Monday, April 20, 2009

Re: Online grades available to parents at your school?

Dear Linda,
We only post report cards (quarterly) on the web for parents to see.
Parents do NOT see the day to day test, homework, quiz grades. We
prefer to have the advisors handle parent involvement for a couple of
reasons. Mainly, an advisor can provide more clarity about a particular
situation than an online statement that can be interpreted so many
different ways by a parent. Parents also do not see the absences or
tardy marks until they hit a critical point, that is, until a student
has been part of a discussion regarding the missed classes and some
understanding have been ironed out between the school and the student.
Ultimately, it is up to the student to show up, do the work, and ask for
help. However, there is also a support system of teachers, advisors and
parents that can help a student meet their goals. I think that having
parents involved in the day to day grades and other details would be
detrimental to that purpose.
-Ann

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Linda Swarlis
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 9:10 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Online grades available to parents at your school?

Ann,

Thank you for your response. I understand the need for debate. What I am
looking for is evidence in the way of actual practice...reality versus
perception. I am trying to provide the faculty with factual information
on all sides of the issue. So setting aside your boarding parents for a
moment, do your day parents cause problems for the faculty members now
that the grades are posted? Has making grades available online impacted
the student/teacher, student/parent, parent/student,
parent/administrator relationships in a negative or positive way? Have
you had "meddling"? If you have, what does it look like?

I appreciate your taking the time to respond. =20

Best regards,
Linda

-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Ann Hamel
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 10:52 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Online grades available to parents at your school?

Linda,
I think this is a highly debatable decision that must (MUST) reflect the
philosophy and culture of the school. We do post our grades online for
students and then report cards for parents and students, but we are a
boarding/day high school that values students being responsible for
their own grades and homework. In an elementary school you are more apt
to have "helicopter" parents and it might be harder to adhere to this
policy. I come from a Pre-K through 8 background and I still believe it
is better for students, parents, and teachers to teach students to take
responsibility for their work - from turning it in to making sure it
comes back and for any corrections that can be learned from. My own
boys had a second grade teacher that insisted homework was not "done"
until it was handed in. I still thank her for that and these same
"boys" are in college now. If you decide to post your grades online
available for parents' eyes you must anticipate some of the meddling
that will ensue and be prepared ahead of time on how you and your
teachers will handle these situations.

Best of luck,
Ann

Ann Hamel
Director of Technology
www.fvs.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for independent school educators
[mailto:ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Linda Swarlis
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 7:36 AM
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Online grades available to parents at your school?

We are a Prek-12 school and are debating the value of posting grades
online for parents. I would like to hear from schools who have made the
transition to posting online grades. If you are making your grades
available to parents could you list the pros and cons and if overall it
has enhanced parent communication or if it has caused problems with
parents who may tend to micromanage (as many people have feared)?

I have read through past discussions and found a few comments from
schools who are posting grades online, but I would like to know how many
schools are posting grades and about their experiences with online
grading, both good and bad.

Best regards,
Linda

Linda L. Swarlis, Ph.D.
Director of Information Services and Library
Columbus School for Girls
56 S. Columbia Avenue
Columbus, OH 43209
lswarlis@columbusschoolforgirls.org
614-252-0781, ext. 129
FAX: 614-252-0571


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