As a parent, it’s essential to stay informed about your child's education. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) has made it easier than ever for you to access important information about how schools are performing through state and district report cards. These report cards provide transparency and empower parents with the knowledge needed to advocate effectively for their children's education.
What Are School Report Cards?
School report cards are comprehensive documents required by the ESSA that give a detailed overview of how schools, districts, and states are performing. They include information on student achievement, education spending, graduation rates, and more. The goal is to provide parents with the data they need to make informed decisions about their children's education.
Key Components of School Report Cards
- Education Spending: For the first time, ESSA requires report cards to include data on how much is spent per student at each school. This transparency helps parents compare funding levels across schools and districts.
- Parent Engagement: States must consult with parents when developing these report cards. This ensures that the information is presented in a way that is useful and accessible to parents.
- Accessibility: Report cards must be concise, understandable, and accessible to all, including those with disabilities and non-English speakers.
- Student Achievement: Information about test results and participation rates is included to help parents understand academic performance.
- Graduation Rates: Data on graduation rates for various student groups is provided to show educational outcomes over time.
- Accountability: A clear explanation of the state's accountability system helps parents understand how school performance is evaluated.
- School Environment: Information on school climate factors such as suspensions, expulsions, and incidents of violence is included to give a fuller picture of the learning environment.
- Teacher Qualifications: Details about teacher experience and credentials highlight the quality of education students receive.
The Importance of Transparency in Education
The ESSA's requirement for detailed report cards is a significant step toward greater transparency in education. By providing comprehensive data on various aspects of school performance, these report cards empower parents to make informed choices about their children's schooling. Whether you're deciding which school is best for your child or advocating for improvements at your current school, having access to this information is crucial.
How Parents Can Get Involved
If you're interested in contributing to the development of your state's report card or want to learn more about your local schools' performance, there are several ways you can get involved:
- Attend meetings with your state's ESSA coordinator or join a parent advisory group.
- Review drafts of report cards and provide feedback on their clarity and usefulness.
- Contact your child's school principal or district representative if you have trouble finding or understanding the report card data.
The more involved you are in understanding and influencing educational policy at the state and local levels, the better equipped you'll be to ensure that your child receives a quality education.
If you would like more detailed information about state and local report cards under ESSA, please follow this link.
