Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Canyons School District is creating a new grading system for elementary students. But some parents are concerned that it may be too close to just a pass or fail system.
We're really looking at this report card as an opportunity for us to really dive in and meet the individual needs of the students.
–Amber Roderick-Landward, Canyons School District
#lanward_quote
The new system will tell parents whether their child has mastered a subject. This would replace the current system used by Canyons, and many other districts in Utah, in which students are graded one through four on how well they know subject matter.
"We're really looking at this report card as an opportunity for us to really dive in and meet the individual needs of the students," said Amber Roderick-Landward, elementary director of evidence-based learning for the Canyons School District.
With the new system, an "M" stands for "mastered," based on how well the student know the subject. If they fail, they'll be given an "NM" for "not mastered."
The new grades for grade-school kids will be less subjective, Roderick-Landward said. "We're saying, 'These are the skills we expect you to know by the end of the year,'" she said.
Some parents are worried the new report card won't let them know if their child is excelling or just barely getting by in a specific subject.
If they're going to get the teachers more involved with the students so that they will pass, then that's good.
–Lucretia Ringlee, parent
#ringlee_quote
"I really think that the system we have is great," said parent Diane Iman. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Other parents are all for the new system.
"If they're going to get the teachers more involved with the students so that they will pass, then that's good," parent Lucretia Ringlee said. "If they're not gonna let kids slide by with bad grades, then I guess that it is a good thing."
"It's good because you learn if they need help in math, or more (help) in certain areas instead of just passing because you don't know what they need help on," parent Amanda Whittington said.
District spokeswoman Jennifer Toomer-Cook told KSL the new system is designed to make grades less subjective. "This is intended to provide parents with more information about a child's progress so that the children don't fall behind," she said.
Cook also said parents and teachers will be able to discuss each child's progress.
The district has not said exactly when it will begin using the new report cards, but officials said they don't plan to use the "mastered" or "not mastered" grading system for high school student, who need a GPA to get into college.
-----
Story written with contributions from Randall Jeppesen and Jennifer Stagg.
