Did you know that even if a child gets good grades (As or Bs),
they may not actually be proficient in reading and math?
According to nationwide research, 9 out of 10 parents believe their children are performing at grade level because they assume good grades equate to proficiency (Learning Heroes). However, the stark reality is many children are performing below grade level. For example, 2023 standardized test scores in California show only 47% of students are proficient in English/Language Arts (ELA) and only 35% are proficient in math. Despite good grades, many children struggle with foundational skills. (Ed Source).

To learn if your child is performing at grade level look beyond just grades:
  • Learn how to navigate your school’s parent portal (e.g., Parent VUE, Aries, Parent Connection, etc.) to access information related to your child’s attendance, grades, homework completion, class tests, project grades, standardized test results, and more. Reviewing and becoming familiar with the information ahead of time allows you to prepare questions and solutions for a productive parent-teacher conference. If you need help with the portal, ask the school principal to connect you to someone who will provide you the technical assistance you need to support your child. Also, be aware that some schools are opting to no longer mail report cards.

  • Request a meeting with your child’s teacher to review at least three other data points beyond grades so you get a full picture of your child’s academic performance - both areas of strength and areas needing support.
Examples of other helpful data points beyond grades:
  1. Reading Level Scores
  2. Math Level Scores
  3. Standardized Test Results in Reading, Math
  4. Standardized Test on English Language Development
  5. A Piece of Student Work Reflecting Growth
To learn more about each data point and questions to ask teachers, please download the handout.
What might you conclude after reviewing all the data?
  • The data consistently shows your child is proficient in reading, math, or English language development.
  • The data consistently shows your child is performing below grade level or is not making progress in reading, math, or English language development.
  • The data shows mixed results: sometimes your child does well but not all the time.

Next Steps
Whether or not your child is performing at grade level, it is important to model and engage in reflection exercises with your child. This helps establish a growth mindset and sets a constructive tone to better work with teachers and other professionals who will provide the support your child needs in the areas where they need it most.
Reflect on your role and plan your next steps.
Help your child reflect on their effort, strengths, and improvement areas. Praise their effort.
Team up with the teacher and make a plan to support your child.
To learn more about our recommended actions, please download the handout.
You are not alone!
Connect with PON parent leaders who have been successful in helping their children and grandchildren succeed in school. Monitoring student learning takes practice and requires learning new strategies and skills. This includes checking online parent portals to support children’s learning at home, understanding test reports, and effectively advocating for them at school. Other parents have done it and so can you! Don't hesitate to reach out to experienced PON parent leaders for tips and support. You can do it!
“Don’t be afraid to use technology and grab your child’s assigned Chromebook or iPad to learn about the reading apps assigned to support your child’s reading. These tools give you important information you can review regularly. Also, it allows you to develop questions and set a desired outcome for the parent-teacher conference which may include partnering to develop a plan to support your child's success.”
-Daisy J. Amezcua, Director of Community Organizing
“It is urgent to know where our children stand academically but remember that academic performance and socioemotional development go together. Every child needs to know they are and feel loved, recognized, worthy and capable. This helps them learn to love, respect, dignify, and value themselves. It is easier to work on and achieve academic goals when there is a solid socioemotional foundation." 
- María E. Rosales, Program Director
To sign up call Daisy at (310) 844-5768.
Resource: Café con PON
Join our sessions in Spanish so you can learn ways to support your children’s socioemotional development and monitor academic learning progress. Our sessions are happening on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Upcoming sessions will be held on 11/11, 11/18 and 12/2.