School report - to think this is a bit crap

[SlipperyLizard]

DD (year 7) got her end of term report, showing effort scores and (for the first time) a progress score. All subjects meeting or slightly above “expected” progress, but one subject was “below”. She had a test in this subject a couple of weeks ago and got 44/50.

I emailed teacher so I could get feedback on what DD needed to work on to be meeting expectations. Got told there was nothing to worry about as the report had been written before the recent test, and so progress was based on a test done in September (I.e. just after starting secondary when they did baseline knowledge tests).

AIBU to think the teacher could have based the progress mark on class & homework done since September, even if they couldn’t (for whatever reason) update the report to take the recent test into account?

Feels like teacher has just phoned it in.

I think most 12 year olds would be a little deflated to get a “below” grade two weeks after getting 44/50, and my job as a parent is to help her understand why.

You are definitely looking at this the wrong way around. Your job as a parent isn't to help her understand "why" she got that grade, but "what" she should do to improve in that subject. If it's history/geography, take her to museums, watch documentaries, have fun learning.

If the helicoptery parents I've come across spent half their energy doing this sort of home-education-lite at weekends instead of crafting their confrontational emails, it would be better for their kids and maybe even for the parent-child relationship. I know I'm being a bit harsh on the OP as this is her first query to the school, but most teachers have met a parent who makes a habit of it!

All of this blows me away.

My kids have never shown the slightest bit of interest in looking at their school reports. They know exactly how they are doing at school. The report is for the parent.

The teacher has explained it so what's the drama?

@Babyboomtastic

Irrespective of the content of a school report, some people on here will defend it.

Criticism of a single teacher or even a single part of a teacher's practise is seen as an attack on the entire profession.

There are good and bad teachers like there are in any job. I had teachers that went above and beyond any expectations. I also had ones that literally put on a tv show every class, let us play card games instead of working etc. Yes, this was 20 years ago, and I doubt anyone could get away with this now, but its as nonsense to assume every teacher is amazing, as to assume they are all rubbish.

This is not about the teacher though, is it? It is systemic issue, about the need for proofreading, etc.