New to DCPS report cards

[Anonymous]

We just got our first Kindergarten report card too, and I am also a bit confused. I mean, I get it from the big picture. But, like in your case, in a scenario where my child is getting a lower "grade" on something I see very little of (all homework so far has been focused on math) it is hard to understand how my child was measured or how I could support them at home. It may very well be that I am supposed to do nothing in this scenario and trust the teacher to get my child from point A to point B. But the report card just doesn't make that very clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just got our first Kindergarten report card too, and I am also a bit confused. I mean, I get it from the big picture. But, like in your case, in a scenario where my child is getting a lower "grade" on something I see very little of (all homework so far has been focused on math) it is hard to understand how my child was measured or how I could support them at home. It may very well be that I am supposed to do nothing in this scenario and trust the teacher to get my child from point A to point B. But the report card just doesn't make that very clear.

If you don't understand the report card, don't understand the measurement, or don't know what to do to support your kid, make an appointment to meet with the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Look at the very bottom of the report card on the last page. There you will see a dotted line. Cut along that dotted line and send the little slip back checked off saying that you would like to meet/phone conference with the teacher. The end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 Exceeds grade level expectations
3 Meets grade level expectations
2 Approaches grade level expectations
1 Significantly below grade level

You also need to know that these refer to END of grade level expectations, so don't expect 4s at the beginning of the year.

THIS!!!! Unless a student is performing a year or two ahead of grade level don't expect all 4s before the 4th term.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, if they didn't cover the area then that square is usually blocked out until they do cover it. There actually is a social studies and science curriculum for K. You will want to talk to the teacher again.

This should have happened. If it didn't then maybe the teacher is also new to the report cards and filled it out wrong. Check with the principal AFTER meeting with the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 Exceeds grade level expectations
3 Meets grade level expectations
2 Approaches grade level expectations
1 Significantly below grade level

You also need to know that these refer to END of grade level expectations, so don't expect 4s at the beginning of the year.

THIS!!!! Unless a student is performing a year or two ahead of grade level don't expect all 4s before the 4th term.

Is it written anywhere from DCPS that the marks are against full year goal and not just term goal? I'm hearing conflicting information. I have a new Kindergartner. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 Exceeds grade level expectations
3 Meets grade level expectations
2 Approaches grade level expectations
1 Significantly below grade level

You also need to know that these refer to END of grade level expectations, so don't expect 4s at the beginning of the year.

THIS!!!! Unless a student is performing a year or two ahead of grade level don't expect all 4s before the 4th term.

Is it written anywhere from DCPS that the marks are against full year goal and not just term goal? I'm hearing conflicting information. I have a new Kindergartner. Thanks!

it's KINDERGARTEN. Is your child learning some letter sounds? Can she write several upper case letters? Does she know her numbers and how to sort things into groups? Is she making friends? If the answer is yes, your child is FINE. You don't need a report card to tell you that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at the very bottom of the report card on the last page. There you will see a dotted line. Cut along that dotted line and send the little slip back checked off saying that you would like to meet/phone conference with the teacher. The end.

Haha! Yes!

[Anonymous]

Yes. It's called the Common Core State Standards. DCPS report cards are standards based therefore each term is graded according to the end of the year standard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 Exceeds grade level expectations
3 Meets grade level expectations
2 Approaches grade level expectations
1 Significantly below grade level

You also need to know that these refer to END of grade level expectations, so don't expect 4s at the beginning of the year.

THIS!!!! Unless a student is performing a year or two ahead of grade level don't expect all 4s before the 4th term.

Is it written anywhere from DCPS that the marks are against full year goal and not just term goal? I'm hearing conflicting information. I have a new Kindergartner. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 Exceeds grade level expectations
3 Meets grade level expectations
2 Approaches grade level expectations
1 Significantly below grade level

You also need to know that these refer to END of grade level expectations, so don't expect 4s at the beginning of the year.

THIS!!!! Unless a student is performing a year or two ahead of grade level don't expect all 4s before the 4th term.

+ 1. the 'scores' aren't necessarily comparable to A, B, C - it's about relationship to how their skills based on the standards for that grade year. They are where the kid falls on the assessment standards for that grade level with some variation. You shouldn't 'expect' 4s until the end of the year, when the child is actually expected to meet the standards for that grade. Most teachers still don't even give a 4 in the first term even if the kid is testing at the end of year expectation b/c there's obviously still room to grow and have progress within those standards. If you have 2's, I'd talk to the teacher about ways to better support your kid. If you have 3's, that means they think kid is fine and on track. 1's are a red flag, unless the teacher sounds like she messed up and should've blocked those subjects off for no score & instead put in 1s.

[Anonymous]

Some DCPS teachers neve give 4s on principal.. We have a few of these at our school. It wasn't a big deal until we tried to apply to private school. These schools don't understand that a 4 isn't an A, it's working a grade level ahead. Your kid could be splitting the atom and some teachers won't give a 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some DCPS teachers neve give 4s on principal.. We have a few of these at our school. It wasn't a big deal until we tried to apply to private school. These schools don't understand that a 4 isn't an A, it's working a grade level ahead. Your kid could be splitting the atom and some teachers won't give a 4.

Standards based report cards have been around for over 20 years, so private schools should hve learned by now. Also, it is not a DCPS teachers job to make sure that a private school understands the report card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some DCPS teachers neve give 4s on principal.. We have a few of these at our school. It wasn't a big deal until we tried to apply to private school. These schools don't understand that a 4 isn't an A, it's working a grade level ahead. Your kid could be splitting the atom and some teachers won't give a 4.

Standards based report cards have been around for over 20 years, so private schools should hve learned by now. Also, it is not a DCPS teachers job to make sure that a private school understands the report card.

Agreed. I'm simply stating a fact. There is a lot of ignorance about how this system is based, especially in this context.
3's vs. 4's (and even vs 2's) didn't mean anything until we tried to apply out to another school.

[Anonymous]

Our school just unified grading and the principal sent home a multi-page note explaining it. And then, the second grade teachers sent home an extra note trying to address concerns raised the past two weeks. When that much effort is needed to explain a report grade, something’s wrong somewhere.

[Anonymous]

You can email the teacher and ask...