Sunday, June 1, 2014

Expect "Easy To Read" Report Cards

South Shore parents can expect some big changes when their child picks up their report card in a few weeks. Reports cards will now include personalized comments from teachers on the students' strengths, areas which need improvements and advice on how to improve learning at home. It's a big change - compared to old system - which some parents found difficult to understand because of wording that wasn't conversational. A recent survey on report cards found 63 per cent of those who filled it out, felt the comments from teachers didn't help them understand their grades. The survey also suggested 58 per cent felt the comments didn’t help them understand where their child need help to improve. Education Minister Karen Casey says parents can expect to see changes immediately. She says the comments will be clear, personalized and jargon free.

Some survey results:

In total, 5,811 students, parents, teachers and school administrators from across the province filled out the survey.

Key findings from parents were:
-- 58 per cent felt teacher comments did not help them understand where their child may be struggling
-- 63 per cent felt comments did not help them understand report card grades and wording
-- 62 per cent felt comments did not help them support their child's learning at home