First quarter report cards will come home on Wednesday.   You will see some changes in the report card format.   I mentioned a few weeks ago about the language arts, reading, and spelling changes that the Archdiocese Dept. of Education would be making.   You will see the changes first hand next Wednesday, when you receive your child’s report card.   I’m hoping that the transitions that are being made will be understandable to you.   If they are not, please know that we can discuss them at our conference time.

Ms. Reesman asked us to share the rationale used, by the Archdiocesan Education Office, to incorporate spelling into the language arts grade.   Please note:

“The language arts report card standards have been changed this year to better reflect the role of spelling in the writing process.   Spelling and grammar are conventions of the English language and do not ‘stand alone’ in a child’s learning.   We assess both in two ways: word study or basic rules of grammar in isolation, but most importantly in the context of reading and writing.   Children go through a progression as they learn to spell (semi-phonetic to phonetic to transitional to conventional).   A grade (assessment) or a spelling list in isolation does not reflect that progression.   The report card standard as it is now written will give you a better picture of how your child is progressing in the use of spelling and grammar in their writing, which is the ultimate goal.”

See you soon at conferences and have a nice weekend,