KUSD SBG SURVEY 2014

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Standards Based Grading Survey for Parents

1. Please select the grade(s) below in which you currently have a child enrolled at a KUSD

elementary school. (select all that apply)

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Pre-K 7.3% 46

Kindergarten 20.1% 126

Grade 1 18.5% 116

Grade 2 22.8% 143

Grade 3 22.5% 141

Grade 4 25.0% 157

Grade 5 25.5% 160

answered question 628

skipped question 0

Total Started Survey: 628Total Finished Survey: 566 (90.1%)

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2. Which KUSD elementary school does your child/children currently attend? (select all that

apply)

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Bose Elementary 3.0% 19

Brass Community School 1.4% 9

Edward Bain - Creative Arts 3.7% 23

Edward Bain - Dual Language 1.9% 12

Forest Park Elementary 3.3% 21

Frank Elementary 2.5% 16

Grant Elementary 1.1% 7

Grewenow Elementary 2.4% 15

Harvey Elementary 7.2% 45

Jefferson Elementary 0.5% 3

Jeffery Elementary 4.9% 31

McKinley Elementary 0.5% 3

Nash Elementary 10.8% 68

Pleasant Prairie Elementary 12.9% 81

Prairie Lane Elementary 9.4% 59

Roosevelt Elementary 3.5% 22

Somers Elementary 5.3% 33

Southport Elementary 3.7% 23

Stocker Elementary 7.0% 44

Strange Elementary 1.3% 8

The Brompton School 3.3% 21

Vernon Elementary 1.8% 11

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Whittier Elementary 10.4% 65

Wilson Elementary 0.0% 0


skipped question 0

3. How knowledgeable would you consider yourself to be on Standards Based Grading?

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Very Knowledgeable 20.1% 122

Knowledgeable 38.1% 231

Somewhat Knowledgeable 34.5% 209

Not Knowledgeable 7.3% 44


skipped question 22

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4. How did you receive information from your school about Standards Based Grading?

(select all that apply)

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Parent night 20.0% 121

PTA/PTO night 8.6% 52

Parent Resource Book 11.1% 67

Communication from the principal 42.6% 258

Communication from a teacher 63.4% 384

I did not receive information from

my school about Standards Based

Grading.

8.4% 51

Other (please explain): 12.0% 73


skipped question 22

Other Comment Themes: Parent Teacher Conferences. Work in education. open house. Paper in child's folder. Own research. District

meetings. Other parents. Social media/internet.

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5. When you received your child’s last report card, how well did you understand the

assessment marks (4, 3, 2, 1, N) on the report card? Please refer to below for the

assessment key.

Response

Percent

Response

Count

I understood the assessment

marks.63.4% 384

I understood the assessment

marks somewhat, but not

completely.

27.1% 164

I did not understand the

assessment marks.5.4% 33



skipped question 22

6. I feel comfortable contacting my child’s teacher when I have questions or need more

information.

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Strongly Agree 63.5% 384

Agree 26.6% 161

Disagree 2.3% 14

Strongly Disagree 1.5% 9

Not Sure 1.5% 9



skipped question 23

Other Comment Themes: Understand assessment key, but not how and what students being assessed on/the benchmarks/rules, how key applied to child.

Other Comment Themes: Like/love their teacher(s). Teachers not knowlegable/still learning SBG, inconsistant/subjective with new grading.

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7. Since the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, have you and/or the child's other

parent/guardian contacted a KUSD teacher with questions relating to your child’s learning?

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Yes, I and/or the child's other

parent/guardian contacted my

child’s teacher 1 – 3 times.

49.8% 299



child’s teacher 4-5 times.

14.3% 86



child’s teacher more than 5 times.

11.0% 66

No, I and/or the child's other

parent/guardian did not contact my

child’s teacher.

21.8% 131



skipped question 27

8. Since the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, have you and/or the child's other

parent/guardian contacted a teacher with questions about Standards Based Grading?

Response

Percent

Response

Count

Yes 34.4% 206

No 65.6% 392


skipped question 30

Other Comment Themes: Communicate with teacher on regular basis. Talked at parent conferences.

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9. When I and/or the child's other parent/guardian contacted a teacher with questions about

Standards Based Grading...

Response

Percent

Response

Count

I and/or the child's other

parent/guardian got a call/email

back and was satisfied.

51.5% 105



back, but was not satisfied with the

information/response.

31.9% 65


parent/guardian did not get a

call/email back.

2.5% 5



skipped question 424

Other Comment Themes: Spoke in person. Spoke at PT conferences. Issues with SBG not teacher's fault. Getting different answers from different teachers/principles.

424 not answered due to skip pattern.

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10. When I and/or the child's other parent/guardian contacted a teacher with questions

about Standards Based Grading...

Response

Percent

Response

Count



back in 1 or 2 days.

77.1% 155



back in 3 to 5 days.

6.5% 13



back after 6 or more days.

2.5% 5


parent/guardian did not get a

call/email back.

2.5% 5




Other Comment Themes: Talked at PT conferences. Talked in person. Got same day responses.

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11. Please select your level of agreement/disagreement for the following statements.

Standards Based Grading…

Strongly

AgreeAgree Disagree

Strongly

DisagreeNot Sure

Rating

Count

Provides me with better information

about my child’s learning.10.6% (62) 23.5% (137) 22.9% (134) 34.6% (202) 8.4% (49) 584

Gives me an improved

understanding of what my child

knows and can do.

11.3% (66) 24.1% (141) 23.8% (139) 33.0% (193) 7.9% (46) 585

Allows me to identify progress and

growth in my child’s learning.12.4% (72) 28.8% (167) 19.3% (112) 32.9% (191) 6.6% (38) 580

Provides the school district with

common standards.11.7% (68) 30.7% (179) 14.4% (84) 26.4% (154) 16.8% (98) 583

Creates consistent communication

among teachers.8.9% (52) 22.9% (133) 15.8% (92) 30.8% (179) 21.6% (126) 582


skipped question 41

12. Do you have any other comments about Standards Based Grading?

N

Response

Count

340



Comment Themes:Not meaningfull, not clearly definedLike "old way" betterTeachers don't understand SBGHave to use letter grades in middle/high school, why not keep them in elem. Subjective/ no consistancyHard for high preforming kids - no way to exceed standardNo incentive/motivation for kids to work hardReport cards vague, no teacher comments, don't know what standards used Removes competition (this was a positive and negative thing)Does not work well with IEPs

20 had "no" as in no comment.# of comments is then 320

*

35.4%

34.1% 57.5%

56.8%

52.2%41.2%

42.4% 40.8%

31.8% 46.6%

Pages 10-64 are open-ended comments.

Note: Approximately 267 other respondents got to Q12, but did not leave a comment.

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Open Ended Responses

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Page 3, Q4. How did you receive information from your school about Standards Based Grading? (select all thatapply)

1 Parent Teacher Conferences Mar 11, 2014 2:19 PM

2 received in childs folder to read Mar 7, 2014 10:06 AM

3 I am a district employee Mar 7, 2014 6:20 AM

4 Registration - I think was the first time Mar 6, 2014 11:17 PM

5 I work in the education field. Mar 6, 2014 10:23 PM

6 Conferences Mar 5, 2014 5:14 PM

7 Actually found out in the newspaper which I thought was odd. We should ofbeen told about this before last school year ended.

Mar 5, 2014 10:15 AM

8 I got the info from the school. This is my 5th child at Strange, I don't payattention when I get duplicate info anymore.

Mar 3, 2014 3:00 PM

9 distict sent a letter home Mar 2, 2014 8:29 PM

10 online research Mar 2, 2014 6:21 PM

11 Teacher/Parent Conference Mar 2, 2014 5:46 PM

12 seminar hosted at a highschool before school season Mar 2, 2014 3:28 PM

13 I know from working as an ESP at McKinley Elem Mar 2, 2014 3:08 PM

14 I am an educator in the district Mar 2, 2014 1:38 PM

15 I am a teacher. Mar 1, 2014 5:16 PM

16 some information sent home in my childs folder Feb 28, 2014 3:46 PM

17 Am a teacher in KUSD. Feb 28, 2014 12:25 PM

18 Open house meeting by Feb 28, 2014 10:37 AM

19 Presentation at Open House by our principal Feb 28, 2014 10:34 AM

20 attended a meeting at Bradford HS Feb 27, 2014 2:46 PM

21 Parent Teacher Conference Feb 27, 2014 11:57 AM

22 radio Feb 26, 2014 6:48 PM

23 im a elementary education major Feb 26, 2014 4:32 PM

24 A paper in my child's Thursday folder Feb 26, 2014 3:46 PM

25 I found out on my own Feb 26, 2014 2:21 PM

26 my child Feb 26, 2014 1:23 PM

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27 Sylvan Feb 26, 2014 8:29 AM

28 emails Feb 25, 2014 9:38 PM

29 Handout Feb 25, 2014 8:15 PM

30 KUSD meeting Feb 25, 2014 4:28 PM

31 talking to other parents Feb 25, 2014 9:39 AM

32 Im an KUSD teacher Feb 25, 2014 8:18 AM

33 At parent conferences Feb 24, 2014 7:41 PM

34 Parent night was held on evening that I could not attend. Feb 24, 2014 6:52 PM

35 School Board/Standing committee meetings Feb 24, 2014 5:19 PM

36 Conference Feb 24, 2014 4:58 PM

37 Letter sent home Feb 24, 2014 1:10 PM

38 I'm not sure Feb 24, 2014 1:05 PM

39 Word of mouth Feb 24, 2014 12:00 PM

40 Principal sent home information in writing and spoke at PTO meeting. Feb 24, 2014 11:19 AM

41 Zangle Feb 24, 2014 11:05 AM

42 I don't recall. Feb 24, 2014 11:02 AM

43 I do not recall receiving or hearing about this -- That does not mean it was notcommunicated -- I just don't recall the conversation or communication.

Feb 24, 2014 10:56 AM

44 parent teacher conference Feb 24, 2014 8:27 AM

45 My own research Feb 23, 2014 7:17 PM

46 District open meeting at Tremper Feb 23, 2014 5:47 PM

47 A quick note was sent home but our teacher told us during our first conferences. Feb 23, 2014 4:59 AM

48 . Feb 22, 2014 12:04 PM

49 Basic info was sent home Feb 22, 2014 7:26 AM

50 Face book and email Feb 21, 2014 6:42 PM

51 I had to ask teacher and principal for information. Feb 21, 2014 3:42 PM

52 I work in the district so knew about it some already Feb 21, 2014 3:26 PM

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53 I have a background in education. If I didn't, the system might not be clear. Theteachers did not do a great job of explaining.

Feb 21, 2014 3:01 PM

54 Letter Feb 21, 2014 2:31 PM

55 my own research Feb 21, 2014 2:09 PM

56 internet Feb 21, 2014 1:55 PM

57 Looked it up myself. Feb 21, 2014 1:29 PM

58 principal held a meeting for parents Feb 21, 2014 1:10 PM

59 Social media Feb 21, 2014 12:41 PM

60 District Facebook page Feb 21, 2014 10:27 AM

61 memo I believe Feb 21, 2014 8:50 AM

62 they did have a meeting unable to attend. wish they could have sent written infohome.

Feb 21, 2014 6:35 AM

63 KUSD website Feb 20, 2014 11:12 PM

64 meeting at indian trail Feb 20, 2014 11:07 PM

65 researched myself Feb 20, 2014 9:06 PM

66 Online research Feb 20, 2014 5:53 PM

67 I am also a teacher in the district Feb 20, 2014 3:01 PM

68 There was a parent night but we were unable to attend and were given thehandout from a teacher.

Feb 20, 2014 11:37 AM

69 meetings held prior to implementation Feb 20, 2014 11:03 AM

70 parent teacher conference last semester Feb 20, 2014 9:45 AM

71 facebook Feb 20, 2014 9:19 AM

72 website Feb 20, 2014 9:10 AM

73 Web Feb 20, 2014 8:32 AM

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Page 3, Q5. When you received your child’s last report card, how well did you understand the assessment marks(4, 3, 2, 1, N) on the report card? Please refer to below for the assessment key.

1 I wish there were letter grades. Mar 11, 2014 4:52 PM

2 I don't like these marks! Mar 10, 2014 7:39 PM

3 Do not care for the assessment marks. Mar 10, 2014 7:37 PM

4 we perfer A B C D F Mar 9, 2014 11:38 AM

5 Different with NextGen Mar 6, 2014 8:33 PM

6 I understood assessment marks, but wished there was a lvl 5 for exceedingstandard or performing at next grade level.

Mar 1, 2014 2:44 PM

7 We somewhat understand standard based grading but disagree with itcompletely. We do not want standard based assessing to continue. Studentgrading based on percentages and letter grading is much more beneficial andrealistic for my children and family. Please drop standard based gradingimmediately and stop experimenting with the education of my children.

Feb 27, 2014 3:57 PM

8 i emailed the teacher and asked her again what the number stood for Feb 27, 2014 10:30 AM

9 although I understood the number system I woould like to know what they wereevaluated with in order to recieve that number?

Feb 25, 2014 4:57 PM

10 I understood the assessment key but did not understand how the teachersbenchmarked the assessment marks

Feb 24, 2014 7:00 PM

11 I understand, but find they cannott accurately grade my child Feb 24, 2014 6:57 PM

12 Understood but completely disagree with this format Feb 24, 2014 12:00 PM

13 I understood them but it doesn't tell me how my child is doing Feb 23, 2014 8:32 PM

14 I understand them but do not feel like they truly mean anything Feb 23, 2014 8:15 PM

15 I understand yet find it confusing because it makes it look like my children havelost knowledge in areas where they had it before. My children were also in acomplete panic because they now think they are "stupid" since they did not getall 4's. One got a 3 in gym class. Really?

Feb 23, 2014 4:59 AM

16 I understand what they were given, but do not like rules that apply to giving themthese marks.

Feb 22, 2014 2:22 PM

17 I understand the assessment marks, but have no idea what they are beingassessed on.

Feb 22, 2014 8:49 AM

18 thought it was subjective and useless Feb 22, 2014 6:23 AM

19 Understood benchmarks, but I am sure difficult for some Feb 21, 2014 2:09 PM

20 I know what a 4 - 1 score is but I still don't feel I REALLY know where my childfalls on the - 'Is he/she doing ok. Are they progressing as they should or arethey working towards goals that should be met by end of year.

Feb 21, 2014 1:29 PM

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Page 3, Q5. When you received your child’s last report card, how well did you understand the assessment marks(4, 3, 2, 1, N) on the report card? Please refer to below for the assessment key.

21 I understand, but my kid wanted to know if they got an A! Feb 21, 2014 8:45 AM

22 I understand them but I see problems with the way they are used on dailyassighments vs the percent system. 4/4 if a child gets 1 out of 10 wrong vs 90%..and there is no overall number or grade for subject. I dont like the way thestandards are written. I think k tec has an awesome report card set up and thestandards are very easy to understand.. they are direct and not ambiguous.. plusktec has letter grades :)

Feb 20, 2014 11:07 PM

23 I understand the assessment marks in general, but not how the teacher appliedthem to my child. The teacher did not provide any written comments nor anywork samples. I have no idea how my child is doing in school this year.

Feb 20, 2014 11:04 PM

24 I understand the numbers and their assigned meanings, but I do NOTunderstand how they are being used. Some teachers are assessing on year-long standards so they will not give a 4 until the last quarter, while others assessonly on the standards for the quarter, yet there is no explanation what thestandards for that particular quarter are.

Feb 20, 2014 2:57 PM

25 understand, but teacher do not put comments in to understand if there isimprovement needed or if it's just cause the subject was just introduced.

Feb 20, 2014 9:46 AM

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Page 4, Q6. I feel comfortable contacting my child’s teacher when I have questions or need more information.

1 While I can contact the teacher, they are still learning this "grading" system andreally are not in a position to meet my concerns. I would say they are probablyare approaching the standards to speak to this new system.

Mar 11, 2014 2:49 PM

2 has been wonderful with helping my son feel comfortable inschool! She truly is a saint!!

Mar 3, 2014 8:03 AM

3 I have contacted my child's teacher with questions regarding her behavior inclass or during tests and received answers immediately, but have not receivedassistance when I have contact her regarding clarification of report cardcategories or why my child reports learning Spanish when I signed her up forMandarin(Chinese) via Rosetta Stone.

Mar 1, 2014 2:48 PM

4 I chose the teachers this year that my kids have to make sure they have the bestthey can have.

Feb 28, 2014 11:10 PM

5 I love my child teacher. Feb 28, 2014 11:05 PM

6 I agree that I can speak with the teachers but I believe that Standard/Basedgrading is very subjective from teacher to teacher especially when the curriculumthat the teachers are given is very inconsistent or in most cases lacking. Classsizes are still too big for the teacher to effectively work with all of the standardsfor each child and there has been very little organized training for teachers andstudents.

Feb 27, 2014 4:06 PM

7 don't like the combined grade / pod structure of combining grades 1-3 children atall - difficult to know who to contact and do not like this program at all - I see verylittle if any academic growth in my child and have to take it upon myself to teachher at home and supplement

Feb 25, 2014 7:11 PM

8 Stocker teachers are amazing and most go above and beyond their requiredcommitments; it is the amount of staffing and quality of assistant/support staffthat needs major attention.

Feb 25, 2014 5:11 PM

9 Nash staff is amazing and truly caring. Feb 25, 2014 4:29 PM

10 I feel comfortable contacting them, but some of the specials teachers refuse toanswer emails!

Feb 25, 2014 10:26 AM

11 Yes, however I feel like my questions are left unanswered and she is notknowledgeable enough about the assessment tool.

Feb 24, 2014 7:01 PM

12 I feel very comfortable contacting one of my children's teachers. The otherteacher I have very little confidence in.

Feb 24, 2014 2:25 PM

13 One teacher is more responsive than the other Feb 24, 2014 2:09 PM

14 I feel comfortable contacting her but I don't like the response. First quarter myson got 2's in science so I emailed the teacher to see why and what I could do tohelp. She said he was doing fine and not to worry. I don't think that 2's are fineby any standard.

Feb 24, 2014 1:48 PM

15 I feel comfortable asking one teacher for clarification. The other ignores myemails. I would be lost if I only had one child at Nash. I get no feedback on one

Feb 23, 2014 7:49 AM

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Page 4, Q6. I feel comfortable contacting my child’s teacher when I have questions or need more information.

child except at conferences and that is minimal.

16 I'm comfortable approaching the teacher however she has admitted she stilldoes not really understand this completely and this seems to be a generalconsensus among most teachers I speak to.

Feb 23, 2014 5:00 AM

17 Each teacher for each grade level is doing things different. Some are tougherthan others. I have no problem speaking to the teachers, but that doesn't help orchange anything.

Feb 22, 2014 2:24 PM

18 The teacher in the mixed class seems too busy to communicate with parents asoften as I feel necessary.

Feb 22, 2014 9:46 AM

19 I do feel I can contact the teachers at any time, but it seems to me that teachersare applying the standards differently based on their interpretation which leads towhat appears as inconsistency. Using a percentage based grading seemsstraight forward, factual and less opinion based.

Feb 22, 2014 7:32 AM

20 Three teachers. Difficulty when they switch teachers. Not impressed w the NextGen model.

Feb 21, 2014 8:19 PM

21 Both Feb 21, 2014 5:01 PM

22 Asking them questions isn't helpful. They barely know what they are doing withthis new grading and I mean absolutely no disrespect. When the grades cameout the first time I was met with blank stares from all 3 teachers in the pod. Theysaid they didn't know how it would work until they did it. They also noted theyhad as much information as I did. Made me worried about how they would gradewhen they didn't know what they were doing any more than I did.

Feb 21, 2014 1:31 PM

23 report card does not reflect who my child actually has for that subject. Feb 21, 2014 1:01 PM

24 I feel uncomfortable stating my full displeasure for this new grading systemdirectly to my kids teachers because I know this decision to change the way theygrade was not and is not in their power to change. I have said I dont like it ... imsure they know.

Feb 20, 2014 11:10 PM

25 My son is in class. I have emailed her several times this year &she always gets back to me in a timely manner. She is great!

Feb 20, 2014 9:47 AM

26 The teacher we have is very inconsistent with responses to questions I havesent via email

Feb 20, 2014 9:41 AM

27 For one teacher, yes! The other would be a strong no! Feb 20, 2014 9:15 AM

28 It is difficult to contact the teachers and principal, emails get "lost". I should beable to email any staff member of KUSD at any time.

Feb 20, 2014 8:58 AM

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Page 5, Q7. Since the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, have you and/or the child's other parent/guardiancontacted a KUSD teacher with questions relating to your child’s learning?

1 My child's teacher and I are in frequent communication. She is wonderful withkeeping me up to date on my child's progress and is always open to questions.

Mar 7, 2014 11:44 PM

2 We met at conferences. Mar 5, 2014 11:38 AM

3 We have regular IEP meetings where we discuss learning, etc. Mar 4, 2014 11:08 AM

4 Please consider getting rid of standard based grading and next generation as itsnot whats best for most children. If the principal is completing his phd on nextgen how about he open up a charter school and leaves our neighborhood schoolalone.

Mar 1, 2014 9:53 PM

5 I speak with my child teacher almost every morning on her status and overall'happenings' of the class. I wouldnt count this as 'needing' to contact but ratherthat they are avail

Feb 28, 2014 3:47 PM

6 We check in all the time to make sure our childrens are lerning. we have verygood techers!

Feb 28, 2014 10:38 AM

7 No, we work with our children at home on the assignments that are sent homefor homework. Completing the assignments and projects given by the teachersand practicing reading, writing, and arithmetic with my children is sufficient. Wefeel that standard based reporting is overkill and a waste of teacher energy fromjust being allowed to teach.

Feb 27, 2014 4:19 PM

8 The teacher and I have a good communication regarding my son's intellectualdevelopment and behavior. She always accessible for me to talk to her about myconcerns.

Feb 27, 2014 3:40 PM

9 My son struggles and they provide so much help Feb 25, 2014 4:29 PM

10 I help out in class and any question I have I ask the teacher directly. Feb 25, 2014 3:15 PM

11 We communicate on a regular basis. Feb 25, 2014 12:30 PM

12 See previous answer. I am in steady contact with one teacher while the otherpractically ignores me.

Feb 23, 2014 7:50 AM

13 The progress card does not carry much value to me. The standards do notreally tell you what the child is being assessed on to receive that mark. I trustmy child's teacher and know they are learning, but I don't feel the progress cardis easy to read or even an accurate assessment.

Feb 23, 2014 7:37 AM

14 I am in constant contact with their teachers. Again, this does not change the factthat the teachers are doing things differently. Getting 1 wrong on a spelling testof 24 words should not get my child a 3. I can't change that teachers mind. Thisnew grading system is NOT working for our children at all! 1 wrong out of 24should always an "A". We should not be giving a "4" only for perfect work!

Feb 22, 2014 2:26 PM

15 We speak at conferences and can freely contact teachers if needed, but to behonest because my children seem to be doing OK, so we are trying not to worryso much as everyone figures this out. However, there is a growing concern withthe number of kids leaving the public system. What are they concerned about

Feb 22, 2014 7:37 AM

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Page 5, Q7. Since the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, have you and/or the child's other parent/guardiancontacted a KUSD teacher with questions relating to your child’s learning?

that maybe I just don't realize yet? There appears to be a valid concern that ourchildren are behind those in the private schools.

16 I had more contact w my youngest teachers ~ more about trying to find missingitems, curriculum questions, routine , etc. My oldest child I had less contactsince my child was able to communicate better than my youngest aboutexpectations.

Feb 21, 2014 8:22 PM

17 I wrote a note on back of report card envelope stating I had no clue where tohelp my child based on the report card. . Numbers for my 2nd grader seemed tonot match and my fiftg grader had all 4s and no homework.. I asked forsomething to further challenge him and honestly feel since he previouslyrecieved report cards from 3rd and 4th with letter grades he was being jipped byhaving the system changed for his final year as a fifth grader.. I think if it had tobe done it should of grandfathered in kids... meaning start with k to 2nd graders..I also feel it is a more subjective system. My son got all 4s top scores from hisband teacher report and in music got some 2s in the same area the bandteacher gave him 4s??. some teachers told parents they dont give out 4s at the1st quarter... so they can show progression... why cant they grade the work andaverage it for a grade... why are some pieces used as evidence.. do we get tosee the evidence... I like to see all my kids work... I keep it. I can tell how theyare doing by the grades or percent at the top of the page.. I go over the problemsor questions they got wrong. My kids rarely get homework. Math homework isnon existant. Do they have a math book? A reading book? I would like to see areading and math book come home w my kids once in a while. It happens atprivate schools...

Feb 20, 2014 11:33 PM

18 IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE FIRST PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES.... Feb 20, 2014 1:39 PM

19 I volunteer 2 days a week and am constantly asking about my child's progress. Feb 20, 2014 11:38 AM

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Page 7, Q9. When I and/or the child's other parent/guardian contacted a teacher with questions about StandardsBased Grading...

1 los vemos en persona Mar 12, 2014 8:20 AM

2 I did receive communication back and was satisfied with the report my child'steacher gave me regarding my child. However, I do not feel the StandardsBased Grading method accurately reflects how my child is progressing and whatskills they possess. My frustration is that based on the grading and report cardalone, it is very difficult to understand my child's progress without the teacherclearly laying it out for me and giving me her input as to how my child isperforming.

Mar 7, 2014 11:46 PM

3 I tried to contact the teacher by writing on the envelope with the grade reportcard in it and asked the teacher a question and did not receive an answer back,was not happy.

Mar 7, 2014 10:08 AM

4 addressed at parent/teacher conferences Mar 5, 2014 1:20 PM

5 parent/teacher conference-asked questions Mar 2, 2014 1:29 PM

6 I spoke with my child's teacher in person. I believe most of the students in herclass are disappointed that the grading standards have constantly changed eachyear they have attended, which is both confusing and frustrating to the studentsand parents alike. I do not like the current standards based method. I prefer theA-D & F grading with plus or minus.

Mar 1, 2014 3:22 PM

7 We also met face to face and they weren't even able to explain themselves onwhy they were Harding the way they were. My child was a straight a student nowhe's getting 3 's

Mar 1, 2014 12:44 PM

8 Spoke in person and was somewhat satisfied Feb 27, 2014 2:48 PM

9 PT confrence Feb 26, 2014 1:56 PM

10 The grading critera (1-4) is not the issue, it is the categories in which my child isbeing graded upon that are thoroughly confusing. I have no idea how to help herimprove if I don't even understand what specifically she is being graded on

Feb 26, 2014 1:37 PM

11 I did get a response and the teacher was wonderful but it's this new gradingsystem and the horrible changes to the class room has me sick to my stomach.

Feb 26, 2014 1:29 PM

12 We had to ask at Parent Teacher conferences and got a response back rightaway

Feb 25, 2014 9:01 PM

13 I asked in person - I was also told my child would have 'goals' but had to bepatient so they could establish them - it's several months later and I still have notreceived 'goals' and my child is not clear on their 'goals' - VERY FRUSTRATINGYEAR - I was satisfied with the school - BUT NOT ANYMORE

Feb 25, 2014 7:13 PM

14 I receive a call back and the teacher did their best to explain the Standard BasedGrading, but I still don't understand it and really don't care for it at all. I believe itisn't cohesive to the education of my children, and therefore, not useful inmeasuring their progress.

Feb 25, 2014 5:03 PM

15 Question has been about the Gold Cards. 1st was told they would ask then told Feb 25, 2014 11:58 AM

(We see them in person)

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with new grading its not being done, but had a friend at a different kusd schoolson receive one with 3's&4's Then told our school was not doing them... Feelbad for the business that will suffer.. I know we only go to certain businessbecause of the gold card in hand..

16 The teacher was trying the best to explain. I just dont' think I am fully able tograsp how my child is doing based on the system.

Feb 25, 2014 9:41 AM

17 There is lots of confusion with this and it is not a clear assessment of the child'slearning. I was told in the meeting that when I child receives a 4 they have metthe standard for that year. Then in the 2nd report card my child had a 3 in thesame area. I was told that they have standards for each report card time.Neither the teacher or the principal gave the same answer to the assessment.

Feb 25, 2014 9:21 AM

18 Not teachers fault. I just find this new grading to be opinion based. Not a factbased grade. Subjects have been inappropriate for grade. Greek mythology for4th graders. The way the standards are the kids are learning too many conceptsbefore they can even master one. Working on short division before multiplcationfacts were done. Worked on long division before was secure and then went on tomuti digit multiplication. All in a few weeks. So stressful for parents and students.Parents struggling to teach new math concepts the" new" way

Feb 24, 2014 7:04 PM

19 Discussed at conferences Feb 24, 2014 4:53 PM

20 The teachers seemed a little confused about the grading Feb 24, 2014 2:11 PM

21 Parent teacher conferences Feb 24, 2014 1:59 PM

22 Same questions sent to two teachers. Only one responded. Feb 23, 2014 7:51 AM

23 We got an immediate response but since the teacher is still struggling witheverything she referred us back to the one page letter we received right beforeconferences in October.

Feb 23, 2014 5:02 AM

24 We did receive contact back but it still didn't answer exactly what my childneeded to work on. No comments on tge report card is unacceptable especiallyfirst quarter! That is the school's problem (Nash) if the teachers weren't giventhe appropriate time to write on 60 + students report cards. What happened toindividualized instruction?????

Feb 21, 2014 8:28 PM

25 To be clear I was satisfied with the communication from the teach but verydissatisfied with the report card. It's not the teacher's fault she has to use thisflawed instrument.

Feb 21, 2014 3:49 PM

26 I spoke with her teacher, and although she tried to explain it to me, I am stillconfused- but it is not the teacher's fault.

Feb 21, 2014 3:27 PM

27 Note Feb 21, 2014 3:01 PM

28 I understand the system but feel it doesn't really tell me much about how mychild is doing. My child brought home mostly ones on his first report card. As aparent that's very discouraging. How is a patent supposed to encourage theirchild with a progress report of all 1s?

Feb 21, 2014 1:00 PM

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29 I got reply w link to website to see all the standards.. I asked what can I eork onw my child to bring 2s up... I also asked a dif teacher for some homework sinse Iwas seeing all 4s and no homework. I had to ask again 2nd quarter as we stillgot no homework.

Feb 20, 2014 11:39 PM

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1 Reuniones de padres de familia Mar 12, 2014 8:50 AM

2 parent/teacher conferences Mar 5, 2014 1:21 PM

3 I usually go to the school and talk with the teachers so I get an answer rightaway.

Mar 3, 2014 8:05 AM

4 parent/teacher conference Mar 2, 2014 1:30 PM

5 Talked to the teacher in the classroom. Feb 28, 2014 7:30 AM

6 spoke in person within one week of the inquiry Feb 27, 2014 2:48 PM

7 We asked her face to face and she told us about it. Feb 26, 2014 5:04 PM

8 pt confrence Feb 26, 2014 1:56 PM

9 I was in communication with the teacher and the school. It is not about theteacher/school, the focus should be more on the change in the progress report.

Feb 26, 2014 11:29 AM

10 Asked in person Feb 25, 2014 9:02 PM

11 The teachers do great. It's KUSD that's awful with communication and publicrelations. It's actually quite sad.

Feb 25, 2014 5:50 PM

12 I receive a call back from my children's teachers on a very timely basis. Andthey attempt to explain the Standards Based Grading system. But, I still don'tunderstand it and I believe it truly does not properly measure the progress mychildren are making.

Feb 25, 2014 5:05 PM

13 Discussed at conferences Feb 24, 2014 4:54 PM

14 One teacher replied immediately one took about a week Feb 24, 2014 11:10 AM

15 We spoke in person. Feb 23, 2014 5:50 PM

16 I spoke to a teacher at school about a question on a graded test that was senthome and got an immediate, satisfactory answer.

Feb 23, 2014 1:37 PM

17 One teacher responded same day. The other never responds. Feb 23, 2014 7:52 AM

18 We have the same teacher and when I ask questions I go into the classroomsince that is when I get the best responses.

Feb 23, 2014 5:03 AM

19 n/a Feb 22, 2014 9:47 AM

20 The same day Feb 21, 2014 3:28 PM

21 Sent a note.. they sent one back.. Feb 21, 2014 3:03 PM

22 i saw the teacher at school before school hours and asked her about it - got animmediate explanation

Feb 21, 2014 1:11 PM

(parent teacher conferences)

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23 I received an e-mail back from , Kindergarten teacher at Whittierelementary, the same day I sent the inquiry.

Feb 20, 2014 12:07 PM

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Page 10, Q12. Do you have any other comments about Standards Based Grading?

1 no ningun comentario Mar 12, 2014 9:01 AM

2 No me gusta la boleta de calificaciones. Quiero saber qué grado mis hijas estánrecibiendo

Mar 12, 2014 8:55 AM

3 no Mar 12, 2014 8:52 AM

4 quiero que el systema de las calificaciones basadas en normas cambien Mar 12, 2014 8:21 AM

5 Horrible. Horribly implemented and gives little to no information on progress.This is a very poor program with even worse implementation.

Mar 11, 2014 9:56 PM

6 Bring back letter grades!! They are easier to understand. Mar 11, 2014 4:53 PM

7 A system that doesn't allow a child the chance to exceed expectations is asystem which perpetuates the "just enough" standards of today's society.

Mar 11, 2014 2:51 PM

8 No, not at this time. Mar 11, 2014 2:03 PM

9 No Mar 11, 2014 11:30 AM

10 We just moved a couple months ago to Kenosha. This grading seems weird. Ihaven't got a report card yet but I want to know how my baby is doing, like is shegettin a A on her test but I don't like to be told she is close to being at thestandard. That don't tell me much. She need to study then but what is thegrade? I don't want to deal in almost close terms. She going to be somebodysome day.

Mar 10, 2014 7:57 PM

11 I get the standards are what the kids be known. But what be happening with thegrades?

Mar 10, 2014 7:50 PM

12 What is this district trying to do? It is not great to let the kids have no idea if theyare making the grade or not. This is not preparing them for the future. Whatwas wrong with the old system?

Mar 10, 2014 7:44 PM

13 I don't like the marks! My sons always got the grades when they at Frank and Inot going to be fooling with these numbers.

Mar 10, 2014 7:41 PM

14 I do not feel as a parent that it helps be determine where my child is at in hislearning. I think the old way of doing things was much more effective. I am verydisappointed in this new approach.

Mar 10, 2014 7:40 PM

15 It does exactly the opposite of what your intended goals are. I feel less informedabout my children's knowledge level, and more responses from the teacher thatthe grading system is based on standards for the end of the year. That he/she isdoing fine. This system does not provide a way to assess my children'sknowledge level of current subjects/topics. I feel like it is less geared to thestudents. The program was rolled out very inefficiently with only 1 opportunity forparents to attend a mtg about it. Where is the benefits? All the parents I havespoken with don't understand this and feel less involved with their student'sprogress.

Mar 10, 2014 4:26 PM

16 Our president needs to focus on education, not war in the Ukraine or ObamaCare!

Mar 10, 2014 2:02 PM

(no comment)

(I don't like the report cards. I want to know what grade my daughters are getting)

(I want the system of Standards Based Grading to change)

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17 Why is our education system not a priority? Mar 10, 2014 1:11 PM

18 The previous system work fine. This new Standards Based Grading is great ifyou're developing a class of factory workers, or 9-5 hourly employees. I want mychild to run corporations and develop technologies. I want my child to lead, toinnovate and compete. The previous system allowed the star students to shineabove the rest. We need to increase knowledge based competition betweenstudents. We should recognize the star players and groom them to be leaders inour community. I really do not like the new system.

Mar 10, 2014 9:14 AM

19 It doesn't seem to be better to me... seems to be more of the teachersperception at that time rather than what my child has actually learned. I am not afan of this new grading method. It seems more confusing.

Mar 9, 2014 8:34 PM

20 I dont like it... its harder to understand and the teachers dont explain things wellabout it and i tjink its because they dont understand it all the way.. would love togo back to the way it uswd to be..

Mar 9, 2014 7:54 PM

21 I appreciate this way if grading. Mar 9, 2014 1:28 PM

22 Using percentages would be more helpful for me to understand progress (ie,80% vs. meets some/most standards).

Mar 8, 2014 7:02 PM

23 Concerned that it gives us no clue how he will transition into a grade basedreport card.

Mar 8, 2014 4:10 PM

24 Standards based learning does not incent my child to perform to a top level.There is no reason for him to learn more than the standard.

Mar 8, 2014 7:27 AM

25 I would much rather see a report card that reflects the skills which my child hasor has not mastered. The report card currently in use only tells me vaguecomments about their progress. I want more skills specific statements thataccurately reflect where my child is in their learning. It should not take aneducated person and a very patient and explanatory teacher to help meunderstand what my child can and can not do in relation to their learning.

Mar 7, 2014 11:49 PM

26 I thought kusd would be a nice change from the private school that my son was itbut now I realize I made a big mistake.

Mar 7, 2014 3:07 PM

27 Standard based testing is left to the interpretation of the teacher. In my opinion itis more ambigious than regular grades.

Mar 7, 2014 11:07 AM

28 I think the system is not fair, since the grades are not based on achievementprogress, but the last assignment. And its a small scale not able to show midsituations.

Mar 7, 2014 10:46 AM

29 I do not agree with this learning system, I feel that teachers set aside a shortamount of time to give the students "numbers" to base the child on what theyknow and understand which makes it hard for students to truley show what theyknow especially if the child gets nervous under pressure. I feel that the teacherneeds to observe them while doing their work to be able to grade themappropriately. I feel that the teachers may not know how to answer questionswhen asked about the number system.

Mar 7, 2014 10:11 AM

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30 Very subjective. Mar 7, 2014 7:23 AM

31 Too many to cover, to subjective, can be left up to too many interpretationsregarding what the standards really address. The report really does not give megood information about how my child is doing or progressing.

Mar 7, 2014 6:24 AM

32 It is confusing!!!!! Is the number representing where the child should be at theend of the year or at the end of that grading cycle. Plus all the different things thechild is being graded on...really could this not just be easier to grade for reading,science, math and have comments. This seems like a big waste of the teacherstime to grade on five different things regarding science.

Mar 6, 2014 11:24 PM

33 I have one student at Nash Elementary. This year the teachers have been reallyresponsive to questions which I really appreciate. My concern is with themethod the new standards were introduced to the teachers. (I am not pointingthe finger at . I ) My hope is that this survey willnot be used as a tool against the teachers, but rather a real opportunity to knowwhat parents know about Standards Based Grading. To note, I understand thefoundations of common standards. It's applicable in almost every industry. I amnot clear on the nuances for "Standards Based Grading" In speaking with manyteachers around the district prior to the 2013-2014 year, many felt unprepared touse the new standards. I think things are getting better. I hope you invest timeto make it easy for the teachers to do their job and provide the resources theyneed. I believe we have some really good teachers (especially at Nash). Weshould invest in all of them so they can invest in our children. I also like the ideaof surveying the parents. Many of us work and cannot make board meetings toexpress our opinions. Thanks!

Mar 6, 2014 8:52 PM

34 Standards-based marks give me much clearer information regarding mychildren's academic strengths and weaknesses than traditional letter grades evercould.

Mar 6, 2014 8:50 PM

35 Seems all of the changes are for everyone but our children. Mar 6, 2014 3:31 PM

36 I don't like the system at all. Please go back to letter grading. It's more consistentand clear.

Mar 6, 2014 11:31 AM

37 I agree that all the items in #9 CAN BE TRUE in Standards Based gradinghowever it is not happening well in KUSD and the KUSD progress report doesnot report out standards and benchmarks well. It does not give parents "animproved understanding of what my child knows" because the Standards withthe items listed below them are not clear for parents to specifically be able tohelp their child on particular skills. They are too broad and wordy. StandardsBased Grading can be very beneficial if done well however that is not happeningin KUSD yet in my opinion based on the current progress report.

Mar 5, 2014 9:58 PM

38 I do not like this progress report since teachers do not have space to adddetailed comments as I have gotten in the past with the last type of report.

Mar 5, 2014 8:03 PM

39 The only thing that concerns me are children with difficulties learning. My sonhas a form of dyslexia that the school and school district do not recognize so thistype of grading shows me how he progresses but not necessarily how much.For instance if he had a reading grade of D and then raised up to a C- I can

Mar 5, 2014 5:22 PM

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comprehend that and that we need to work more but when he goes to a 4 whichis Meeting Standard I believe that doesn't tell me very much. Standards are thesame across the board but I want my child to do more than just meet thestandard. To succeed in life he needs to be able to excel and hard work doesthat and each letter grade shows him progression as well as he reviews hisgrades with his father and I and we discuss how and what he can do to improve.

40 Do these people who make these changes to the school system even havechildren. Do they really care about our children? It sure doesn't seem that all ofthe changes are for our children. I wish I can pull my child out of KUSD and takehim elsewhere.

Mar 5, 2014 3:36 PM

41 I found the teachers are just as disgusted as me about this new standards basedgrading and how and what is and is not being taught. Just sick.

Mar 5, 2014 3:30 PM

42 As an adult with a Bachelors degree I consider myself and educated person. Ifind this system to be confusing and inconsistent with my child's abilities. I do notlike the Standards based Grading system.

Mar 5, 2014 1:26 PM

43 I find the changes unnecessary. I do not understand why it is now a numbersystem instead of the letter grades. The wording on the report card for my firstgrader was not simple enough to read to my child. I like to review my children'sreport cards with them, and I had to explain what most sections meant; one Icould not figure out and had to ask the teacher. She informed me that even theteacher's had to look it up when first filling out report cards. Making the reportcards more "professional" does not make them better (just my opinion).

Mar 5, 2014 1:24 PM

44 I think it is totally arbitrary. One assignment with a 3 and then not tested againresults in a 3. How is there progress there? It is ridiculous.

Mar 5, 2014 1:12 PM

45 The perceptions around this standards based grading will take a significant timefor the children not to assume the numbers are equivalent to the grades. Thishas been a concern for my child assuming that a lower number is the same as aC or D. There needs to be better messaging to the students.

Mar 5, 2014 11:40 AM

46 I dislike it very much. It is extremely generalized and does not provide anaccurate idea of where your child stands. Going from a scale of 14 differentoptions with the letter grade scale to a option of 4 with the number system isuseless. It is a lazy grading system as far as I'm concerned. The thought ateacher has to put into giving a student a 1, 2, 3 or 4 is MINIMAL.

Mar 5, 2014 11:35 AM

47 I think some of the statements that they are graded on could be worded better oreasier to understand what they have to work on. Basicly a better explanation ofexactly what their being graded on so the parents and students can betterunderstand.

Mar 5, 2014 11:08 AM

48 Not enough information was given to the parents regarding whether a teacherwill consider a 2 to be passing a skill or a 4 being the passing number.

Mar 5, 2014 10:32 AM

49 Each School should offer paretns to get a better understanding on StandardBased Grading. Have a parent night were we administrators/teachers/parentscan all be on the same page and have a better understanding what StandardBased Grading means

Mar 5, 2014 10:19 AM

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50 I do not like it. I am very worried about how it is going to translate to real gradesin middle school. How does a 3, which can be an 80-97 percent mean anything?Please go back to standard grades, or a system with more meaning.

Mar 5, 2014 9:58 AM

51 1-4 is somewhat confusing. Why is it better than S(secure),W(workingtoward),L(limited progress)? Why is there no 0 when there is no evidence?

Mar 5, 2014 7:49 AM

52 I hate this way of grading... A B C D F was perfectly understandable andmotivational for the children.. I definitely DO NOT like this new grading system.

Mar 4, 2014 2:50 PM

53 It is very difficult to fully comprehend the level of my child's understanding onspecific topic matters based on the Standards Based Grading. Nor, does theStandards Based Grading system give my child the encouragement to succeedas in the old A-B-C-D-F grading scale. I also feel this type of grading lacksaccountability in every which way: teachers and students.

Mar 4, 2014 2:07 PM

54 Very sad for what the teachers now have to go through now with this newsystem as if they don't have enough stress teaching today's children. Also howhorrible the education system is now. Our children are our future so why doesn'tour government provide outstanding education for out children?

Mar 4, 2014 1:58 PM

55 I see the advantages of having the standards listed on the report card. It allowsthe teachers to all grade on the same criteria. What I do not agree with is theway the grade is calculated. I have inquired as to how a student gets a "4" on atest or homework assignment. For the most part, a student has to have 100%correct to get a 4. So when I see a 3 on something, it doesn't give me a trueunderstanding of how my son has done. Did he get only one thing wrong, ormore than that? I also don't agree with the Power of Law formula. Again, if myson did really well most of the quarter, but made a few mistakes on somethingnear the end of the quarter, he has a 3. Again, this does not give me a trueunderstanding of how much he understands when I see the 3. It also forcessome students to feel as if they have to be perfectionists to get a 4 onsomething. Granted, I WAS a perfectionist when I was a student. I know whattype of pressure I put on myself. But, in order to get an "A", it generally meantyou had to have 90% or better. That, to me, gives a parent a much betterunderstanding of what their child knows. I have also found that some of theteachers are not all following the Power of Law formula and are sometimeschanging a student's grade because they don't agree with the "number" whenthey do the formula.

Mar 4, 2014 1:12 PM

56 This program is a total waste of time and money. It doesn't tell me if my child isbarely understanding, totally understanding the concepts being presented. Theold percentage model is the best tool for this age. It gives me a more exactmeasurement of what my child is grasping. Teachers should send more timeteaching my child not planning....this creates to much work and have to spendtoo much money for very little measurable results. Whoever wanted this rolledout should be fired!!!!

Mar 4, 2014 12:48 PM

57 I don't fully understand it and the grading seems to be quite sugjective. Mar 4, 2014 10:02 AM

58 I don't like them. Mar 3, 2014 10:17 PM

59 no Mar 3, 2014 5:42 PM

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60 Just discusted with the new standard based grading and with the kenoshaschool district.

Mar 3, 2014 3:22 PM

61 I do not think this is better than what we had before. It is not worse either. Withgood communication with the teachers a report card is not needed at all.

Mar 3, 2014 3:02 PM

62 This new grading is rotten. Our school system is rotten. Does the governmenteven care about our childres and the future????????

Mar 3, 2014 2:20 PM

63 I would like to see the grading system - to be different. I think it is easier tounderstand to letters, ABCDF

Mar 3, 2014 1:35 PM

64 this new grading system is a joke and it's NOT funny. it is a shame how our kidsare being jerked around. how can our government screw up our educationsystem so badly. obama doesn't care about our future.

Mar 3, 2014 12:31 PM

65 I absolutely do not like this grading system at all. The old report cards showedwhat the student was expected to be learning in future quarters - now it is thesame report card with the same categories for the whole year! How do I as aparent know what my child is supposed to be learning in quarter 3 and 4 in eachof the subjects? And where is the "exceeds" category? Is everyone going to bejust required to "meet" a standard - why not strive to excel? I also think that it isa disservice to the 4th and 5th graders to not have any idea what is coming witha true grade - and what a percentage means for tests....they will have a rudeawakening in middle school! I do not like these report cards at all nor thegrading system for the classroom. Bring back the old way - sometimes, that canbe best!

Mar 3, 2014 12:01 PM

66 I can understand the 4,3,2,1. I don't agree with the report card showing the samedescription for every quarter. It doesn't give enough description as to what mychild is learning for that particular quarter. I thought it would list the can dostatements for each quarter with a grade of 4,3,2,1. The same statement forevery quarter does not break down what my child is struggling with exactly. Itseems like every year the district is changing and not supporting any guidance tothe schools/teachers. It's left for them to figure out how to adapt to the changesand this takes almost half of the year for them to figure out. With these changesthe district should provide more leadership and guidance to each school beforethe start of the year. Have a better plan for how the class will run and not leave itto the teacher to figure out. We haven't been on a steady learning plan for half ofthe year and now the teachers are saying they think they have it fugured out.They can't even teach all subjects in one day. I'm concerned that my kids arebehind and looking into changing schools outside of KUSD.

Mar 3, 2014 10:49 AM

67 I do not think (in fact I know for fact) that the standard based grading is notconsistent throughout the District. Some schools require 100% for 4, others 99,98, etc. It takes a grade based on what a child can do THAT day at that timeand applies it for pre/post assessment. This is not an accurate portrayal of howthe student is progressing. I feel that with this system I no longer place any valueon the report card and just value the teacher's direct communication to meregarding whether my child needs further work, is meeting standards, etc. I amalso troubled by the lack of ability to "penalize" for students who just do not dothe work. In a middle/high school setting this grading system would be anightmare as it would take the students a week to figure out that they cannot be

Mar 3, 2014 9:33 AM

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penalized for ignoring homework assignments. Not a good system

68 As a teacher, I understand the importance of implementing common corestandards; however, as a parent, the wording on the report cards does not tellme much about my son's abilities.

Mar 3, 2014 8:46 AM

69 It's still very confusing. A math test can have 4 different grades for all the thingsit tested. It's an increased amount of work for the teachers, and not any better forme as a parent. Also, it seems that the definitions of a 3 vs. a 4 are nor standard.How may wrong on a test leads to a 3? Is there a certain percentage target for a4? Otherwise the words in the definition are too vague to be helpful to me as aparent.

Mar 3, 2014 7:56 AM

70 I like the traditional grading system. I would like my children to go beyondstandard and this grading system does not have an excel number. I do not like itand I know many parents who do not.

Mar 3, 2014 7:16 AM

71 I do not understand how this is any better than the letter grading system. Mar 3, 2014 3:22 AM

72 While I agree that standards based grading may provide valuable information toparents and teachers about a child's progress I do not like the KUSD progressreport. It is not parent or teacher-friendly. It does NOT provide parents with aclear understanding of what their children can do. I appreciate the classroomteacher's efforts to inform parents and provide a curriculum relevent to thestudents. I sincerely hope KUSD will rethink their current progress report. I haveno problem with 1-4; however, the descriptions of the skills/concepts taught hasno meaning to parents. This has been a real disappointment to many of theparents I have talked with regarding the progress report. Thank you for listening.

Mar 2, 2014 9:06 PM

73 We think the traditional grading methods worked just fine. Why fix what isalready working. The new grading method is difficult for us as parents AND forthe teachers to truly understand. Our child went from a 4 to a 2 all because of 1score. That is not right! Our child is not a computer and should not be assessednor graded by one either. We are extremely disappointed by this new method ofgrading! Please change back to what works!!!!

Mar 2, 2014 8:35 PM

74 In general it's very difficult to understand and I can't really relate his academicperformance to the SBG.

Mar 2, 2014 5:52 PM

75 Your #9 survey questions asked if Standards Based Grading provided "better"information about my child's learning. You don't say compared to what - Iassume you mean the previous grading systems. It's not better or worse; othermethods have worked just as well, though. Also, you asked our agreement withthe statement that Standards Based Grading gives me an "improved"understanding of what my child knows and can do. I had to disagree with thisstatement and the previous one; again it's not better or improved - just a differentsystem. It would have been helpful to provide a link to information about theStandards Based Grading vs. what we had previously if you truly want us toevaluate which one provides better info. You're asking us to rememberinformation that we received months ago, so it makes it difficult to providemeaningful feedback.

Mar 2, 2014 4:00 PM

76 i think for a parent the new "report card" does not give us as a difinitive answer Mar 2, 2014 3:58 PM

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whether they have achieved something as an "A" or a "C" does. if they have juststarted something they would get a 2 say so i see that my child doesn't knowthat why is it on the assessment if they have not completed that? i also think the"A-F" system gives the kids a goal and they understand if they achieved it or not.if you give the kids so many assessments until they get the "4" not reallyachieving anything. another example of not holding kids to accountable to learn itthe first time. if you assess them more than one time to make sure they know itfine not get 4 times to get it and then every one gets a 4. not really teaching kidsresponsibility to learn when it is taught and pay attention they will always getanother chance. not real life.

77 More data about something as important as my son's life long education isdesirable. Thanks.

Mar 2, 2014 3:31 PM

78 It is too confusing. I understand if the teacher needs to use that criteria in orderto be consistent with Common Core, however as a parent, I need a summary ofhow my child is doing. That summary was given better in the previous reportcard. As a parent, I don't need to know every Common Core Standard. I need asummary of how my child is doing overall. I would rather have my teacher haveless boxes to fill out with 1-4, provide an overall grade, then take more timewriting more specific comments for me to understand my child's strengths andweaknesses.

Mar 2, 2014 3:12 PM

79 I believe in it however I wish that students would still earn grades. The reality isthat they will have grades in high school and they need to get used to that at ayoung age so it is not such a shock at high school. GPA, class rank, and lettergrades are the common language for higher level academia and I don't think itwould be hard to attach a grade to the numbers.

Mar 2, 2014 1:40 PM

80 The definitions of each 1-4 ranking are vague and do not accurately depict achild's level of competence. Kids that can't read at all are assigned the sameranking as my child who reads proficiently. These standards were not addressedat all in parent teacher conferences but were sent home with my child. Theteacher just avoids the topic altogether. I do not feel this system will serve mychild well in meeting her educational needs.

Mar 2, 2014 1:36 PM

81 pals testing and the grading system didnt seem to produce similar results persubject

Mar 2, 2014 12:40 PM

82 I don't like it Mar 2, 2014 10:59 AM

83 I think this grading sytem can be confusing. Grade letters should still be used,maybe with the definitions of the numbers. Will it be confusing for children whogo into middle school and now receive letters for grades?

Mar 2, 2014 9:18 AM

84 My husband and I are both educated people. As educated people, I know thatthe direction that my children are headed in is not whether they can do thestandard by themselves or if they need a bit of guidance to get to that standard.I know that a letter grade will be assigned. I don't think we are preparing themfor their future. I can see at the younger grades, but we are holding them backsaying they meet the standard or not. How specifically do they meet it? Did theydo A work or not quite, and got an A-? We both have been disappointed in thedirection the elementary school have chosen to go with this.

Mar 2, 2014 9:11 AM

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85 Bring back letter grades so my children can strive for an A and not a 4.Teachers across the district are unsure about how many pieces of evidence arerequired per standard. Take the time to educate teachers prior to rolling newinitiatives out.

Mar 1, 2014 10:01 PM

86 I don't think it is parent friendly. It doesn't give specific info. About what the childcan do. I like the 4321 system.

Mar 1, 2014 5:21 PM

87 The standards based grading does not provide me with the progress that mychild is making. I feel like it provides less of an idea because it just stateswhether she can do the standard with the teach assistance or not. That is notwhat I am looking for with my child. I want her to be ready and prepared for thefuture and for her and for us to know what letter grades she is receiving. I feellike it was a bad change that the district made. Not everyone will progress thesame and the everyone wins and we don't want anyone to feel bad is not theway that we should be progressing. That is not the reality of the future nor what Iwant to be teaching my child. Please go back to the regular grading system. Itwas clear and we were able to understand her clear potential.

Mar 1, 2014 4:27 PM

88 I like the teachers at Frank a lot but not the new report card. It does not give mea good picture on how they are doing.

Mar 1, 2014 4:23 PM

89 My daughter is in special education and the numbers do not seem like theymatch up with the goals she has on her IEP. I would like to see what her gradesare. It was clear when we were in New York and she got grades. I would like tosee her grades.

Mar 1, 2014 4:21 PM

90 Please see comments in previous survey question. I hope these opinions willhelp you find the most helpful method to encourage students to maintain orchallenge themselves as necessary. Changing it every year is discouraging.Please settle on one method and stick with it. Thank you.

Mar 1, 2014 3:28 PM

91 You need a level to show students that are performing above standard, to aid inidentification of children that might need advanced placement or morechallenging work. Also, parents do not speak curriculum vocabulary, it would begood to explain or give examples of what the subcategories actually cover.

Mar 1, 2014 2:52 PM

92 It's making c students equall to A students....why should the kids try harder whenthe other kids who just make it are ranked the same. This system is horrible andI think dentrimental to our children's future

Mar 1, 2014 12:46 PM

93 There are come stadards that are difficult to understand, such as "Conventionsof English." I'm not sure what that even means. I also believe that thenumbering system will always be open to interpretation. One teacher to the nextmay score them differently.

Mar 1, 2014 8:22 AM

94 I think to hard to understand. Feb 28, 2014 11:17 PM

95 My daughter is going to middle school and she is not ready for grades becauseshe is only given 4321. Some times she can do something and some times shecan't. Then she I don't know what grade that would really be. A 4 should be a Abut it is not. A 3 should be a B but it is some crazy thing like they can do thestuff most of the time on they own. I thought they were in school to learn from

Feb 28, 2014 11:14 PM

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the teacher and not because they have to always do thing on they own. I don'tlike the report card. It does not tell me anything about my kids or their progress.

96 I don't like the grading that the school have now. I think it is not fair to the kidsand parents because it just tells if the kids need help or not. I like the lettersbetter.

Feb 28, 2014 11:08 PM

97 I find the Standards Based Grading "Progress Report" completely useless. Iunderstand that the goal is a 4 in all areas at the end of the year, but there areno goals for the other reporting periods, so if I see a grade of anything but 4 Ihave no idea if it is good or bad because there is nothing to measure it againstmid-year. I'm also not sure why we feel we need reinvent the wheel. Everyone(teachers, parents, students) understood the previous grading system and theexpectations were clear. You might as well save on paper and printing costs,and save the teacher's time, and completely eliminate any progress reports ifyou plan to stick with the standards based grading, because they add no value.

Feb 28, 2014 9:12 PM

98 The grading standards seems like a waste of time and effort. What is thereason? What is to be gained?. Nothing is wrong with the A,B,C,D, F system.Don't waste, time, money, effort reinventing something that is not broken. Letthe teachers teach, and let the kids learn.

Feb 28, 2014 3:59 PM

99 as this is my first year with grading period, i am not sure how i feel quite yet. it isdifferent certainly on the way i was graded and thus i struggle with comparisons.in addition, i have questions regarding how my child could be a 4 in one quarterand drop to a 3 in the next in the same category? did the child lose skills? thereis some gray area in my opinion.

Feb 28, 2014 3:49 PM

100 Should go back to the A/B/C/D/F that has 100/90/80/70/60 percentages Feb 28, 2014 1:15 PM

101 This is NOT an improvement, it's a joke. Feb 28, 2014 1:03 PM

102 I read the booklet on Power Law, and my eyes glazed over. It was NOT parentfriendly or easy to understand. I think the progress report is ridiculous. I was allfor "Standards Based Grading" but this progress report gives me virtually NOinformation. The teachers try to put comments in but the comment section is sotiny that it gives little to no information. The numbers go up and downsignificantly because the assignments change. Of course my child'sachievement will change as the assignments get more difficult, which makes thenumbers go down and it looks like she is losing knowledge. I also think it'sridiculous that we used Zangle for this--made the teachers learn a new way ofgrading in Zangle--only to have them have to learn yet ANOTHER new programnext year because Zangle is done. From what I hear, the teachers getinformation at the last minute and they weren't even allowed to use the programfor grades until midway through first quarter, which made their job more difficulttoo. Also, the standards on the progress report do not match the Common CoreSS, so what the teachers are teaching doesn't match the progress report.

Feb 28, 2014 11:08 AM

103 nope Feb 28, 2014 10:39 AM

104 no Feb 28, 2014 10:36 AM

105 If you ask 3 different teachers or parents how it works, you'll get 3 answers. Feb 28, 2014 8:24 AM

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106 Yes many parents are not happy with this. There is not enough feedback fromteachers collecting evidence etc...Students are generally unaware of how theyare doing and little room for teacher creativity.

Feb 28, 2014 7:32 AM

107 special ed students should be graded on their work and based on their IEP. Ifthey get all 1s what is the incentive for them to work hard

Feb 27, 2014 5:51 PM

108 It can be a little tricky at first but it is okay not the best grading system. I wouldprefer the letter based grading system.

Feb 27, 2014 5:23 PM

109 We are completely against Standards Based Grading. This experiment on agrading system with my children must end immediately. If you would like toexperiment with a charter school using this system then so be it but this shouldnot be a district wide initiative. This system does not make KUSD schools united.It is way too extreme of a way of thinking to make/force everyone to believe inand follow. I have spoken to over 25 different adults with children in our districtand all of them disapprove of Standard Based Grading. They do not like beingforced into subjecting their children into such an experimental system. Themajority of the student population was thriving with the percentage based/lettergrading system. Switching the entire system for the minority of children in thedistrict is a complete mistake and appalling. Like I mentioned this new gradingsystem could be experimented with and implemented on a smaller scale in acharter school where parents have the choice to send their children to thatschool. The district does not have the right to force the majority of people tochange and follow a system that they don't agree with. Please end StandardsBased Grading immediately.

Feb 27, 2014 4:46 PM

110 I feel that the scale is a bit too subjective, and thus may not be consistentbetween teachers within the school or between schools in a district. I feelunsure that I'll be able to identify an area where my child may be slipping orneed extra support, i.e. is the 3 closer to a 4, a solid 3 or closer to a 2. I wouldlike to be able to identify an area before it becomes a 2. I feel the StandardsBased Grading may suit lower grades (K-2) better than upper grades. I am avery involved parent who is extremely involved in my child's education, andwhen I read my child's report card I thought, this is good, right? I didn't feelconfident that I had enough information to know if he was excelling or justsqueaking by. I like how the subjects are broken down, but feel that that may begood for additional information accompanied by a percentage or letter grade.

Feb 27, 2014 3:33 PM

111 I prefer the old system that has been in place. Feb 27, 2014 3:27 PM

112 I believe this new system is NOT needed. There was NOTHING wrong with theold way of teaching and grading. Our education system is a joke. Why is it thatobama doesn't care about our children and their future. Very sad.

Feb 27, 2014 3:05 PM

113 I understand the basic idea and that the intentions are good, but the new reportcards are just not parent friendly. There are many different parts involved foreach standard, but the report card does not tell me specifically what my childneeds to work on. It is not any more helpful or informative than the old system. Idon't feel that there is much consistency at all from school to school. Also,middle school and high school are still using the letter grade system. Remindsme of how elementary students learn math strategies (front end addition, partialsums, partial quotients, etc) in elementary school, only to get to middle and high

Feb 27, 2014 3:05 PM

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school where teachers prefer to have students use long division and other "oldschool" strategies.

114 Poor explanations of what the standards are. No explanation as to whystandards based grading is incompatible with letter or numeric grading. almostimpossible to evaluate how the standards based grading results correlate to theevery day school work. inadequate differentiation for higher achieving students.inconsistent application within certain disciplines (e.g. music, P.E.).

Feb 27, 2014 2:53 PM

115 Go back to the standard letter grades. There is too much ambiguity with theseSBG numbers. The students will have to deal with real life models of pass/fail inmiddle school and beyond so it is best to give them an understanding of thispractice in elementary school.

Feb 27, 2014 12:14 PM

116 I do not care for the standard based grading. I feel that it does not give me anaccurate understanding of where my child truely stands academically. I think thestandard "A,B,C" grading prepares the children better for middle and highschool. It allows both parents and students understand what is expected of themand how well (or poor) he/she is doing.

Feb 27, 2014 11:38 AM

117 no Feb 27, 2014 9:59 AM

118 no Feb 27, 2014 9:21 AM

119 It's a shame when the best a kid can donow is "Meet standards"...whathappened to challenging & pushing kids? Just because some schools are doingthis on report cards doesn't mean it's right or a good choice. Even the teacherswe talked to at conferencesdon't like this new sysytem

Feb 27, 2014 6:35 AM

120 I think the letter grades were more meaningful Feb 26, 2014 7:06 PM

121 i do not like the format of the report card, because it does not provide us withclearly defined goals for each quarter.

Feb 26, 2014 6:52 PM

122 no Feb 26, 2014 6:16 PM

123 i like this grading it is very well put together Feb 26, 2014 5:57 PM

124 I dislike it immensely. Go back to A-F, conduct, effort and comments, that tellsthe parent much more in a fashion they are used to seeing and has meaning tothem.

Feb 26, 2014 5:40 PM

125 I really like the new report cards. Feb 26, 2014 5:32 PM

126 I still don't understand why things have to change from a grading system (A, B,C) to the numbers. I like the old way better.

Feb 26, 2014 5:05 PM

127 I do not like this system of grading. Why is there not a higher mark for studentswho already have mastered the standard prior to assessment? Students do notunderstand it. It prohibits students from receiving discounts/rewards atbusinesses for good grades. Students are often marked lower at the beginningof the year just to show growth even if they already were secure. Will studentswho are not at all 4's at the end of the year be held back - they should be! SBGshould be used to stop social promotions if we have to continue using it in the

Feb 26, 2014 4:59 PM

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district. I absolutely hate it!

128 no Feb 26, 2014 4:34 PM

129 no Feb 26, 2014 3:54 PM

130 when it comes to wkce test my concern is if you guys inform the parents aboutthe students taking these test

Feb 26, 2014 3:01 PM

131 Me and ALL other parents that I have spoke with lately are discusted with thenew state standards. If I could afford private school my children would be out ofkusd today. These kids are our future and this is how Obama treats them.

Feb 26, 2014 2:31 PM

132 I was frustrated because I did not feel my child's teacher fully understandsStandards Based Grading and had not been properly trained before it wasimplemented.

Feb 26, 2014 2:24 PM

133 GET RID OF IT! Feb 26, 2014 1:59 PM

134 We need a fully revaluation of the process and specifically the categories inwhich childern are graded against. It should be very clear what areas are beingevaluated and what I can do to help my child succeed. At this point all I can dois generally look at the category (math, reading, etc.) and surmise herperformance based on the numbers given. Specifics are generally a mystery.We are not all Education PhDs and should not be treated as though we are.

Feb 26, 2014 1:40 PM

135 we don't agree with this for our student Feb 26, 2014 1:39 PM

136 It sickens me that our state schools no longer teach phonics, language arts andcut back on spelling and cursive and more. The school system is horrible. Me,along with other parents that I speak to are discusted with our education system.

Feb 26, 2014 1:33 PM

137 I prefer the grading system that was in place when I was in school and college.Getting a number doesn't give the same feedback in my opinion as a lettergrade.

Feb 26, 2014 1:31 PM

138 no Feb 26, 2014 1:25 PM

139 Let the teachers know the standards and give overall grades on report cards.Otherwise give overall grade (A, B,etc) and then have subcategory breakdowns.Make the standard understandable to parents. Laymen terms! Otherwiseparents should be given explanation sheets or examples from the classroom forthe breakdown of assessments and what was used to decide the grade. Veryconfusing to parents to try to explain to their child how to improve when we don'tunderstand the grading came about. If you want parents involved, they need tobe educated as well. Not all (most) parents have a college educationbackground!

Feb 26, 2014 12:29 PM

140 1. Some of the standards are very difficult to understand. 2. One of my child'steachers only gives 4s when he scores perfectly on assignments. This is not aconsistent practice between teachers and between schools which I think defeatsthe purpose of standards based grading. Also, requiring perfection isunreasonable.

Feb 26, 2014 12:28 PM

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141 I really hate this system - I got his report card and cried that he recieved all "3" -what is he doing wrong - can't he do anything correctely? I talked with theteacher and she assured me that he was doing fine. I also do not like the factthat it doesnt take into consideration the effort they put forth like it did in the past.This system seems very subjective with the marks between 3-4. Absolutely hatethis grading system.

Feb 26, 2014 12:12 PM

142 I have not reached out to a teacher regarding this topic but did have discussionsduring our parent/teacher conferences. This process seems to be working but Ido miss the A, B, C...grades.

Feb 26, 2014 11:59 AM

143 Their are no guidelines for the SGD. Everything written is very unclear. Theprinciple refused to answer any direct questions I had. She became combativeand unpleasant. This new system only holds down a students potential.

Feb 26, 2014 10:53 AM

144 I think it will take some getting used to, but it seems very thorough and helpsparents have a better understanding of all the necessary components of theirchild's education.

Feb 26, 2014 9:12 AM

145 This change to the grading system is frustrating. For children who excel, there isno way to reflect that on their report card.

Feb 26, 2014 8:55 AM

146 The Standard Based Grading wasn't any different from the letter grading in myopinion. If my child received a (4), it's the same as getting an (A). Same asgetting a (1), I think it be the same as a (D). So I'm not sure why the change.

Feb 26, 2014 7:51 AM

147 It is extremely hard to understand it because it doesn't give you any clue onewhat the kids are needing to know and its really confusing.

Feb 25, 2014 9:04 PM

148 Standards Based Grading eliminates excellency as one way to measurestudent's success. I find this type of grading vague and unclear. I strongly urgethe district to go back to regular grading system which was clear and helpedparents as well as the students understand where they academically stand.

Feb 25, 2014 8:59 PM

149 It is not clear at all on what my child needs to work on in a certain area.Example...on an old grading scale I knew if my child completed the requirementsfor counting to 100. Now I do not know the things my child needs help withbecause of this new system. This is just one example.

Feb 25, 2014 8:50 PM

150 No Feb 25, 2014 8:12 PM

151 I do not like it as much as the previous grading standards. Feb 25, 2014 7:55 PM

152 Get rid of it and go back to regular A B C grades. I hate the standards gradingsystem. Doesn't make sense to have it. Letter Grades are so much better andeasier to understand.

Feb 25, 2014 7:45 PM

153 No Feb 25, 2014 7:42 PM

154 Shows consistency and tells you if there is a problem area or if a child begins tohave trouble before it becomes a greater issue

Feb 25, 2014 7:36 PM

155 I feel like this way of testing does not provide an accurate picture of where astudent is at academically. The scores are not consistent. If the child is focused

Feb 25, 2014 7:18 PM

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than there is a higher score than when they are not. One test is not good enough

156 I don't think the system provides enough info to adequately know where yourchild 'stands' - I think a lot of students and parents are going to be surprisedwhen they receive actual letter grades -

Feb 25, 2014 7:15 PM

157 I am not sure what we are comparing Standards Based Grading to in this survey. Feb 25, 2014 7:05 PM

158 It is very confusing to understand...and when I talk to my child's teacher aboutwhat her grade is it seems that the answer is that some complicated equationthat isn't possible to really understand or figure out.

Feb 25, 2014 6:55 PM

159 I think it will get better for parents like I, which are just use to the A,B,C,D,Fgrading scale. As it becomes more familiar to one, we will better understand it.

Feb 25, 2014 6:55 PM

160 no Feb 25, 2014 6:35 PM

161 This was rolled out poorly and adds another layer of subjectivity to the reportcards. There is no consistency between teachers and schools. It tells me nothingabout how my children are doing. It is doing a great disservice to our children.This was not well thought out.

Feb 25, 2014 6:13 PM

162 I do not agree with it. It makes no sense. It will never give a child a goodbearing of what grades will be like at a higher level. Will not prepare them forcollege. Not clear. Does not make sense and do not understand how a teachercan possibly be consistent with this grading system.

Feb 25, 2014 6:04 PM

163 This scale is fine for elementary but if you have plans to implement in middleschool or HS PLEASE DON'T DO IT. Students need to see how they rankagainst themselves and others. Competition and incentives are things we needto embrace. I can't send my children off to college without an idea of what realgrades look like. This system is fine for telling me how my child is progressingbut it falls short when it doesn't have metrics/a scale. My kid could be getting 3'sbut if everyone is getting 4's she's behind. She needs to push harder. Pleasedon't play this out in middle school or HS. Please, Please, please be smarterthan this and look at the long term effects on how our kids will perform in a toughand competitive academic setting like college.

Feb 25, 2014 5:56 PM

164 I think more could be done to explain it from the beginning. As an examplewhere should my child be at the first quarter, etc. Also some of the items on thereport card are too much for a child in kindergarten.

Feb 25, 2014 5:46 PM

165 life is not rosy, there are consequences for poor efforts in the real world, andthere should be the same in school. To make the children have some ownershipin their work, and be able to drive themselves for the achievements in their lives!

Feb 25, 2014 5:22 PM

166 It need to evolve from its current state. While slightly better and more informativethan traditional grading, I need more info about my child's daily undertakings.

Feb 25, 2014 5:15 PM

167 no Feb 25, 2014 5:14 PM

168 n/a Feb 25, 2014 5:14 PM

169 Change it Feb 25, 2014 5:12 PM

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170 I RATHER GO BACK TO THE OLD SYSTEM Feb 25, 2014 5:06 PM

171 I do not like the new grading. It is a bit confusing on the report cards and reallyis not giving me any more information about my child's learning in comparison tothe A,B,C grading. I like the actual letter grades because it is more cut and dryon how your child is doing. This Standard Based Grading has more of a grayarea. The kids essentially believe it is the same as the abc grading. 4=A 3=Betc. I just plain and simple do not care for it. My daughter went from secondgrade to third grade excited about getting letter grades and then in forth grade itwas changed back to numbers. very disappointing.

Feb 25, 2014 5:01 PM

172 I would like more information about the number my child was given, and whatinformation is involved with being given that number- In that case I know what Ican be doing at home to help my children improve the number if needed.

Feb 25, 2014 5:00 PM

173 As a Great Grandmother raising her Grandchild this grading is very hard for meto understand. Bring back the ABC system.

Feb 25, 2014 4:44 PM

174 no Feb 25, 2014 4:43 PM

175 I find the standards hard to understand. I've had to ask my child's teacher whatthey mean so I can understand what my child is being graded on. If you aregoing to continue with SBG you need to reword the standards in a way that moreparents can understand. I can see that my child is getting mostly 3s & 4s on herreport card, but I have no idea what she is being graded on.

Feb 25, 2014 4:17 PM

176 My thanks for looking out for our children,specially to his teacher who is sowonderful with my child and the class in general.

Feb 25, 2014 4:05 PM

177 A report card should be more specific. This grading system does not tell meanything about my child. For instance, "meets standard" is a general term. Doyou think "meet standards" on the ACT test would fly with getting my child into aexcellent college. A report card should be specific to each child's ability inschool. That is the main reason we get one. I had no idea what my childneeded help on with this grading system.

Feb 25, 2014 3:37 PM

178 It can be too hard to get 4's. The new grading system is NOT good. I feel badfor the teachers as well.

Feb 25, 2014 3:24 PM

179 I think it's horrible. Feb 25, 2014 3:21 PM

180 Get back to A-F with minus and plus. 1 is understandable, 4 is tremendous. 2and 3 are too hard to read of progress going back and forth.

Feb 25, 2014 1:21 PM

181 I didn't have any problems with the way it was before. Feb 25, 2014 12:54 PM

182 Just last week I received an call from school. It seems that my daughter isreading and understanding well beyond 2nd grade level. Was even compared toa college students level. So how on earth can a "4" "Meets Standard" Possiblesay she's doing better than a 2nd grader.. and how does "Meets Standard" tellher future teachers that this kid is way above the stranded... It seems that thegrade scale ceiling needs to be raised for those that go above the standard. Andperhaps you need to bring back gold cards to honor these children for doing

Feb 25, 2014 12:10 PM

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more than just the standard.. I am very frustrated with the new grading scale ....Then to try to explain to people who have NEVER heard of it.. Yeah my kid getsstraight 4's.. What? From a parents view who has herself has 35 yearexperience with the old grading scale there was nothing wrong with it. It waseasy for EVERYONE to understand and it was a standards across the country.WHY change something that's works.

183 I feel the new grading system does not give proper credit to a student. Thehighest level they can achieve states"Meet standard" What about a level OMGthis kids is smart and reading years above there age... no that is not an option.Or "Wow this child is doing great across the board lets recognize them by givingthem a Gold Card" Not at Nash. The feeling of coming home with a report cardof 4's is not the same as coming home with a report card of A's. It might meanthe same but we've been told a 4 does not equal an A nor a 3 a B etc. And justthe definition of the highest grade. "Meets standard" well lets not encourage thekids to go above and beyond, meeting the standing is good enough and all thatis being asked of you.. So don't challenge yourself with the harder math, thebigger books... as long as your "Meeting the Standard" That's good enough. Ifind the new grading system to be disappointing. As a parent and so do mychildren. And to be honest in our house if 4 is the highest you can earn then wewill treat 54's like A's and we will do something special.

Feb 25, 2014 11:43 AM

184 While the new system indicates where my child is 'meeting standards', I nowcannot assess where he is exceeding standards and is doing very well and mayneed to be challenged further. The old ABCD system did so and still provided abaseline to recognize those meeting the expected levels while also noting thosewho fell above and below the expected levels. I am not sure what was 'broken'in the old system and why we needed to spend time and money in fixing it.

Feb 25, 2014 10:52 AM

185 I do not like this new system at all. I was amazed when I attended a meeting inSeptember and was told that you should not expect a 4 until the end of the year,when they hav mastered that grade level. With only 1, 2, 3 values really beingused, it makes it hard to know if your child is really succeeding, average, or justgetting by. I definitely preferred it when an overall grade was given in eachsubject and than other attributes were assessed with a "S" etc. I felt I had amuch better understanding of where my child was at.

Feb 25, 2014 10:43 AM

186 It seems very subjective. Also, if you go into one third grade classroom at mystudent's school you can see a teacher teaching about one thing and then gointo another third grade class and those students are learning a completelydifferent thing. If we are all aligned then whatever school or even classroom inKUSD they should be all learning the same content. This is not the case andseems silly that all students are being assessed on content that might not evenbe taught. If a student should transfer they should not be repeating anything ornot familiar with content because it is a unified district. It is sad to see that someteachers push their students while others just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Feb 25, 2014 10:31 AM

187 I feel it is confusing. I question how well my child is doing. If a lower number isgiven for one report then I feel my child is regressing. Its hard to truly know theirprogress when the grade can fluctuate so much from one assignment versus thewhile unit.

Feb 25, 2014 9:43 AM

188 The system provides zero benefit to the child, teacher, or parent. As a parent of Feb 25, 2014 9:23 AM

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a child that is at the top of her class I feel as though the system has made thingsmore confusing for all parents.

189 I hate it! Its confusing to the parents, kids and teachers. Nobody can give alegitimate, logical answer as to why the grading system needed to be changed.

Feb 25, 2014 6:43 AM

190 We would like to see the reporting of grades return to letter grades andpercentiles. K tec is not using this new report card. I beieve their report cards arevery informative and have letter grades still. We do not like to see school workgraded with 1 through 4... if our child gets 4 wrong out of 100 we want to see a96% not a 4.

Feb 24, 2014 10:11 PM

191 I feel it's to basic & doesn't let children see room for growth. For instance, if thereis a "2" on a paper, my child feels it is failing, where a percentage shows the"effort given" & shows there is room for improvement.

Feb 24, 2014 10:02 PM

192 I feel that report cards should also have a grade (A,B,C, etc.) in additional to thestandards marks (like the old report cards for grades 3-5).

Feb 24, 2014 9:52 PM

193 I feel that the standards are vague enough that there is a lot of room fordiscrepancy between schools, and within schools, as far as what is assessedand how teachers are determining the grades. I had a friend tell me that herchild's teacher admitted that only one problem was used to assess her child'sability to tell time to the hour on his report card. He had no chance to getanything other that a 1 or a 4 on the report card for this task (which isunacceptable). I also believe that it is more motivating for kids to see lettergrades. They may get comfortable with 2's and 3's, because it isn't asmeaningful to them.

Feb 24, 2014 8:31 PM

194 Seems very subjective. It is harder for parents to follow what is going on. Makesno sense to have this grading in elementary school only to go back to regulargrading in middle school. Go back to the old way of grading and focus on otherthings instead like having social studies and science every day instead of once aweek!!

Feb 24, 2014 8:24 PM

195 No Feb 24, 2014 8:07 PM

196 It's hard to understand coming from the A B C kind of grading. I don't know whento be concerned.

Feb 24, 2014 7:55 PM

197 no Feb 24, 2014 7:42 PM

198 Its opinion based. The standards change each quarter so example to messureruler 1st quarter, then second quarter its with cups ex.There is no way forparents to know that. With a grade u know if they get 1 wrong out of 10 its 90%cant disagree with it. Its there in writing. We are thinking seriously of moving toprivate school like so many families. This is a mess. Time consuming forteachers, when they could instead be spending time to actually teach in class.

Feb 24, 2014 7:10 PM

199 It has no consistency for the children. The teachers barely understand thesystem and are unable to relate the pros to the parents. KUSD should beembarrassed using this tool and the lack of teaching they are giving to ourchildren.

Feb 24, 2014 7:03 PM

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200 I do not feel that this form of grading does a good job of accurately portraying mychild's learning. It seems to be much more based on the whim of the teacherthan based on a definite scale that can be measured throughout the entirelearning experience of my child. I don't like it.

Feb 24, 2014 6:56 PM

201 Very confusing and inconsistent across the schools. Feb 24, 2014 6:55 PM

202 Standards are vague and not consistantly measured by teachers in the samegrade level. I feel that are even more subjective and standards and benchmarks

Feb 24, 2014 6:30 PM

203 I as a parent want to see what letter grade my child is receiving, not a number.Growing up myself and with my older child it was great to get straight A's not4's. It's tough teaching my daughter what the marks mean and honestly it's hardfor myself to grasp the concept. I would love to see the grading system in lettersagain.

Feb 24, 2014 6:06 PM

204 Once my child moves from elementary school to Junior High and then into HighSchool he then will be graded on the Letter System. I feel that my child shouldstart moving in that system because KUSD is not set up for the Jr and Sr level toassess students with the elementary grading system. In addition when my childattends college or the military someday he will not be assessed on the numericalsystem unlike the letter system that post secondary schools use. If you aregoing to assess students based on the new system then KUSD shouldimplement across the board at all grades. Plus you should inform the parentsand provide proper training to parents prior to rolling it out. Just like when youwork in a corporate setting and the emloyeer rolls out a new system theemployees are trained and informed at how the system will work and why.

Feb 24, 2014 5:41 PM

205 I think its too broad. I was actually looking forward to my child getting lettergrades this year to see more specifically, where my child is in each subject. I amdisappointed in the new grading program.

Feb 24, 2014 5:35 PM

206 Can be a little confusing when teachers still grade with the number wrong on thetop of graded work so it can sometimes be confusing.

Feb 24, 2014 5:10 PM

207 Some of the items are much too vague to understand what was assessed. Feb 24, 2014 4:57 PM

208 Regarding the teacher consistency question- I don't necessarily think that thiscreates "fairness" or consistency unless teaches actually sit down with data fromthe students and compare what types of grades they would give them on eachassessment.

Feb 24, 2014 4:44 PM

209 I really do not like it at my son's grade level cause I liked the letter grades. Feb 24, 2014 4:25 PM

210 What was wrong with the a through f based system Feb 24, 2014 3:05 PM

211 I am disappointed that the grading does not convey information related toexceeding standards. As a result, the grading only provides a partial image ofhow the student is doing. From the standards based grading, one cannot tell if achild has barely met the standard or has well exceeded the standard.

Feb 24, 2014 2:35 PM

212 I have talked to teachers all around the district who seem confused by thesystem, so how are they supposed to be good at explaining things to parents? I

Feb 24, 2014 2:15 PM

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don't blame the teachers at all. Maybe it is a good system, if I understood it.

213 I do not like that the homework is not included in the grades. I know for myselfas a child always struggled with tests/assessments. Homework is what I coulddo consistently well. Considering homework is given every night and isn'tcounted in my sons effort, I struggle with even wanting him to do it.

Feb 24, 2014 2:04 PM

214 Yes it is really hard to see how my child is doing in any one area. Feb 24, 2014 2:01 PM

215 I believe that Standards Based Grading prevents teachers from being able touse their professional discretion in teaching and grading. Every student andsubject has variations that the standards based grading does not take intoconsideration.

Feb 24, 2014 1:57 PM

216 I feel like all teachers are using this in different ways. I don't think all theteachers even understand it. I am really upset with this new system. I don'teven care to see their report card because they really don't seem to mean muchanymore. We need a more concrete system and not one that is left up to eachteacher to interpret differently.

Feb 24, 2014 1:55 PM

217 Standards Based grading should not be a universal report card fromKindergarden to 5th grade. The report card should be fluid; the standards on thereport card should change every quarter with every grade. I want to know howmy student is doing in the content that is being assessed in the classroom notjust a general topic. The report card is not specific enough.

Feb 24, 2014 1:42 PM

218 The grading system is TERRIBLE. And should be done away with. And a filling out report cards due to too many subs is absurd! She can in no

way have enough factual evidence to perform such a task! If we could affordprivate schooling I'd be all too happy to leave and KUSD.

Feb 24, 2014 1:14 PM

219 Not a fan. I believe it's more difficult to determine how well my child is doing. Iwill be questioning current grades with teachers at conferences because I do notunderstand how a child can get a 1 in an area that they are doing well. It doesn'tseem accurate.

Feb 24, 2014 1:07 PM

220 We didn't like it AT ALL all our teachers also agreed that it was confusing to useand grade with. I think it's incredibly vague and provided zero value. I have noidea why this system was used at all and hope very much that you go back tothe standard ABCD grading system that ALL parents and teachers arecomfortable with.

Feb 24, 2014 1:03 PM

221 I didnt see anything wrong with the grading system before. I would like to remainconsistent with other schools esp with my child getting ready to go to middleschool.

Feb 24, 2014 11:43 AM

222 Although I understand the change pretty much and that is based more on thestudent's actual skills, I don't really notice a difference in curriculum based onthese assessments. Maybe this is because they are new? They really don'tseem that different, so I am not sure what the push was. Also, why don't allschool in the district use them (for example, KTEC)? Numbers or letters...it isstill grading. The letters seem a little more concrete, whereas the numbers seemto make it seem less clear on areas to improve. Even a low number doesn't

Feb 24, 2014 11:25 AM

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make the urgency in improving very clear. If I saw my children had a 1 in acertain area, I would want to instantly know more and encourage them toimprove. However, the wording doesn't make it sound like a big deal and I thinksome parents really wouldn't care. I do understand SOME students are reallyworking on their own goals at a different pace. But I do believe others are justnot working to potential and I am nervous that this system doesn't convey theimportance to parents.

223 Unlike the traditional grading of A+, A, A-, B+, B, etc., there is no way of tellingwhen you are in danger of falling, vs. just falling. At least if my child received anA-, I understood that we were in danger of falling to a B+ and could take actionto prevent that from happening. I view a 4 as an A, 3 as a B, etc. with no in-between.

Feb 24, 2014 11:05 AM

224 Don't like it. Rather have letter grades with the numbered evaluations Feb 24, 2014 10:25 AM

225 Standards Based Grading is an unnecessary change which provides noincentive, is not "more consistant", and fails to improve education in anyway.There is no room for excellence in the system, a child just needs to do theminimum amount of work to get a 4. A student reading at a 4th grade level in 1stgrade is the same as a child who just barely reads at a 1st grade level at the endof 1st grade.

Feb 24, 2014 8:54 AM

226 I think the Standards Based Grading doesn't give me a clear understanding if my5th grader understands certain things. Lucky for me, up to this point, she hasbeen a straight A student. I'm happy to get out of the elementary schools wherethis new grading system is being used. Next year we go back to letter gradeswhich I believe everyone understands. It is a shame our KUSD elementary kidsand parents have had to endure so many failed trials of new procedures over thelast few years.

Feb 24, 2014 8:35 AM

227 I'm not sure I see the value in this grading system vs the A, B, C, D method. Feb 24, 2014 8:29 AM

228 I feel this is a poor way of grading children. In which way does this prepare themfor college. I have asked people who attend college if this is the grading systemthey use now? All have stated "NO". My college years neither. Please make thiswrong RIGHT.

Feb 23, 2014 8:41 PM

229 Changes are necessary but need to be followed thru with, I did not sign my kidup to be a test animal.

Feb 23, 2014 8:36 PM

230 I just wonder why when something is not broke why is KUSD tries to fix it. I havelived in Kenosha and attended KUSD my whole live and consider myself aprofessional. All of of seem to have done well with ourselves and the newlyretired super seems to think what was done in Kenosha was all wrong. There isalways need for improvement. You must take the right approach and our childrenshould not be used as guinea pigs!

Feb 23, 2014 8:31 PM

231 This district is trying to change to much to fast Feb 23, 2014 8:18 PM

232 It is way too abstract and subjective Feb 23, 2014 7:18 PM

233 As parents, we all grew up with traditional grading. The new system does not tell Feb 23, 2014 6:56 PM

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me if my child is completing assignments and what we need to be more vigilanton. In theory, if the child understands the work, but does not complete it, he/shecan still get a 4. I understand how to do my job, but if I don't do the work, I willnot have a job for long. Traditional grading brings attention to a problem so wecan figure out if the student is having problems with a subject or if they are notworking to complete assignments and working to their full potential.

234 By decoupling actual completion of work from term grades, an importantmeasure of student success has been eliminated . It is important to finishassignments on time and to follow instructions. This is a critical life skill forstudents along the entire continuum of ability. There is a meaningful differencebetween knowing and achieving, and it is in combination that a person's fullpotential is expressed. On one hand, no student can get a 4, because nobody isperfect. And on the other hand, why bother doing all the homework, because aslong as you know it, there's no need to earn all the points. By systematicallyeliminating the extrinsic rewards for thoroughness and excellence, we teach ourstudents that it is acceptable to coast along at the minimum degree of challenge.

Feb 23, 2014 6:14 PM

235 The new report card does not give any more information about my child'slearning than it did on the old one. It gives less information about the actualachievement of the child. I am concerned that for group projects, the studentscould not achieve higher than a 3 because no one child did all the work. As abusiness owner, I am more than concerned that we are teaching our studentsthat there is neither a way to excel nor a way to fail. The young adults enteringthe workforce are not prepared to excel, thereby bringing down the workforce asa whole. Additionally, with all the days off and early releases they are notprepared to come to work every day. This new way of grading brings down thelevel of achievement as a whole. Plus, let's face it, getting a 4 in our society isnot as rewarding as earning the A.

Feb 23, 2014 5:59 PM

236 what ever happened to A - F? Feb 23, 2014 5:48 PM

237 The standards need to be, by the completion of the 12th grade, equal to or betterthan the top educational system world over when a student goes to adult levelschool their freshman year should be a breeze. Also every student needs tomeet these standards. Why not start by educating all parents and care givers soevery parent and care giver can come and learn with their child.

Feb 23, 2014 3:42 PM

238 As students progress through the education system and eventually apply tocollege, they will need to have traditional letter grades. Although there are somevalid points to assessing students using standards, we still need to preparestudents for letter grades.

Feb 23, 2014 2:00 PM

239 I think it's horrible. I don't understand the reason for the switch, and I do not thinkit gives appropriate recognition for students who achieve outstanding results. Ialso dislike the "not assessed" feature. I found several of these on my son's"report card". Why were they not assessed? This gives teachers an option to justlet us know how are kids are doing when they feel like it, apparently. I never sawthis with the A, B, C, D, F system.

Feb 23, 2014 12:13 PM

240 I find it confusing. Hard to know where my kids stand. How will this carry over tohigh school and potential for college applications??

Feb 23, 2014 7:53 AM

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241 The standard based has made everything more vague rather than more alignedor standard across the district. The problem lies not with the teachers or howthey are communicating the information to the parents. The problem lies withhow the district took the core and tried to make a progress card. This was a hugestep back for the district and for working toward unity in grading across thedistrict.

Feb 23, 2014 7:44 AM

242 It appears that there is no time for teachers to actually TEACH any longer. Mychildren's teacher actually said to me, "I miss teaching. All I ever do it test, teston things I don't have time to teach because we have to test, test, test." Thegrading system is just one of the reasons I have a 6 year old with severe testanxiety AND I have to seek outside help for her because there is nothing theteacher can do since she MUST test. The tests and grading tell me absolutelyNOTHING about what my child is actually learning. I do more educating at homefor math and reading & writing then what they get out of school. The StandardBased Grading system has taken away all freedom for a teacher to encorporateany type of "fun" in learning. There is NO TIME for teachers to explore a bookby putting on a play (like they used to do when my adult children were inelementary school). Children ALL learn differently and with this grading systemthere is absolutely NO WAY to try and reach a child in any other way but TEST,TEST, TEST! I loathe the standard based grading system and I have beenseeking another district and private school just so my kids will ACTUALLY BEEDUCATED!!! KUSD needs to put the focus back on our children andsupporting our teachers. There is not one teacher I have spoken to at either theschool my children attend or the many other schools in the district that trulyunderstand what is being FORCED ON THEM! I have been a parent of KUSDstudents for 17 years and I'm saddened and angry at how the district seems tobe "dumbing down" absolutely everything and have STOPPED focusing on ourstudents and actually educating our children. This grading system is just anotherridiculous way to take the focus on actual education. Children should absolutelyNOT have test anxiety in first grade. DO SOMETHING!!!! I know there aremany speaking out against this, I am one.

Feb 23, 2014 5:18 AM

243 Question nine about common standards across the district is misleadingbecause teachers at each school are determining their own assessment pointswhich means no common consistency in expectations of the standard. Also, itshard to say if more is known about student learning because Zangle clusters areconfusing.

Feb 22, 2014 10:35 PM

244 I am still noticing papers coming home with points (ex 12/15) rather than beingmarked with a standard and progress level. Also confused at the emphasis onspelling tests and timed tests and how those fit with SBG.

Feb 22, 2014 7:06 PM

245 Unmotivating to my child, very disappoitning that now the best a child can do is"meet standards"...no more exceeds or above. As a parent & teacher, "meetsstandards" is for anyone that is average & can accomplish task. What aboutthose that can do more & go beyond? Report card day used to be exciting...nowthey're kind of meaningless which is very sad. Even my 5th grader says "whocares about numbers...I want grades". I feel ths was a HUGE diservice to KUSD& hope it goes back to how it was. I also hope that kusd BRINGS BACK REALHONORS CLASSES IN MS!! There's is a reason why charter schools & privateschools are getting a HUGE increase at the MS level...wake up KUSD before it'stoo late!

Feb 22, 2014 4:41 PM

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246 I feel like I am fighting a losing battle here. This new grading system is actuallycompletely demotivating for my children and for parents. There was nothingwrong with the old grading system. This is NOT working and we need to goback. If you want more detail, then come up with more detail on the reportcards, but it doesn't have to be this terrible, vague only a 4 for perfectionstandard. Our children are suffering here with this! Someone needs to takenotice. This survey was written only one sided using the word "exciting" on thefirst page. There is nothing "exciting" about this at all. It is frustrating andstudents are just giving up because the 3 is a safe place to fall. We are notmotivating our children for straight A's any longer giving them room to askquestions. If my child asks a question for clarification, they are given a 3 vs. a 4because they can't do it independently without a question. That is crazy! Mychildren would rather guess now than ask for clarification. This is NOT a way toeducate our children! Feel free to contact me because I am leaving my namehere and phone number, although I am sure no one will call.

Feb 22, 2014 2:33 PM

247 I strongly disagree with it...the old system is better. Feb 22, 2014 1:24 PM

248 I think it is biased. And it does not prepare them for the future because they arebased on numbers and not actual grades in which they will have the rest of theirlives. I am not in favor of it, and I would like it changed.

Feb 22, 2014 10:41 AM

249 My fifth grader misses the letter grades..she feels she can know more where sheneeds to grow and whether she is higher on the grade or lower..like At or A- etc

Feb 22, 2014 10:38 AM

250 I feel doing the standard based grading its not helping the students know if theirdoing good because we are used to the letter grading so with the numbergrading its not satisfying.

Feb 22, 2014 10:17 AM

251 I don't think that the grading system that was used previously was faulty.Currently: a "4" defined as "meets standards"--- how will a parent/teacher know ifa student is exceeding the grade level standard. there is no way to give a halfpoint-- 3.5. I feel that the time and money that was spent on changing thegrading system for KUSD was completely wasteful.

Feb 22, 2014 9:53 AM

252 Do not like it. Feb 22, 2014 9:48 AM

253 Thank you for allowing parents to voice their opinions. I think the District shouldseriously consider another option, or provide us with the benchmarks taughtquarterly. I also feel this should not fall under the responsibility of the teachers.

Feb 22, 2014 9:01 AM

254 Seem to be time consuming for the teachers, are more opinion bases and lessfactual with percentage used to establish grade rather than an individual'sinterpretation. Perhaps a better assessment would include both grades andstandard base information?

Feb 22, 2014 7:41 AM

255 SBG feels very subjective to the parents. It is not easily defined and canchange from teacher to teacher. Additionally, it is very frustrating to understandif the increase or decrease of the number is related to new material or the childnot learning what they are expected to learn. Finally, there is very limitedcommunication, beside grading and parent teacher conferences, between schooland home. Leaves us feeling that we are expected to know what to help study

Feb 21, 2014 8:51 PM

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with our children. Limited homework makes it hard to understand what they arelearning.

256 Change it back Feb 21, 2014 8:48 PM

257 Standards change every quarter but its not reflected on the report card. How areparents informed ofctge stsndards ? It really doesn't tell me.... very disappointedin the direction of KUSD.

Feb 21, 2014 8:32 PM

258 I think it's dumb and don't like it at all. Feb 21, 2014 5:49 PM

259 At this age for both, I prefer it. Much of the competition is removed and studentsbetter learn to his/her interests and strengths are developed in accordancebetter. Additionally, I think behaviors are encouraged toward friendliness in lieuof competition. I know, at some point, the competition will be necessary, likelyabout the time puberty begins, or slightly before so that students do not feel soinclined to choose one or the other. I think standards based grading - aside fromthe pay for performance (sales) aspect teachers seem subject to, is good,perhaps through 6th grade.

Feb 21, 2014 5:09 PM

260 I don't know why this is now the grading system. The standard letter gradesmake more sense and are simple to understand- get high scores on your workand you will get an A. What is easier than that? Also what kid doesn't like to sayI got all A's? The number system does not tell me anything new or how my childis learning. My child never gets homework and work is rarely sent home so Ireally have no idea what he is doing in class.

Feb 21, 2014 4:37 PM

261 Yes, I think this could work if in conjunction with a letter based grade. Its greatto see progress, but everyone should be evaluated and graded. So bothStandards Based and Letter Grades would be better. Employees are evaluatedin this manner in corporate America and only the top 20% are rewarded. Itsgreat to be progressing, but results are necessary for anything to ultimately beaccomplished.

Feb 21, 2014 4:15 PM

262 I am not sure why the school needed to change the system. Even with myunderstanding of the new system while reviewing my child's report card I did notfind it beneficial with the grading and explanation. This system seems to memore about everyone is doing good and cares more about self esteem thanlearning.

Feb 21, 2014 4:10 PM

263 Way too subjective. I believe there is a problem when a person with a master'sdegree in education does not understand what the standards mean. This reportcard is useless and does not tell me anything about my child's strengths,weaknesses, or improvement.

Feb 21, 2014 3:54 PM

264 My daughter does feel that she is missing out not having an opportunity to get agold card with this system. Other than that, we don't have any issues with thechange.

Feb 21, 2014 3:46 PM

265 As a parent I do not like the standards based grading system. Feb 21, 2014 3:36 PM

266 I don't like it at all... it seems very subjective. I'm lucky that my child does well inschool and that she is in 5th grade, so I don't have to worry about it too much

Feb 21, 2014 3:31 PM

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longer.

267 I do not like the new grading system. I would rather see Letter grades. I hope thisdoes not continue to spread into our middle schools and high schools. Collegesand universities do not like to look at number grades!

Feb 21, 2014 3:28 PM

268 I think we should go back to what was done in the past... I was told meansperfect.. other than that I really do not know where my child is..

Feb 21, 2014 3:09 PM

269 Awesome method of assessing growth and progress. Much more informationalthan some arbitrary letter grade.

Feb 21, 2014 3:03 PM

270 This grading process is infuriating and frustrating. I am unable to distinguish howmy child is progressing and where I need to provide encouragement. This hasbeen our first year in KUSD and it will be our last until major changes occur notonly with the grading but the entire school board and thinking.

Feb 21, 2014 2:52 PM

271 I know my kids are doing well in school but the report card doesn't seem toreflect that. This change is very confusing, I a, accustomed to seeing nearly alltop marks and now there are almost no 4s at all. I am unsure what to make ofthe fact some things were 3 and are now 2. I think a change this drastic needsto be explained and explained and explained. What does a "good grade" evenlook like at this point?

Feb 21, 2014 2:40 PM

272 The first report card was given out after the first quarter Parent-Teacherconferences and the second quarter conferences have not happened yet, so Ihave not had a chance to discuss this new grading with my children's teachers.However, I and many of the parents I've spoken to don't understand how thegrading works and how to compare between quarters. One of my children had a4 last quarter in one area and a 2 in this quarter in the same area. Does thatmean he got worse in the same standard? A reference sheet with the currentquarter's specific standard would be helpful.

Feb 21, 2014 2:36 PM

273 Standards based grading is easy for me to understand, but not for many parents.I believe the ADMINISTRATION of this district is not looking at fixing theproblem, only putting bandaids with the hope it will heal.

Feb 21, 2014 2:11 PM

274 I think it is pointless and not a very good measure of academics. Feb 21, 2014 2:05 PM

275 I feel my children are experiments until KUSD gets their act together. Thankgoodness we go to a great school & have great teachers that go above andbeyond.

Feb 21, 2014 2:00 PM

276 I really do not feel that this is the best way to assess students that are 2nd gradeand higher. I understand that the Standards change with each quater but theseare not accessible to the parent as we receive the report cards. It's just a numberwith little to no explanation. The teachers aren't given that kind if time or spaceto elaborate. They shouldn't have to. When a parent sees a letter grade there isno question where their child is on the spectrum. Theses standard basednumbers are for something very specific but as parents we don't see that.

Feb 21, 2014 1:52 PM

277 Don't really understand how in Q1 the skill is a 4 and all of the sudden the sameskill is a 3 in Q2. Additionally, my child is a gymnast that competes at a State

Feb 21, 2014 1:44 PM

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level and won medals at State in all 4 events and her gym teacher gives her a 3for demonstrating competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed toperform a variety of physical activities. To me it seems very arbitrary.

278 I do not like it at all. I've felt no comfort in reading the report cards. As it is theNext Gen Learning is uncomfortable and disorganized in my opinion now I haveto add a report card I don't understand and neither do the teachers.

Feb 21, 2014 1:33 PM

279 Initially we were told the kids were working towards a goal at the end of theyear.. hence why kids who usually had very high marks had lower marks for firstquarter - they were working towards that end of year goal and needed time to getthere. So, you would expect the 3's to change to 4's over time as they masteredthe final goal for the year. BUT, then when 2nd quarter came around, someareas where my son was a 4 in first quarter dropped to a 3. It was explained thatthe goals are actually changing each quarter and while he had mastered the 1stquarter goal he was working towards the 2nd quarter goal now. This isfrustrating for 2 reasons - it was different than what was first communicated andalso, the reports do not tell us what the goals are. So the categories meannothing to parents - info on what the goal is for each category would be helpfulso you know exactly what is being met and not met. i.e. - what skills can I focuson at home to help him reach his goals. (punctuation, spelling, etc) I got theanswers by talking to the teacher, but it seems a clearer report would be helpfuland more efficient.

Feb 21, 2014 1:23 PM

280 I don't like standards based grading. I don't understand what the standards are.My sons progress report had a category "uses research skills to write andpresent simple reports". He had a 1 . What 5 yr old can write reports? As aparent how do I help him improve in that skill? I have a smart son , his teachertells me that regularly, yet standards based grading does not reflect that at all

Feb 21, 2014 1:08 PM

281 It's ridiculous. My children are excellent students and I still disagree with thisgrading system. It tells you NOTHING.

Feb 21, 2014 12:43 PM

282 After coming through 8 years of different report cards, including a year that I had3 completely different reports, I truly feel that I can focus on learning about mychild's performance instead of learning how to read the report.

Feb 21, 2014 12:32 PM

283 I feel like my older children are not doing as well since they don't get that lettergrade. They now know as long as most of their tests that they take they do wellon then they are still getting a 4.

Feb 21, 2014 12:13 PM

284 The effort of changing the greding system is undermined by teachers to notgiving accurate assessments early in the academic year. They will not give a"meet's standard" at the start of the year. This makes it difficult to support thestudent where he REALLY needs it and leads to distrust of the grading processas a whole.

Feb 21, 2014 10:33 AM

285 Not specific enough to know what I should be working on with my student toprepare him for the next marking period.

Feb 21, 2014 9:57 AM

286 Keep it graded like normally! Stop trying to complicate things more then theyneed to be! !!!! Seriously just having a grading system with a..b...c....d...f....wasappropriate and easier to understand then numbers.

Feb 21, 2014 9:56 AM

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287 It does not give an accurate assessment. It lumps kids into an area. Feb 21, 2014 8:55 AM

288 Supposedly the standards change from quarter to quarter (which makes sense),but there is nothing on the report card that indicates that. If that is the case, weneed to see the staggered standards (like we could in years past). Also, thegrade is completely dependent on which assignments, quizzes or tests theteacher chooses to input into Zangle. The teacher can input as little as threeevidence pieces for a standard and the student's number for that standard will bebased solely upon those three assignments/quizzes/tests. Or the teacher caninput everything. And they also don't have to use the same evidence pieces forevery child. It adds another HUGE layer of subjectivity to the grading system.With all that subjectivity there can be no way any teacher is doing it the sameway as any other teacher. That makes it extremely confusing for the studentsand parents as to what we really know about our child's progress. From what Ican tell, every teacher is doing it differently - even within the same school. Whydid we rush into this without getting input from the stakeholders - teachers andparents? Slow down, take the time to gather input from teachers, take time to dothe proper training and communicating BEFORE you implement. This is a hugeissue in this district overall and it needs to stop.

Feb 21, 2014 8:50 AM

289 I prefer letter grades as I feel this grading system gives a child and parent betterunderstanding of what the child does know and understand or what the childneeds more help with.

Feb 21, 2014 8:07 AM

290 No Feb 21, 2014 7:51 AM

291 This method of grading is confusing and inconsistent. Even with a completeunderstanding of how SBG works it is difficult to firmly grasp where a student iswithout a significant amount of information included.

Feb 21, 2014 7:46 AM

292 I personally wish you went back to A,B, and C's. It is just simple and to thepoint...we dont need to fx things that arent broken.

Feb 21, 2014 7:12 AM

293 I do not like it at all. I do not feel it gives information on what our children arelearning or what they will be learning next quarter. I liked that on the previousreport card so I could work with them at home. I wish teacher would providecomments on the report. Makes me feel they know my child and they are not justanother number. High school teacher provide more feedback & comments on theon line report card and my high school kids love to read them. When I have goneback and looked at my old report cards I loved to read the comments theteachers put.

Feb 21, 2014 6:40 AM

294 My child's teachers do not sent corrected work home every day/week. They toldme it was due to the new standards, they must keep all the work until grades arein. If i dont see work sent home, i cannot see progress of it my child is havingtrouble in one area. It also gives the impression they are doing very little atschool. My child is in Nash's nextgen so everything is still very confusing withlittle update on childrens progress

Feb 21, 2014 6:37 AM

295 It is great to know they are focused on a standard and learn how she is learningto master that standard.

Feb 21, 2014 5:44 AM

296 This is a very good way of assessing my child and his learning. Thank you Feb 21, 2014 5:40 AM

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297 Although my child is in first grade, she is in a nex gen class and all of her work isat 2nd grade level. This type of report card does not reflect this whatsoever.There were areas she had a 2, however if she's doing 2nd grade worktechnically it's that she has ready mastered all first grade areas and should have4's. SBG does not reflect accurately the learning of those higher level learners.

Feb 21, 2014 5:16 AM

298 I want the public schools to do what ktec is doing.. look at their report cards theyare thorough! Easy to comprehend and way more in depth. They also still haveletter grades.. it is easier to pass failing kids with this 1 to 4 number system.. Iwould like higher standards and a traditional percentile grading system. It cant allof the sudden be a terrible system. I dont think our schools should lowerstandards due to common core and change how we teach kids due to commoncore. This grading system is going to allow more kids to pass even if they getrelly poor scores.. no failing grades.

Feb 21, 2014 12:03 AM

299 Just like the multi-grade fiasco, it seems that SBG is being implementeddifferently at every school and perhaps even differently teacher by teacher.There seems to be no consistency whatsoever. If one teacher is weightingstandards against every piece of classwork while another teacher picks andchooses only a few assignments, there is no objective scoring going on. Pleasebring back the 0-100 scoring system. It was more objective, more consistent,and much easier to understand and see strengths/weaknesses/progress overtime. The SBG is useless. I have never felt less informed about how my child isdoing. My child's teacher never shared any of the classwork that contributedtoward my child's SBG marks and no written comments to explain why markswent up or down between quarters. With no work samples and no teachercomments, I have no idea where my child's strengths are and what I need towork on at home. The standards as written on the report card do not tell meanything and look more like benchmarks for college composition classes than3rd grade. As a parent I want to know the reading comprehension level of mychild and what I can do at home to build on that. I don't understand why KUSDAdmin want to jump on every new trend and give up what has worked well foryears and does not need fixing. SBG is just another trend. Go back to traditional,tried and true system of 0-100 scoring and letter grades. Or even better, trainteachers in how to write valuable narrative summaries for each student. THATwould really help parents see where their child is at for skills, where they haveacademic strengths and where parents can focus extra attention to practiceweaker skills. And a narrative component to the report card could help fosterbetter communication between teachers and parents.

Feb 20, 2014 11:26 PM

300 It is a disaster and a debacle. Please get rid of it fast. Feb 20, 2014 10:55 PM

301 Trying to understand how marks can go down and yet student is evaluated asOutstanding in class.

Feb 20, 2014 10:51 PM

302 Not easy to access if we should compare Q1 to Q2 or overall year to date Feb 20, 2014 10:36 PM

303 I would prefer to use the traditional grading system, this seems to be lopsidedand biased. I don't see an improvement in my child's education, quite theopposite.

Feb 20, 2014 10:22 PM

304 Although the philosophies behind SBG are well-intentioned, I do not think the rollout of this new grading system has been taken into full consideration. There are

Feb 20, 2014 10:11 PM

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discrepancies across grade levels in a single school and between differentschools in the district regarding rubric requirements, common assessments andbenchmarks. When I view my child's report card, I am confused because itdoesn't clearly state what the benchmark is that he is being scored on. I do likeknowing what particular areas he is succeeding in, but I am not fully certain onhow that score is attained and when he is expected to achieve mastery in it. Forexample, is my third grader supposed to achieve a 4 in Multiply and DivideWithin 100 during the first quarter even though he doesn't have full mastery ofthis skill or is that 4 supposed to come by the end of the year? I think SBG is theway of the future, but I also think there are many improvements to be made. Iwould ideally like to see the entire district develop a common plan for assessingand scoring our students. That is, after all, the fundamental philosophy behindCCSS and SBG.

305 I would like to see teacher comments. While I appreciate common corestandards and the common language, I would still like to see my children'sprogress as an individual.

Feb 20, 2014 9:16 PM

306 I do not feel this type of grading system tells the parents anything. Whateverhappened to the letter grades so that you know exactly where your child stands.

Feb 20, 2014 9:13 PM

307 I don't think my child in second grade should have nearly identical standards asa 5th grade report. These new reports tell me even less of what my child isdoing, learning, and can do at her grade level.

Feb 20, 2014 9:11 PM

308 Wish they just do basic grading with A,B,C,D,F like we use to do then incomments give more in depth why that's there grade with more information tothe parents. This number system is horrible and for a parent to identify wheretheir kids needs help

Feb 20, 2014 8:36 PM

309 I feel that the standards based grading is not completely accurate because eachteacher is going to grade differently (harder or easier) on things.

Feb 20, 2014 8:08 PM

310 Dislike Feb 20, 2014 7:41 PM

311 This grading system has taken the incentive for my kids to see those "A"s ontheir report cards. There should still be an overall grade for each subject alongwith the 1-4 system so there is some consistency with the letter system as wellfor high school and beyond. Assessing students on these standards are not veryconsistant, it is hard to believe a student can fall backwards on some of thestandards listed yet they are indicated to do just that..... Not happy with thissystem.

Feb 20, 2014 6:51 PM

312 WE HATE IT!!!! Please, get rid of it. Our children are not "driven" by these 3'sand 4's. ABC and % work

Feb 20, 2014 5:56 PM

313 I like it a lot! Feb 20, 2014 4:32 PM

314 The report card is not very informative for parents. Most of the skills are N. Willthey all be assessed during the year? Not sure if I should be concerned if mychild gets 2's, or if they have just introduced that concept. I think one teachergave 2's to all of the students--I'm not even sure she knows who my child is.There were no written comments provided. When my child asked me how he

Feb 20, 2014 4:18 PM

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did, I wasn't sure how to respond--do I say "you're approaching the standard?"

315 Get rid of this horrible system. Feb 20, 2014 3:21 PM

316 The reason the standards based grading is not clear in the district is becausethere are so many sub standards below the standards listed on the report card.Parents don't know all the substandards because they are not listed on thereport card. It is possible to have a 4 the first quarter and a 2 the 4th quarterdepending on what substandards were evaluated at the time. I think theconfusion is the detail the teachers are required to teach and assess but the lackof clarity that comes through on the report card for parents. I think if the reportcard showed each standard, it would be more clear, but that is nearly impossiblewith the amount of standards given.

Feb 20, 2014 3:09 PM

317 After the 1st quarter, my son said "You haven't even mentioned my report card.How did I do?" I told him I really didn't know what to talk with him about. I couldgenerally say that he was doing great and needed to work on language arts, butbeyond that I really couldn't focus my feedback. The standards are too vague inwording. I've been told there are layers of standards within each, but I have noclue which level my children are working on. The previous kind of report card(with specific skills listed by quarter) could have just been tweaked to use 1-4scoring, and then I would have been fine with it. The other point of confusion isthat my daughter went down in numbers in an area. Does that mean she's lostknowledge or gotten worse in something, or does that mean that the newcomponents of the standard are harder for her, or that she isn't progressing asquickly as she needs to? Also, where are the science standards? Are theyminimal because we really don't have science standards or instruction in place?

Feb 20, 2014 3:05 PM

318 I don't like it at all. I feel like it told us nothing much at all. I think true grades aremuch easier to explain to kids and where they need to improve. That systemmeans nothing to them.

Feb 20, 2014 2:58 PM

319 It would be helpful if we received the criteria for each item on which the studentis being assessed. It would help us better understand accomplishments andshort falls, to better set expectations and better help grow the child where theshortfalls occur. The descriptions are very vague, and often confusing untilbetter explained by the teacher.

Feb 20, 2014 12:13 PM

320 This new way of grading focuses on learning. Gets us away from a bell curveand separation. It is my opinion that standards based grading will strengtheneducation.

Feb 20, 2014 11:59 AM

321 It is more information than I need as a parent. I would rather my child have aletter grade, such as A, B, C, D, and F

Feb 20, 2014 11:57 AM

322 Whoever says this is not a better way of grading is an idiot. My opinion is thatpeople fighting this are ignorant and don't want to understand that time changes.

Feb 20, 2014 11:55 AM

323 I was happy with the grades my child received on her Q2 report card. Howeverthroughout the quarter I have no idea how she is doing because my child rarelybrings home completed work, tests, etc. Half the time homework is still in herfolder and not collected. The assignment notebook is not used on a regularbasis either. I wish it was used daily!

Feb 20, 2014 11:28 AM

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324 Teachers appear to have no direction over what evidence pieces they should beinputting into Zangle. Some teachers input every assignment, quiz and test.Others input as few as three. Some teachers input the best scores, some inputthe worst. Some teachers input missing work which brings down the computedgrade. Some teachers input an errant low score into Zangle despite consistentstrong scores on the same standard. The result of this new system is that mychild could perform identically in two different classrooms with two differentteachers, yet receive two totally different "grades" depending on what evidencethe teacher chooses to input into Zangle. So how could that possibly be a truepicture of my child's mastery of the standards?

Feb 20, 2014 11:19 AM

325 Why isn't there a #5 for those students who actually exceed expectations? Also,I would like to see some comment from art/music/gym teachers regarding the"whys" of each category's numbers. How can I help my child improve if I don'tknow what I need to do? Maybe the lower the number, the more informationneeds to be given to the parents so that we can help our children improve.

Feb 20, 2014 10:21 AM

326 I think this makes sense through grade 3, but I would prefer A, B, C, D, and F forgrades 4&5.

Feb 20, 2014 9:56 AM

327 I like this method of grading much better than letter grades. Feb 20, 2014 9:49 AM

328 Hate it Feb 20, 2014 9:47 AM

329 I think my children's teachers are attempting to embrace and be positive aboutthis change and ALL of the changes in Unified. Honestly, I don't feel anyconsistency with unified at all and if I were in a more secure financial situation Iwould send my children to private schools. I was educated through unified andbelieve in the teachers, music programs and our principal. But the decisionsmade at the ESC regarding Standards Based Grading, the math curriculum andthe horrifying fiscal decisions I am loosing faith in our public school system. Toomany changes without mindful planning.

Feb 20, 2014 9:44 AM

330 The standards are unrealistic and the grading system does not allow a child tosurpass the standard therefore allowing her to advance to a higher achievementlevel. Many of the standards seem to be made up in order to be confusing onpurpose so that it is open to many subjective interpretations.

Feb 20, 2014 9:41 AM

331 What is the weight of daily practice assignments and homework to the end"grade" given? It is too subjective to the teacher feelings. It is more based ontheir opinion and not ACTUAL merit. I would much prefer the old-fashionedletter grades and more personal comments from the teachers. I want to knowabout my child’s attitude in class, whether they're engaged in what’s beingtaught, and what study habits they can improve on. I don’t think the StandardsBased Reporting system captures any of those things, or gives a child muchsense of accomplishment. Letter grades may not be perfect, but I don’t think thenew system of grading in an improvement.

Feb 20, 2014 9:30 AM

332 I am definitely NOT a fan of the new Standards Based Grading. I know for a factthat it is being applied inconsistently by the teachers within our school. Thestandards themselves are also confusing - I see the words but many timesquestion "So what does that really mean??" and "How is the teacher really ableto assess whether my child is meeting this standard"? And again - the system is

Feb 20, 2014 9:25 AM

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being applied very inconsistently by the teachers. Some are telling the kids (andparents) that 4=A, 3=B, 2=C, 1=D while others are telling them that isn't thecase. Some of the teachers in the "specials/elective" classes are assigning 2'sto all kids at 2Q because the goal is to be at 4's by 4th quarter. Basically, theyare saying that 4 is the goal for the full year, but since we are only half waythrough the year, the kids must be at 2's. I really miss having traditional A, B, C,etc. grading. My daughter just moved into 3rd grade and I was so excited for herto have real grades, but now they have been replaced by this system which isextremely confusing to the kids, teachers, and parents. If nothing else, if you'regoing to keep the Standards Based Grading, at least add in the academic A, B,C, etc. grade as well. That's the real world that these kids are going to live induring middle school, high school, and college. I can appreciate the effort andintent that went into this change, but I just don't think it is working effectively atall.

333 I don't feel that the change was necessary as it doesn't provide new or additionalinformation that we weren't already receiving previously through parent/teachercommunications, conferences, and report cards.

Feb 20, 2014 9:22 AM

334 Go back to letter grades! Feb 20, 2014 9:20 AM

335 In theory, I understand how and why the switch to SBG was made. In practice,it's a mess. The standards on the report card are so vague they becomemeaningless. If there were clear guidelines as to what a one, two, three, and fourlooked like for each graded area (what test scores are needed and what exactbenchmark is looked for rather than "uses conventions of std English" forexample) I would feel more comfortable with it. As it is, I can't tell what I need towork with my child on, and the drop in grades (from a 4 to a 2 in a couple ofcases - why???)unclear. Also, I understand part of the theory behind SBG is that100% on exams/classwork is only a 3. As someone who was a perfectionist andmotivated by academic competition, I feel the 4 should be the equivalent of Awork.

Feb 20, 2014 9:19 AM

336 In my opinion, standards based grading should only be a portion of the student'sassessment. Getting rid of actual A-F grades at this level I believe is leavingthem unprepared for their future further education. While this may give more ofa common base to assess students throught the school it does not give me anaccurate picture of truly how well my student is doing on each assignment aswell as in each academic area in general. I think it was a big mistake to changeto this grading system and the only positive I can take is that my student is in 5thgrade and I only had to endure this for one useless year. Kenosha really needsto reassess how they are structuring their elementary schools because they wayit is now seems like a big waste.

Feb 20, 2014 9:14 AM

337 Grades based and standard based both have benefits, but it is all in theapplication. For example, fairly sure my daughter received a 2 in music classbecause it was the 2nd quarter. She played viola last year, transitioned to frenchhorn this year, plays tone chimes at church and was in Southport Singers lastyear. I am fairly certain the teacher had no clue, punted and gave her a 2. Then,by giving her a 4 come the end of the year, she be not only showing that thestudent progressed but that SHE educated the student and everyone is happy.See how the process can be compromised?

Feb 20, 2014 9:09 AM

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338 The percentage based grading system is easier to understand. There have beentimes where there was only 1-2 answers that were incorrect on homework and itwas graded a 2. Not a fan of this system, seems too subjective and it's difficult toencourage children to improve or feel they've done we'll. my first grader gets allof her homework correct, which would equal 100% but her report card has all3's. how do you earn a 4 if you already getting everything correct and only get a3?

Feb 20, 2014 9:04 AM

339 I appreciate the attempt to give parents more information on their child'sprogress by using Standards Base Grading, however I wish that the teacherswere better prepared prior to being asked to use this new system. I know thatthey are currently doing the best that they can, but perhaps giving them (theteachers) a better base of understanding would have been a good idea. Someteachers are still assessing inconsistently. One teacher's "4" is anotherteacher's "3".

Feb 20, 2014 8:45 AM

340 It is really hard to gage where your child is really at when looking at thesenumbers on homework etc.....it is one thing to see and understand theirstrengths and weaknesses, but to correlate that with how theyvare actually doingin school is often a challenge unless you speak directly with the teacher. Whenin conferences, the marks were explained to make more sense abou my childsperformance etc....but looking generally at the report card, just not as helpful

Feb 20, 2014 8:36 AM

KUSD SBG SURVEY 2014

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