Middle School Standards-based Report Cards Focus Group Sessions February 25, 26, & 28, 2008 Lisa Wachtel, Executive Director, Teaching & Learning

What are standards? A standard defines what a student should know and be able to do in each subject area at each grade level. All grade level standards are available at

What are standards? All academic subjects have grade level standards, including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. All grade level standards are available at

What are standards? Standards help shape the curriculum from one grade to the next because teachers know what instruction has already occurred. All grade level standards are available at

What are standards? Example: Grade Level Standard 6 th Grade Science When matter heats up, it expands and becomes less dense.

Why change? Standards-based reporting gives families information describing how well a student is performing based on what the student is expected to know and be able to do.

Why change? Performance on standards has a direct impact on students learning what they need to know to be successful at the next grade level and on standardized assessments.

Why change? Families will get more information about: what students are expected to learn strengths and weakness specific to each subject work habits important to learning

Why change? Single grades hide student strengths and weaknesses. Single grades often combine different factors.

Will students still get a letter grade? Yes. Letter grades will be given and Grade Point Average (GPA) maintained. Grades will be based on standards.

Are other districts doing this? Yes. Some districts/states include: Hawaii Portland, Oregon Montgomery Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland Elmbrook, Wisconsin Albuquerque, New Mexico Cleveland Municipal School District Travis Unified, Fairfield, California Pacifica, California Visalia Unified School District, California New York City, New York

How will learning be reported? Learning will be reported by power standards. A power standard combines similar strands of grade level standards into a broad category.

What is a power standard? Grade Level Standard When matter heats up, it expands and becomes less dense Power Standard Content Knowledge

What is a power standard? Example: 6 th Grade Science Content Knowledge Conducting Investigations Applications and Explanations

How will behaviors be reported? Learning skills are work habits and behaviors that support the process of learning.

What are learning skills? Learning skills are: Use of class time Homework completion Cooperating with peers and adults

How will homework be included in the report card? Homework completion will be reported under Learning Skills. What students learn by doing homework will be reported in Academic Performance.

What will motivate students to do homework ? Ways to increase motivation to learn: Clear learning purpose – no busy work High quality tasks – doable Relevant and customized – choices Engaging tasks – interesting Cathy Vatterott “What Is Effective Homework?” ASCD, Express Newsletter, 2008

Science Grade 6 Term Q1Q2Q3Q4 Quarter Grade A Science Standards Content Knowledge 4 Conducting Investigations 4 Applications and Explanations 3 Learning Skills Uses class time productively M Completes homework M Cooperates with others S

Logistics: Rolling it out A standards-based report card is one component of an overall communication system about your student.

Logistics: Rolling it out Other components include: Parent Conferences Progress Reports Newsletters /Phone Calls Parent Portal

Logistics: Rolling it out Parent Portal will provide families with even greater detail connected to the standards-based report card

Logistics: Rolling it out Implementation is scheduled for