 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
In the Know...
Standards-based report cards: A communications tool
By MaryBeth Webeler
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
To provide students and parents a clearer understanding of what students are expected to know and be able to do and share the student’s progress towards those goals, District 58 is piloting a standards-based report card this school year.
All K-6 classes will move to the standards-based report card for the 2009-10 school year, with implementation at the middle schools scheduled for 2010-11.
The standards-based report card, which aligns with the district’s strategic plan, reflects a different philosophy of grading—one that places an emphasis on growth, understanding, and mastery of skills over time.
In other words, we’re not asking children to come in with mastery. We’re asking them, with guided support, to achieve the standards.
The standards-based report card is designed to be an easy-to-understand student progress reporting tool that merges a traditional format with new standards-based measures. Standards are statements about learning expectations for students, and a standards-based report card gives students a clear message about what children know, what they are able to do, and what they need to learn in relation to the Illinois Learning Standards.
Students are evaluated on standards listed in each content area, and progress is reported four times per year in relation to expected levels of performance at that point in time. Students also are evaluated on their work habits, social skills and effort, as feedback in these areas is an important component of the communication between school and home.
The standards-based report card was designed by a committee of teachers, parents and administrators in light of research that shows children learn best when they understand clearly what they are expected to know and do.
The standards-based report card empowers students and allows them to take more ownership of their learning; it also enables parents to see where their child is doing well, and where improvement is needed.
The report cards now clearly define state learning goals and standards for students, and just as the District 58 curriculum is designed to guide students towards meeting the state standards, the report cards now meaningfully convey students’ progress towards those goals. Students in kindergarten, first and second grade are given marks based on their performance in relation to specific state standards. In third through sixth grade, students receive subject area letter grades in addition to performance tied to each standard.
The standards-based report card improves alignment across the district, as the expectations and goals are the same for every student with every teacher at every school.
The standards-based report cards also provide a basis for better communication among students, parents and teachers. In addition, they allow teachers to collect evidence as to how their students are doing in relation to the Illinois learning standards and adjust their teaching accordingly. This will help teachers make even more thoughtful educational decisions for their students, and boost student ownership and motivation.
The School Board had the opportunity to learn about the standards-based report card during a Curriculum Workshop in February, and promoting community understanding of the standards-based report card will be a focus as the process goes forward.
A detailed document explaining the standards-based report card will be sent home with the report cards next year, and parents who want more information or have questions are encouraged to e-mail reportcard@dg58.org.
The implementation of the standards-based report card dovetails with the launch in District 58 of Parent Portal, a new system that will allow parents to access their student’s grades online through Power School. This system will provide middle school students and their parents with regular, timely and user-friendly feedback in a system very similar to what is being used in Community High School District 99.
For more information about the standards-based report card, please e-mail mwebeler@dg58.org.
