September 3, 2008

Dear Parents:

As part of DoDEA’s ongoing effort to align educational programs at all schools throughout the system our school will be implementing the new Standardized 4-6 Report Card for School Year 2008-2009 in Grades 4, 5, and 6, with the exception of sixth grades that are part of a middle school.

The new report card is an electronic standards-aligned report card that also allows you to view the DoDEA curricular standards and see how you child’s performance aligns with meeting the grade level standards.  The Standardized 4-6 Report Card features sections on Student Achievement; Student Performance; Learning Skills; Attendance and Tardiness; Overall Comments; and Student Performance.  The new report card reflects common expectations for student achievement of DoDEA standards and more accurately reports results of standards-based instruction and assessment in the classroom.

A summary of grade-level appropriate standards for learning are posted on the back of each student’s report card.  A listing of complete grade-level standards for each curriculum area is posted on the DoDEA website, www.dodea.edu. Classroom teachers also have copies of the content standards.  These standards are important because they set goals for what students should know and be able to do.  They also tell students what is expected of them and help families understand those expectations.  Above all, standards are fair, challenging, and meaningful and they hold all students to high expectations.

The report card, coupled with frequent communication between teachers and parents enhances understanding of how educational needs can best be supported at school and home.  A sample of the new report card, with highlighted features, is enclosed with this letter.

We appreciate your support and feedback and working together, as a school-home team, we help your child achieve educational success this school year.  Please feel free to contact me or your child’s classroom teacher with any questions you have about the new Standardized 4-6 Report Card.

Sincerely,

C. Margaret Deatherage

Principal, Rainbow ES