As we get closer to reporting student learning for the end of the first quarter, we want to set your expectations on how students are assessed and how we will communicate student learning. This year, our district is moving to standards based reporting (SBR). Instead of focusing primarily on points, assignments, or percentages, we will focus on the specific skills students are learning and their progress toward mastery.

Beginning this school year, traditional letter grades are no longer used for academic areas in grades 3-6. (Students in PK-2 already do not receive letter grades in academic subjects). Instead, academic progress will be reported using a performance scale tied to grade level standards. Student learning will be evaluated based on a body of evidence over time, rather than a simple accumulation of points. Habits of work such as responsibility, participation, and collaboration will still be communicated, but they will be reported separately from academic achievement.

Standards-Based Reporting is new for our district, our families, and our teachers. As we gain experience with this new approach, we appreciate your patience and partnership. Our teachers are thoughtfully working through this transition with the shared goal of communicating student learning as clearly and accurately as possible.

If you have questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or school administration. Thank you for partnering with us as we support the learning and growth of every Riverside student.

Each standard (Learning Intention) is broken into smaller skills, called Success Criteria. These skills build toward the larger learning goal, or Learning Intention. Your children should be familiar with their learning goals and what success looks like. Ask them!

Much of the work students bring home is practice. It may not have a score on it for that reason. Many teachers will mark student work with a + or ~ or - to show if your student understood the success criteria or not. 

Students will have multiple opportunities to show what they know. The evidence students provide to demonstrate their learning may come from class work, discussions, exit tickets, whiteboards, small-group work, conferences, observations, or assessments. Teachers will be using the words “Beginning” “Progressing” and “Achieving” to show if your student has learned the overall Learning Intention (these will be used to report each quarter).

 The way learning is reported may look different, but teaching and learning continues to be our priority each and every day. Our teachers continue to recognize student strengths and areas for growth in their learning, just as we have always done.