SBRC FAQs

K-2 Report Card Information

Click here to view the presentation from our Parent Information Session (October 20, 2016)

K-2 Standards-Based Report Card Rubrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a standards-based report card?

A standards-based report card highlights the most important skills students should learn in each subject at a particular grade level. This year in our elementary school learning environment, students will receive marks that report student progress toward meeting content and performance standards three times a year. Rubrics for each of the trimester marking periods are used to determine if the student is progressing toward the end of the year standards.

What is the purpose of a standards-based report card?

The purpose of this report card is to give a clear picture of your child’s achievement on key targets.

Whereas traditional reports measure students’ growth in general academic areas, a standards-based report card focuses on the student's’ progress with specific skills toward academic targets. These targets, reflecting the New Jersey Student Learning Standards adopted by New Jersey, have been identified as particularly important for students’ success as they continue through school.

What is a Rubric?

A rubric is a scoring tool that lists the criteria for a piece of work. For example, a rubric for a writing assignment might tell students that their work will be judged on purpose, organization, details, voice, and mechanics. A good rubric also describes levels of quality for each of the criteria, usually on a point scale.

Does the report card give information about behavior, effort, and study skills?

Yes, information on behavior, effort, and study skills is reported separately from the academic information in a section called “Behaviors that Support Learning.” There is also a place for teacher comments.

What is a trimester marking period?

Our new standards-based report card is based on three marking periods (December, March, and June).

Teachers will use marking period grading rubrics to evaluate student progress. These rubrics will provide consistency between teachers and schools because all teachers will be using the same district benchmarks.

What are the advantages of a standards-based report card for a parent?

The standards-based report card will provide you with in-depth information about your child’s achievement in school. Through more specific feedback based on standards, both teachers and parents will be able to better focus on helping students meet grade-level goals rather than simply on earning grades. In addition, the standards-based report cards and the accompanying rubrics allow for more consistency in proficiency reporting from one teacher to another.

What are the proficiency levels on the report cards?

On our standards-based report cards, teachers report students’ progress using the following developmental progress codes, which are also listed on the report cards themselves:

ES=Exceeding the Standard- Student extends key concepts, processes, and skills. Student consistently works beyond grade-level benchmarks.

MS=Meeting the Standard-Student consistently grasps and applies key concepts, processes, and skills. Meets stated grade-level benchmarks.

AS=Approaching the Standard-Student is beginning to grasp and apply key concepts, processes, and skills. Progressing toward stated benchmarks.

NS=Needs Support-Student not grasping key concepts, processes, and skills. Area of concern that requires support.

NA=Not Assessed at this time.

*It is important to remember that an “ES” on the standards-based report card does not equal an “A” in the traditional grading method. The proficiency levels reflect whether a child’s performance on key assignments typically exceed, meet, fall somewhat below, or fall significantly below standards. In prior reporting an “A” may have meant that a child met all standards for the test or assignment; in the new report card, this would be represented by “MS.” An “ES” on the new report card means that a student is regularly able to demonstrate a level of skill and understanding beyond the proficiency standard for his or her grade level.

How do the teachers determine students’ proficiency levels?

Throughout the year, our teachers use multiple types of assessments in order to determine students’ progress toward the grade-level standards. In order to determine students’ proficiency levels and the accompanying developmental progress codes, teachers use our district-created rubrics. These rubrics clearly delineate what a student needs to know or be able to do in order to earn an ES, MS, AS, or NS on his or her report card. These rubrics align to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and are available for you to read on this webpage (see above).

Can I see the New Jersey Student Learning Standards to which my child’s report card is aligned?

Of course! Visit www.corestandards.org to read the standards.

How should I share my child’s report card with him or her?

Exactly how you share the report card with your child is up to you and your family, but we recommend that you focus on a few strengths and weaknesses with your child rather than looking over the entire report card together. Having a more focused conversation with your child about the areas where he or she excels and where he or she can continue to work will help your child set more targeted goals for his or her own learning.

References

Vatterott, Cathy. Rethinking Grading: Meaningful Assessment for Standards-based Learning. Print.