What do you say when you have a student that is a hot mess, does nothing or is the worst student you have ever had the experience of teaching? Sure, it’s easy to write a comment about an easy student who is a pleasure to have in class. But, what do you write when you have to write something but feel like you only have negative things to say?
Read on for some suggestions to help you write thoughtful, well written report card comment.
Report Card Comment Basics
Before you write anything, find out what the teacher expectations are for report card comments. Some school districts do not require a comment while others may let you write a generic statement. Work smarter, save yourself some time and find out what you actually need to put on paper.
No surprises. Anything you write to a parent/guardian should have been shared with them previously. Report cards are not the time that a parent should learn for the first time that their kid is constantly talking in class and does not shut up.
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If you haven’t already shared the concern, don’t write it. If you want it noted in the document, reach out to the parent before the report card makes its way home.
Parents want to hear the good as well as the concerns. Try to put as positive of a spin on the struggle or concern as you can. Instead of saying that a student is a hot mess and can’t find their way out of a paper bag, alter the statement to indicate the struggle is still a work in progress. . . the student hasn’t found their way out of the paper bag yet.
Stating the struggle is a work in progress identifies the challenge, but also indicates to the parents that you (or school staff) are working with the student to help them.
Report Card Comments Language to Use
Take a moment to think about Carol Dweck’s Fixed versus Growth Mindset. Growth Mindset can apply to report card comments as well. When a teacher states that a student does not do something, the ‘does not’ language communicates a fixed mindset- one that believes the student is not capable of doing the actual behavior.
With a slight tweak from the fixed to growth mindset report card language, the teacher can still communicate the same idea by shifting it to an easier to hear message of, “The student is working on. .. (insert behavior/learning target here).”
For example-
This- Student is working on keeping unkind comments to themselves.
Not This- The student makes unkind comments to other students in class.
This- Student is working on consistently being honest.
Not This- Student is not honest.
Phrases that help this growth mindset in a report card include:
- working toward/working on
- benefits from
- struggles with
These phrases help when teachers need to write a report card comment for students that struggle. They help get the message out, but deliver them in a way that are easier for parents to take.
I am in no way an advocate of avoiding tough conversations with parents, I do believe though, that those conversations are meant to be had in person or at the very least on the phone. I look at the report card comment as more of a reinforcement or an update of a previous conversation that I have had with a parent.
Report Card Comments for Students that Struggle with Behaviors and Peer Conflicts
- _____ has benefitted from checking in with school staff to help solve peer conflicts.
- _____ struggles to communicate clearly with their peers and is working on appropriately expressing themselves.
- _____ struggles with understanding how their classmates are feeling and is working on empathizing with their peers.
- _____ is learning techniques to regulate their emotions at school.
- _____ struggles to regulate their emotions at school.
- _____ finds it difficult to work in groups and we are working on finding a system to help them work with their peers.
- _____ exhibits behaviors that appear to affect their learning. These behaviors seem to be caused by ____. I would like the student to work toward finding a system to help them with these behaviors. (This one is heavily context dependent and would require previous communication with the family)
- ______ appears anxious/nervous/worried throughout the day. We are working on finding a system to help the student manage their anxiety/nervousness/worries here at school.
Student Behavior Vocabulary Bank
Some words can conjure a negative characterization, whereas others can have more of a positive or uplifting spin to them. This doesn’t mean you should always skip using the negative descriptors, but you might feel more comfortable putting the ‘positive’ sounding word for a negative behavior in writing on a school record like the report card. You also might find the parent more willing to listen, when speaking in person, if you start off with the more positive quality of the behavior.
Instead of Bossy, try natural leader, good director, take charge attitude
Instead of Crabby, Demanding or Fussy, try strong sense of self, specific tastes, assertive, self-advocate, visionary or communicates needs.
Instead of Goofy or Foolish, try joyful, good sense of humor, entertaining, fun loving, creative, or imaginative.
Instead of Nosey, try curious, inquisitive, future journalist?
Instead of Impulsive or Unfocused, try spontaneous, bold, risk taker, multi-tasker.
Instead of Talkative or Talks Back, try verbal processor, good communicator, sociable, courageous, honest, forthright.
Instead of Rigid or Stubborn, try fixed mindset, high sense of order determined, persistent, good negotiator, visionary.
Instead of Tattletale, try seeks justice, strong sense of right and wrong.
Instead of Dramatic, try emotionally aware, expressive, good storyteller.
Instead of Naughty or Defiant, try independent, boundary seeker, willing to take risks, strong beliefs, courageous, determined.
Report Card Comments for Disorganized Students
- ______ continues to work toward finding a system to stay organized at school.
- ______ benefits from cleaning out their desk each week to stay organized.
- ______ Struggles to find their learning materials within the same time frame as their peers.
- _____ works with the school psychologist* on developing their executive functioning skills/ organization/time management
*Make sure the student actually does work with a staff member on the skills listed before writing this in a report card. :)
Smart But Scattered is a fantastic resource to learn more about helping/supporting students who struggle with organization and other executive functioning skills.
Report Card Comments for Students that Struggle with Focus
- ________ continues to work toward finding a system to stay on task at school.
- ________ is working on raising their hand in class.
- ________ would benefit from slowing down when working independently.
- ________ is learning techniques to regulate their focus at school.
- ________ benefits from regular reminders to stay on task.
- ________ is learning to manage their independent work time more effectively
- ________ appears to struggle with consistently learning the material
- ________ appears to be off task frequently compared to their peers
Report Card Comments for Students that have an IEP or are Receiving Significant Academic Support
- ________ continues to benefit from from the additional supports they receive here at school.
Report Card Comments Final Thoughts
If you are having trouble figuring out what to write, seek out other school personnel that have experience with writing information about struggling students consistently. Speak with someone you feel comfortable reaching out to at your building- principal, special education teacher, social worker, school psychologist etc.
Find a system that works for you and don’t spend too much time thinking about what to write in your report card comments. Anything that causes you to spend more than a few minutes thinking about the correct phrase to put into writing is probably a better conversation to have in person.
Good luck and may your report card comments serve you well!
Interested In Reading More about Student Behaviors?
Check out these posts-
Supporting Families to Diagnose and Treat Students with ADHD in the Classroom
Teaching Students with Difficult Behaviors in the Classroom
Dealing With Difficult Student Behaviors During Morning Meetings
Recess is an Amazing Investment in Your Limited Teaching Time
Teacher Tips for Successful Parent Teacher Conferences
Teaching Students with OCD in the Classroom
What about your Report Card Comments?
What do you write in your report card comments? Anything you have found that works when writing about struggling students? Please share below!
