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Show Bt. Elem. revamps I reporting system Three years ago JoLyn Baldwin, a sixth grade teacher at Bountiful Elementary, spearheaded an effort to develop a better reporting system for parents. With the support and direction of Principal Velda Morrow, Baldwin began by taking a hard look at the report card. "Since that beginning, we have revamped the entire way we handle student, parent and teacher conferences," con-ferences," said Baldwin. The focus of the effort centered on designing a reporting tool that was more effective in not only tracking progress but also encouraging encourag-ing goal setting. Baldwin said, We have expanded the conference to three a year: November, March and June." - Students set short-term as well as long-term goals, while parents and teachers encourage and praise. According to a spokesperson for the Utah State Office of Education, through the goal-setting program, I students have ownership of their I education. Rather than being left at I home during parentteacher con- I ferences, students attend and form I the third arm working for their I success. "Participation is almost I 100 percent,' said Morrow. "The I parents have been very cooperative. I And the kids feel empowered. ' ' I One of the extra benefits of the I system is an improvement in I parentchildren relations. "The I conferences are a safe environment I for communication. I've seen some I wonderful things happen between I parents and children especially at- I risk students, when we work I together," said Baldwin. I Bounti fill's action plan to involve I student, parents, and teachers in I shaping the educational program for I each student exemplifies the goals I of the Utah State Public Education I Strategic Plan. I |