Snarks and Ladders

I’ll admit I have enormous problems when I write report comments.  I am such a perfectionist that I can easily sit there rewording one students comment for over an hour.  Most teachers I know average a report comment every ten minutes – I usually average half an hour per comment.\

The biggest issue that I have is that I want my report to be useful to the parents.  I want them to be able to read it and have an immediate understanding of where their child is at, what they are able to do, and what they need to work on.  However, I also have to balance this with the style that the school and the Department expect, and these things do not always meet up.  For instance, many parents have expressed an interest in their child’s behaviour at school, and this is something that we have a limited ability to comment on in a report card.  The standard now is to comment on academic achievement, not behaviour.

However, there is a vast difference in commenting styles even within the school.  My report comments read very differently to other teachers.  My comments tend to be structured somewhat like the following:

[Your child] has demonstrated a sound understanding of the concepts studied in English this semester. She composed and presented an effective oral presentation which reflected her sound understanding of poetry and her ability to deconstruct texts and identify textual features. [Your Child] has shown enthusiasm in all aspects of English, and contributes willingly to class discussion and assists her peers. [Your Child] could consolidate her skills in this course by reading at home and revising before examinations.

I have seen other teachers’ report comments, which tend to be more like this:

[Your Child] has achieved pleasing results this semester. He attempts all set tasks in class, and made a good effort on [Assessment A]. However, he did not make a substantial effort at [Assessment B], which was disappointing. [Your Child] could benefit from attending the after school study program.

There’s quite a bit of difference between the two comments.  Mine are unfortunately rather heavy with teacher speak, but I find it difficult to explain exactly what children are able to do without using it.  We also aren’t meant to make value judgements like ‘pleasing’, but I know many teachers do so anyway, and I think many parents expect it.

What would you expect to see on your child’s report card?  What sorts of things would you want to see and know about, and how would you like to see it written?

Can you believe it is that time again?  I certainly cannot.  Yes, I am once again frantically writing reports.

My Year 12 students, bless their lazy little hearts, finish their schooling in less than 4 weeks.  That’s right, I have only 15 more lessons with the little tykes to pull their marks up from ‘dismal’ to ‘OK-ish… errr… kinda’.  Can I do it?  Hell no!

But, I can’t say that on their reports.  I have to accurately describe their achievement (or lack there of) without taking away their hopes and dreams of HSC success.  Sure, you will get into university, with your score of 22% in the course.  Lecturers ADORE students who don’t know how to write properly (no – seriously.  That’s why we have so many foreign students with poor English skills come to Australia to study), so you will be JUST FINE.  That smarty pants over at that selective school in Sydney isn’t going to beat you into that spot at uni, no sirree.

Hell, even for the kid who got a whopping 12% for the whole course, I can’t bring myself to be totally honest.  No dear, your understanding isn’t limited… I would describe it as basic.  Much gentler to the soul (and to myself in the afternoons when I get fun calls from parents).  Veeeeeery basic.

Then I get to give the children some advice for how to prepare for their examinations.  I tend to stick by the old standard ‘ensure you revise by looking over all set texts and the work that you have completed on them over the course’.  This works for my 5% of students who have even done all the work.  The rest, well, it’s a filler.  I can’t very well say ‘You have 6 weeks until your exam.  Perhaps you should OPEN the set text.  Look PAST the cover [yes, I know it’s shiny and colourful, but FOCUS].  Read the damn thing!’

Oh dear god, my kids are going to fail.

Stressed much?