Report Card Changes

In an effort to keep parents informed about changes which impact their student(s) in Second Grade and because we have already had Open House, I wanted to share this new information about Spelling and Handwriting on the Second Grade Report Card.

UPDATE 9-16-08: The changes below were "approved by the board."

Promotional requirements remain the same for Second Grade.

Taken from the Student Progression Plan, 2008-09 for DCPS:

(Page 14)
Grade 2: Promotion of students in grade 2 is based on teacher judgment that the student has met Sunshine State Standards/New Standards Performance Standards in reading and mathematics indicated by a final grade of "D" or above.

The changes appear on the table below under 2nd Grade. Also, please read about the new requirements in Health Education, Character Education and Physical Education below the table: (Page 14)

REQUIRED PROGRAM OF STUDY K-5: The required program of study for elementary students in the Duval County Public Schools reflects state and local requirements for elementary education. The areas of study required for each grade, kindergarten through 5, are shown in Table 1. (Click on the table to enlarge):



A. HEALTH EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Students will receive the minimum amount of instruction in health education, to include human sexuality, substance use prevention, HIV/AIDS, bullying prevention, and other topics as specified in s. 1003.42 and s. 1003.46, F.S. Grade Hours K-3 25 hours/year 4-5 36 hours/year Any student whose parent presents a written request to the principal shall be exempted from the teaching of reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, development, and treatment. A student so exempted may not be penalized by reason of that exemption (s. 1003.42 (3), F.S.).

B. CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM: A character development program shall be required in elementary grades K-5 (s. 1003.42 (2)(s), F.S.).

C. PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, all students in grades K-5 will receive a minimum of 150 minutes of physical education per week (s. 1003.455, F.S.).

About the changes:

FROM: Dr. Jeanne Ballentine, Director,
Reading, English Language Arts and ESOL

Rodilyn Bacho-Logsdon, Supervisor,
Reading and English Language Arts

SUBJECT: Removal of Spelling and Handwriting as Separate Subjects in Grades 2-5

DATE: September 4, 2008

During the June 9, 2008, school board meeting, changes for the 08-09 Student Progression Plan were recommended.

Note:
· Change: Spelling and handwriting are removed as separate subjects in grades 2-5
· Rationale: Spelling and handwriting progress are integrated in the Language Arts grade.
· Impact: Students in grades 2-5 will not receive a separate grade in spelling or handwriting on the report card, since spelling and handwriting are integrated in Language Arts instruction.

Principals, please inform your teachers and parents of students in grades 2-5 of this removal and the impact on instruction and grade reporting for these subjects.