Middle School Standards-based Report Cards

Focus Group SessionsFebruary 25, 26, & 28, 2008

Lisa Wachtel, Executive Director, Teaching & Learning

What are standards?

A standard defines what a student should know and be able to do in each subject area at each grade level.

All grade level standards are available at www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/standards/

What are standards?

All academic subjects have grade level standards, including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

All grade level standards are available at www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/standards/

What are standards?

Standards help shape the curriculum from one grade to the next because teachers know what instruction has already occurred.

All grade level standards are available at www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/standards/

What are standards?

Example: Grade Level Standard6th Grade Science

When matter heats up, it expands and becomes less dense.

Why change?

Standards-based reporting gives families information describing how well a student is performing based on what the student is expected to know and be able to do.

Why change?

Performance on standards has a direct impact on students learning what they need to know to be successful at the next grade level and on standardized assessments.

Why change?

Families will get more information about: what students are expected to learn strengths and weakness specific to each subject work habits important to learning

Why change?

Single grades hide student strengths and weaknesses.

Single grades often combine different factors.

Will students still get a letter grade?

Yes.

Letter grades will be given and Grade Point Average (GPA) maintained.

Grades will be based on standards.

Are other districts doing this?Yes.

Some districts/states include:

HawaiiPortland, OregonMontgomery Public Schools, Rockville, MarylandElmbrook, WisconsinAlbuquerque, New MexicoCleveland Municipal School DistrictTravis Unified, Fairfield, CaliforniaPacifica, CaliforniaVisalia Unified School District, CaliforniaNew York City, New York

How will learning be reported?

Learning will be reported by power standards.

A power standard combines similar strands of grade level standards into a broad category.

What is a power standard?

Grade Level Standard

When matter heats up, it expands and becomes less dense

Power Standard

Content Knowledge

What is a power standard?

Example: 6th Grade Science

Content KnowledgeConducting Investigations

Applications and Explanations

How will behaviors be reported?

Learning skills are work habits and behaviors that support the process of learning.

What are learning skills?

Learning skills are:

Use of class timeHomework completionCooperating with peers and

adults

How will homework be included in the report card?

Homework completion will be reported under Learning Skills.

What students learn by doing homework will be reported in Academic Performance.

What will motivate students to do homework ?

Ways to increase motivation to learn:

Clear learning purpose – no busy work High quality tasks – doable Relevant and customized – choices Engaging tasks – interesting

Cathy Vatterott“What Is Effective Homework?”

ASCD, Express Newsletter, 2008

Science Grade 6

Term

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Quarter Grade A

Science Standards

Content Knowledge 4

Conducting Investigations 4

Applications and Explanations 3

Learning Skills

Uses class time productively M

Completes homework M

Cooperates with others S

Logistics: Rolling it out A standards-

based report card is one component of an overall communication system about your student.

Logistics: Rolling it out

Other components include:

Parent ConferencesProgress ReportsNewslettersEmail/Phone CallsParent Portal

Logistics: Rolling it out Parent Portal will

provide families with even greater detail connected to the standards-based report card

Logistics: Rolling it out Implementation is

scheduled for 2008-2009