You’re a teacher needing to know how to write report card comments that are meaningful.
You don’t want to go through all of the hard work of drafting comments only to discover later that your remarks don’t communicate well.
To write absolutely fantastic report card comments, you need to follow a proven formula.
This post explains how to write report card comments so well that parents clearly know how well their child is progressing toward targeted learning objectives.
How to Write Report Card Comments
1. Start the Report Card Comment on a Positive Note.
Start report card comments with a positive statement, mentioning the student’s name in the first sentence.
Example:
Olivia is a kind student who always strives to get along with others.2. Mention One or Two Strengths.
Provide one or two strengths of the student.
Example:
Olivia is a kind student who always strives to get along with others. She has an incredible work ethic and collaborates well with classmates during group assignments.- See a list of positive report card comments.
3. Mention Weaknesses With Actionable Next Steps.
Acknowledge areas in which the student needs to improve plus offer practical solutions.
Example:
Olivia is a kind student who always strives to get along with others. She has an incredible work ethic and collaborates well with classmates during group assignments.
According to the formal reading assessment, Oliva reads below grade level. Her reading comprehension and accuracy are progressing more slowly than grade-level expectations. I recommend that she continues to read regularly at home for at least 20 minutes each night.4. End On a Positive Note.
Always end report card comments pleasantly.
Example:
Olivia is a kind student who always strives to get along with others. She has an incredible work ethic and collaborates well with classmates during group assignments.
According to the formal reading assessment, Oliva reads below grade level. Her reading comprehension and accuracy are progressing more slowly than grade-level expectations. I recommend that she continues to read regularly at home for at least 20 minutes each night. Olivia continues to flourish as a writer. Her positive attitude towards learning is contagious.5. Proofread Comments.
Give due diligence to grammatical and spelling errors along with semantics.
If possible, wait for approximately twenty-four hours after drafting report card comments to revise and edit them.
Doing so allows you to view them with fresh eyes resulting in better revisions and edits.
Tips For How to Write Good Report Card Comments
Be Positive.
Start and end your report card comments on a good note. Focus on the student’s strengths, and highlight those traits.
Afterward, mention the not-so-pleasant comment. End with an actionable next step that evokes a feeling of encouragement and optimism.
Be Honest.
If a student is challenging, say so…but be strategic in how you do so. This collection of report card comments helps you do just that, so don’t feel like you have to reinvent the wheel.
Review Before Delivery.
Revise and edit your comments well before you hand them off to parents. Though mistakes happen, glaring errors can be quite embarrassing.
Be Detailed.
Try to write report card comments that are as detailed as possible. You want to convey exactly how the student is meeting learning standards.
You don’t have to write a book, but you do want parents to see that you know their child well.
Use Report Card Comment Descriptors.
Use templates to save time drafting good report card comments. Then simply change the remarks to be more negative or positive in tone by using report card comment adjectives and qualifiers.
How to Write Report Card Comments: Q & A
What are some positive comments for students?
Some positive comments for students include…”[Student’s name] is progressing well in…”, “It is a pleasure to have [student’s name] in my class.”, “[Student’s name] is kind and shows respect to classmates.”, and “[Student’s name] excels at…”.
How do you write remarks for students on a report card?
To write remarks for students on a report card, start with a positive comment. Then mention an area of weakness along with an actionable solution. End with a positive comment.
How do you comment on a student’s performance?
To write about a student’s performance, begin with a positive comment about the student’s personality or work ethic.
Then note an area of needs improvement and offer a solution to the issue. Afterward, write a positive remark in order to end on a good note.
What is the best way to end a report card comment?
To end a report card comment, mention something positive about the student. A report card comment should always end on a good note.
Do I need to write a comment for every subject?
You need to write a comment for every subject only if you teach every subject to a student or if you are required to write a comment for every subject.
Final Thoughts On How to Write Report Card Comments
Now you know how to write report card comments that provide the right feedback to parents.
These tips are effective and will do much to help students reach their academic goals.