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PAGE 12A - THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 13. 2008
New Report Cards Would
Drop ABCD-F Grading System
'Standards-Based' Report Cards Would Include More Details
By Kerri Testement
Jackson County elementary
school students may no longer
see the traditional “A, B, C, D”
or even “F” on their report cards
next school year.
The Jackson County Board
of Education is considering
a major shift for report cards
from the “traditional” method of
“ABCs” to a “standards-based”
report card.
If approved, the program
would be implemented next
school year with first through
fifth grade students.
“Standards-based” report cards
assess how well students are
meeting specified standards in
each major subject area.
Instead of giving students a
traditional letter or numerical
grade, standards-based report
cards will reflect a scale of 1-4 or
N/A for each subject.
Standards-based report cards
would assign a “1” as “Does Not
Meet,” “2” as “In Progress,” “3”
as “Meets” and “4” as “Exceeds”
standards in each subject. A
“N/A” will be given when that
standard has not been addressed
in the classroom.
“I think it’s a great idea, but
I think it’ll be an adjustment
for some parents who want to
see those numbers,” said board
chairperson Kathy Wilbanks
Monday.
The “standards-based” report
card would define specific goals
for students to accomplish in
each subject area. The stan
dards would follow the Georgia
Performance Standards for each
curriculum.
For example, a third grade
student’s report card for science
would reflect how well he or
she can explain the difference
between a rock and a mineral,
describe ways heat energy is
produced and describe ways
to protect the environment. A
sample report card included
12 “standards” just for science.
Teachers would determine how
well students perform on each
one of those standards.
April Howard, assistant super
intendent, said “traditional”
report cards use averages that
may include lower scores from
earlier tests and assignments.
Those report cards don’t mea
sure how well a student is learn
ing and meeting goals through
out the entire school year.
“Our goal is for kids to learn,
it’s not to be graded,” Howard
said.
“Standards-based” report cards
better communicate to parents
how well their child is learning,
she added.
The new report cards would
further determine students’ per
sonal and citizenship skills in
six areas. Those areas would be
assigned a “S” for “satisfactory,
“N” for “needs improvement”
and “U” for unsatisfactory.
The Jackson County School
System is expected to pilot the
program during the third, nine-
week grading period teacher
conferences, Howard said. The
“standards-based” report cards
will also be posted on the school
system’s website for parents to
review from March to June.
Eventually, the new report
cards may be implemented
for sixth through ninth grades,
Howard said.
Rec Officials To Ponder Options
By Angela Gary
Jackson County recreation leaders plan to meet
this week to discuss how to increase and improve
facilities after the $15 million bond referendum
failed last week.
“We are meeting this week to discuss future
plans,” recreation director Ricky Sanders said. “The
challenges we face are real and they are needs,
not wants. We will focus on our immediate needs
using our current SPLOST funds. I want to thank
our committee and the citizens who voted on this
important issue.”
Last week, the bond referendum failed by a
6,311-6,056 vote.
The bonds would have funded a new recreation
center at Lamar Murphy Park that would have
included two gymnasiums, an indoor pool, racquet-
ball courts, multipurpose rooms, meeting rooms
and office space. The bond would also have pro
vided funds to buy 340 acres for recreation projects
throughout the county and expand some facilities at
Lamar Murphy Park and West Jackson Park.
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The Bank That SERVICE Built.’
'Cured For Life' Queen Named
Jackson Creative’s Relay for Life team spon
sored the “Ms. Cured for Life” pageant Feb.
8 at the Commerce Cultural Center. Ginger
Standridge (far right) was named the “Ms.
Cured for Life Queen,” as well as “Ms. Best
Dressed Queen.” There were 24 contestants
and nine judges. The queen’s court is, left
to right, fourth runner-up Kailey Price; “Ms.
Smile Queen” and third runner-up Megan
Hix; second runner-up Stephanie McFadden;
first runner-up Holly Brown; and Standridge.
Participants of the Jackson Creative program
worked at the pageant, taking up tickets,
helping backstage and working with the
judges. All participants in the program are
members of the Jackson Creative Relay for
Life team.
Senator Isakson
To Meet Citizens
At Chamber Office
Have you been waiting for a
chance to tell a U.S. Senator your
opinion on government, politics or
anything? Your chance is coming.
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson will
be in Jefferson to meet with citizens
from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Monday, Feb.
18. The “meet and greet” will be held
at the Jackson County Chamber of
Commerce office in Jefferson.
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Straw Matting for Slopes 71/2’xl20’
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Tractor Trailer Load discounts available
Delivery on 10 scoops or more free
up to 10 miles from lot,
then $1 per mile both ways thereafter
Straw
Wheat Straw/Mulch Hay $4/bale
Long Needle Pinestraw $3.25/bale
Delivery on 100 bales or more free
up to 10 miles from lot,
then $1 per mile both ways thereafter
Coastal Bermuda Feed Hay
(Great for cows and horses)
Square Bales $6/Bale
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