Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the report card?

The purpose of the report card is to communicate student progress and achievement of learning standards, as well as student growth in learner competencies and work habits, during each trimester. 

How and when will report cards be distributed?

Report cards are now distributed through Digital Document Delivery. Families will receive communication from their building principal(s) with clear instructions on how to access their child’s report card. To ensure security, the report cards will be password-protected. Families who prefer a physical copy of their child’s report card may request one through the school office.

How do the new report cards differ from the old report cards?
Standards-based report cards are not new to Nashoba. For more than ten years, we have used this approach to describe how students are progressing toward grade-level expectations. The updated report card continues this work but makes several improvements to help families better understand what students are learning and how they are growing.

The new version is more closely aligned with our current curriculum and the high-quality instructional materials used in classrooms. In addition, the section on Social Behavior and Work Habits has been refreshed so that it more closely reflects the Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate competencies that our community has identified as essential for all students.

How will the standard scale ratings be determined?

Students’ current performance of the learning standards is determined by both their oral and written work, teacher observations, formative assessments, common assessments, and rubrics.

Since the standards are an end-of-year expectation, how can my child achieve a standard score of 4 in Trimester 1?

Standards-based grading focuses on where each student is on the path toward mastery throughout the year. Most standards are designed for full mastery later in the school year. However, a student may earn a standard score of 4 in an earlier trimester if they consistently meet or exceed the benchmark learning targets that are assessed during that timeframe. This is uncommon, but it is possible when a student demonstrates advanced understanding of the skills already taught. In other content specific situations, such as a unit in science, this may also occur when a standard is more discreet and is designed to be mastered within that particular unit and trimester. 

Is a “4” performance level the same as a traditional “A” letter grade?

No, a “4” should not be equated with an “A.” When a student achieves a 4, that means they have demonstrated mastery of the end-of-year standards with independence and consistency. The standard score does not equate to a letter grade.

What are the Portrait of a Nashoba Graduate Competencies and Work Habits?

The Portrait Competencies and Work Habits represent essential skills that reflect character and learning behaviors. These skills are assessed in addition to academic performance. They are drawn directly from Nashoba’s Portrait of a Graduate and describe the attributes that our community has identified as essential for all students before they leave Nashoba. On the report card, these skills are organized into three categories: Citizenship and Empathy, Learner Mindset and Perseverance, and Communication and Creativity. 

What is the difference between the Academic Key (4, 3, 2, 1) and the PoNG Scale (C, S, R)?

The Academic Key (4, 3, 2, 1) is used to assess student mastery of academic standards in subjects such as ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The Portrait Scale (C, S, R) is used to assess student work habits and character skills. These skills are not mastered in the same way as academic content. Instead, they reflect behaviors that students demonstrate with increasing consistency over time. 

Why do the specific Portrait skills change between Kindergarten, Grades 1–5, and Grades 6–8?

The three overarching categories - Citizenship and Empathy, Learner Mindset and Perseverance, and Communication and Creativity - remain the same across all grade spans. However, the specific skills within each category are adjusted to align with students’ developmental needs at each stage. For example, Grades 1–5 include the skill “Organizes school and personal materials,” while Grades 6–8 include the more advanced skill “Arrives prepared and maintains organized materials.”