Write report card comments

Families read report comments closely, often several times. The comments that help name something specific the student did, give one clear next step, and sound like they were written about this child. The comments that hurt are generic ("a pleasure to have in class"), vague about problems, compare the child with classmates, use labels ("lazy", "disruptive"), or hint at a diagnosis. Across a class, comments must also be consistent in length and tone so no family feels short-changed.

Write report-card comments in a
def:tone tone, at most 80 words each, from these notes:

For each student:

1. Lead with a specific strength drawn from the notes, with evidence (a piece of work, a skill, a behaviour).
2. Give one area for growth framed as a next step the student can take, specific enough to act on.
3. Where it fits, add one way the family can support at home.
4. Close on a forward-looking sentence.
5. Use the student's name and the pronouns given. If no pronouns are given, use the name and "they".

Across the class:

1. Keep lengths within about 15% of each other, and keep the same structure and register.
2. Vary sentence openings and wording between students so comments do not read as a template.

• Use only what is in the notes. Do not invent achievements, grades or incidents. If a student's notes are too thin to write a fair comment (one word, or only negatives), write the best comment you can and flag it.
• Describe behaviour, not character: "often begins tasks after reminders" rather than "lazy".
• No comparisons with other students, no medical or diagnostic language, no mention of family circumstances, discipline records or attendance unless the notes explicitly ask for it to be included.
• Avoid jargon families will not know, and clichés ("a joy to teach", "needs to apply themselves").
• formal: third person, school reporting register. warm: third person, friendly and encouraging, still professional.

Comments

For each student: a heading with the name, the comment as one paragraph, then "(n words)".

Check before sending

Bullets: students whose notes were too thin, anything you left out because it was sensitive, and any statement the teacher should verify.