Two years ago, I started the process of beginning a Master's degree from the University of Lethbridge. The program is entitled: Master's of Curriculum and Assessment. Now, I know what you're all thinking. That sounds BORING! It actually isn't. I'm really enjoying it and its helping me to become a better teacher (I think so anyways).
Last summer, we were introduced to the idea of 'outcome based reporting'. Essentially, its a way of doing report cards that moves away from number grades or letter grades and instead reports to parents on how their students are doing on a skill by skill basis within a given discipline. Since investigating this and reviewing it in my own practice, I can now say unequivocally that I am NOT a fan of the current reporting system that we do here at Raymond Elementary School. I feel like a 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 gives parent little or no info on what exactly is being done well and which specific areas need improvement.
You may find it interesting to conduct a Google search on 'outcome based reporting/report cards' and see how many school districts and schools are adopting this form of reporting. I think it's just a matter of time until all schools in this area will adopt.
I'm testing it out this year. You'll find when you receive the reports cards this year that I've included a sheet with all of the outcomes that we've covered in LA - Writing this year and an indication of how your child has done in that outcome. Please refer to this report as I believe its more informative that the traditional report. We hope to move in this direction for all disciplines in the near future!
Mr. H.
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