Politics & Government

Novi Superintendent: Report Card System 'Not Where It Needs to Be'

Supt. Dr. Steve Matthews says a recent survey shows parents rely most on report cards to track their children's academic progress.

A survey conducted by Novi Community Schools in February shows that when it comes to student progress, parents rely on report cards to a much greater extent than standardized test results. 

"Parents rely primarily on report cards," Supt. Dr. Steve Matthews told school board members during a Thursday work session. "I'm suggesting to you that our report card system is not where it needs to be." 

Matthews presented results of the survey, which focused on how parents perceive progress toward the district's goals related to student growth and achievement. While NWEA (Northwest Education Association) and MEAP/MME (Michigan Educational Assessment Program/Michigan Merit Exam) tests each garnered a little more than 300 responses, report cards got more than 650.

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(Because parents were asked to respond for each of their students, the 810 responses do not represent the same number of parents.)

While the current system is accurate in the information presented, he said, "I don't believe it's accurate in reflecting the growth of the student." Matthews said the district needs a "more robust" report card system. 

Find out what's happening in Noviwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

With one exception, between 70 and 80 percent of responses indicated that parents felt their children are making a year's growth in a year's time, and between 60 and 77 percent believe their children are achieving at high levels. Much lower responses were received in the area of world languages.

Matthews said that isn't a surprise, because the district doesn't offer world languages in grades K-4. The survey responses also indicated a need for more challenging opportunities for students who are "ready to move more quickly", he said, and many parents asked for a K-4 world language program or concentrated focus on fewer languages.

Over 650 responses showed parents were either completely or mostly satisfied that the district is meeting its goal of "developing each student's potential with a world class education". 

While positive, the result still indicates "we have some work to do, and so we're setting about to do that work," Matthews said. 

Similar surveys will be conducted on an annual basis and tracked over time. Another survey in April dealing with opportunities for students and quality organization and customer service; a June survey will ask questions about the entire school year.


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