Standards Based Report Card
Letter from Mrs. Phelan 2/9/21
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Reading Your Child's Report Card
Dear Lowell Families,
Report cards went home today for cohort A and will be going tomorrow for cohort B. Watertown Public Schools uses a Standard Based Report Card. Our report card is based on the standards taught in your child’s grade for that school year. The report card lists all the grade-level standards. However, not all standards have been fully introduced at this time of the academic year. Therefore, some standards will not be assessed (n/a) and others are marked as “developing” or “approaching” on the report cards at this time. Very few standards will be marked as “mastery” as this is typically achieved toward the end of semester 2. This should not be cause for concern.
Additionally, as you are all well aware, this school year has been very different due to the pandemic. Our students are participating in remote or hybrid learning. In both of these models, the hours of in-person instruction has been reduced to accommodate safety guidelines for social distancing. This means not all the standards are being taught in the same manner as previous years. We’ve needed to focus on priority standards, ones that are critical for prerequisite skills in the next grade. Thus, the standards you see marked in these various ways were expected at this juncture. However as planned, standards will continue to be a focal point as we progress through this entire school year and next.
As you review your student’s report card please keep in mind your child has learned many valuable skills not visibly assessed. Their resilience to persevere during this difficult life experience, the ability to adapt to new learning modalities and environments has been impressive. It’s wonderful to see how they now advocate for themselves by using the chat function on zoom, ask clarifying questions as well as videotaping responses. There are so many things that come to mind, such as how our students keep track of time in order to log into class, or how they organize and carry their materials to and from school, as well as finding creative ways to connect with friends and family. You will not find these development skills assessed on this report card but I am confident they will positively catapult them into the years ahead.
We truly appreciate your hard work and support.
I’m including a guide to refer to as you read over your child’s report card.
Sincerely,
Stacy A. Phelan
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a standards-based report card?
A standards-based report card:
Assesses student performance against a specific and observable grade set of skills;
Enables teachers to clearly define for students what it is that they should know, understand, and be able to do;
Measures each student against the identified grade level ‘end of year’ standard;
Is clear and specific about the academic standards and pro-social learning indicators;
Is aligned to the Massachusetts State Framework as indicated through the Common Core Curriculum Standards;
Supports consistent assessment and reporting across the district;
Does not measure how the student performs compared to other students.
What is included on the report card? How many times per year will my child receive a report card?
Content Standards in English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and all “specials” as well as, pro-social skills and attendance are included on the report card. In grades K - 5, report cards are distributed in February (Semester 1) and in June (Semester 2).
How will my child be assessed? What are the ratings?
Teachers use multiple sources of information to assess student growth toward standard-mastery including: classroom observations, classwork, frequent formative assessments, summative/cumulative assessments, and for each standard on the report card, there is an accompanying rubric. These rubrics are based on ‘end of year’ expectations. Many students will be ‘approaching’ standards in February for Semester 1, as the entire standard may not have yet been covered. Students will be eligible to receive “mastery” on the second and final report card, after the entire standard has been taught.
Academic Performance Standards
M - *Mastery - The student consistently, accurately, and independently demonstrates proficiency in the grade level standard
A - Approaching - The student is progressing towards mastery and demonstrates basic concepts and skills, may vary in consistency, accuracy, and/or independence in the grade level standard
D - Developing - The student is beginning to demonstrate basic concepts and skills; may lack consistency, accuracy, and/or independence, towards the grade level standard
N - Not yet demonstrating the grade level standard
*Mastery does not mean the teaching and learning ends, rather it indicates the student has reached a level of performance expected of that grade level with consistency, accuracy, and independence. Instruction and learning will focus on gaining a deeper understanding by solving more complex problems within the standard and across standards, more challenge applying the standard, and more opportunity for critical thinking within the standard (think Bloom's Taxonomy).
Pro-Social Learning Indicators (Personal Development/Classroom and Community Skills; Approaches for Learning)
3 - Demonstrates most of the time
2 - Demonstrates some of the time
1 - Requires ongoing intervention to develop skill
What if my child has an IEP/504? What if my child is an English Language Learner (ELL)?
All students are held to the same standards. The standards-based report card indicates how a student is doing in relation to the standards; the IEP Progress Report provides specific information on how a student is doing in relation to the goals and objectives of the IEP, which may differ from the standard. IEP progress reports are distributed along with the standards-based report cards.
English Language Learners are assessed according to the standards as they appear on the standards-based report cards as well. This should also apply to a student who is in her/his first year in the US, if possible. If this is not possible, then that student would receive a grade of Not Applicable. ELL Progress Reports are distributed along with the standards-based report cards.
Where can I read the full text of the standards represented on the report card?
Full language for each standard can be found on the WPS website: (http://watertown.ss19.sharpschool.com/about_our_district/assistant_superintendent ), and on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website (Curriculum Frameworks): (http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html)James Russell Lowell Elementary School
Main Office ext. 33001
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary