New Grading System for School Students
A new grading system for students will be introduced into all Queensland schools next year to provide clearer, more consistent information for parents.
Education Minister, Rod Welford, said the new plain English A-E report cards were part of wide-ranging reforms to put parents in the picture about their child’s progress at school.
“This new system will be more straight-forward for students and parents,” Mr Welford said.
“Schools will provide students with twice-yearly reports in plain English in a common format and parents will also be offered parents/teachers interviews twice a year.
“The report card will detail the areas of learning a student is studying and their results, behaviour and effort graded from A to E.
“It will also record teacher comments, as well as extra-curricular activities and the number of days a student is absent.
“We may need to refine the system as it applies to the early primary years (Years 1-3) because subjects are not as clear cut. However, the new grading system will apply to students for all subjects in Years 4-10.
“Year 11 and 12 students are already assessed on a five-tier rating system as part of the Overall Position (OP process).”
The new grading system will be introduced in state schools at the end of 2006, and apply in all schools in 2007.
Mr Welford said a comprehensive overhaul of Queensland’s education laws was currently before State Parliament.
“The new laws position Queensland schools to deliver on the aims of the Smart State and meet the expectations of students and their families in the 21st century,” he said.
“The legislation provides a basis for the introduction of the new Prep Year in 2007 and the increase in the school starting age, which takes effect in 2008.
“It creates the legal requirement for both state and non-state schools to provide reports on students’ academic work and offer interviews to parents twice a year.”
