REPORTING OF STUDENT PROGRESS

CONFERENCES (PARENT-TEACHER)

That teachers and students engage in instructional activities during classroom time is vital for ensuring student progress and success. Any unnecessary interruptions that infringe on instructional activities are unacceptable. While it is the policy of Mandeville Elementary School to encourage parents to confer with the teachers of their children, these conferences for the educational well-being of the students must be scheduled with the following guidelines in mind:

A specific appointment time must be set up before the actual conference. (Spontaneous conferences are seldom informative or productive. Teachers need to have tangible, classroom data available to share with the parent.)

Any convenient time (before school or after school) that is agreeable to both teacher and parent is allowable for a conference. However, conferences may not take place during instructional periods.

Duty periods of teachers are also not appropriate times for conferences. A teacher on duty is responsible for the safety and well-being of his/her charges. Conferences during duty time could jeopardize the safety of the children. Parents should, therefore, refrain from distracting teachers from their duty posts by asking for information about their children that is best disseminated during a scheduled conference.

The procedure for setting up a conference is as follows:

The appointment time and date must be set at least 24 hours before the conference. (The call may be initiated by either the parent or the teacher.)The parent must check in at the office to secure a pass to meet with the teacher.

The following is a suggestion for requesting a conference in writing with teachers:

Dear (Teacher's Name),

I am requesting a conference with you to discuss my son/daughter (Child's name). I am concerned about (reason for the conference). Would the following date and time be convenient? (date and time)

(Parent's Signature)

OR CALL the school at 626-3950 to request the conference.

Here is a checklist that may help you get ready for your conference:

HOW TO GET READY

_____1. Make a list of questions and concerns.

_____2. Ask your child if he/she has questions for the teacher.

_____3. Arrange for a baby-sitter for small children.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

_____1. In which subject does my child do well? Is my child having any trouble?

_____2. Does my child get along with other children?

_____3. Does my child obey the teacher?

_____4. How can I help?

QUESTIONS THE TEACHER MAY ASK

_____1. What does your child like best about school?

_____2. What does your child do after school? (What are his/her interests?)

_____3. Does your child have time and space set aside for homework?

_____4. How is your child's health?

_____5. Are there any problems which may affect your child's learning?

_____6. What type of discipline works well at home?

AT THE CONFERENCE

_____1. Please arrive on time.

_____2. Discuss your questions and concerns. (Use your checklist)

_____3. Share information which will help the teacher know your child better.

_____4. Take notes if you wish.

AFTER THE CONFERENCE

_____1. If you have more questions or you run out of time, make another appointment.

_____2. Tell your child about the conference.

_____3. Plan to keep in touch with the teacher.

_____4. If you were satisfied with the conference, write a note to the teacher.

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CONFERENCE (PARENT/STUDENT) - PRINCIPAL

The principal welcomes parents and students for conferences. The parent should first discuss any matter with the teacher before meeting with the principal. An appointment should be made in order to schedule the conference. Parents MUST check through the outer office before going to any conference.

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GRADING POLICY

The following is the grading policy as accepted by the St. Tammany Parish School Board on May 14, 1999 :

KINDERGARTEN:

A checklist of skills shall be used to report to parents.

Grades to be assigned on the Kindergarten Developmental Profile are:
Satisfactory

  - More time needed (for the second, third and fourth marking periods)

The kindergarten portfolio will include: Chicago Early Assessment Test, Test of Phonological Awareness, writing sample, Kindergarten Developmental Profile, Kindergarten Checklist and any other pertinent information. There shall be no Honor Roll.

GRADE 1:

1st Marking Period:

  A letter and checklist will be sent to parents. There may be supplementary remarks added to the letter as determined by the school.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Marking Period:

E - Excellent Progress
S - Progress Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement

At the 3rd and 4th making period, the independent reading level, as measured by the Developmental Reading Assessment, will be indicated on the report card denoting OL (on level), BL (below level), or AL (above level). The DRA is a statewide test used to determine progress in reading in first second and third grades. The DRA is administered twice each school year to all first grade students.

First grade students will be promoted if they show proficiency (acceptable progress) at the end of the fourth quarter marking period. There shall be no Honor Roll.

GRADES 2 AND 3:

Grades A, B, C, D and F will be assigned in math, reading, language, and spelling for each of the four quarter marking periods for all students including gifted/talented and students in specially designed regular education classrooms.

Second grade students will be assigned grades of E, S, or N for social studies and science.

In third grade A, B, C, D, and F will be assigned in science and social studies for all four marking periods.

A - Excellent -Student has consistently demonstrated excellent performance.
B - High quality work - The student's performance is in upper range of the satisfactory category.
C - Satisfactory- The student has progressed in a satisfactory manner.
D - Needs Improvement - The student's performance is in the lower range of the satisfactory category.
F - Unsatisfactory Work - The student is not progressing according to standards. The parent and teacher need to have a conference to help the student correct the indicated problems and to assure adequate progress.

The grades E, S, N, or U shall be used for conduct, handwriting, music, and physical education. These grades will also be used in social studies and science for second graders. The grades are indicated by: E- Excellent Progress, S- Progress Satisfactory, N- Needs Improvement, U- Unsatisfactory Progress

A = 92-100
B = 83-91
C = 74-82
D = 65-73
F = 0-64

At the first and fourth making period, the independent reading level, as measured by the Developmental Reading Assessment, will be indicated on the report card denoting OL (on level), BL (below level), or AL (above level). The DRA is a statewide test used to determine progress in reading in first second and third grades. The DRA is administered in September and May each school year to all second and third grade students.

The second and third quarter reading levels will be based on work compiled in the classroom.

Grades/levels in the second and third quarter will be indicated by:

E- Excellent Progress, S- Satisfactory Progress, N- Needs Improvement

Students will be promoted if they show proficiency at the end of the 4th quarter marking period. Students not showing proficiency based on all available criteria will be referred to the SBLC to determine promotion or retention. There shall be no Honor Roll.

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REPORT CARDS

For the first, second and third 9 weeks, all report cards shall be given out on the Thursday following the close of the 9 week period. At the close of the fourth 9 weeks, report cards will be distributed upon dismissal time on the students' last day or will be mailed at the close of the teachers' last day, if you have provided a stamped self-addressed envelope. REPORT CARD WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED EARLY.

The teacher is responsible for completing and issuing report cards. Also, each is to be responsible for any other markings such as behavior, work habits and attendance to class. Students not meeting the minimum requirement on grade level objectives by the end of the school year will be brought to the School Building Level Committee for consideration for retention or exceptional promotion. You will be notified each marking period if your child is working below grade level or not progressing as expected and a conference will be requested.

Special Ed students on Specially Designed Regular Instruction shall follow the same grading scale as regular ed students. Refer to the Louisiana I.E.P. Handbook for Policy and Procedures regarding grading and promotion of Special Education students.

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PROGRESS REPORTS (INTERIM REPORTS)

Interim reports for unsatisfactory work are issued by the fifth week into the grading period. It is the responsibility of the student to give the report to his/her parents. The parent is to read and sign the report. The child then returns the report to the teacher. The teacher does need to verify the signature and place in child's folder.

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