Johnson Creek s Academic Reporting: Summative Report

1. 1 Johnson Creek�s Academic Reporting: Summative Report What does it mean and how can you support your child?

2. Overview This guide serves to explain standards-based report card (Summative Report). This summative report is designed to stimulate an on-going conversation between teachers, parents and students about what is expected of students in a rigorous academic program. The purpose of the elementary summative report is to provide a clear and accurate description of each child�s progress in the following areas: Academic achievement relative to grade level expectations/standards. Demonstration of the characteristics of a successful learner. 2

3. 3 What are Standards? A standard is what all students should know and be able to do. Standards do not vary from school to school, but are consistent nation wide. Common Core State Standards http://www.corestandards.org/

4. 4 Why? Research has shown that low expectations is one of the biggest contributors to the achievement gap. Standards based teaching and assessment clarifies the expectations. Standards based grading and reporting set target goals for students to achieve. According to another educational expert, Rick Stiggins, �Students can hit any target that holds still for them.�

5. Why not �grades�? In a standards-based learning environment, the emphasis is on learning and continual progress. In order for each child to develop a clear sense of what they know and what they need to know, the child needs to be aware of how he or she is doing in specific areas related to reading, writing, and math. A letter or percentage grade merely tells the student and parent how he or she performed on average in a broad area such as reading or math, but typically does not provide the sort of feedback that fosters mastery learning or the intrinsic motivation to learn and to grow in a specific skill area. A standards-based report card emphasizes �learning� over �earning�. 5

6. 6 1, 2, 3, vs. A, B, C, Q: What is the difference? A: In a traditional system, what does an �A� really mean? It only compares students within their class. A Standards based progress report allows you to gauge your student�s academic progress using a meaningful measure, the state standard.

7. 7 What does the summative report tell you as a parent? It provides you with information on your students specific areas of progress toward the grade level expectations. It provides you with an �end of year� determination of the achievement level of your student in relation to the standard. The Grade Level Essential Outcomes breaks down what each strand means so you can get an honest assessment as to how your child is doing.

8. 8 How will I know how my child is doing? Students receive a 3 if they are demonstrating grade level expectations at this point in the year. If they do not receive a 3, they may receive one of the following: Students receive a 2 if they have made some progress but are not quite showing consistency towards proficiency at this point in time. Some intervention may be necessary. Students receive a 1 if they have/will require(d) extra support and intervention to achieve the standard.

9. How is academic achievement noted on the report card?  9

10. What is the section called: �Characteristics of a Successful Learner�?  The work habits that students bring to the learning environment are critical to a student�s long-term success. Each of the grade level report cards identifies skills that are considered to be the characteristics of a successful learner at that grade level. Teachers evaluate those. Teachers reinforce these skills with each child, emphasizing the importance of work ethic and productive study habits. This is an important area for parents and children to discuss at home. 10

11. 11 Characteristics of a Successful Learner; what does this mean? Characteristics are critical to academic success. Gives the teacher opportunity to separate the characteristics of a successful learner from academic achievement. Teacher can recognize the student that puts in the effort but is not succeeding academically in a way other than giving them a good grade for simply being nice. Ensures that as a parent you know your child is progressing academically toward their grade level standard. Prevents grade inflation which is unfair to the child.

12. How does a teacher evaluate a child�s performance?  In standards-based classrooms, the focus is on a student�s performance over multiple opportunities, not simply the grading and averaging of tests and quizzes. Each quarter provides students multiple opportunities to practice, attain, and demonstrate proficiency on the Common Core State Standards and the Johnson Creek School District universal screeners. Through the identification of clear benchmarks, a student�s knowledge and skills are measured on a continual basis, stretching students to perform at their highest level of potential. Teachers collect evidence of a child�s achievement through careful observations, the examination of the student�s work, discussions, projects, performance tasks, quizzes, and tests. Teachers record information about each child�s progress on a frequent basis, analyze and compile that information, and finally use the data to evaluate each child�s progress. 12

13. What if a child never reaches proficiency in all of the identified areas? Many of the skills on each of the grade essential outcomes, kindergarten through grade six, represent end of year benchmarks, or where a child is expected to be by the end of the school year. Each child will be provided with supports �along the way� in order to help him or her become proficient in each of the identified areas. One of the advantages of a standards-based report card is that it provides the current teacher with a clear roadmap in planning, and also helps the next year�s teacher have a better understanding of the rate of skill development in previous years. The district may, in some cases, recommend additional learning opportunities to enable the student an opportunity to reach proficiency. 13

14. Beyond Proficiency: What Comes After Proficiency?  Teachers work with all students to motivate and educate them to develop to their highest level of potential. Instruction for all students is differentiated in a standards-based system. When a student is proficient in all of the skills and benchmarks identified at that grade level, the teacher provides differentiated instruction in order to move the student beyond the identified benchmark to deeper levels of understanding this will be noted by �E� on the summative report. 14

15. Data Supported Decisions After collecting and reviewing district data and formative classroom assessment, students who demonstrate proficiency/mastery of current grade level expectations, may work towards next grade level expectations. Which will be noted on the summative report by Essential Outcomes Literacy/Math: Student is working toward proficiency aligned to _____ grade essential outcomes. 15

16. 16 The parent�s role Q: If your child is not on track to reach the standards, i.e.. They are getting primarily 1�s and 2�s, what do I do? A1: Look closely at the progress report. Where does your child score in the section �Characteristics of a Successful Learner�? If this is an area which leaves room for improvement, that is the first thing that you as a parent can assist with, whether it be homework, attendance or behavior.

17. 17 The Parent�s role, continued� A2: Read the comments and grade level expectations that accompanies the Summative Report. It also gives guidance as to how you can support your child�s academic progress.

18. 18 Where can I go for more information? Copies of the Grade Level Expectations (Essential Outcomes), Characteristics of a Successful Learner Rubrics, and PowerPoint can be found at: http://www.johnsoncreek.k12.wi.us/staff/currins.cfm Or Go to: JC District Homepage Click on Curriculum and Instruction Homepage

19. Additional questions, comments or concerns: Contact Lisa Krohn, Director of Teaching and Learning, at: krohnl@johnsoncreek.k12.wi.us 19