Reporting Student Progress in Grade 6

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Reporting Student Progress in Grade 6

• October 14, 2008

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Unique Characteristics of Grade 6

• Considered intermediate level students for
  purposes of New York State assessments.
• Require teachers with elementary certification.
• De facto transition year between elementary and
  secondary within the same school.

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Core academic subjects

• English language arts
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science

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Additional subjects

• World languages (formerly known as foreign)
• Technology
• Health
• Music
• Art
• Physical education

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Method of Reporting 2005-2008

• Standards based reporting Level 1-4 (NYS)
  progress in identified process/topic learning
  goals
• English Language Arts, then
• Mathematics
• Numerical reporting 50 -100
• Science
• Social studies
• World language
• Art, music
• P.E. / Health
• Technology

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By definition, standards-based reporting fosters
student-centered instruction.

• Multiple forms of ongoing assessment (formal,
  informal, summative)
• Greater focus on student progress towards
  identified goals.
• Teachers report greater understanding of
  students strengths and needs.

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Unintended consequences of standards-based
reporting

• Report cards unwieldy, not parent-friendly.
• Several pages
• Numerical, ELA, math
• ELA Math levels (1-4) incompatible with Power
  School.
• --honor roll designation unclear, inconsistent
  student parent impact
• -- unable to keep historical record for all
  subjects electronically
• Levels are not grades
• I know hes a 3 but whats his real grade?

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Our Question for 2007-2008

• How can we retain the positive impact of
  standards-based instruction YET eliminate the
  negative effects of the current reporting system?

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The Process

• Review input from teachers and parents
• (via counselors, case conferences, parent-teacher
  meetings)
• Review reporting process for elementary and
  secondary students.
• Meet as teams to identify what works and what can
  be improved.
• Seek input from academic leadership team and
  Central office personnel.
• Review research on assessment and grading.
  (Marzano, Wormeli)

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The Proposal

• Considering Grade 6 as a transition year between
  elementary and secondary, we propose to
• Create a hybrid report card which includes
  components of elementary identified learning
  goals and secondary numbers reporting.

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Creating the Report Card

• All four core academic subjects identified
  overarching learning goals, then crafted language
  to reflect them.
• use of Plainedge Middle School curriculum.
• use of New York State Learning Standards
• which include assessments and rubrics
• Marzano, Transforming Grading
• Team teachers suggested terms to report student
  progress relative to identified learning goals.
  TENTATIVE
• Meeting with distinction
• Meeting satisfactorily
• Needs improvement

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Learning Goals ELA Social Studies

• ELA/Social Studies
• Reads and interprets maps, graphs, charts,
  timelines and historical documents.
• Comprehends and analyzes fiction and non fiction
  text.
• Employs a variety of note taking strategies.
• Applies a variety of reading comprehension
  strategies.
• Uses writing process to produce final drafts.
• Uses conventions correctly. (Spelling, usage,
  mechanics)
• Acquires and incorporates rich and varied
  vocabulary.
• Participates in independent reading program.

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Learning Goals Science

• Formulates hypotheses
• Measures correctly, using appropriate units of
  measure
• Interprets, organizes and analyzes data
• Formulates conclusions based on measurable data
• Explains the scientific reasoning for the results
  obtained
• Follows safety procedures

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Learning Goals Mathematics

• Uses comprehension strategies and mathematical
  knowledge to solve word problems.
• Uses math facts efficiently and effectively.
• Makes connections among different mathematical
  concepts.
• Explains and justifies solutions to math problems
  using models, facts, or examples.

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Implementation Process

• Creation of common assessments within subject
  areas.
• Creation of rubrics that reflect identified
  learning goals.
• Ongoing professional development in informal and
  formal assessment and reporting of student
  learning.

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Desired Impact on Students Parents Positive

• They receive a numerical grade in every subject
  AND information about progress in identified
  learning goals.
• They have an objective, consistent method for
  attaining honor roll status.
• Their report cards will better reflect knowledge
  and skills in core academic subjects and will be
  more parent friendly.

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Look, Mom I made the Honor Roll!
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Questions?