November 3, 2010: On Friday, November 5, parents/guardians will notice students bringing home a new progress report card developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education.  The Elementary Progress Report Card is designed to show a student’s development of learning skills and work habits during the first weeks of the school year, as well as general progress in working toward the achievement of the Ontario curriculum expectations on all subjects. 

There will be no marks in the subject field on the Progress Report Card. It will emphasize the development of learning skills and work habits; letter symbols to report student development of learning skills (Excellent, Good, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement); a 3-point scale to indicate progress toward achievement of the curriculum expectations (progressing very well, progressing well, progressing with difficulty); and teacher comments on the student’s progress to date organized under Strengths and Next Steps.

The new report is part of a ministry policy called, “Growing Success:  Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting”. Previously, students received a report card at the end of each term – November, March and June. Beginning this school year, Grade 1-8 students will bring home an Elementary Progress Report Card in early November followed by Elementary Provincial Report Cards in February and June. Teachers will schedule parent interview/conferences following distribution of these new progress report cards.

“The information on this new elementary progress report card will be a key part of discussions with teachers, students and parents/guardians during the November parent-teacher interviews. The focus of these discussions will be on progress early in the school year and how the student, school and the parent/guardian will work together to support student success,” says Jeff Blackwell, Superintendent of Education (Program) at the Halton District School Board.  “The earlier progress report card provides students with time to learn, practice, and receive informative feedback for improvement prior to being evaluated on their achievement in February.”

Although there are three formal reporting periods, communication with parents/guardians should be continuous throughout the year to discuss student progress and how parents and school staff can work together to support student success. 



For additional information, contact:
      Jeff Blackwell, Superintendent of Education (Program)
      Halton District School Board
      905-631-6120, ext. 468