RBUSD ELEMENTARY REPORT CARD PARENT GUIDES
Click on the grade level below to access parent guides to understanding the RBUSD Elementary Report Cards and Grading.

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

UNDERSTANDING STANDARDS-BASED

REPORT CARDS

As the end of the trimester comes to an end, families are going to be provided with their child's first report card for the year. Although many of our families are used to the RBUSD Standards-based reporting, it is always good to get a quick reminder as this type of grading is very different than what most parents are used to seeing. Just like learning to ride a bike, grade level standard expectations occur in stages. Think about when you first taught your child to ride a bike. First your child learns on a tricycle to learn to peddle and steer correctly (level 1), moves onto balance a bike or maybe a bike with training wheels (level 2), then training wheels come off and your child may begin to ride on their own (level 3). After extensive practice, your child learns to ride off-road, over various terrains and they begin to exceed your expectations (level 4). If at the beginning your child is a level 1 rider (tricycle), is your child failing? Absolutely not. It's exactly where we expect them to perform and look forward to moving through the stages with additional instruction. 

What is the difference between traditional and standards based assessment?

• In standards based-assessments, the goal for mastering standards is at the end of the year. Therefore, in the first trimester, we do see many 1's and 2's on report cards. 
• Traditional assessments uses averaging of student work over time, and other student characteristics such as work habits, attendance, homework, and effort. Standards-based assessment focuses soley on a student's academic achievement and continued evidence that indicates a true measure of the student's attainment of learning targets (such as the ability tow rite a paragraph, or add and subtract whole numbers). Extraneous factors such as work habits, homework,etc are assessed and reported differently.
• In standards-based assessments, reporting is based more upon the progress towards mastery of learning versus the "traditional" assessment. Subject areas are broken down further into big ideas and learning targets that students need to master. Each target is assessed. Scores from activities that are provided soley for practice are not reflected. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate "mastery" of a standard. Students don't get penalized for learning or struggling early on as grades are not often "averaged." The score is a current reflection of where the student is in regards to the standard that has been taught during trimester 1. 
• On a traditional report card students receive one grade reading, one for math, etc. On a standards-based report card subjects are divided into clusters of skills and knowledge that students are responsible for learning. 
• The marks on a standards based report card are different letter grades. Standards based report cards provide more consistency between and among teachers over the years than traditional report cards because all students are evaluated on the same grade-appropriate skills.

Do the performance descriptors on the report card correlate with letter grades?

• No. The following performance descriptors indicate progress in meeting a learning target:
• 4 - student performance in the cluster of standards EXCEEDS grade level expectation as demonstrated by teacher observation and assessment in the classroom. 
• 3 - student performance in the cluster of standards MEETS grade level expectation as demonstrated by teacher observation and assessment in the classroom. 
• 2 - student performance in the cluster of standards NEARLY MEETS grade level expectation as demonstrated by teacher observation and assessment in the classroom. 
• 1 - student has NOT YET MET grade level expectation as demonstrated by teacher observation and assessment in the classroom.  

If you have questions regarding the standards based report card, please make sure you address them with your child's teacher at parent-teacher conferences. 

 

CCSS PARENT RESOURCES
At home activities
http://www.engageny.org/educational-activities-for-parents-and-students
Achieve the Core: Introduce the Common Core to Parents and Community Members
This informational toolkit for parents and community about the Common Core includes facilitator's guide and PowerPoint. The toolkit is designed for grades kindergarten through high school.
http://www.achievethecore.org/common-core-intro-for-parents
California Department of Education (CDE) Resources for Parents and Guardians
The California Department of Education has compiled a list of resources for parents and guardians interested in learning more about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and how to support their children’s attainment of these standards. Resources include informational flyers, handbooks, and guides.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/ccssresourcesparents.asp
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/tl/whatareccss.asp
CDE Common Core Resources Web page
This page provides information and resources about the academic content standards for mathematics and English Language Arts.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
California Department of Education (CDE) Resources for Parents and Guardians (Multilingual Resources)
The California Department of Education has compiled Fact Sheets that provide an overview of the Common Core in 18 different languages, http://inet2.cde.ca.gov/cmd/translatedparentaldoc.aspx?docid=7935-7940
K-8 California Common Core Standards Parent Handbook
This handbook, created by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) in consultation with the California State PTA, gives parents an introduction to California's CCSS and a summary of what students are expected to learn as they advance from kindergarten through grade eight.
K-8 California's Common Core Standards Parent Handbook

California PTA Parent Resources
The California PTA provides a variety of resources to help parents understand the Common Core State Standards. The resources include Frequently Asked Questions about the Common Core, Parents’ Guide to Student Success, a list of additional resources, and articles of interest.
http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/e-standards.cfm
Council of Great City Schools Parent Roadmaps
The Council of Great City Schools has developed parent roadmaps for understanding the English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics CCSS in kindergarten through grade eight. The roadmaps explain to parents what children will be learning and how parents can support learning outside of the classroom. The Roadmaps are offered in English and Spanish.
http://www.cgcs.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=244
http://www.cgcs.org/Page/263
Council of Great City Schools Common Core State Standards Video Clip
This three-minute video explains how the common core standards will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond. The video is also offered in Spanish:
http://www.commoncoreworks.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=239
Hunt Institute and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)

The Hunt Institute and CCSSO provide a video entitled, "A New Foundation for Student Success" which presents an introduction to the Common Core State Standards, including a brief history. http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/tl/whatareccss.asp
National PTA Parent Resources
The National PTA provides a variety of resources to help parents understand the Common Core State Standards. Resources provided on the website include a CCSS Toolkit, the full CCSS, PowerPoint presentations, content briefs on the standards as well as brief videos.
http://pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2583

 

Shifts for Parents and Students
A critical component of a student’s success in school is dependent on what and how they learn at home. This practical guide provides steps that parents can take to improve their child’s learning of the Common Core. The guide is available in five languages. http://www.engageny.org/resource/shifts-for-students-and-parents/
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Practice Tests
The Smarter Balanced tests, which will be administered in the 2014-15 academic year, will assess the full range of Common Core Standards in English language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11. Practice Test for this computer delivered test are available to schools and districts for practice and training purposes, professional development activities, and for discussions with parents, policymakers, and other interested stakeholders.
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/
Smarter Balanced Resources for Engaging Parents and the Public
The Smarter Balanced Website lists a variety of resources including videos, parent guides, and access to the PTA Parents’ Guides to Student Success.
http://www.smarterbalanced.org/k-12-education/common-core-state-standards-tools-resources/
Will There Be New Tests for the New Standards?
Yes, California is a governing member of the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). The consortium is developing new tests that will measure student progress toward career and college readiness. You may learn more about the new tests and California’s participation in the SBAC at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/smarterbalanced.asp.

Resources for Parents and Guardians
The following Web resources provide the most current information from the California Department of Education (CDE) Web Site and are continuously updated. The first reference is the main CDE CCSS Web Page which includes the Common Core State Standards Systems Implementation Plan for California, the Significant Milestones Timeline, and a “Learn More” section that provides additional links to audience specific information.
California Department of Education CCSS Web Page: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/ (select “Students/Parents” tab)
SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium Information:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/smarterbalanced.asp
K-8 California's Common Core Standards Parent Handbook:
http://www.ccsesa.org/sysadmin/documents/CCSParentHandbook_020411.doc
This handbook, created by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) in consultation with the California State PTA, gives parents an introduction to California's CCSS and a summary of what students are expected to learn as they advance from kindergarten through grade eight.