The following is a draft letter to parents from a superintendent. Step 1: Rewrite it to make it easier to understand and more persuasive about the value of assessments. Step 2. Translate it into Spanish. Dear Parent or Guardian, During the 2022-2023 school year, your student participated in assessments that measured mastery of the Missouri alternate academic standards (MAP-A). This assessment measured the academic achievement of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, and is intended to measure what a child knows and can do at his or her academic grade-level, regardless of cognitive ability. The Individual Student Report is a copy of your child’s results.Students in grades 3-8 and 11 are required to test in English language arts and math in the fall. Students in grades 3-8 and 11 are required to test in English language arts and math in the spring. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are required to test in science. It is a best practice to teach and test MAP-A students for both testing windows in all three subjects in grades 3-11.Setting challenging and achievable academic goals for your child is the foundation for a successful and productive school year. We hope that you will find the information included in these reports useful during your parent-teacher conferences and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. The Essential Elements taught to MAP-A students are aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards that are required for all students to be taught.This report identifies your child’s current level of academic achievement, including strengths and needs. We recognize that this assessment only measures academic skills, and your childmay have also been successful in meeting additional goals that you and the IEP team have established.Students are constantly learning and growing. It is exciting to see what they have learned and can do. After reviewing these reports, we encourage you to talk to your child’s teacher about how this report relates to daily class work and IEP goals. Together, we will discover all the new and exciting things your child has to share with us. Sincerely, [Insert Name Here]Superintendent of Education
Step 1: Rewriting the letter
Dear Parent or Guardian,
During the past school year (2022-2023), your child took part in assessments designed to measure their understanding and grasp of the Missouri alternate academic standards (MAP-A). These assessments are tailored for students with significant cognitive disabilities and aim to accurately reflect your child's grade-level knowledge and skills, independent of cognitive ability. The individual report enclosed provides a detailed summary of your child’s results.
To give you a clearer picture: children in grades 3-8 and 11 were assessed in English language arts and math twice in the academic year - once in the fall, and once in the spring. Additionally, students in grades 5, 8, and 11 were tested in science. It is a common and effective approach to conduct these assessments in both testing windows for all three subjects for students from grades 3-11.
One of our key goals is to set challenging yet achievable academic objectives for your child. This approach forms the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling school year. We believe the information in these reports will be invaluable during your parent-teacher conferences and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings. Rest assured, the Essential Elements that are being taught to MAP-A students are in alignment with the Missouri Learning Standards, which are mandated for all students.
The attached report will give you insight into your child’s current level of academic performance, highlighting both their strengths and areas that need improvement. We understand that this assessment only measures academic skills. However, we also acknowledge and celebrate your child's achievements in other areas as determined by the IEP team.
Remember, learning is a journey. It's always exciting to witness what our students have learned and the skills they have developed. We encourage you to review this report and then discuss it with your child’s teacher. By connecting this report with day-to-day classwork and IEP goals, we can better understand and appreciate the wonderful progress your child is making.
Sincerely,
[Insert Name Here] Superintendent of Education
Step 2: Translation into Spanish
Estimado padre o tutor,
Durante el último año escolar (2022-2023), su hijo participó en evaluaciones diseñadas para medir su comprensión y dominio de los estándares académicos alternativos de Missouri (MAP-A). Estas evaluaciones están diseñadas para estudiantes con discapacidades cognitivas significativas y tienen como objetivo reflejar de manera precisa el conocimiento y las habilidades de su hijo a nivel de grado, independientemente de la capacidad cognitiva. El informe individual adjunto proporciona un resumen detallado de los resultados de su hijo.
Para darle una imagen más clara: los niños en los grados 3-8 y 11 fueron evaluados en artes del lenguaje en inglés y matemáticas dos veces en el año académico: una vez en el otoño y otra en la primavera. Además, los estudiantes en los grados 5, 8 y 11 fueron evaluados en ciencias. Es un enfoque común y efectivo realizar estas evaluaciones en ambos periodos de exámenes para las tres asignaturas para los estudiantes de los grados 3-11.
Uno de nuestros objetivos clave es establecer objetivos académicos desafiantes pero alcanzables para su hijo. Este enfoque forma la base para un año escolar exitoso y gratificante. Creemos que la información en estos informes será invaluable durante sus conferencias de padres y maestros y las reuniones del Plan de Educación Individualizado (IEP). Tenga la seguridad de que los Elementos Esenciales que se enseñan a los estudiantes de MAP-A están en línea con los Estándares de Aprendizaje de Missouri, que son obligatorios para todos los estudiantes.
El informe adjunto le dará una visión de la situación actual del rendimiento académico de su hijo, destacando tanto sus fortalezas como las áreas que necesitan mejora. Entendemos que esta evaluación solo mide las habilidades académicas. Sin embargo, también reconocemos y celebramos los logros de su hijo en otras áreas según lo determinado por el equipo del IEP.
Recuerde, el aprendizaje es un viaje. Siempre es emocionante presenciar lo que nuestros estudiantes han aprendido y las habilidades que han desarrollado. Le animamos a revisar este informe y luego discutirlo con el profesor de su hijo. Al conectar este informe con el trabajo diario en clase y los objetivos del IEP, podemos entender y apreciar mejor el maravilloso progreso que está haciendo su hijo.
Atentamente,
[Inserte el nombre aquí] Superintendente de Educación