Work Assessment

Assessment in the public Montessori school classroom has a two-fold purpose and standard. Teachers follow the Montessori philosophy with regard to teaching and assessing the whole child's progress. This teaching and assessment focuses on all the needs of your child-behavioral, social, academic and emotional. However, because we are Montessori in a public setting, we are governed by our state's mandates and standards.

Therefore, the Ohio Academic Assessment (OAA) is administered once in the fall and once in the spring of each academic year. Dayton Public Schools' reading and math tests are administered once a quarter. Bi-monthly reading assessments are also given at River's Edge Montessori at Franklin. The district and school assessments are used to help familiarize students with the OAA format and to assure student progress in the prescribed academic areas.

Daily Assessment

Assessment of students' progress in the classroom takes many forms. In the Montessori environment, observations, student demonstration of learning as part of their three period lessons, paper and pencil tests, project development/completion and evidence of daily work production. As a Montessori teacher I use all of these assessment forms to determine student progress.

To keep you informed, several documents are sent home to you each week. I use the weekly Work Plan which indicates how much of the work is being accomplished and what your child's manners were for that week. Behavior choices often impact work production positively or negatively. Within the Work Plan packet you will find timed math fact tests, spelling tests and other assessments related to cultural studies for that week.

Interim Progress Report to Parents

Interim progress reports are sent home during the mid-week of each quarter, usually the fifth week. Interim reports reflect both positive and negative aspects of your student's progress. The marking system is explained on the document.

Special teachers will issue interim reports to keep parents/guardians informed about the need for their student to improve in progress or behavior.

Progress Report Cards

1. We do not use the traditional marking system (grades). We do use a marking system that is compatible with our Montessori philosophy. It is explained on the first page of the progress report.
    

2. Our progress reports are correlated with the Ohio State Academic Standards in all areas. We use the Montessori method to deliver the content of these standards.
    

3. Please make sure that your student returns their report card envelope after each grading period. Replacement envelopes cost $1.00.
    

4. Progress reports will be sent home in the plastic folders used for home communications. (Be sure to send these plastic envelopes back when sent home as replacements cost $2.00.)
    

5. I will mark "Conference" for quarter one as all parents are expected to come in, conference with their child's teacher and receive the first progress report in person. This is a school expectation.
    

6. Students working below grade level expectations will have a check mark placed above the appropriate subject area(s) to indicate this academic performance level at the end of the first quarter and throughout the academic year if it applies.
    

7. "Retention Possible" will be marked on the second quarter progress report for any student working below grade level expectations who MAY be considered for retention. This is NOT indicating that the child will definitely be retained, but it is considered a possibility based upon your child's progress in meeting grade level expectations
    

8. "Retention Considered" is then marked for quarter three if appropriate to do so.
    

9. Please keep the progress report and send the empty envelope back to school with your signature on the appropriate line.