How Do I Know How My Child is Doing?

There are many different tools within the program to keep you informed of your child’s progress, including:

• District Rubric by Grade - The Cupertino Union School District has developed benchmarks for each grade level for the acquisition of Mandarin language arts. Teachers will provide a grade level expectation to the parent, which includes a profile of the Mandarin Language Arts by grade level and levels of acquisition (beginning, early intermediate, intermediate, early advanced, and advanced). Language skills are divided by listening, speaking, and reading (Bo-Po-Mo-Fo ) sound symbols in the early grades; Mandarin print reading and comprehension, writing characters, and writing composition. This is an instrument used by teachers to keep track of the student’s language acquisition.
  

• Report Cards - You will receive two report cards (one for English, one for Mandarin) three times during the school year. Report cards for the Mandarin component have been developed to communicate student progress. Students will use the standard school report card for the English curriculum.
  

• Weekly Status Report - Every week, you will receive a report from your child’s teacher(s) about progress in both languages. If you have questions, please arrange a time to talk with your child’s teacher(s). (See “When Problems Arise” for more information on what to do if other issues arise.)
  

• Parent/Teacher Conferences - You will be asked to attend a number of conferences during the year. During conferences, you and the teacher will set goals for your child and check progress. You do not need to wait for a Parent/Teacher Conference to talk to a teacher.
  

• Weekly Classroom Tests - Although classroom testing varies depending on the teacher, most students will be tested on a regular basis to see how they are progressing. You will receive the results of these tests during the school year. If you have questions, please arrange a time to talk with your child’s teacher(s).
  

• State of California Standardized Tests - Beginning in the second grade, children in California are given a standardized test each school year to show educational progress.