Understanding the Elementary School Report Card

Student Performance Levels

The student performance level is determined with quarterly objectives and assessment data. Work habits and conduct grades are separate from the student's content proficiency.

 

Academic Performance

Level 4

Extends targeted grade level standards: represents the student exceeding grade level expectations set by the state and that a student will be successful in the next grade or quarter and whose curriculum may be enriched.

Level 3*

Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standards with evidence of application over time (over the nine week grading period): represents the student meeting the grade level expectations set by the state with evidence of application and that a student has the necessary skills and concepts to be successful and confident in the next grade or quarter. Example: If a third-grader clearly understands the concept of multiplication, can recall the facts quickly, and can use the multiplication to solve everyday problems. The teacher has collected evidence of this mastery and recorded it on the student's math profile.

Level 3

Demonstrates proficiency of targeted grade level standard: represents the student meeting the grade level expectations set by the state and indicates that a student has the necessary skills and concepts to be successful in the next grade or quarter.

Level 2

Inconsistent and needs support to meet targeted grade level standards: indicates that the student has not yet met grade level expectations set by the state and that a student does not have the necessary skills and concepts to be successful in the next grade or quarter. This should alert parents that close communication is needed for further student support.

Level 1

Insufficient performance of targeted grade level standards with support: indicates that the student has not yet met grade level expectations set by the state and that a student does not have the necessary skills and concepts to be successful in the next grade or quarter. This should alert parents that close communication is needed for further student support.

The comments section includes space to list a student's specific strengths and areas that need improvement. It also provides space for teachers to list the individual interventions such as a volunteer tutor, mentoring program, or Accelerated Learning Program instruction in which each student participates.

Grades are provided twice a year for weekly special classes such as art and music, instead of quarterly. This provides special teachers the time with students they need to assess each student's work.

Conduct & Work Habits

The new report card includes reports on the student's conduct and work habits. In reporting on conduct, the teacher can indicate whether the student meets expectations in cooperating with others, respecting others, and observing rules and procedures. In reporting on work habits, the teacher can indicate whether the student uses time wisely, listens carefully, completes assignments, writes legibly, works independently or seeks help when needed, and completes work.

The Rating Scale for Conduct and Work Habits rates students with a 1 through 3, where students receive

3

Meets expectations

2

Inconsistently meets expectations

1

Does not meet expectations

The new report card increases a teacher's ability to communicate with the student and parent about the student's success in meeting the state standards for that grade, as well as reporting on the student's classroom behavior.

Goals of the New Report Cards

For three years, twenty-six Wake County Public school Systems' administrators, teachers and parents have worked together to develop a new elementary school report card that provides consistency to the grading process and better informs parents as to their child's progress toward mastering the state's Standard Course of Study.

The new report card was developed to align with new laws and policies such as the NC Student Accountability Standards and the WCPSS Promotion/Intervention policy.

The purpose for the new report card is to inform students and parents about a student's performance on the state grade level standards. Information related to growth and overall strengths and needs is captured in the teacher comment section.

The new report cards provide a consistent grading scale; work habits and conduct are separate; and teacher comments are specific. The new report card has helped administrators and teachers at schools piloting it to improve assessment practices, guide instruction of the state standards, and provide more deliberate development of enrichment activities. The student performance levels of 1 to 4 indicate whether students have met the expectations set by the state in the Standard Course of Study and indicate whether the student has the necessary skills and concepts to be successful in the next quarter or next grade.

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