November 2014

The purpose of a report card is to provide

parents with a summary of their childs
learning in relation to the expected curriculum
outcomes.

DEECD, November 2014

Feedback from Parents:

Parents want clear, straightforward
information that tells them how well their
child is learning with emphasis on:
what their child does well
areas for improvement
how they can help their child's learning

DEECD, November 2014

Feedback from Teachers:

Teacher want guidelines for writing

comments that are consistent across the
province.
Teachers want samples of what a comment
could look /sound like.

DEECD, November 2014

Feedback from Students:

Students felt that comments did not match
the feedback they received in class.

DEECD, November 2014

The report card components of Learner Profile, Grade,

Anecdotal comment, and Attendance provide a well
rounded summary of student learning and
achievement.
Note:
The report card is not the only tool we use to
communicate about student learning and achievement.
Reporting periods are not the only time we
communicate with parents about student learning and
achievement.

DEECD, November 2014

DEECD, November 2014

The purpose of a report card comment is to

further elaborate on what the Grade has
communicated. The comment should:

focus on the learner and their learning in relation

to the expected curriculum outcomes,
provide a summary of the learning highlighting a
strength, an area for improvement, and offer a
suggestion(s) of how parents can help with their
childs learning.

DEECD, November 2014

Report card grades and anecdotal comments should

complement each other and provide a consistent
picture of each students strengths and needs
(Cooper, 2007).

DEECD, November 2014

Do

provide clear, straightforward information to

parents about how well their child is achieving
and progressing in relation to expected learning
outcomes

Do not

restate outcomes or list what was taught

talk about the program(s)

highlight the individual students learning

strength(s), a learning need to address for
improvement and, a suggestion to help address
that need

describe behavior, effort, participation (this

information is reported in the Learner Profile)

use educational/outcome jargon

include program adaptations

communicate in a language that is easily

understood by parents (i.e. jargon-free)

state what will be the focus for the whole class

instruction during the next term

maintain a focus on the individual student (on the

learner and the learning)

provide concrete examples supporting strengths,

challenges and suggestions

DEECD, November 2014

Ask yourself:
Will a parent reading your comments:
understand clearly how well his/her child is
achieving in your class/subject?
understand that his/her child has an area(s) of
strength?
understand the area(s) for improvement?
understand how they can help? (This might also
include ways the child can take some
responsibility for his/her improvement and/or
ways the parent(s) can support).
DEECD, November 2014

DEECD, November 2014

Strengths

Suggestion

Ania listens attentively during class

instruction and is very confident in
expressing her opinions. She enjoys
writing stories and represents all the
sounds of the words she uses in
what she writes. When Ania is
reading she checks to make sure that
words make sense and look right.
She is able to use meaning and the
beginning and ending letters of
words to check that she is right. Ania
is aware that her reading should
sound like talking but her reading
sounds slow and word by word. She
would benefit from continued rereadings of familiar, easy books to
encourage smooth and phrased
reading (joining words together in a
meaningful way).
(character count 646)
DEECD, November 2014

Area for
improvement

Jackson has demonstrated a thorough

understanding of the science outcomes. He can
question and record relevant observations and
measurements while investigating various
growing conditions for plants. Jackson can
successfully identify and describe parts of
plants and their general function. He is able to
observe and describe changes that occur
through the life cycle of a plant, which he
demonstrated in his class presentation. To
deepen his understanding of plant growth,
Jackson is encouraged to apply his knowledge
of plants to his involvement with the community
garden.
(character count 574)

DEECD, November 2014

Original comment:
Madac demonstrates achievement with good understanding of the math outcomes addressed this term. He
independently reads and represents whole numbers and clearly demonstrates an understanding of place
value to millions. Madac continues to develop the ability to order large numbers from least to greatest. To
improve this skill, he is encouraged to ensure he is looking at each specific digit in a number (i.e. 5 in 653
862) and thinking about its place and value as he writes them. Madac has a good understanding of
multiplication and division and is able to solve problems with these operations. He sometimes makes minor
errors in his computations and is encouraged to regularly check his answers to ensure they are reasonable.
(character count 729)
Revised comment:
Madac demonstrates achievement with good understanding of the math outcomes taught this term. He
understands how to read and use whole numbers. Madac understands place value up to the millions. He
continues to develop the ability to order large numbers from least to greatest. To improve this skill, he is
encouraged to ensure he is looking at each digit in a number and think about its place and value as he writes
them. For example, the 5 in the number 653 862 is in the 10 thousands place and means 50 thousand.
Madac has a good understanding of multiplication and division and is able to solve problems with these
operations. He sometimes makes minor errors in his computations and is encouraged to check his answers
to ensure they are reasonable.
(character count 748)

DEECD, November 2014

Dawn has demonstrated good understanding of the outcomes for this

course. She has demonstrated understanding of conversion of units, solving
volume and surface area problems, solving problems using the trigonometric ratios,
factoring, finding and interpreting the point where two lines cross, and solving unit
pricing problems to determine which option has the best price. Calculating slope and
determining the equation of a line, and multiplying algebraic expressions are
concepts that Dawn still finds challenging. She could benefit from extra help when
working with these concepts in the future.
(character count
600)

Dawn has a good overall understanding of the concepts taught in this course. She is
successful with measurement, basic algebra skills (manipulation of numbers and
variables) and financial math. Dawn finds it challenging to apply her knowledge to
real life problem solving situations. Additional practice applying basic algebra skills
in such situations will help her build confidence in applying what she knows to new
problem solving situations. (character count 446)

DEECD, November 2014

Original comment:
Ryan demonstrates a thorough understanding of the outcomes in French
Language Arts this term. He appreciates and understands the cultural influences
of the French Language. Ryan confidently converses in French within the
classroom setting. He uses a variety of strategies for generating ideas in writing,
including cartooning and sketching. Ryan is using a variety of sentence patterns
and word choices to make his writing appealing to the reader. He has an intuitive
understanding when reading and viewing the French language and is able to
apply the same strategies used in English Language Arts to his French material.
Ryan is encouraged to seek out more complex text and materials to read in the
French language as a way of challenging himself and further extending his
reading repertoire. (character count 796)
Points to consider when reading this comment:

Is there too much curriculum jargon or reference to specific outcomes?

Is it necessary to comment on every strand?

Are there areas where concrete examples would provide clarification (i.e. cultural influences)?

Is the language too complex for the parent(s)?

DEECD, November 2014

DEECD, November 2014

Feedback from parents, teachers and

administrators indicated:

a desire for a comment space for P-6 physical

education and music teachers,
a desire for a comment space for Grades 7-12,
parents want a comment to explain components
of the Learner Profile where their child:
needs additional focus,
is doing well.

DEECD, November 2014

The purpose of a learner profile comment is to

provide further elaboration to help the student
and parents understand what has been
reported on an aspect of the learner profile.

DEECD, November 2014

When further elaboration on an aspect of the

learner profile is required the comment should:

be short and specific to an aspect of the learner

profile,
not come as a surprise to the
student or parents.

DEECD, November 2014

Kayla is very respectful of her fellow classmates

and is always offering to help others.
Seamus needs to improve the quality of his work.
Jay continues to have difficulty completing his
work on time.

Lucina continues to arrive late for class which is

impacting her progress.

DEECD, November 2014

1.

Ask yourself Will the parent(s):

2.

understand
understand
understand
understand

clearly how well his/her child is achieving?

that his/her child has an area(s) of strength?
areas his/her child can improve?
ways they can help their child?

Ask the parent(s) for feedback on the

comments.

DEECD, November 2014