Curriculum for Excellence report card woes

[darleneoconnor]

In theory I'm in favour of the principles of CfE in Primary school. (secondary looka a nightmare!)

However the structure of the new report cards really don't suit DS. I dont know how other people's in other schools look but DS's was 1 A4 page of what was basically a description of his personality, split into inter and intra personal skills. The second A4 page had section for effort and 'progress' on the subject areas of English, Maths, Social Studies, Science, PE, ICT, RE and Music/Art/Drama. There was very little on actual attainment. It was all on 'soft skills'.

I can see how this is a good thing for some pupils and wouldn't want to go back to the days when non-academic pupils got slaughtered on report cards but it seems to have gone full circle where the academic pupils (like DS) get absolutely no recognition of their abilities on their report but get their personality slaughtered on the 'social skills' section.

I suppose it brings up the whole issue of whether schools' purpose is academic or social.

I am not in favour of the new CfE or the report cards! I have struggled to understand the scottish education system and have found it even harder to get examples of how they grade in primary school. I cannot find anything online that explains what is level 1 etc, or how it is attained, apart from should be achieved by most pupils by the end of P4. All seems a bit vague if you ask me!

As for the report card system, I don't think it is very personal and I kid you not, I have read my friends dd report in the same class and it is exactly the same, word for word, including the same strengths and successes! Very strange as they have completely different personalities!

learning and teaching scotland

Hope this helps.

Thank you. I did stumble across it when I was trying to fathom it all out but although it explains what the CfE is, I still can't find out exactly what is required from the child for each level within the level :o

I would just like to know what is expected of the children, for example to achieve a certain level should they be able to multiply up to certain numbers, read/spell certain words etc? I can't find the answer anywhere so I will have to go and ask the school and see if they know!

What do teachers think of CfE? Cos my gut feeling as a parent is that it is too loose a syllabus - maybe not a problem at primary, but not convinced for secondary.
Also dislike the new report cards - I know my dd is near the top of the class in maths and reading, yet her report card seems fairly negative, and certainly doesn't reflect her academic performance

I am struggling to understand what it all means tbh. I have one DD starting high school this year and one DD starting primary....

But I will be asking many many questions

Exactly like my child's report card Twooter! Everything seemed to be finished with a negative yet at parents evening I was told there was no concerns?! All very confusing and perhaps the teachers are all confused too!

The 'negative' may be a 'next steps'. My DS is top group for reading, writing and maths but was given things he needs to work on in writing and maths.

eg. He has a great imagination and writes good stories but technically he could be more accurate, using known spelling rules to improve spelling and tidy up his handwriting. In Maths he can add and subtract HTU but finds it easier to do this mentally rather than in a sum. Once again his setting out is untidy. I got a pretty clear picture of DS and I was pleased as it gave me a few things to work on in the holidays. I totally agreed with the comments.

My DS loves school and has enjoyed the new 'topics' so much and learned loads. He is enthusiastic and is not frightened to try new things. IMO this is as important as a list of times tables he still has to learn.

Everyone has different thoughts though about what they do and do not 'need' to know and every parents opinion is valid. Your concerns/questions should be taken seriously by the school. I would be approaching them as feedback on the new curriculum is vital.

My children's reports were very different. Ds with an experienced teacher hardly had anything for each area, while Dd with a probationer had what I'd call decent paragraphs.

Only dd's one was all mixed up and not stapled together while ds's looked more formal!

As a Nursery Nurse, CfE is quite easy to understand but some ridiculous suggestions for preschoolers. But it seems to be nothing but paperwork and less time with the children.

Are any of you noticing that the report card states confident or comfortable or capable at the the required level?

It begs the question for me - if they are doing well at this level why aren't they moving on?

I feel that my son who went to school being able to almost read but knew all sounds, all numbers could add and subtract has achieved nothing this year at all. And I said so on the school report similar to the one you are all talking about. When I went to school, long time ago in the 80's if I acheived the level I moved on so I was always challenged. He's yet to be challenged and actually says school is easy. I have been doing extra work at home which he moans he has to think about - at work it's so easy.

Not to happy.

I've had the teacher call wanting to meet me so we can discuss this further - it will be the 3rd time this year I've been about the same thing where I come away with a list of stuff I'm already doing, maths, English etc etc

Bad day when I write to instead of too!!!