What Will I See on a Report Card?
In Kindergarten to Grade 9, students receive an outcome-based report card that, for each subject area, provides grades for groupings of curricular outcomes called goals or strands. Goals or strands are given a grade from the four-point rating scale:
Teachers also report on four factors that affect achievement for students from Kindergarten to Grade 9:
Lifelong Learner: The student is curious, observant and reflective as the student imagines, explores and creates knowledge.
Sense of Self: The student possess a positive sense of identity and appreciates the diverse beliefs, languages and practices of others.
Engaged Citizen: The student demonstrates confidence, courage and commit-ment in contributing to the community.
Work Habits: The student organizes materials and time in order to be an effec-tive, independent and dependable learn-er.
In Grades 10 to 12, a traditional grading system aligning with post secondary entrance requirements is used. While the curricula are written in outcomes, students receive a per cent grade in each subject. Students in all grades will receive personalized comments on their report cards, although these may vary slightly depending on school and grade configurations.
Why does Prairie Valley use outcome-based assessment?
While percent grades might be more familiar and comfortable for some, they are not always the best way to convey a student's understanding of a curricular outcome. For example, it might seem like a student who scores 90 per cent on a math quiz is exceeding expectations and should receive a grade of "Exemplary." However, the quiz may not have given the student an opportunity to demonstrate understanding beyond the outcome, which doesn't align with what how most view a score of 90 per cent.
Additionally, outcome-based assessment works better with open-ended, project-based learning. This approach is widely used in modern classrooms as it provides students with far greater opportunity to use higher level thinking skills and to demonstrate their ability to exceed curricular outcomes.
In short, outcome-based assessment provides a more accurate and complete picture of a student's achievement in relation to curricular outcomes. If you have questions about outcome-based assessment, please consult with your child's teacher.
What and When are Parent-Teacher Conferences?
These conferences provide parents with an important opportunity to see the classroom environment and to hear from the teacher and potentially from their child about the student's progress. They occur after school, usually over two evenings. School staff will work with parents to schedule a time for the conference. They are held in November and again in March or April.