Question for NY HS'ers regarding quarterly reports

[KatherineNaomi]

I received a letter from the school district (Utica) stating that I
needed to resubmit our quarterlies because I have to include "a grade for the child in each subject or a written narrative evaluating the child's progress" per the NYS requirements. I had listed their grade for each subject as satisfactory. I've been doing this for years with no problem.

I finally got someone from the school district to call
me back and apparently the woman in charge feels that satisfactory is not an
acceptable grade. I pointed out what the regulations are and that there is
nothing stated as to what an acceptable grade should be. The assistant I was talking to is going to speak with the woman in charge and get back to me.

Part of me is glad I stuck to my guns. Part of me wonders if maybe I should have shut my mouth and just given my kids straight A's
I just don't want to be targeted as a troublemaker and have them start giving me a hard time, you know? Any input on how to handle this would be great. Thanks!

(I've posted for help on the NYHEN Yahoo group too.)

[Ruthla]

I don't know. I've never given a letter grade (or even described them as 'satisfactory') and I've never had a problem. I did include a detailed list of the topics we've covered during the quarter in each subject area. If she'd asked for grades, I would have just given my kids all As. At least, that's how I would have responded if I'd gotten that request for my first quarterly report when I was new to homeschooling. I'm not sure how I'd react if the rules suddenly changed after a few years.

[Citymomx3]

Dontcha just love ignorant staff? The regs are as follows for quarterly reports:

(3) either a grade for the child in each subject or a written narrative evaluating the child's progress

I do a narrative stating that my child is "progressing at a satifactory level or above in all subject matter". That's an evaluation of progress IMO. You could also do a brief description of what was covered for each grade (like Ruthla stated). Grades are really ridiculous for homeschoolers and they are just being nitpicky.

I would print out a copy of the regs, highlight #3 in the quarterly report section, and make sure all correspondence is done only by mail. If you want to call, find out her name and speak to whoever is above her, expressing your disappointment at the misinformation the staff has been given - and giving to parents. Be assertive, stay confident, and they will hopefully leave you alone. I know of many instances where districts try to overstep the boundaries, asking more than the regs require. Good luck!


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[KatherineNaomi]

Thank you! You're right, I should have contacted them by mail. At least now I'll know for next time. I do include a description of what we've covered that quarter for each subject followed by a column for a grade which I listed as satisfactory.

[SaraFR]

I also wondered about giving my son all straight-As but thought that would look bad. I wrote how he enjoys different subjects and was progressing nicely. In the future, if I'm running out-of-time to submit it (or stuck for how to phrase things) could I just do straight A'?