1. Blue Springs Elementary School Standards Based Report Card Parent Meeting

2. Why transition to a standards based report card? The state of Alabama has an adopted set of academic standards in all subject areas for grades K-12. These standards provide the foundation for the Limestone County district curriculum. A standards based report card will provide more detailed information regarding a student’s progress towards meeting these grade level standards.

3. What are standards? Academic standards are a set of learning goals for each grade level and subject area. These grade specific learning goals identify the content and skills students must achieve by the end of each school year. These standards increase in complexity as students move from one grade level to another.

4. Why are percentage grades not used? A letter grade only tells how well a student performed on average in a broad area such as reading or math. A standards based report card measures how well the individual student is performing in relationship to each standard or learning goal. This gives parents and teachers a better understanding of their child’s strengths and weaknesses and encourages all students to do their best.

5. How is achievement identified on the report card? Each academic standard listed on the report card will be evaluated as follows: 1=student performance does not meet standard 2=student performance approaching standard 3=student performance is progressing,partially meets standard 4=student performance successfully meets the standard

6. How will the teacher assess my child’s progress? In standards based classrooms the focus is on a student’s performance over multiple opportunities, not only grading and averaging tests and quizzes. Teachers collect evidence of student achievement through careful observation, examination of student work, discussions, projects, performance task, quizzes and tests. Teachers record information about each child’s progress on a frequent basis, analyze and compile this information and use this data to evaluate progress.

7. Important Points The report card will be different each nine weeks. Language is key: For example, if a standard states “fluently” that means automatic and accurate. Sounding out in reading or counting on fingers in math is not fluent.

9. What are learner qualities? The work habits that students bring to the learning environment are critical to a student’s long-term success. Learner qualities are divided into two areas: learning behaviors and social behaviors. These are characteristics of a successful learner and will be evaluated. Teachers reinforce these skills with each child, emphasizing the importance of strong work habits and positive social interactions.

10. How can parents support their children at home? A key advantage of the new reporting system is that it provides more specific information to parents. The academic standards or learning goals help parents know what their child is working on in school. This information can be used by parents to support the school’s efforts in educating their child to reach proficiency or to move their child to more advanced levels. The report card serves as one communication device used by teachers to inform parents of their child’s progress. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their child’s teacher as needed. YOU play a vital role in your child’s academic success.