PINE-RICHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

K-3 REPORT CARDS

1. What are the changes to the elementary report cards for this school year?

Report cards for grades K-3 will use a system of Proficient (P), Developing (D), Beginning (B) and Not Yet Evident (N) to report levels of student progress.

This is a change from using the percentage-based letter grading system (A, B, C, etc.)

that has been used in previous years. The new report cards will more accurately reflect the standards and benchmarks identified by the Pine-Richland School District and Pennsylvania Department of Education.

2. What do Proficient, Developing, Beginning, and Not Yet Evident really mean?

The new system reports how students are progressing toward

meeting grade level standards and benchmarks. A lack of proficiency on any

standard or benchmark does not signal failure. It means the student needs to

continue developing in that area. The following performance levels are used by

elementary teachers to report student achievement:

P = Proficient

Student independently demonstrates consistent mastery of the skill/concept

D = Developing

Student is making steady progress towards proficiency

B = Beginning

Student is making inconsistent progress towards proficiency. May need reinforcement.

N = Not Yet Evident

Student is making limited progress towards proficiency. Needs consistent reinforcement.

Blank Box = Not assessed this marking period

A Blank Box indicates that the skill/concept will not be assessed during this grading period.

3. How will the teacher determine P, D, B, N?

Teachers will use formal and informal assessments to determine the mark. The progress report is based upon a body of evidence (preponderance of evidence) over time. The teacher will report the more recent, most consistent level of performance. The mark of P, D, B, N indicates the degree to which the student was able to meet the marking period expectations.

4. How does Proficient, Developing, Beginning, and Not Yet Evident equate with letter grades?

P, D, B, and N are not based upon the same criteria and are not interchangeable with letter grades. The new codes reflect the learning process along a continuum of skills/standards. It does not compare the student’s performance against the performance of other students.

5. How will progress be reported for special education students?

Progress by special education students will be reported on grade level standards

and benchmarks. Special education teachers will continue to provide quarterly reports to inform parents of their child’s progress with the goals and objectives outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Plan.

6. There are only a few reporting categories or indicators on the report card for each subject. Will other skills be taught?

Yes, other skills will be taught. The report card could not reflect every concept and skill within a subject matter. This would result in a multiple page report card. We have identified the critical foundation skills to report. As a result, some marking periods may have more assessed than others.

7. How is progress marked in the Personal & Social Growth and Classroom Skills sections?

Teachers will mark these boxes with a check ( $C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\MEDIA\OFFICE12\Bullets\BD21301_.gif$ ) if there is a need for improvement. The box will be left blank if there is NOT a need for improvement.