Many parents ask me about report card system in Ontario. They find Ontario’s report card and evaluation system confusing and difficult to understand. It can be challenging to understand the true meaning of the reports because each grade level has its own set of report formats, grading schemes, and timelines. From high school report cards to progress reports for elementary students, this resource will help you comprehend Ontario’s report cards. We’ll go over how to interpret teacher comments, what each report type is, and how you can utilize this information to help your child learn.
1) Ontario Progress Report Cards (Elementary)
As a midterm checkpoint, the Progress Report Card is typically sent out in November to elementary school students in Grades 1–8. It does not have letter and percentage grades, compared to the final report card. Instead, it emphasizes on learning skills, work habits, and a student’s initial progress in specific subjects.
Key Sections of the Progress Report:
Learning Skills and Work Habits
This section evaluates six key skills and habits, which are crucial for students’ academic success and personal growth. They are:
1) Responsibility – Managing own behavior, materials, and assignments.
2) Organization – Planning and using time effectively.
3) Independent Work – Completing tasks independently and staying focused.
4) Collaboration – Working well with classmates.
5) Initiative – Showing curiosity and willingness to participate.
6) Self-Regulation – Managing emotions and behavior to reach goals.
Each skill is rated as Excellent (E), Good (G), Satisfactory (S), or Needs Improvement (N).
Purpose of the Progress Report:
- The Progress Report’s provides parents with an overview of their child’s strength and potential need for more support.
- It facilitates early contact between parents and teachers, allowing for collaborative support if a student is experiencing difficulties.
2) Ontario Term Report Cards (Elementary)
The Term Report Cards are issued twice a year for Grades 1-8:
- First Term Report Card: February
- Final Report Card: June
These report cards offer a more thorough assessment of a student’s academic performance, with letter grades for Grades 1-6 and percentage marks for marks 7-8.
Key Sections of the Term Report Card:
Learning Skills and Work Habits: Like the Progress Report, the Term Report Cards assess learning skills and work habits, rated as E, G, S, or N. This feedback is essential because these skills directly impact academic success and lifelong learning.
Grades in Subjects: Each subject area is assessed with letter or percentage grades:
- Grades 1-6: Letter grades (A, B, C, D, R for “Remedial”)
- Grades 7-8: Percentage grades (0-100%)
- Comments Section: Teachers provide specific comments tailored to the student’s performance in each subject. Comments typically include:
- Strengths: Areas where the student has shown progress or excels.
- Areas for Growth: Subjects or skills that require improvement or additional focus.
- Next Steps: Suggested actions or strategies for students to enhance their learning, often including tips on how parents can help.
Purpose of Term Report Cards:
- Term report cards serve as an official record of a student’s academic performance over the semester. They provide thorough feedback on a student’s progress and accomplishments, which helps them create goals and be ready for the upcoming term.
- In addition to summarizing the year’s classroom instruction, final report cards are frequently discussed in parent-teacher conferences in order to make plans for the following academic year.
3) Kindergarten Communication of Learning
Kindergarten students in Ontario don’t receive traditional report cards. Instead, they receive the Kindergarten Communication of Learning, which is issued at the same times as elementary report cards:
- First Communication of Learning: Late fall (after November)
- Second and Final Communication of Learning: End of June
This report is designed to reflect learning in a play-based, inquiry-focused environment. It includes:
Four Frames of Learning
The Kindergarten program focuses on four frames:
- Belonging and Contributing
- Self-Regulation and Well-Being
- Demonstrating Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours
- Problem Solving and Innovating
Teachers highlight the child’s learning progress in each frame with narrative comments. These remarks assist parents in comprehending the social skills, reading, and numeracy foundations, as well as the problem-solving skills of their child. Furthermore, these comments provide a clearer understanding of how the child is developing in areas such as emotional regulation and communication, offering a well-rounded view of their overall progress.
Purpose of Kindergarten Communication of Learning:
The objective is to present a genuine, developmentally appropriate, and ungraded picture of a child’s learning, sociability, and progress. The kindergarten curriculum is play-based, and this method lets young students develop at their own pace.
4) High School Report Cards
Students in high school receive midterm and final report cards each semester. The percentage grades on these report cards go toward a student’s overall grade for the academic year in each subject. High schools in Ontario use the credit system, in which passing a course grants credits to the student, which is necessary to fulfill graduation requirements.
Important Aspects of High School Report Cards:
- Percentage Grades: Provided for each course to show mastery of curriculum content.
- Teacher Comments: These provide insight into the student’s progress, any areas for improvement, and specific suggestions for further development.
- Learning Skills and Work Habits: High school report cards also assess these skills, which are foundational for success in higher education and careers.
The information provided is based on general guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Education (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2010) regarding the province’s assessment and reporting system. For further details, you can refer to resources like the Growing Success Document (2010), available on the Ontario Ministry of Education website.
If you find your child struggling with any subject, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from teachers, tutors, or online resources. Reach out to iGuide Academy for our personalized tutoring programs. Our customized lessons can help students significantly improve their skills and confidence.
Do you need help with boosting your child’s report card scores? Here is our guide that will provide tips and ideas for overcoming bad grades, so you may turn the tide and set sail for academic success.
