General Education And Grades
What is a "report card"?
A report card is a progress report that is distributed to parents at various times throughout the year to inform the parent of the child's progress in school.
What do the various grades mean?
Although grading systems vary from one school district to the next, a typical grading scale consists of the grades A,B,C,D,E or F. An "A" typically represents excellent work. A "B" typically stands for outstanding work. A "C" typically denotes satisfactory work. A "D" typically means that a student is in danger of failing. And an "E" or an "F" typically represents failure.
What do teachers base their grades on?
Teachers base their grades on student performance, and that student performance can be assessed in many ways. It can include teacher observations, student work, homework, class assignments, special projects and, of course, classroom tests or formal assessments.
How should I approach my child's report card?
It is first important to talk to your child's teacher to determine when report cards will be distributed. Once you have received the report card, it's important that a parent take the time to look at the report card with your child. Review the grades and comments that your child received in each subject.
How should I talk to my child about his report card?
Looking at the report card together is the first important step that a parent can take in talking to their child about the report card. Take the time to celebrate the successes of your child. Recognize the accomplishments and the achievements that he or she has made. Next, take the time to share any disappointments that you might have as a parent or that your child might have. Then, it's important that you and your child sit down together and work on goals for future progress. That is the best way to look at a child's report card.
How can I help my child raise her grades?
To help your child raise a grade it's first important to talk to your child's teacher. Find out what the standard or the expectation is and what your child needs to do in order to meet that expectation. The teacher should be able to give you advised on how to work with your student at home or even suggest opportunities that are available in after school programs or programs in the community that can help work with your child. You might also want to consider having a tutor work with your child one on one or in a small group to help him or her meet that standard.
Is it OK to "bribe" my children to get better grades?
There are many ways to encourage a child to raise his or her grades; rewards are an excellent way to reward a student for doing well to celebrate the success and acomplishment that they have made, but it's also important for us to realize that children need to have a self-motivation or intrinisic motivation if they're going to succeed ultimately in life. It's important that adults help a child to recognize that setting a goal and working hard to reach that goal is a reward in and of itself, so depending on your child's personality, bribes may or may not be that good an idea.
Do grades really matter in elementary school?
Yes, grades do matter in elementary school. Grades are a way to monitor student performance and student progress. It denotes how a student is progressing throughout the school year. If a student is not doing well in elementary school it means that they may not be able to master some of the more complex concepts and subjects later on in school.
What should I do if my child tells me his grade is "wrong"?
If your child believes that a grade is wrong, it is important that you first contact the school, and specifically your child's teacher, to verify this information. Depending on what the teacher says and what information they give, it might be an important time to schedule a parent-teacher conference to discuss the information in further detail.
