Informing students of their progress
It is extremely important to keep students informed as to their progress in class. I provide my students with a progress report once a week. This report includes all areas in which they are graded. I add comments, as needed to students who are doing well as well as those who may need some additional help. In addition I will provide a progress report at any time upon student request. The key to a good progress report is keeping up on grading; it has to be up to date.
Jill,
Performance "chats" may be something you can do. Even if you don't have a complete grade-to-date information, you can discuss "how do you think you are doing"? What they say, it doesn't matter. You can just give advice, support, and encouragement. When students feel you care, they will want to do their best. Plus, if you are able to document your discussion, you can always refer back to those discussions should the claim of "No one ever talked to me about my grades".
Barry Westling
I,too, can learn from your practices. One of my issues is that our grading system is weighted. Therefore, I cannot give students an accurate assessment of their grade at any given time.
Currently, I am electronically evaluating their scores for the first half of the quarter and estimating their likely scores for the rest of the class. This way I can let them know their probable final grade if they continue with their current performance. I also do this prior to the final exam.
Of course, I return individual tests with a grade, so students can see what they did. However, I need to get these tests/quizzes back to them more quickly.
I appreciate your input Fred. I thought I was providing students with progress reports, however I see that you are much more detailed and that students really do value that information. This is an area that I can improve on and I will do just that for my next class.
Hi Steven,
Right. Students ultimately need to be accountable for their learning. We can help by keeping them informed, and I think this needs to be done frequently and early on (so any correction will have time to have an effect on their grade). Kind, caring encouragement demonstrates we care about their success. For some students, that's enough. Others will require we are more agressive by staying on top of our recommendations to be sure they're being followed.
Barry Westling
I find keeping an electronic grade book (Excel spreadsheet) makes staying on top of grades so much easier. I am able to tell a student their progress at a moments notice. Too, however, students need to take some accountability and be able to figure out their progress by use of the syllabus.
Hi Justin,
Great! One on one is best. Frequent updates also help reinforce what was suggested and the continuing progress towards completion goals. Each visit strengthens the relationship, which also add to trust and respect for both parties.
Barry Westling
If class size permits I suggest speaking to the students one on one about their progress as much as possible. I am lucky enough to have small classes of under 15 students so I am always meeting with the students to critique their work and give them feed back as to their standing in the class.
Hi Fred,
Very nice. Frequent progress notification is so important, both to students and as assistance to the teacher to be informed of students nearing trouble.
Barry Westling
