The Near North District School Board says they will not be providing parents/guardians with  term one report cards or marks for elementary students.

The board says they need electronic inputting of data by teachers and while regular assessment continues, this term because of job sanctions elementary teachers are writing and providing marks to their administrators but are not inputting them electronically.

On the secondary side, this is being done and semester one report cards will be provided for secondary students, with marks only by Feb. 11 but no report card comments are being made.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says teacher union leaders are risking student success and preventing parents from seeing valuable information about their child’s performance in class.

As well, kindergarten teachers will write, but not electronically input, a brief comment for each section of a student’s Kindergarten Communication of Learning.

This means families will not receive a Kindergarten Communication of Learning.

As for individual education plans,  the board says for students who are on alternative expectations, teachers will provide a comment to administrators for each of the expectations.

And while the IEP will be updated the information will not be provided to families.

 

Complete details from Craig Myles
Director of Education, Near North District School Board

Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

IEPs will be updated with goals and expectations. For students who are on alternative expectations, teachers will provide a comment to administrators for each of the expectations. For students with IEPs who have accommodations and/or modifications, a mark will be reported to administration along with an indication that they have an IEP for that subject. IEPs will be updated but will not be provided to families at this time. As always, parents/guardians can contact their child’s teachers to learn about their child’s progress.

Elementary Term One Report Cards

The Near North District School Board’s production of Report Cards for elementary students relies on the electronic inputting of data by teachers. While regular assessment practices continue, this term, per job sanctions, elementary teachers are writing and providing marks to their administrators but are not inputting them electronically. After exploring every possible solution, at this time, we are unable to provide parents/guardians with Term One Report Cards for elementary students.

Marks will also not be provided to families or students at this time. Beyond the logistical challenges, providing marks without comments and context would not be considered fulsome feedback on student achievement of curriculum expectations. As always, parents/guardians can contact their child’s teachers to learn about their child’s progress.

Kindergarten Communication of Learning

During this phase of work-to-rule, Kindergarten teachers will write, but not electronically input, a brief comment for each section of a student’s Kindergarten Communication of Learning. Given this challenge, families will not receive a Kindergarten Communication of Learning for their child at this time. As always, families can contact their child’s Kindergarten teacher and/or designated early childhood educator to discuss their child’s growth in learning.

Secondary Semester One Report Cards

Secondary teachers are inputting student marks electronically but are not writing Report Card comments. Semester One Report Cards will be provided for secondary students, with marks only, by Feb. 11, 2020. Grade 12 students’ marks will be submitted to the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) and to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) on time so that students’ post-secondary applications will not be negatively impacted.

We know how important report cards are to families and students, and that marks, learning skills and teacher comments are valued. At the same time, Report Cards are not the sole nor are they the most important records of achievement data we have for your child/teen. They are simply one update on progress.

As always, parents/guardians can contact their child/teen’s teachers to learn about their growth and progress. We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding during this challenging time for public education in Ontario.

(photo by station staff)

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