standard, guidelines have been written to help teachers identify a child's progress toward meeting the standard.
During the first quarter, we expect students to develop and progress toward the learning standard. As the year progresses, students will begin to meet the standards. It is not uncommon for a student to receive an S in any area in the first quarter.
For parents used to the letter grade system, it will be tempting to view this as a traditional letter grading where E=A, M=B, P=C and N=D/F. This is not the case. When a student receives an M, that means that he or she is meeting the high standards that we hold for them. That is a worthy achievement, and it is our goal for all of our students to reach this level of performance. The E rating is recognition that some students are working above the standards in a consistent fashion, and that their teachers are challenging them with extension work that goes beyond what is expected for their grade level.
Are there different expectations for students on Individual Education Plans (IEP)?
The standards for all students are the same; however, accommodations or modifications that enable a student to meet the standards may be part of an individual IEP.
Does a teacher's definition of 'Meeting the Standard' change from quarter to quarter?
It depends on the standard. Some refer to a fixed skill, while others become more complex over time.
Let's take the Grade 2 report card for example. One of the math standards states, "Tells time to the quarter hour and 5 minute intervals." Once a student is able to do this, they receive an 'M' whether it's in the first quarter or the fourth quarter.
On the other hand, the criteria for meeting some standards especially around phonics, comprehension, and problem-solving become more difficult over the course of the year. For example, one of the language standards states, "Uses phonics skills to decode words." In the first quarter, the class might be working on two-syllable words and long vowels. If a student is able to do this, they would receive an 'M' rating. However, in the third quarter, the bar for reaching an 'M' is higher. The class might now be focusing on more advanced skills such as vowel teams, advanced suffixes, and three syllable words. Similarly in math, students might be focusing on one step problems involving addition and subtraction in October, but might be completing longer two step problems using tables in April.
Of course, if you have any questions about these complexities, don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher.