About the Student Report Cards

Commonsense report cards were introduced to address concerns raised by parents in Victoria, and across Australia, about the degree to which reports are clear, consistent from one school to another and easy to understand.

These report cards follow a common format and are written in plain English. They were introduced so that no matter what Victorian Government school your child attends, you will receive a clear picture of your child's progress that is reported in the same way and against the same state-wide standards in Years Prep to 10.

Key features of the report cards

The report cards have:

• a chart with an A-E rating, showing your child's current progress against the expected state-wide standard as well as the progress they have made since the previous year *
• a chart showing your child’s level of effort and class behaviour
• details about attendance
• easy to understand comments from teachers outlining what your child knows and can do, any areas in which your child needs to be given further help or extended, and how this will be done
• suggestions for how you can help at home
• in primary school, a written comment from your child on their progress, and in secondary school, the goals your child has set, and their comments on progress towards them
• a space for you to comment on your child's progress

* Note that from 2007 primary schools can choose whether or not to include this chart on reports for students in Prep.

See: Sample student report cards

Benefits of the report cards

Clear information about your child’s strengths and weaknesses

Clearly written comments tell you what your child knows and can do. They also identify areas in which your child needs further help or can improve. The report card clearly describes what the school will do to support your child.

A common reporting scale

The report card’s A to E rating will tell you how your child is progressing against the expected standard. For example, a ‘C’ rating means your child is at the expected standard and that his or her learning is on track. The reporting scale has the following consistent meanings across the state:

• A - well above the expected standard at this time of year
• B - above the standard expected at this time of year
• C - at the standard expected at this time of year
• D - below the standard expected at this time of year
• E - well below the standard expected at this time of year.

Student progress over time

The report card charts your child’s progress from the previous year to the current year. You are able to see how your child progresses at school over a twelve-month period.

Written reports at least twice per year

You will receive regular information on the progress of your child, with written report cards distributed at least twice a year.

Improved partnerships between home and school

The report card includes a plan for your child’s future learning. If your child is having difficulties at school, or is performing well above expectations, the teacher will implement an educational program to assist and extend your child.

Parents are an important part of this process. When you know what extra assistance your child needs, you can become involved and work in partnership with the school.

Schools also continue to offer parent-teacher interviews for you to discuss your child’s progress in more detail.

Student involvement in reporting

Your child also plays a role in reporting on their progress at school and this information is included in the report. In primary school, students include a written comment about their progress in class. In secondary schools and some primary schools, students list personal learning goals for the year and review their achievement against these goals throughout the year.

For parents of Prep students

Schools can choose whether or not to use the chart with the A-E ratings for students in Prep.

If your school chooses not to use the chart you still receive detailed information on your child's progress against the statewide standards. Your child's report card includes all the other required features including details about how you can help at home, and a space for you to provide comment.

For parents of Year 10 students

Some students will reach the standard expected for the end of Year 10 (the final and highest standard for Prep to Year 10) before the end of Year 10.

When this happens, some students may follow a post compulsory program, beginning their VCE studies early. These students will receive a separate report.

The ‘Beyond Year 10' column on the report is for students who have reached the last standard before the end of Year 10, but whose needs are better met by following a program that focuses on broadening and enriching their knowledge, skills and understandings, rather than commencing post compulsory study early.

For parents of students studying English as a Second Language (ESL)

State-wide standards have been developed for students learning English as a Second Language (ESL). Your child's progress is reported using these standards.

Assessment of progress in domains other than ESL is made in the context of the student's development as a learner of English.

For parents of students with Individual Learning Plans

For students with disabilities (PSD students) who follow an Individual Learning Plan, schools can choose to use the report card in its entirety, or components of it. Schools may also choose to use a different way of reporting progress that is better suited to your child’s needs. Your child's school can discuss this with you.

For parents of students studying subjects such as Languages other than English (LOTE)

For students in their early primary years studying subjects such as Science or LOTE (e.g. French), there are no standards for these subjects until later in the primary years.

Achievement can only be included in the report card chart and given an A-E rating if there is a standard for that year level.

However, there is space on the report card for teachers to provide full comments on progress made in instances such as the above. For LOTE, there are progression measures to describe student progress in the early years of schooling.

More information

For more information, you can contact the school, see: Schools Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline) or Region

If you have any further questions regarding the student report cards, contact your school or email your query to: student.reports@edumail.vic.gov.au