The decision to move forth with new report cards at Commerce Elementary School drew a rare split vote from the Commerce Board of Education.
After much discussion, the board voted 4-1 to implement “standards-based” report cards for grades 3-4 for the next two school years.
Commerce third and fourth graders will no longer receive the traditional report card showing grades A-F.
New report cards come under fire
Grades K-2 already use the new progress reports.
Rodney Gary voted against the move.
Standards-based report cards lack the traditional A-F grading system, but provide better details about a child’s knowledge, according to some educators.
“There’s no doubt that it’s a better information report card,” superintendent James “Mac” McCoy said.
A standards-based report card makes the following assessments: exceeds standards (E), meets standards (M), progressing towards standards (P) and lacks standards (L).
A knock on standards-based report cards is that there could be less incentive for students to do well since an “E” is much harder to earn than an “A.” Thus, some students used to making “A’s” might only receive “M’s” on progress reports.
The BOE told Commerce Elementary School in February to proceed with the new cards, and CES officials adjusted technology accordingly for the new grading system in grades 3-4 and paid teachers stipends to prepare the new progress reports.
However, those changes hung in the balance Monday as some BOE members had a change of heart.
Both Mary Seabolt and Gary spoke against issuing older elementary school children new report cards.
Seabolt, however, eventually agreed to allow standards-based reports through fourth grade, but not grade five (which is actually housed at Commerce Middle School).
Gary, however, was only comfortable with grades K-2 using standards-based progress reports.
Board members Bill Davis and Arthur Lee Pattman favored going to standards-based report cards in grades 3-4 for a two-year trial period since money was already spent for the conversion.
Since the plan for grades 3-4 survived, Commerce Elementary School won’t have to undo any technology changes it already made.
Rodney Gary voted against the move.
Standards-based report cards lack the traditional A-F grading system, but provide better details about a child’s knowledge, according to some educators.
“There’s no doubt that it’s a better information report card,” superintendent James “Mac” McCoy said.
A standards-based report card makes the following assessments: exceeds standards (E), meets standards (M), progressing towards standards (P) and lacks standards (L).
A knock on standards-based report cards is that there could be less incentive for students to do well since an “E” is much harder to earn than an “A.” Thus, some students used to making “A’s” might only receive “M’s” on progress reports.
The BOE told Commerce Elementary School in February to proceed with the new cards, and CES officials adjusted technology accordingly for the new grading system in grades 3-4 and paid teachers stipends to prepare the new progress reports.
However, those changes hung in the balance Monday as some BOE members had a change of heart.
Both Mary Seabolt and Gary spoke against issuing older elementary school children new report cards.
Seabolt, however, eventually agreed to allow standards-based reports through fourth grade, but not grade five (which is actually housed at Commerce Middle School).
Gary, however, was only comfortable with grades K-2 using standards-based progress reports.
Board members Bill Davis and Arthur Lee Pattman favored going to standards-based report cards in grades 3-4 for a two-year trial period since money was already spent for the conversion.
Since the plan for grades 3-4 survived, Commerce Elementary School won’t have to undo any technology changes it already made.
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