New report card for Madison middle schoolers draws praise, criticism

Andy Hall:

Congratulations, dear seventh grader, for nailing science class.

Your science grade this quarter is A, 4, 3, 3, M, S, R.

Now, let's take a look at your English grade...

That's a preview of how, beginning in the fall, parents of middle school students might read a new type of report card coming to the Madison School District.

The change will make Madison one of the first districts in Dane County to adopt middle school report cards based directly upon how well students are mastering the state's standards that list what they're supposed to learn in every subject.

In some ways, Madison's change isn't radical. The district is retaining traditional report card letter grades. And the district's elementary students, like many around the state, already receive report cards based upon the state's academic standards.

The shift is being met, however with a mixture of criticism and hope.

Related: Madison Middle School Report Card/Homework Assessment Proposed Changes.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 16, 2008 6:09 PM
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