By Quintessa Williams
Word In Black
Report cards aren’t just grades—they’re emotional minefields. Research shows that for many students, the anxiety of those letters and numbers runs deep, fueled by fear of failure, letting people down and being punished. For Black students especially, this anxiety can be compounded by additional stressors such as racist bullying in their classroom or school, overly harsh, unfair discipline, a lack of academic support and a lack of culturally competent teachers and curricula.
So, as the season arrives for children to bring their grades home, teachers have an opportunity to flip the script and make report card time a moment full of resilience, growth and support. Here are four ways teachers can use report card time to ensure Black students thrive, both academically and culturally.
1. Encourage open and affirming conversations
When discussing a student’s report card, always begin by highlighting their strengths and then address areas of improvement with constructive feedback. This approach acknowledges the students’ wins early while also providing a supportive plan for growth.
For decades report card day has either been a source of pride or worry for students and their families. Now, experts say there are multiple ways to make report cards less stressful for Black students. (AFRO Photo/ Ama Brown)
Example: “I noticed your strong enthusiasm while in class, especially during the lab experiments. Your curiosity and research have been a significant asset in why you earned a C. Let’s work together to implement the same strategies on homework assignments and tests moving forward. Is there anything you would like to share about your grade with me in the meantime?”
2. Set realistic and personalized goals
Collaborate with the student and parents to set specific but achievable goals. This approach will help the student understand the value of taking their academic achievement one step at a time while also encouraging them to seek help when needed.
Example: “Let’s aim to improve your C – to a B by the next report card. We’ll do this by setting aside 30 minutes after school each day to practice math questions based on the assignments provided in class. Let me or your parents know if you would like for us to walk you through the assignments.”
3. Provide access to resources and support networks
Consider whether students may need the support of guidance counselors, tutors or other academic interventions and wraparound services. Connect students — and their parents or caregivers — with these resources to help them achieve their academic goals.
Example: “I connected you with this specific tutor for any help you may need outside the classroom because he has navigated similar reading challenges, and I think he would be most effective in sharing effective study techniques and can also serve as a role model, too.”
4. Foster a positive growth mindset
Ultimately, it’s essential to celebrate a student’s effort and progress when receiving report cards — not just the outcome. Encourage the student by sharing that even experts were once beginners, too. Celebrating their attempts and offering effective room for improvement will reinforce the idea that success can be developed with dedication and hard work.
Example: “Everyone started as a beginner — no one began as a master of their craft. Your efforts in improving your skills are steps toward that mastery. I’ve seen your dedication and extra time you’ve put in, and it’s paying off.”
Ultimately, report card time is also an opportunity for teachers to reflect on their practice. Teachers can always spend some time assessing whether students are invested in the academic goals of the classroom and whether they’ve established an effective, culturally competent teacher-student relationship and teaching practice.
Is the problem the student’s lack of effort, poor classroom management, and boring lessons? Teachers can also ensure the classroom is a safe and affirming space for Black students, where they are given leadership opportunities and held to high expectations with kindness and care. Those things can go a long way to ensuring students achieve their academic goals.
This article was originally published by Word In Black.
