Assessing Chapter 14

Abstract:
This chapter discussed different report card formats. Report cards must be responsive to student’s experiences, and they must reflect differentiated practices. The objective of reporting is an accurate and developmentally appropriate rendering of mastery that is clearly communicated to students, their parents, and other educators. Report cards provide insightful knowledge of student’s growth and accomplishments. Reporting symbols provide feedback, document progress, and inform instructional decisions.
In order to prevent any misreading of a report card yet also be accurate and helpful to students, families, and educators, many school districts allow teachers to place an asterisk next to the grade indicating that the viewer of the report card should access a narrative comment. Record the higher grade. It more accurately reflects the student’s accomplishments and learning. It is therefore more useful to everyone involved. One way to create multiple categories is to identify our essential and enduring standards, objectives, or benchmarks for grading, and then provide a grade for each one. Educators should keep their report cards emphasis on the standards and personal achievement but, when doing so, communicate their rationale for such a focus to parents, and also place a comment on the report card that indicates whether the student is developing the way he or she should be.

Reflection:
This chapter discusses the format of the report card, and proper practices. I personally hated report card time because I always had horrible grades. I did not like the fact that I could get a bad grade, get punished, and continue failing. I never understood why an action plan was not created for students who had potential to fail. I know as a parent that I would be very concerned if my child came home with a failing grade. Unfortunately, a lot of students do not have proactive parents, and I did not have proactive parents. I think this is where the disconnect takes place. The teacher assumes that the parents will step up and take control of the failing grade. This does not happen and the student continues to fall between the cracks. Teachers need action plans to put in place for failing students, not comments. Comments will do nothing, they will go unnoticed. I hate to put more responsibility on the education profession; however I feel this would be an avenue to explore.