K-6 Standards-Based Progress Report
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Dear Parents, Community Members and Staff,
The School District of Collier County has been implementing a standards-based curriculum for many years. The State of Florida has identified the State Standards that we follow in every classroom throughout the district. These standards outline what a student should know and be able to do by the end of the grade level or course. These standards drive the content of the instruction.
The District has also been increasing the implementation of standards-based assessments across subject areas and level. These assessments are aligned to what is taught – the standards. Examples of these include the science pre and post-tests, mathematics benchmark assessments, reading benchmark assessments, writing assessments using the state and 6 Trait rubrics for scoring. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test also assesses the student’s achievement of the Florida standards in reading, writing, mathematics, and science.
As a result of moving forward with the teaching, learning, and assessment of the standards, the reporting to parents needed to be revised. A standards-based progress report (report card) provides parents and students with information regarding the student’s progress in meeting the state standards for the grade level or course. The current report cards do not provide parents with specific information regarding their child’s mastery of the standards. Revision of the quarterly progress reports is beginning at the primary level and will progress through the grade 6 in elementary over the course of the next two years. The new progress reports will provide a clear message to parents about what their children know, what their children are able to do, and what their children need to learn.
What does a standards-based progress report look like? It is longer, more detailed, and reports individual progress compared to the grade level standard. Essential standards for the grade level are listed and the student’s progress toward meeting the end-of-year expectations is reported every nine weeks. There are no subject area grades, such as A, B, C or O, S, N. The achievement of the standards is assessed and reported using the following scale:
3 – Has met grade level standard
2 – Progressing toward grade level standard
1 – Does not meet the grade level standard
NA – Not assessed
Since the progress report provides information regarding the student’s mastery of end-of-year expectations, a student will most likely earn 2s on most standards throughout the early to middle parts of the year. It would be rare for a student to master the end-of-year expectations early in the year.
The standards-based progress report is supported by the research of effective grading and reporting practices. It separates the reporting of academic performance from the reporting of effort and the learning process. It does not average grades over time but reports to parents the most recent level of progress toward mastery of the standard. This process allows students multiple opportunities to learn the standards and demonstrate proficiency.
The standards-based progress report was developed by a committee. The composition of this committee included 18 teachers in grades K-5, ELL and Reading staff, the ESE Coordinator, parents, assistant principals, principals and was facilitated by the Executive Director of Elementary Programs. The subject-area curriculum coordinators provided the essential standards. Teacher Focus Groups were held at 5 sites in the county with 162 teachers and 60 administrators participating to provide feedback, ask questions, and provide direction. Four elementary schools volunteered to pilot these progress reports in grades K-2/3 during the 2010-2011 school year. These schools are Mike Davis Elementary, Estates Elementary, Parkside Elementary, Veterans Memorial Elementary. Parent meetings were held at these schools to introduce this new way of reporting student learning. The Education Sub-Committee provided feedback in January 2010 and the School Board approved the pilot project at the February 2010 meeting.
Resources for parents are posted on the District website as well as provided through the schools. These include presentations and literature in 3 languages and meetings throughout the school year. The Education Channel has run several programs on this topic. These, too, are accessible through the District website.
The plan for expansion is:
2011-2012 School Year
- District-wide implementation in PK-2
- Pilot grades 3 – 6 in identified elementary schools
2012-2013School Year
- District-wide implementation elementary K-6
If you have questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Elementary Programs, via phone # 239-377-0107
or e-mail info@collier.k12.fl.us