Report Cards (II)

I have already discussed my challenges in "doing" report cards in Israel.

As we approach the end of the 1st semester (and report cards again!), I should add two special aspects of our report cards and the system and culture within which I work.

(It may be that the things I mention here (or a part of them) occur in schools outside of Israel. I, however, have never seen them so, for me, they're new and inspiring.)

1) Our report cards include a section of self-assessment. The students themselves write part of their report cards. How do they feel they are doing (especially in relation to how well they could be doing)? In what areas are they successful? Where do they see areas that need improvement? How do they see themselves improving? What do they need from us (teachers, administrators, parents, guidance counselors, etc.) in order to get them to where they want to be? Questions like these and others are so important! The kids see that they are part of the process and play an integral role in their growth and in their learning!

2) All of our report cards are written in the 2nd person (e.g. "Dani, you are a hard worker..."). Again, we write to the students and include them in our reporting. They are not detached from a closed conversation conducted between teacher and parent! They are at the center of the discussion. This lends itself even more to the idea of involving the students in the process of their own growth.