Giving Compass' Take:

• Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) nearly every state has made strong commitments to improving its performance information systems. But, as Education Next reports, parents and guardians often can't decipher — or even find — report cards.

• Cutting through jargon is a big problem, along with accessibility. How can schools simplify the process of sending out report cards for families? Is there a role for the nonprofit sector to play in this area?

• Here's why well-being should be on student report cards as well as grades. 

With a swipe of our smart phone we can find the shortest route to a destination, track our heart rate, or choose a restaurant. But ask a parent to find some basic information about their child’s school and odds are they can’t. Without easily accessible information about the quality of local schools, families are left to make critical decisions about their child’s education in the dark.

This is especially concerning as the number of educational choices expands in many parts of the country. The primary tool states use to share information about school quality is the state report card, which contains details like standardized test scores, teacher qualifications, and attendance data for each school. But report cards are often difficult to find and understand, which can leave families confused and disillusioned, lacking the information they want and need to make choices and advocate for their children.

To create meaningful report cards that families value and use, states should:

  • Make sure families know where to find the report card, what it contains, and how they can use it.
  • Avoid jargon.
  • Group relevant data points together to help families see the full picture of student achievement.
  • Get parent feedback on report card content and formatting.

Read the full article about school performance data by Paige Kowalski and Brennan McMahon Parton at Education Next.