Elementary Progress Report: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a standards-based progress report?

A standards-based progress report measures a student’s progress according to how he or she is performing on expected standards. It provides more detailed information about what a student is learning and can demonstrate in each content area. It is one form of communication from teachers to parents.

Why is Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) changing to a standards-based progress report?

FCPS teachers currently are teaching a standards-based curriculum and assessing students on the standards the students are learning. The current elementary progress report does not allow teachers to report on how students are meeting expected standards. The move toward a standards-based reporting system is happening throughout the United States and aligns the information provided to parents on the progress report with how we are currently teaching and assessing students.

Do other school systems use a standards-based progress report?

Many districts use a standards-based progress report. Several area school systems have already implemented or are preparing to use a standards-based progress report. These systems include Loudoun County, Prince William County, and Montgomery County.

How does the new progress report compare to the current report?

Current Progress Report	Standards-based Progress Report
Students receive one grade for each subject area.	Students will receive multiple marks in each subject area because the subject areas have been broken into broad categories that encompass the standards students are learning.
Students receive grades represented by a letter.	Students will receive marks based on a numeric level.
Students’ marks are cumulative.	Students’ marks are representative of the student’s progress at the time the teacher marks the progress report.
Teachers can select comments from a list of prewritten choices.	In the future, it is anticipated that teachers will have the option to write personalized comments for each student as well as select comments from a list provided. This option is not yet available.
Students receive marks on effort and work habits	Students will still receive marks on effort and work habits. The work habits section includes items from the School Board goals.
Students receive marks in all core content areas and health, music, physical education, art, and band/strings.	Students will continue to receive marks in all these areas. In addition, elementary students receiving instruction in World Languages also will be assessed in this area.

How will the new progress report make grading and reporting more consistent within and between schools?

One of the goals of a standards-based progress report is to provide more grading consistency both within schools and between schools because teachers use expected standards to grade performance. This eliminates the potential for comparisons within a class to determine a mark. Teachers will grade only on the standards he or she teaches during a given grading period and whether or not a student has demonstrated that he or she has learned the standard.

What are the standards on the progress report?

These standards are the big ideas that are taught in each content area. The standards contained in the Commonwealth’s Standard of Learning and in FCPS’ Program of Study are very specific and the set of standards is very comprehensive. If FCPS included all POS standards on the progress report, it would be quite lengthy and not user-friendly for parents. Instead, FCPS correlated everything taught in our curriculum to standards for reporting to parents. The progress report standards are the same for all grade levels, K-6.

How will parents know what specific benchmarks or indicators are marked by a given standard?

At this time, FCPS plans to send home the progress report with accompanying information that outlines grade-level specific concepts and skills for each standard. The format in which this information will be delivered is yet to be determined and will be based on feedback from parents and teachers.

How much will the change in progress reports cost?

FCPS has been upgrading an outdated technology to a new student information system, the Integrated Student Information System (iSIS), to meet school system needs. The elementary progress report is part of this new system, so there are no direct costs associated with the technology needed for the new progress report. There will be some costs for professional development and for ancillary materials associated with the new progress report.

How was FCPS able to fund a change in progress reports during a difficult budget year?

FCPS had already purchased the student information system; the costs associated with this software have already been incurred. The additional implementation costs are necessary to conduct business.

How will elementary schools outside of FCPS know what marking levels mean?

The new progress report contains a legend with a definition for each mark.

What happens when students go to middle schools?

The transcript of the new progress report will be sent to middle schools when students move from elementary to middle. Middle schools are not revising their report cards at this time.

When might my school start using the standards-based progress report?

Currently, the plan is to roll out the new progress report to the 10 field test schools beginning fall 2011. All other schools will begin using the new progress report in fall 2012.

Has the progress report been piloted?

The standards based progress report has been field tested in 10 schools beginning in fall 2009. Changes have been made to the progress report based on feedback from teachers, parents, and principals at field test schools and other schools throughout the county.