The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires districts to annually distribute district and school report cards to the parents and guardians of all children enrolled in district schools. Since 2007, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has prepared district and school report cards and made them available through DESE’s School and District Profiles website. Much like a student report card, school and district report cards provide a snapshot of performance across several areas and support reflection on strengths and areas for growth.
School and district report cards include information in areas that families and communities across the state have identified as important, including: Student Enrollment and Teacher Information, Student Attendance and Discipline, Academic Opportunities, College and Career Readiness, MCAS Performance, School Spending, and Accountability Information.
DESE releases electronic district and school report cards in late January to school districts. By the end of February, schools distribute electronic copies of their school report cards to families and provide hard copies to families who request them. For our Title I schools, families also receive information about their right to request information about the qualifications of their child’s classroom teacher. At this time, the district and all school report cards have been posted on our district website.
Families may also find DESE’s 5 Quick Facts and Report Card Glossary helpful as a brief guide to understanding the report cards.