Standards-based Report Cards

As Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) continues to improve teaching and learning for all students, we know that parents and families are our most valuable partners. 

This is especially true as the district continues to implement new, more rigorous standards for what every child should know and be able to do in each subject area and grade level. The Common Core State Standards, to which the MPS Comprehensive Literacy Plan and Comprehensive Math/Science Plan are aligned, set high expectations. Achieving these career- and college-ready standards requires continuous monitoring of progress and additional support targeted to those who need it.

Like teachers, parents need accurate and meaningful information about student strengths, challenges, and performance to better understand and support student learning.

To that end, MPS has developed this report card that is directly connected to the Common Core State Standards. The Standards-based Report Card, which MPS began implementing in 2010–11, has been viewed by parents, families, and teachers as a positive step in better communicating what students are expected to learn at each grade level — and in providing information about their child’s work habits, behavior, and effort. 

All schools are now participating in the use of the Standards-based Report Card. This report card is different from report cards you might be used to. Students in K–grade 8 do not receive a letter grade for each subject. Students in high school will still receive a letter grade for each subject as well as a grade point average (GPA) and class rank at each semester.

The Standards-based Report Card

• clarifies and reinforces consistent, high expectations for students and schools;
• helps teachers, students, and families focus on standards throughout the year;
• provides specific feedback on progress to the standards so that students, families, and teachers can work together to set meaningful goals for improvement.

Additional support at home and school can reinforce the concepts and knowledge learned based on the information in the Standards-based Report Card.

This page is designed to help you better understand your child’s report card. Please make good use of this document and bring it to parent-teacher conferences. It will be especially helpful come report card time. Please contact your child’s school if you have additional questions.