Posts with Topic: Assessment Archives - Modern Pen
End-of-trimester timelines 2016-2017
November 2, 2016
Tags: Gradebook, Grades, PowerTeacher, Report Cards
For 2016-2017, we will continue using the same process that we have been using for a number of years to close out the trimester for grades K-8, verifying grades, and publishing report cards. Please note that Kindergarten teachers are now included in this process for second and third trimester. There is no longer a paper-based […]
2015-2016 Trimester III Report Card Timelines
April 22, 2016
Tags: Power Standards, PowerSchool, PowerTeacher, Report Cards
As typically takes place each year, the Board of Education approved the official last day of school at the April Board Meeting. The last day of classes will be on June 1, 2016. As a result, we can now communicate the end of trimester timeframe for academic grades, Learner Qualities, Power Standards, and comments. For […]
Mid-Trimester Reports, Grades 1-5
October 1, 2014
Tags: Google Docs, Google Drive, Gradebook, Grades, Progress Reports, Report Cards
All Mid-Trimester Reports have been converted into Google Docs and are available to School District 21 staff members through this link: Mid-Trimester Reports 1st – 5th Grade Creating reports for your students 1. Create a folder within your Google Drive named Mid-Tri Progress Report Templates. 2. Go to your Google Drive Shared with Me/Incoming […]
New Tools for Staff
August 23, 2014
Tags: Lenovo, Staff Laptop, ThinkPad Yoga
Notice the touch screen? Great possibilities for learning & assessment! Long, early process Beginning last fall, School District 21 worked with vendors to identify a wide range of potential devices to replace the current staff laptops, which have successfully completed their planned four-year lifespan and are ready to be replaced. With over 20 models […]
Great Start, Great Year, Great Learning
August 23, 2014
Tags: Authentic Learning, Inclusionary Practices
The 2014-2015 school year started with an emphasis on School District 21’s two PLC Areas of Focus: Inclusionary Practices and Authentic Learning. The day began with CCSD21 Superintendent Dr. Kate Hyland encouraging all staff members to continue to collaborate in focusing on our students, their needs, and preparing them for their futures despite the challenges […]
Google Classroom & Differentiation
August 17, 2014
Tags: Google, Google Apps, Google Classroom, Inclusionary Practices
With the launch of Google Classroom, School District 21 teachers have another tool to make the science and art of differentiation more powerful and more seamless in appropriately challenging all of our students. Google Classroom allows teachers to create as many classes as they might like. So, while parents, students, and even the team of […]
Google Classroom in Authentic Learning
August 17, 2014
Tags: Authentic Learning, Google, Google Apps, Google Classroom
An Authentic Learning unit delivers the curriculum to students in a meaningful and engaging manner by challenging them to solve a real problem with a real product that serves a real audience. Authentic Learning units prepare students for the world of today and tomorrow by requiring collaboration, creativity, and communication. Additionally, successfully solving such problems […]
End of year assessment reporting tips
May 14, 2014
Tags: Gradebook, Grades, Power Standards, PowerSchool, PowerTeacher, Report Cards
At the end of each school year, School District 21 parents of students in grades 1-8 receive two reporting documents with information regarding the performance of their children: Trimester 3 Report Card Power Standards Summary Report If teachers and teams have been collecting assessment data throughout the school year and entering it in the […]
PowerTeacher Gradebook: Entering elementary school Learner Quality marks
November 9, 2013
Tags: Gradebook, Grades, Learner Qualities, PowerSchool, PowerTeacher, Report Cards
In the elementary schools, rather than receive an overall grade for each Learner Quality, students in grades 1-5 receive a mark for the specific Learner Quality descriptors. Learner Quality Marks scale Students who are performing according to expectations receive no mark, so most students should have a mostly blank sheet for the Learner Quality […]
PowerTeacher Gradebook: Entering Middle School comments
November 9, 2013
Tags: Comments, Gradebook, Grades, PowerSchool, PowerTeacher, Report Cards
Middle school teachers have entered comments in the Gradebook in the same manner since PowerSchool launched the Gradebook. Middle school teachers are able to provide up to two comments per area of assessment. Areas of assessment include both academic grades and the Learner Qualities for both core teams and exploratory classes. Comment Bank Rather […]

Each District 21 school is named after an American author, and learning and literacy is at the center of our Professional Learning Community. The Modern Pen provides a collaborative location in which District 21 teachers can come together to learn the skills that will enable their students to learn new skills and to understand concepts at an even different level than before.