How to Use the Report Card to Help a Student Learn

1. Review the following with your student:

  • The learning skills – Are there areas of discrepancy?
  • The mark in each course – Does the mark reflect your student’s performance?
  • The teacher’s comments on possible ways to improve – How can you help your student improve?
  • The lates and absences – Are they accurate?

2. Complete the Response Form

3. After reviewing your student’s Report Card, you may wish to discuss:

  • The course content with your student;
  • The marks, comments and learning skills with your student’s teachers;
  • The times late and absent with your student;
  • The student’s annual education plan with the teacher advisor/guidance counsellor

Report Card Parent Communication Document

The document “The Provincial Report Card Parent/Guardian Guide” (click for semestered schools, or click for non-semestered schools) is sent home with the first midterm report cards in November or December.

Guidelines for Completing the Report Card Response Form

The Response Form is a tear-off slip on the last page of the first report card in a semestered school and the first and second report cards in a non-semestered school. It is not included in the final report card.

The Response Form provides an opportunity for students to comment on their achievement of curriculum expectations, assess their achievement relative to their learning goals and to comment on their action plan for the next reporting period. They can also comment on their plans regarding community involvement. Students complete the “Student’s Comments”, sign it and obtain the teacher’s signature prior to taking the report card home.

Parents/guardians can also comment on the student’s achievement, goals and plans on the response form. Parents/guardians are expected to sign and return the Response Form even if they do not wish to record comments on it in order to confirm that they have seen the report card. Parents/guardians are encouraged to keep the report card along with a copy of the Response Form for their records.

Response Forms should be used to communicate information related directly to student achievement, plans and goals. The Response Form is not intended to communicate concerns about programs, teachers or other students. It is not intended as a form for making appointments or requesting information. These types of concerns should be directed to the school by contacting the teacher advisor, classroom teacher, guidance counsellor or school administration.

Ministry of Education Report Card Guide for Parents/Guardians

To access the Ontario Ministry of Education information, please visit Supporting your Child’s Learning through Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting.