FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the purpose of the new 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 new 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 will give parents a better understanding of their child’s strengths and weaknesses and encourage all students to do their best. How frequently will report cards be distributed? The new report cards will be distributed three times a year rather than four. There will be two parent conferences on the Early Dismissal Days on October 28th and February 10th. How will the ratings of 1 – 4 be determined? Students’ ability to meet the learning standards will be determined by both their oral and written work. For each standard, rubrics (which outline specific
characteristics of performance) have been written to help teachers identify whether the child is beginning to develop the standard (1), progressing toward the standard (2), meeting the grade level standard (3), or exceeding the grade level standard (4). During the first trimester, we expect students to develop and progress toward the learning standard. As the year progresses, students will begin to meet and even in some cases exceed the standard. |
Standards-Based Grading KEY TERMS Assessment – The ongoing process of gathering data or giving feedback about a student’s performance in order to determine a student’s strengths and weaknesses, improve instruction, and document student progress. Benchmark – A reachable target for student learning at various points of the year, as defined by samples of student work. Curriculum Guide – A document that defines the standards for each content area and provides descriptive statements that indicate how the standards are applied at each grade level. Performance Levels – The numbers 1– 4 will be used on student work and on the Standards-Based Report Card to indicate a student’s level of understanding and performance. (See The New
Look) Rubric – A tool used to score or rate a student’s oral or written performance. A rubric identifies specific characteristics used to determine the degree to which a standard has been met. For example, if a student earns a “1” on a project, this means that he or she has not met the standards spelled out for this assignment and has not produced grade level work. Standard – 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 Education’s web site: www.doe.mass.edu/mcas |
The New Look The K-5 report card has a new look, and will be issued only three times a year instead of four. The report card itself has two significant changes. First, it includes many more specific items relating to the knowledge and skills your child should attain by the end of the year. Secondly, instead of letter grades, it uses four numbers to reflect your child’s progress toward meeting each standard. The numbers are as follows: 4 Exceeding the grade level standard. Producing quality work consistently. 3 Meeting the grade level standard and producing quality work. 2 Progressing toward the standard. Producing the required grade level work with teacher direction and assistance. 1 Beginning to develop the standard. Not yet able to produce required grade level work. You may also see the following two letters on your child’s report card: M Modified work or program. Student is accessing the curriculum at his/her identified level of ability. NA Standard not addressed this term. You should expect to see several N/As used in the first trimester. This is because the entire curriculum cannot be taught at once. While some learning standards will be addressed throughout the entire year, others will be phased in as the school year progresses. Half-scores, such as 2.5, will not be given. To earn a particular score a student’s work must meet all the criteria of the scoring guide. |