Elementary Report Cards
Explore how Norris School District reports on student learning and progress. Preview sample report cards for each grade below.
Explore the sections below to learn about our elementary report cards.
You can also preview sample report cards for each grade level in the Sample Report Cards section.
Watch: Grading and Report Card Introduction
A short overview for students and families on how achievement and effort are reported, what each score on the 0–4 scale means, and how to read the new report card. Captions and a full transcript are provided.
Read the full video transcript
Hello, Norris students and families. This year, our grades and report card will look a little bit different, and we want everyone to understand exactly what it means. The new report card will be based on the California State Standards and give us a better picture of learning by showing what we've mastered, the effort we've put into learning, and the areas where we're still growing. It's not about being perfect, it's all about the learning process. For students in grades 5 and 6, traditional letter grades will also continue to appear alongside the new scores of 0 to 4.
Here's what each score means. A 1 means I'm still building the basics. I need more practice, and that's completely normal, especially at the beginning of the year. We can expect to see this score in the first quarter or whenever we're learning new concepts. A 2 means I'm making good progress. I'm understanding parts of the skill and continuing to grow. We can also expect to see this score often during the first few quarters of the school year. A 3 is our end-of-the-year goal. It means I've mastered the grade-level skill. That's something we can all celebrate. A 4 is rare. It means I've gone above and beyond what's expected at my grade level. This isn't the expectation for most students, but it's wonderful when it happens. And a 0, that means my teacher doesn't have enough evidence yet to give me a score. If that happens, we'll work together with my teacher and family to make a plan and gather the evidence needed.
Every assignment I complete will fall into one of two categories, achievement or effort. The work I do to practice and build my skills will be a part of my effort score, while assignments that show what I've mastered will be part of my achievement score. On my report card, we'll see both. I'll receive two scores, an achievement score that shows what I know and can do, and an effort score that shows how I'm participating, practicing, and growing throughout the learning process. This helps paint a more complete picture of my learning.
If I've mastered the content but I'm not putting in much effort into my classwork, I might earn a 3 in achievement and a 1 or a 2 in effort. On the other hand, if I'm working hard every day but I'm still learning the skill, I might earn a 3 in effort and a 1 or a 2 in achievement. The best part is that we get to celebrate both. We celebrate students who have mastered the content, and we also celebrate students who are putting in the effort and growing every day.
Here is an example of a score you might see on a class assignment and how that learning will be reflected on your report card. Didn't score the way you hoped? That's okay. Your quarterly star assessment, along with opportunities to revisit and reassess specific standards, will help show your most current level of learning. So remember, our report card isn't just a grade. It's a roadmap showing where we are and where we're headed next. Talk about it with your family, ask your teacher questions, and keep growing!
Standards-Based Reporting
The Norris School District is moving to a standards-based reporting system to help families better understand what students are learning and how they are progressing throughout the school year. Teaching will continue to be based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which identify the important skills and concepts students should learn at each grade level.
Students in grades K–4 will receive achievement levels (0–4) to show their progress toward meeting grade-level standards and to identify areas where they may need additional support or enrichment.
Students in grades 5–6 will receive both standards-based achievement levels (0–4) and traditional letter grades (A–F). Letter grades for students in grades 5–6 will be based on their overall performance and accumulated achievement scores throughout the grading period.
Academic Achievement + Effort
Reading, English Language Arts, and Math will include two main reporting areas:
- Academic achievement levels show how well a student is mastering grade-level standards and demonstrating understanding of key skills and concepts.
- Effort levels show how a student engages in learning, including participation, practice, persistence, and overall learning habits.
In the past, these areas were blended together into one letter grade, which could make it tricky to clearly understand a student's strengths and needs. For example, a student who worked very hard but was still developing understanding might receive the same overall mark as a student who understood the material well but struggled with participation or work habits. By separating achievement from effort, families get a more accurate and balanced picture of student learning — both what a student knows and how they are approaching their learning journey.
Understanding My Student's Progress
Families will now see one 0–4 scale used for both academics and for conduct, development, and effort. This helps keep things consistent and easier to understand, without the need to learn multiple grading scales.
We recognize students grow at different rates, and learning a standard often takes time, practice, and feedback. Report cards will show the most recent level of understanding at the time of reporting.
An achievement level of 3 means your student is meeting end-of-year grade-level expectations. For many standards, achieving a level 3 or proficient score may take more than one grading period. A score of 4 indicates performance far above grade-level expectations. This will be extremely rare and should not be the expectation.
The same 0–4 scale is also used to share how students are doing with effort, behavior, and overall learning habits. You can always check the key at the bottom of the report card for a quick guide to what each level means.
The goal is to reach Level 3 (often / meets standard) by the end of the year.
Student applies the standard in ways that are in-depth and beyond what was taught.
Student demonstrates mastery of the standard.
Student shows some understanding of the standard.
Student needs more practice in understanding the standard.
No attempt or evidence of understanding.
Standard was not assessed during the reporting period.
Grade Reporting Periods
We follow a quarter schedule, with report cards issued at the end of each grading period. In addition to report cards, progress reports are sent home midway through each quarter to help families stay informed.
Report cards shared at conferences at the end of October.
Parent Portal
Families can check their child's progress anytime through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The grade book shows ongoing learning and all practice and assessments over time, while the report card provides a snapshot of student progress at the end of each grading period.
There is also a PowerSchool Mobile app to make it easy to stay connected to your student's learning. Use the guide below for instructions on how to access the Parent Portal.
Sample Report Cards
Preview a sample report card for each elementary grade level.
Kindergarten standards-based sample report card.
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First grade standards-based sample report card.
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Second grade standards-based sample report card.
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Third grade standards-based sample report card.
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Fourth grade standards-based sample report card.
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Fifth grade standards-based sample report card.
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Sixth grade standards-based sample report card.
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Additional Information
Download the family guide for a complete overview of standards-based reporting.