1. Elk Island Public Schools Elementary Report Card Instructional Services August 2007

2. Implementation Schedule 2006 - 07 Grades 1, 2, 32006 - 07 Grades 1, 2, 3 2007 - 08 ECS, Grades 4, 5, 62007 - 08 ECS, Grades 4, 5, 6 2008 - 09 Junior High pilot2008 - 09 Junior High pilot

3. Home-School Communication A report card is one of many ways in which teachers and parents communicate about a students learning. Other ways may include: comments about students work collections of students work phone calls e-mails meetings notes in agenda students learning log meet-the staff night celebrations of learning individual program plan

4. The purpose of a report card… …is to confirm with parents their childs level of achievement relative to provincial expectations for the grade …is to describe for parents their childs achievement and other aspects of their learning in a way that will help parents support their childs learning Home-School Communication

5. …to compare a childs achievement to the achievement of other students in the class or grade Home-School Communication The purpose of a report card is not…

6. How the students achievement compares to expectations How much effort the student invests in learning How the student behaves at school How the student could improve his or her learning How the student has progressed Important things to communicate about a student and his or her learning Home-School Communication

7. How the report card communicates Important things to communicate about students Reported by LevelsComments Achievement Effort Learner Attributes Progress Next steps

8. Key Features of the Report Card outcomes-based outcomes-based standards-based standards-based

9. What are Outcomes? Outcomes, or learning outcomes, are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do. Outcomes come from the Alberta curriculum (Program of Studies) for each subject.

10. Examples of Key Learning Outcomes for Albertas Students Gr 1 Language Arts retells or represents favourite stories Gr 2 Social Studies examines how the community being studied has changed Gr 3 Health demonstrates practices that provide safety for self and others Gr 4 Science designs and constructs devices and vehicles that move or have moving parts Gr 5 Mathematics measures and relates the perimeter and area of regular and irregular shapes Gr 6 Physical Education demonstrates a variety of dances alone and with others

11. Examples of Outcomes for Accountants

12. performs capital budgeting evaluates capital investments compares lease vs. purchase

13. Examples of Outcomes for Nurses

14. demonstrates critical thinking in collecting and interpreting data, planning, implementing and evaluating all aspects of nursing care exercises reasonable judgement and sets justifiable priorities in practice Examples of Outcomes for Nurses

15. Examples of Outcomes for Electricians

16. demonstrates proper assembly and use of ladders, scaffolds, rigging, hoisting and lifting equipment understands basic concepts of circuitry demonstrates proper installation of basic circuits, components and equipment

17. Examples of Outcomes for Hairstylists

18. cuts long hair with graduation using scissors performs blunt cuts tapers hair using scissors, straight razor and electric clippers

19. i)Teachers gather and use information about students learning needs and progress. Teachers monitor students actions on an ongoing basis to determine and respond to their learning needs. They use a variety of diagnostic methods that include observing students activities, analysing students learning difficulties and strengths, and interpreting the results of assessments and information provided by students, their parents, colleagues and other professionals. Teachers select and develop a variety of classroom assessment strategies and instruments to assess the full range of learning objectives. They differentiate between classroom and large-scale instruments such as provincial achievement tests, administer both and use the results for the ultimate benefit of students. They record, interpret and use the results of their assessments to modify their teaching practices and students learning activities. Teachers help students, parents and other educators interpret and understand the results of diagnoses and assessments, and the implications for students. They also help students develop the ability to diagnose their own learning needs and to assess their progress toward learning goals. Teachers use their interpretations of diagnoses and assessments as well as students work and results to guide their own professional growth. They assist school councils and members of the community to understand the purposes, meanings, outcomes and implications of assessments. Ministerial Order (#016/97) Teaching Quality Standard Applicable to the Provision of Basic Education in Alberta Examples of Outcomes for Teachers

20. selects and develops a variety of classroom assessment strategies and instruments to assess the full range of learning objectives assists school councils and members of the community to understand the purposes, meanings, outcomes and implications of assessments Examples of Outcomes for Teachers

21. Outcomes in the Report Card Language Arts Mr. E Records ideas and information in ways that make sense Identifies the main idea and supporting details of texts Finds information on a topic, using a variety of sources Writes complete sentences using capitals and periods Uses the computer as a tool for writing Effectively plans and drafts written assignments

22. What are Standards? Standards are achievement levels. Standards help teachers describe how well a student has achieved a learning outcome.

23. Standards or Achievement Levels Excellent Proficient Acceptable Limited

24. Excellent Proficient Acceptable Limited This level describes achievement that is commendable. The student demonstrates an in-depth and broad understanding of a subject outcome at this grade. This level describes achievement that is competent. The student demonstrates a well-developed and consistent understanding of a subject outcome at this grade. This level describes achievement that is adequate. The student demonstrates a basic and/or inconsistent understanding of a subject outcome at this grade. This level describes achievement that is not yet at an acceptable level. The student demonstrates inadequate understanding of a subject outcome at this grade. Wow!Yes! Yes, but Not yet Standards or Achievement Levels

25. Achievement Language Arts Mr. E Records ideas and information in ways that make senseAcceptable Achievement Identifies the main idea and supporting details of textsAcceptable Achievement Finds information on a topic, using a variety of sourcesProficient Achievement Writes complete sentences using capitals and periodsAcceptable Achievement Uses the computer as a tool for writingAcceptable Achievement Effectively plans and drafts written assignmentsAcceptable Achievement

26. Typical Achievement In a typical mixed ability class in Elk Island Public Schools, the achievement pattern tends to be: Excellent……..some students Proficient…….most students Acceptable……some students Limited………few students The definitions of the four achievement levels are an attempt to reflect this reality.

27. Effort Effort is about how much energy a student invests in his or her learning. The levels are: Commendable Sufficient Inconsistent Insufficient Effort is reported by levels and comments.

28. Achievement and Effort Language ArtsMr. E Records ideas and information in ways that make sense Acceptable Achievement Identifies the main idea and supporting details of texts Acceptable Achievement Finds information on a topic, using a variety of sources Proficient Achievement Writes complete sentences using capitals and periods Acceptable Achievement Uses the computer as a tool for writingAcceptable Achievement Effectively plans and drafts written assignments Acceptable Achievement Effort: Sufficient

29. How comments tell parents about their child Teachers uses comments to: say more about a students learning make special mention of something the student achieved say more about a students effort describe a students progress make suggestions for next term

30. A Subject Report Language ArtsMr. E Records ideas and information in ways that make sense Acceptable Achievement Identifies the main idea and supporting details of texts Acceptable Achievement Finds information on a topic, using a variety of sources Proficient Achievement Writes complete sentences using capitals and periods Acceptable Achievement Uses the computer as a tool for writingAcceptable Achievement Effectively plans and drafts written assignments Acceptable Achievement Effort: Sufficient Comment: Garnet was able to work through his mini-report on the foods of Inuit people with minimal assistance. He needs to improve his skills in planning for story writing. Garnet participated enthusiastically in the home reading program.

31. Learner Attributes Learner attributes describe aspects of students work at school that are important for successful learning. The levels are: Consistently Usually Inconsistently Infrequently Learner attributes are reported by levels and comments.

32. Learner Attributes Social Attributes respects the rights of others accepts personal responsibility respects the property of self and others cooperates with others follows school and classroom rules Work & Study Attributes listens attentively participates in discussions applies learning strategies organizes materials and space strives for quality performance completes tasks

33. Learner Attributes Mr. E Social Attributes Respects the rights of othersConsistently Accepts personal responsibilityConsistently Respects the property of self and othersUsually Cooperates with othersUsually Follows school and classroom rulesConsistently Work and Study Attributes Listens attentivelyInfrequently Participates in discussionsUsually Applies learning strategiesUsually Organizes materials and spaceConsistently Strives for quality performanceUsually Completes tasksUsually

34. A Learner Attributes Report Learner Attributes Mr. E Social Attributes Respects the rights of othersConsistently Accepts personal responsibilityConsistently Respects the property of self and othersUsually Cooperates with othersUsually Follows school and classroom rulesConsistently Work and Study Attributes Listens attentivelyInfrequently Participates in discussionsUsually Applies learning strategiesUsually Organizes materials and spaceConsistently Strives for quality performanceUsually Completes tasksUsually Comment: Garnet has demonstrated respect for staff, students and visitors around the school. He keeps his desk and coat hook area well organized. He could improve his listening skills by looking at the speaker and listening carefully to classmates.

35. Alberta teachers are required to… …assess students achievement across the full range of learning outcomes. …use a variety of assessment strategies and instruments, This means that teachers need to… since… …students achievement of many outcomes cannot be assessed using traditional tests or be recorded in the form of numbers.

36. evaluates procedures used and identifies possible improvements observes a set of footprints, and infers the direction and speed of travel Grade 6 Science solves problems involving multiple steps and multiple operations, and accepts that other methods may be equally valid discusses the reasonableness of data and results Grade 5 Mathematics demonstrates respect for places and objects of historical significance considers the needs and points of view of others Grade 4 Social Studies …students achievement of many outcomes cannot be assessed using traditional tests or recorded in the form of numbers. For example:

37. Teacher Quality Standard assess the full range of learning outcomes use a variety of assessment strategies and instruments Collecting evidence observe students confer with students examine students work Recording evidence marks checklists levels written notes Interpreting evidence Report through comments Report through KLOs and achievement levels Implications for Reporting

38. Numbers or percentages are not useful for summarizing varied information Body temperature: 38 o C Blood pressure: 120/60 Weight: 71 kg Cholesterol: 7 Body Mass Index: 25

39. 82% Your health is… Body temperature: 38 o C Blood pressure: 120/60 Weight: 71 kg Cholesterol: 7 Body Mass Index: 25 Numbers or percentages are not useful for summarizing varied information

40. Writing conventions 83% Reading with comprehension 47% Reading fluently 92% Writing content 54% Numbers or percentages are not useful for summarizing varied information

41. Language Arts Grade: 69% Writing conventions 83% Reading with comprehension 47% Reading fluently 92% Writing content 54% Numbers or percentages are not useful for summarizing varied information

42. Parachute packing course Learning Outcome: packs parachutes so that they open when used Student 1 Student 2 Student 3 Acceptable standard Student marks on tests and quizzes during the course Student 3 failed the course Students 1 and 2 passed the course Which student would you prefer to have pack your parachute? Marks were averaged to produce final course grades based on Davies, A. Combining numbers into a final grade can lose important meaning:

43. the average is a moving target that may go up or down no matter how hard they work, and no matter how much they learn, up to half of all students are always below average judgements about a students achievement are based on the achievement of others Percentages and class averages can be discouraging for many students, because: Advantages of Standards over Percent

44. standards are targets that hold still standards are targets that can be described and worked toward by students the more a student learns, the closer he or she gets to the target Standards can be encouraging for most students, because:

45. The elementary report card is an effective tool because it provides information that supports students learning connects directly to the Program of Studies is integrated with best practices in assessment for, as and of learning