Demystify Your Child's Report Card |
December signals the end of first term and the impending delivery of our child's report card.
A report card is like a map of your child's educational journey and progress to date. It is also a good checkpoint to see if your child's learning is on track for this school year.
How you interpret and respond to your child's report card is important. An inappropriate response can destroy your child's self-esteem and discourage future motivation.
Dr. Michael Luther, an Educational Specialist with Kumon Math & Reading Centres, offers the following tips to help you interpret your child's report card:
First, pay close attention to the teacher's comments. These comments usually contain more information than the actual grade or mark. Some teachers use these comments to specify what is going wrong in the learning process, while others enter standard, computer-generated statements. If any of these comments are unclear, follow-up by contacting your child's teacher or provide feedback in the parent's comment section of the report card.
At the secondary school level, report cards actually include class averages. If your child's grade is relatively low in a subject, compare it to the rest of the class before you panic.
If you notice your child's grades are comparatively low in any core area such as reading, writing and math, it is imperative that you seek outside help to bolster these basic skills. There are several programs that offer assistance in these areas. You can ask for remedial help at your child's school, secure a private tutor or enroll your child in a supplemental education program such as Kumon Math & Reading Centres. Don't punish your child for poor marks but give the support needed to improve next term.
If your child has special learning needs, you need to look for specific details in the report card. Scan the report to see if the IEP (Individual Education Plan) boxes have been checked off for any or all of your child's subject areas. A check in the IEP box indicates that your child's educational program has been modified in some way by the teaching staff to accommodate the student's special needs. In these cases, the grade may bear no resemblance to your child's actual academic performance for that grade level. Often, you need to speak with the relevant teachers to discover what your child has accomplished.
If any grade seems too low, you should find out if your child's educational program has been adjusted. Sometimes, teachers are unaware of a child's learning needs and the IEP modifications that should have been made to facilitate learning.
By carefully interpreting your child's report card and following up where necessary, you are supporting your child's education and giving your school system appropriate feedback. This process validates your child's report card and keeps communication open between you and the school.
Regardless of a child's needs, all parents should try to maintain ongoing dialogue with their child's teachers from day one. Don't wait for the report card to signal a call to action.
Keep in touch by attending 'meet the teacher nights', curriculum information nights, special education review meetings and parent council meetings. If you have questions or concerns, call the school, send a note or write a comment in your child's tracking journal. Then, keep a close eye on your child's interim/midterm reports, as these are good indicators of progress throughout the year.
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