what course to look in the report card for admission

by Nichole O'Connell PhD 10 min read

What should be included in a student’s report card?

For instance, where a student’s IEP calls for a modified tenth grade literature curriculum to be provided through the special education program, it would be appropriate for the report card to indicate that the student’s progress was measured based on the modified education curriculum.

How do I Make my School Report Card look professional?

Clearly marking your report card with your school’s name, contact information, and logo gives your report cards the official and professional look that your school deserves. 2) Use an easy to read, clearly visible grade scale.

How do I write a great report card?

Great report cards, regardless of the grades that they contain, should present student information that in a way that is easy to understand. 1) Include your school name, logo, and phone number. We’ll start with an easy one.

How to calculate a grade on a report card?

How to Calculate a Report Card Grade 1 Grading Scale. A grading scale refers to the system that a teacher will use to convert student numerical scores into letter grades. 2 Weighted vs. Unweighted Grades. ... 3 Calculate Your Unweighted Grade. ... 4 Calculate Your Weighted Grade. ... 5 Online Gradebook Programs. ...

What grade do colleges look at the most?

junior yearMost colleges will ask for the fourth year, but they typically use the grades from the first three years to determine admission. Arguably, the most critical year for grades is the 3rd year, or junior year, because these grades are the most recent and will give colleges the best picture of a student's abilities.

What do college admissions look for?

In the US admissions process, colleges and universities take many factors into consideration. Admissions officers look at “hard factors” (GPA, grades, and test scores) and “soft factors” (essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and demonstrated interest) to gain a full picture of applicants.

What is the most important factor in college admissions?

Courses and grades A student's grades in college-preparatory classes remain the most significant factor in college admission decisions. Highly selective colleges look for students who: Complete core academic requirements.

Do colleges look at difficulty of courses?

Difficulty. Top colleges and universities want to see good grades in difficult classes, so you're going to need both to be competitive. Work to find the right balance—don't take so many AP, Honors, and college-level classes that you become overwhelmed and your grades suffer.

What are universities looking for in a student?

Universities want to accept students who will contribute to their overall community. Not only does this include collaborative thinking and being a constructive member of the class, but it also means sports and activities.

Do colleges look at report cards or transcripts?

Colleges see any and all grades and information reported on your official transcript (again—you should request a copy!), but they care most about and evaluate your final grades in core academic courses.

Which grades do universities look at?

University Admission Requirements Most universities will use your overall Grade 12 U/M grades in calculating your admission average. Often this will include your best six 4 U/M courses or equivalent.

How do universities make admission decisions?

Standards are usually based on test scores, GPA, enrollment quotas, and other predetermined criteria. Student applications that move forward then go to committee, where college admissions counselors read applications and determine who gets accepted or rejected.

What year do colleges look at the most?

Particularly at more competitive colleges, admissions departments are increasingly looking at first-semester grades from the twelfth grade. If there seems to be a “slack off” in the senior year, some colleges may even rescind an acceptance letter—or put an application on hold until performance improves.

Do colleges look at 10th grade?

Colleges like to see one of two things from your academic career: either a strong performance that is maintained throughout, or an upward trend of doing better and better each year. If you got really good grades in 9th and 10th grade, then nice job!

Do colleges look at senior year?

Yes, colleges will look at your senior year grades. Your final high school transcript is the last piece of the puzzle that is college admissions, and ending on a strong note will ensure your admissions decision.

What to do if a report card requires multiple pages?

If a report card requires multiple pages, clearly label the information on the new page – don’t just continue on without explanation. The right student information software will allow you to specify the order of classes, column breaks, page breaks, and other formatting options to improve readability.

Why are report cards important?

Report card comments are an important communication tool for teachers to provide parents with insights on their students’ performance. Depending on your needs, teachers can use quick-entry numbers that correspond to a predetermined legend, or type out their own narrative comments in an allocated space to give parents a broader understanding of their student’s grade. (Customizable report cards make both options possible.)

Do parents need an instruction manual for report cards?

Parents shouldn’t need an instruction manual to understand their child’s report cards. Your school may have a custom system that eschews “A-F” grades, but in any case, report cards should be able to explain each student’s progress clearly without confusing parents. Minimizing the number of marks can help aid clarity.

Is it easy to get report cards?

Report card time isn’t easy . Teachers have to finish their grading, administrators have to collect all of the relevant student grades, and mailing out hundreds of accurate reports on time feels like a magic trick of logistics at the end of every term. If you’re a new school building your first report cards or you’re just looking to spruce up your ...

How often do schools give you a report card?

About Report Cards. Your school must give you grades on a report card at least twice per year. Many schools choose to share report cards and student progress reports more often. Talk to your school about how frequently you can expect to receive report cards. Your report card might look different by grade or school.

When will the 2019-20 report cards be released?

2019-20 Report Cards. Report cards are being released on a rolling basis from June 26 to July 16, 2020. Once your report card is available, there are two ways you can view it: If you sign into one of the above systems and do not see your report card, it is because your school has not released its report cards yet.

Do you have to know your school's grading policies?

You have the right to know your school’s grading policies, and to receive grades based on those policies. Your school is required to give you a written copy of their grading policies every year. This is stated in the DOE Parents’ Bill of Rights.

Do colleges use transcripts?

There are three concepts that underscore the answer to this question: Many colleges will be using an official transcript.*. For most high school students, the transcript is a different document than a report card: it contains both different amounts and different types of information.

Is GPA taken at face value?

GPAs will not be taken at face-value; as a result, it’s a standard step in many admissions processes to “recalculate” a student’s GPA and to take note of final grades in each course, each year.

What is a report card?

Report cards are provided to parents to indicate their child’s progress or level of achievement in specific classes, course content, or curriculum. Consistent with this purpose, it would be permissible under Section 504 and Title II for a report card to indicate that a student is receiving special education or related services, ...

What is a special education report card?

Without more meaningful information, a report card that indicates only special education status provides the student with a disability with a benefit or service that is different from and not as informative and effective as the benefit or service that is provided through the report card for students without disabilities.

What is the OCR in education?

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the United States Department of Education (Department) has enforcement responsibilities under both of these laws. As part of their disability nondiscrimination mandates, Section 504 and Title II require local education agencies (LEAs) to provide a free appropriate public education ...

What is an IDEA requirement?

IDEA requirements apply to state education agencies (SEAs), school districts, and other public agencies that serve IDEA -eligible children. IDEA does not have specific provisions on student report cards or transcripts, but does require that the individualized education program (IEP) for a child with a disability include a description ...

What is the idea of the Department of Education?

IDEA – Through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), the Department of Education administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( IDEA ), which provides funds to states to assist in making a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available to eligible children with disabilities. ...

Is a student report card an education record?

Both student report cards and student transcripts are considered “education records” under FERPA and IDEA. While the primary focus of the following questions and answers are the requirements under Section 504 and Title II of the ADA, to the extent that IDEA applies, this law is briefly discussed as well.

Does Title II apply to report cards?

In general, the nondiscrimination principles of Section 504 and Title II would apply to report cards with or without such progress reports. FERPA - The Department’s Family Policy Compliance Office implements and enforces the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ).

What is included in transcripts?

Transcripts include tons of information, such as: The name of each class you took, from freshman year to the present. In some cases, your attendance record and any serious disciplinary actions (e.g. suspensions) Sometimes, your standardized test scores and honors/awards .

What is a high school transcript?

A high school transcript is like an official and thorough report card. It’s a record of your academic performance and accomplishments throughout high school, making it one of the most important factors in college admissions decisions, if not the most important.

How long before deadline to send transcripts to colleges?

If you’re not absolutely certain that your counselor has already sent your transcripts, follow up two weeks before the deadline.

What to do if you miss a presentation in junior year?

If not, or if you miss the presentation, visit your guidance counselor and ask about the procedure for requesting transcripts.

Do guidance counselors send transcripts?

It’s essential that this part of your application (s) is handled in an effective and timely manner. Your guidance counselor will mostly handle sending college transcripts, but you need to stay on top of the process to ensure all of your colleges receive your transcripts by the deadline.

Can you send a transcript to a college?

You can’t personally provide the transcript because it must be an “official transcript” received directly from your high school. If a college does accept unofficial transcripts, you can request one from your guidance counselor and send it yourself.

Do colleges require transcripts?

Some colleges do not require a transcript at the time of admission. They’ll allow you to unofficially report your grades, then request an official transcript if you’re accepted. If this is the case, be sure to tell the truth when self-reporting. If you’re caught in a lie, your application will be rescinded.

How many points are assigned to homework?

A teacher may assign homework to be worth 10 points per assignment and tests to be worth 15 points each, or all assignments may be worth the same number of points. Point distribution is at the discretion of the ...

What is grading scale?

A grading scale refers to the system that a teacher will use to convert student numerical scores into letter grades. Traditionally, the grading scale ranges from A for top performing students to F for the lowest performing.

How to calculate unweighted grade?

If your teacher uses a point system that does not weigh the grades, calculating your grade is relatively simple. You will need to know the total number of points possible for the course, the amount of points you have earned and the grading scale. To determine your grade, add up your total points earned by ...

Can you have surprises on your report card?

Surprises are great under most circumstances, but not so much when it comes to your grades. Knowing how to calculate your grades can help you avoid unpleasant surprises on your report card.

Can teachers use electronic gradebooks?

Online Gradebook Programs. Thanks to technological advances, teachers are no longer required to calculate grades manually. Most schools use electronic gradebook programs that make grading simple and efficient. Teachers using electronic gradebook programs can choose to use either point or weighted grading systems.

What do you need to fill out your high school application?

When you fill out your college applications, you’ll be asked for your GPA, class rank, and an official transcript from your high school.

What is the most important factor in how a blemish on your transcript is interpreted?

One of the most important factors in how a blemish on your transcript is interpreted is the timing of when you received it. Getting a C in your freshman year leaves plenty of room for improvement and allows time to establish an upward grade trend.

What happens if you get a C in junior year?

Alternatively, if you receive a C during your junior or senior year, you will have much more to compensate for when it comes to college admissions.

What is a hard working high school student?

By all counts, you are a hardworking high school student. You take challenging classes, you are fully involved in a number of extracurricular activities, and you have polished your standardized test-taking skills.

Do colleges weigh your grades?

If you receive one C during your high school years, it may ultimately affect your chances of getting into a top school. However, it won’t automatically exclude you from one.

Does C matter in the context of your grades?

For that reason, your C matters in the context of your other grades. If, for example, you have scraped by with Bs and the odd B+ and B-, then a C is actually not far off from the pattern you’ve already established. In fact, a C would be no more out of character for you than an A would be.

Does a C in English Literature affect your application?

If this is the case, a C in English Literature will have less impact on your application than a C in AP Physics. While it doesn’t mean that your C will be swept completely under the rug, it does give you a little more wiggle room if the class you received it in is completely unrelated to the program you’re applying to.

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What You Need to Know

  1. The proficiency report card should reflect achievement on graduation standards through aggregation of scores on performance indicators.
  2. Habits of work and Maine’s Guiding Principles may be assessed within the various subject areas as well as within senior projects, capstone experiences, or student-led conferences—but it is helpful...
  1. The proficiency report card should reflect achievement on graduation standards through aggregation of scores on performance indicators.
  2. Habits of work and Maine’s Guiding Principles may be assessed within the various subject areas as well as within senior projects, capstone experiences, or student-led conferences—but it is helpful...
  3. Scoring must be consistent across learning standards.

What You Need to Do

  1. Develop a shared understanding of the purpose of grades in your district.
  2. Establish or apply GSP Grading Principles and Guidelines in developing your grade reporting system.
  3. Monitor the system for consistency in practice across the district.
  4. Develop a system for assessing and reporting Maine’s Guiding Principles.
See more on greatschoolspartnership.org

Timeline

  • Immediate action needed Reminder: The steps we recommend and the resources we provide are grounded in the PBL Simplified Model we have created and assume a general level of familiarity with it. While no two reporting systems need to look alike, GSP offers useful strategies to consider when designing a grading and reporting system that fulfills the promise of proficiency-based lea…
See more on greatschoolspartnership.org

Grading vs. Reporting

  • GSP suggests that schools and districts not shift to an entirely new reporting system abruptly as successful implementation requires authentic engagement with parents and the community. Given this, districts need to immediately engage in conversations about proficiency-based gradingwithin the classroom, as that is where the shift in thinking takes place. Teachers need ti…
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About Proficiency-Based Grading

  • Before discussing the report card, more needs to be said about proficiency-based grading. The Great Schools Partnership supports a system that assesses proficiency using common scoring criteria. This involves recording achievement on performance indicators based on four levels (1–4), with a 3 usually indicating proficiency. Some schools also use additional gradations (e.g. …
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The Proficiency-Based Report Card

  • The report card reflects progress on standards in each subject area. A score of 3 in a specific math standard, for example, denotes the aggregated score on that standard during the reporting period in question. It is not advisable to report out the score on each performance indicator as this would generate a lengthy report card—though many online grading systems provide parents wit…
See more on greatschoolspartnership.org

Resources