Elementary School and Teacher Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

Why were the elementary school report cards changed? 
The administration made the change to provide parents  more  information. Below is a chart that is sent to parents explaining the standards-based report card:

Traditional A, B, C Report Card	Standards-Based Reporting
The reporting period defines the beginning and end of learning. If the students do not get it during the reporting period, the class moves on.	The reporting period is only a reporting date. If the students do not get it, then more time and effort is devoted toward mastery.
A single letter grade does not tell parents what their children know and are able to do.	Parents can see all of the skills students are expected to learn and how they performed on each of those skills.
A letter grade is the only feedback a parent or next year’s teacher receives about their student’s performance.	Parents and future teachers can see exactly which indicators the student is successful or struggling. Parents will know what to reinforce at home to help their child succeed.
Students who are more capable of rigorous content are held to the on-grade level indicators and standards.	Students who are more capable of rigorous content are moved on through the learning continuum.
Letter grades often include non-academic considerations like participation, behavior, work habits and effort.	Standards-based focuses strictly on learning - what the students need to know and how they are progressing.
Shifts, sorts, and labels students from best to worst.	Shows parents how close their student is toward mastering each standard.
Students learn “failing” at an early age.	Students understand that they are on a learning continuum and that progressing is the most important aspect of learning.
Next year’s teachers have a single letter of feedback on which to make critical instructional decisions.	Next year’s teachers get specific feedback about the student’s progress which allows them to make more accurate instructional decisions.

Be sure to contact your child's principal if you need help understanding the change.


Did the change produce the desired results? 
Here are the expected results:

• Staff understands  grade-level standards much better now that they have to assess them.
• It is not about evaluating, but about student learning. Students may need more than one opportunity to master knowledge or skills.
• Performance measures should align with the progress shown on standardized tests, reading assessments, class assignments and classroom assessments.
• Students grow at different rates; and when a child does not get it, we intensify the instruction. Also, when a students gets it, there is an obligation to accelerate, enrich, or enhance the learning so that the child moves and is not held back in his or her learning.
• Principals  can tell what their students are learning and what standards/indicators they are not learning.

The administration expects  student achievement to rise with the connection to standardized assessments..

Lower income parents may need some education on these changes.
Nothing has been done to specifically address this question. Parents should always contact their child's principal for help on this.

What can we do to get more physical activity in the elementary schools? 
Providing some intramural (within the school) opportunities after school is a possible addition if resources are available.

Is the Fountas and Pinnell (F&P) reading program showing results? 
The administration believes we are seeing benefits in Kindergarten and Grade 1. We will be watching 3rd grade performance in comparison to other school districts.

What are we doing to show more recognition for classroom innovation and performance? 
The Rock Hill School District Foundation provides four opportunities each year for our educators to apply for mini-grants (up to $2,500) for innovation and creative projects.   Educators who receive grants are recognized  through the local news media, on the Foundation's website, and at the annual Showcase of the Arts fundraising event each spring.

Why do so many of our teachers have their children in Fort Mill and Clover?  
Their children attend school where they live.