Title: Progress Report Email

Date: February 26, 2015

Description:
This artifact is a copy of a progress report sent via an email to
parents/guardians of my students. This is the mid-year grade check
that occurred during my student teaching at Richland Center High
School. In this progress report parents are able to see what students
are missing as well as what grades they have received for assignments
that have been turned in.
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment:
I believe this experience best aligns with Standard Six: Communication
- The teacher uses effective verbal and nonverbal communication
techniques as well as instructional media and technology to foster
active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the
classroom.
I believe this experience best aligns with Standard Six because it
shows how I not only communicate with my students, but with their
families as well. These progress reports are sent out at mid-quarter to
let the students and families know how each child is doing in the class.
For this progress report, anything from Unit One that was not turned in
received a zero. This was used as a wake up call to the students so
they understand what their grade could look like if they continue to not
turn things in. Items from Unit Two that were not turned in received a
star (*) so it does not affect their grades yet. This is because I allow a
little leeway for the students. They can turn in late work and they will
receive some credit, but not as much as they could have if they had
turned it in on time. By both printing out the grade reports and sending
them via email, I am using my technology resources but also reaching
those families who do not have ready access to the Internet.
I am more competent in this standard because by using technology
such as Skyward and email, I am able to communicate with
parents/guardians about how the students are doing in my class. Some
students do not share how they are doing with their families, so me
taking this extra step allows me to not only makes the families aware
of how the child is doing, but also allows for more interaction between
myself and them to foster more of a relationship. Studies show that
parent involvement drops off when their children enter high school. By
keeping them updated in this way they can continue to be more
involved in their childs education.

UW-Platteville Knowledge, Skill, and Dispositional Statement

Alignment:
This experience best aligns with KSD4.c: Communicates with Families - The
candidate is able to provide frequent, sensitive and appropriate information
to parents and students about students positive and negative progress
within the instructional program and successfully engages families in the
educational process when appropriate.
This best aligns with KSD4.c because I specifically sent these progress
reports to the parents/guardians of my students. This shows the
families the progress of the students in the unit. When the families look
at this progress report they will see anything that was not turned in for
Unit One will be shown as a zero. This will give both the students and
the families the effect of not turning in assignments. Anything that was
not turned in yet for Unit Two will show up as a star (*) and will not
affect the students grade. Though the use of a progress report, I am
communicating with both the students and the families about the
progress within the instructional program and the progress of each
individual student.
I am more competent after this experience because as educators we
are always trying to involve the families in their childs education. This
is a fast and easy way to make sure the families are informed. This
involvement of the parents is a good step to make the students,
school, families, and community more connected in the learning
process.
Secondary Alignment:
KS3.a Communicates Clearly and Accurately
KSD3.d Provides Feedback to Students
KSD4.b Maintains Accurate Records
Reflection about teaching/learning:
I have learned a lot about communication through this experience. First
off I had to find a way to involve the parents in the students learning. I
learned from my cooperating teacher that a mid-term progress report
is sent out often and this is a way I can connect with the families of my
students. There is an option of sending a personal message along with
the email of the progress report. I took advantage of this to inform the
families of the students progress in the class.
Reflection about myself as a prospective teacher:
As a prospective teacher I know the value of including
parents/guardians into the learning process. By giving them updates,
they will feel more a part of the process and thus feel more a part of
their childs learning. I know that not every family will take absolute

interest in their childs education, but the fact that I will send out
information at least gives them the option of becoming more involved.
In my future classroom I will incorporate the progress reports into my
course routine, while also finding other ways to involve parents in the
learning process.