New Elementary Report CardA Transition to Standards-Based Grading

October 28, 2013

Birmingham Public Schools … Inspiring learners through educational excellence for a lifetime of global opportunities.

WHY was a change made? HOW was the change processed? WHAT can parents expect at report

card time? Where can parents get more

information?

Presentation OverviewNew Elementary Report Cards

WHY was a change made?

New Elementary Report Card

• Feedback from Teachers, Administrators, ParentsNew Method for Marking Report Cards, Deliver Electronically to Parents

• Shifts in Requirements for LearningCommon Core State Standards, District Expectations

• Report Cards Measured Progress in 4 Discrete PointsNeeds Improvement, Beginning, Developing, Secure

• PDF Form for Completing Cards, Manual Network StorageSupporting Evidence of Student Progress in Grade Books, Paper, and Other Means

HOW was the change processed?

New Elementary Report Card

• Elementary Report Card CommitteeParents, Teachers, Administrators – All Buildings and Grade Levels

• Update Current K-5 Report CardInterface with PowerSchool, Parent and Staff Readiness Plan, Support Staff

• Move to Standards Based Grading Growing National Practice, Clear Expectations, New Achievement Levels

Below, Working Toward, Meeting Most, Mastering Standards

• Year-Long Work in Progress for TeachersPlease Be Patient with Us!

WHAT can parents expect at report card time?

New Elementary Report Card

• Shift from Four Marking Periods to ThreeReport Cards - Grade Level Classroom Teachers (3), Unified Arts Teachers (2)

• First Report Card Delivered Home November 18thPaper-Based Report Cards, NWEA Scores, Parent NWEA Tool Kit

• New Report Card FormatAcademic Progress Indicators (NO GRADES), Social/Emotional Progress Indicators

Standards-Based Approach, Focus on Broad Content Standards

Individual Comments by Subject Area

• Online Parent Support MaterialsLink On Our District Homepage (SOON)

Web-Based Support Information for Parents

New Elementary Report Card

We Believe:

New Elementary Report Card

• Standards-Based Grading is Good for Our StudentsClear Learning Targets, More Accurate Measure of Progress Toward MasteryWith Supporting Records, Parents Can See Where Students Need Additional Help

• Standards-Based Grading Will Benefit Your Children

• SBG Will Provide Greater Focus for Our BPS Teachers

• Parents Will View Student Progress via a New Report Card Greater Insight, More Detailed Comments, PowerSchool-Based (Portal Next Year)

Our first report card will be sent home on November 18th.

(BCS 3/4 will be on November 11th)

Focus On Improving Learning for All

Students

Birmingham Public Schools … Inspiring learners through educational excellence for a lifetime of global opportunities.