Computer generated reporting should be a dream, not a nightmare.
Talk about splitting hairs! We have report cards with marks on them, which we spend hours calculating, days and weeks teaching towards.... and we have comment boxes which we also spend hours constructing, days and weeks correcting! WHAT THE HECK!
Report cards are a simple summary, a super-concise description of the present state of accomplishment, a (maybe) a word or two about what to fix. They shouldn't be a 250 word treatise on every outcome that was attempted. They shouldn't even be like the evening newspaper that covers who, what, when, where, why and how. Comments should be straight to the point and general in nature. Those looking for more details can come to the interview.
As educators we shouldn't be losing a wink of sleep, nor should we be battling with each other over report card issues. Reporting should be easy and quick. Automated, computer generated reporting should be a dream, not a nightmare. The administration of computerized report cards can be facilitated by clearly stating expectations for comments. One suggested practise is to have teachers submit their comment library in hard copy to administration for prior approval, long before the reports themselves are compiled. This removes much of the confusion and last minute runaround fixing this, that and the other thing. We would save much time at the end if we sat down and planned the process and timelines more carefully. We may even eliminate the need for some of the supply teacher coverage that has been needed.
The final piece is this: Thank goodness for flexible leadership who support and assist the process wherever possible. Thanks to the principal and vice principal who provided some release time to enable the printing to happen. I'm sorry that many of the teachers in our school have felt alienated and embittered during this round of reports. It ought not to have happened.
GB
