Changes to Grades 8/9 Reporting Practices

By Ms. Alice Gyton, Vice Principal of Learning, Senior School

Educators, by providing report cards, have and will always provide parents/guardians the answer to “How is my child doing in school?” However, the way that teachers and schools communicate student learning, and the format of traditional report cards, is shifting for students in K-9. This new method of communicating student learning focuses on the idea that learning is a journey that has no end. It requires educators and families to have a deeper, multidimensional and holistic view of their child rather than a simple check mark or letter grade. It involves more care, communication and collaboration among teachers, students and families. Simply put, educators across the province are moving away from percentages and letter grades to a proficiency scale.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Proficiency Scale describes student learning based on widely held expectations for the grade level and time of year. Proficiency levels and the language of "Emerging," "Developing," "Proficient," and "Extending" will be used to describe student progress in all subject areas from grades K-9.  

These changes to reporting practice are happening across the province, as school districts and independent schools work to better align themselves with the Ministry of Education’s new reporting policy and BC’s redesigned curriculum. Research is clear that traditional letter grades signal the end of learning by suggesting that a particular subject is mastered or completed. Learning, however, is a continuous process. The use of the Ministry's Proficiency Scale will allow teachers to share where a student is currently at in their learning as well as where they are going next. This model fosters a growth mindset for students: the empowering confidence that our capacities continue to develop as a result of hard work, effort and determination. 

This year the Junior School has aligned with the new reporting order, and report cards will include descriptive feedback, proficiency levels and student reflections. No letter grades will be given. For grades 8 and 9, we are beginning to shift away from assigning percentages on report cards. Some courses will show proficiency levels and others will continue to report percentages. All courses will provide descriptive feedback. Beginning 2023-2024, all grades 8/9 report cards will show proficiency levels, bringing us into alignment with Ministry expectations. For Grades 10-12 courses, report cards will continue to show percentages in accordance with Ministry policy.

We are hosting a virtual information session on Tuesday, November 29, 5:30pm-6:15pm, for grades 8/9 parents to learn more about these changes. Click here for the Zoom link.

Stay tuned to the Howl for more articles relating to competency-based education, assessment and learning.