Just a Number

I used to write testing reports, collaborate on progress reports, and collaborate on report cards. I didn't think much about it, but I new that I had to be able to explain any grade I gave to parents if they asked. I looked at a progress report the other day, and really saw it through different eyes.

The report listed the core subject areas and different behavior and work expectations. Next to each category was a number 1-4. Most of the numbers were ones and twos. The teacher wrote one sentence at the bottom stating the the girl was making progress.

This got me thinking, across the board, public schools have reduced children to numbers that have to fit into their system. Children aren't looked at as individuals who have amazing super powers. Instead, they are something that we have to fit into a mold.

How many times have you seen a progress report or a report card like this?

What justifies a 1, 2, 3, or 4?

What are the expectations at that point in the year?

How about on a Special Education or MCAS report?

What do those numbers and categories mean?

Is your child making progress?

Depending on what you are looking at, one may take different steps to learn about their child. If it's a report card or progress report, send a polite letter to the child's teacher. Let the teacher know in a polite way what you see at home and why you are concerned with the numbers or letters. Ask the teacher to provide you with the data and reasoning for the grade in order to better help you understand how your child is doing in school.

If it's on Special Education testing, request that standard scores and percentile ranks be reported. Then plot current and former scores on the bell curve. This will help you understand where your child falls compared to his peers. What you also want to check for is an analysis of the subtests. The report should explain to you what you child was able to do and what he or she needs to work on.

As a parent you have a right to request any and all of this information.