Parent's Guide to Report Cards

A Parent’s Guide to Common Core State Standards Report Cards

 

HOW ARE STANDARDS-BASED REPORT CARDS DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL REPORT CARDS?

 On a standards-based report card, each of the subject areas is divided into a list of skills and knowledge that students are responsible for learning. Students receive a separate performance level score for each standard. The achievement performance level indicates a child’s progress toward meeting specific grade-level standards. The student’s effort is reported separately from his or her achievement level. 

 

HOW DOES THE REPORT CARD MEASURE MY CHILD’S PROGRESS?

 The report card uses four different performance levels to indicate a child’s progress toward meeting the end-of-year California  and Common Core State Standards. The table below offers a detailed explanation of how each performance level indicates progress. Please note that at levels 1 and 2, your student may need intervention. 

 

PERFORMANCE LEVELS

4 - Demonstrates thorough understanding of grade-level standard	Student exceeds grade-level expectations by independently applying and utilizing concepts and skills.  A student earning a four independently applies knowledge in ways that demonstrate higher-order thinking skills.
3 - Demonstrates sufficient understanding of grade-level standard	Student demonstrates grade-level expectations for concepts and skills.  A student earning a three demonstrates an understanding of grade-level skills and concepts and requires minimal support. A three throughout the school year indicates strong work at grade level.  The three is the goal for the grade level and should be celebrated.
2 - Demonstrates partial understanding of grade-level standard	Student is progressing toward basic understanding of grade-level concepts and skills with assistance.  A student earning a two has not yet met the standards, but is progressing toward achieving skills and learning end-of-year grade-level concepts with some support from teachers and parents.  A two indicates on-going growth.
1 - Demonstrates minimal understanding of grade-level standard	Student shows an emerging awareness of concepts and skills.  A student earning a one is currently not meeting the grade-level standard. The student demonstrates an inconsistent understanding and application of knowledge.  Intervention is needed from teachers and parents.

 

HOW CAN I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REPORT CARD TO HELP MY CHILD?

 Common Core Standards-Based report cards provide detailed information about how your child is doing in each content area. The report card will reflect whether students need extra assistance in certain areas or if they need to be challenged even more. These clearly defined standards allow teachers and parents to work together to ensure that students succeed. 

The California Department of Education has created several resources for parents. The information flyers give an overview of the Common Core State Standards. “The Parents’ Guides to Student Success” are created by the National Parent-Teacher Association. These guides offer specific tips on how to support your child’s learning at each grade level. The Road Maps developed by the Council of Great City Schools are a valuable resource. These resources can be found at the California Department of Education website, www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/ccssresourcesparents.asp

 

DISTRICT WRITING ASSESSMENTS

 To align all district assessments with the four different performance levels, and the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), the trimester district writing assessment will be scored with a four-point rubric. You should use the performance level definitions below to determine your child’s performance on their district writing. 

 

WHAT ARE THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS?

 Academic content standards indicate what students should know and be able to do by the end of each school year. In 2010, California joined the majority of states to adopt a common set of national learning expectations in mathematics and language arts - the Common Core State Standards. All standards can be found online at www.cde.ca.gov