1. Remarks/Comments
Writing By
Tahir Mehmood

2. Instructions Start comment with student name .
Focus on positive ways to express student progress when writing comments. 
Be sincere when writing comments but avoid negativity.

3. "Karen has shown no effort in her Reading progress".
"Karen is making steady progress in Reading" or "Karen strives to improve her Reading progress"
Examples
Good Comment
"Karen has shown no effort in her Reading progress".
Bad Comment
Always follow up with a progress report or other form of communication when a student requires assistance. Parents are eager to know how their child is progressing.

4. Instructions
Give examples of inappropriate student behavior or attitude when writing comments.
Include a brief comment but be sure to contact the parent if the behavior continues.

5. "Johnny requires much teacher direction to complete assignments."
Examples
"Johnny requires much teacher direction to complete assignments."
Good Comment
Johnny is always misbehaving"
Bad Comment
Parents need to be aware of disciplinary situations pertaining to their child.

6. Instructions
Avoid use of criticism or sarcasim when writing student comments.
Teachers should always consider the impact of their written words on report cards.

7. "need to focus in class" and request a conference if needed.
Examples
"need to focus in class" and request a conference if needed.
Good Comment
class clown" to describe a student who acts out in class could make the situation worse.
Bad Comment
Strive to improve the situation instead of making it worse by using names or harsh comments.

8. Instructions Get to know all your students
Often those students who need the most help are the least likely to seek help.
Observe all students, especially those that are shy or seem withdrawn.
To effectively write a report card comment for such a student, a teacher must first determine if the student has a potential learning disability such as attention deficit.

9. Reporting Student Achievement
Report Card Comments
teachers should focus on what students have learned, describe significant strengths, and identify next steps for improvement.
Teachers should strive to use language that parents will understand and should avoid language that simply repeats the wordings of the curriculum.
The comments should describe in overall terms what students know and can do and should provide parents with personalized, clear, precise, and meaningful feedback.
Teachers should also strive to help parents understand how they can support their children at home.
The Growing Success document states that comments should be more parent friendly, and not simply repeat the wording of the curriculum. It does not however, give samples of what a comment could look like. 9 9

10. Damian Cooper recommends three questions to ask about report card comments.
1) Is the purpose of this communication clear?
2) Is the communication appropriate for the intended audience?
3) Does the communication include a clear message?

11. Report Card Comments not to use
“Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.”
“He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier.”
“I would like to go hunting with him sometime.”
A little bit of levity here feel free not to use but it might be nice to end with a smile! Apparently these were comments that were found on actual report cards (not in our board!). 11

12. SMART Reports S - Support M - Monitor A – Affirm R – Relate
T - Timely and frequent

13. SMART Reports SMART Reports
S – Support for the student’s learning at home and at school.
M – Monitor student progress in meeting the goals identified on the SLP. The comments should describe in observable terms the child’s improvements, growth, and successes.
A – Affirm what the child can do by indicating a student’s strengths.

14. SMART Reports
R – Relate current and past instructional growth with future plans. The progress reports should identify the progress the student has made and what the tutor will focus on next.
T – Timely and frequent reports to parents, tutors, and/or teachers are necessary so adjustments in the instructional program may be made, if necessary.

15. Comments to Parents Keep it positive Build on the child’s strengths
Tell parents how they can help
Keep in mind the impact on the students
Keep it positive,
Build on the child’s strengths
Tell parents how they can help
Let parents know what you are planning next
Keep in mind the impact on the students
Some children experience severe punishment based on progress reports. The comments on the progress reports should encourage the child to make future progress.
Parents may keep the reports for along time and reflect back on the results. Keep in mind what you would want someone to say about your child.

16. Examples—Make them better
John is reading better.
Change this to a SMART Report
Each table takes one comment and makes it better.
For example: Juan is reading better.
Change this to: Juan’s ability to orally segment words is improving. He is now able to break words with four sounds into the individual parts. For example, he is able to break the word cards into the four sounds: /c/, /ar/, /d/, and /s/. Please continue to read with Juan and practice rhyming words and words with the same beginning and ending sounds.
Avoid words like: can’t, unable, won’t, always, never,
Each table needs a reporter and a writer. Reporter raise your hand, writer raise your hand.
Pass out the following (one per table with marker and chart paper)
Desiree is getting better with adding and subtracting 2 digit numbers.
Ramon’s writing is much better.
Rontarious is making progress with reading.
Progressing as expected.
Joannie is talking too much during the tutoring sessions.
I have a hard time teaching Jan since she is soooo bad! Please help me control her.
Making great progress.
Reading: P Math: X
Your child has had excellent growth in reading.
Your child is a joy to teach.

17. SMART Report
John’s ability to orally segment words is improving. He is now able to break words with four sounds into the individual parts.

18. Best Practices
Sample Progress Reports
Positive Words

19. Questions Frequently Asked Questions
What if report does not meet requirements? The district must ensure that there is a process for providers to share student progress reports on a frequent basis and that reports include required components. We recommend that if a district determines that a provider’s reports are not quality and comply with requirements in law and district contract, the district should meet with provider and review requirements and require provider to document improved and compliant reports and appropriate training for staff.
Are oral progress monitoring allowed? It is necessary to document compliance with a written report. We encourage providers and tutors to engage parents as much as possible in the process so frequent oral reports can be effective. However, for monitoring compliance, it is necessary to document a written report.