What To Look For On Report Cards

My children just brought home their elementary-school semester report cards. Even though they seem fine, I am always worried that I am missing something. What should I really be looking for? -- Detective
Answer: Some report cards can be difficult to interpret. Reading all the explanations will help you determine the most important thing -- the kind of progress your children are making. Grades are important, but you also need to know if they are working at, above or below grade level and meeting state standards. In the early years, be sure to carefully study their progress in reading and math.
Once you have a general idea of how well your children are doing, see if there are any subject areas that need improvement. These areas, as well as the sections on conduct, work habits and attitude, can indicate present or future problems. Also, you will want to compare current report cards with past ones to see if there are any downward trends in subjects that your children usually do well in.
Teacher comments on report cards are very important. They often convey valuable information on academic work, study habits, classroom behavior and socialization skills far beyond what grades or checklists do. They might even suggest ways improvements can be made in these areas.
Remember that no report card gives a complete picture of how well your children are doing. If you have any questions about your children's progress in school, contact their teachers.