I have had so many teachers of prep and grade 1 and 2 teachers talking to me about the limitation of the school reports. How the reports, intended to provide accurate, descriptive and authentic information about individual children often become driven by mapping “progression points” ( some children don’t even fit neatly into them!!) and worse than that, giving a grade of ABC etc.
It is disappointing and somewhat alarming that in the 21st century, policy makers and decisions makers in education have not moved on from the limited and narrow view that a report on an individual can be categorized into a letter.
Many countries across the world moved away from this many decades ago.
The most meaningful report is not measuring where a child is at by a letter or point along a continuum, but by explaining and describing the areas of gain, learning about the self. levels of self esteem and reslience and the academic that is important.
If I have to read or hear one more report that says,
“Kathy has tried well this term and is continuing to build upon her skills…” I will ….!!!
Recently I say a great report that had a photo of the actual child in the front, some photos of the children’s work and play that the children had chosen and a description of their learning.
It was refreshing and wonderful and real!! Let’s hope we can see more of that.