StudentNet Opens the Grade Book for Parents in Philadelphia

As Smart Boards make their way into classrooms and iPads are used to complete homework assignments there’s no doubt that educational technology is here to stay. For the Philadelphia school district that also means things like failure warnings and progress reports may be a thing of the past as their online system, StudentNet now allows parents to have  access to their child’s grades and progress. In addition, they can also view the Individual Learning Plan (ILP), a personalized document that students develop to map out their goals each academic year. This is not entirely new as Philadelphia teachers have been recording grades electronically for students, but it hasn’t been until recently that parents were able to access those grades. This can be either a blessing or a curse depending on who you ask.
Some parents and students love being able to get almost instant feedback as to how they’re performing in a class. This can be especially helpful if a student is struggling in a particular subject. It gives teachers and parents plenty of time to catch that student before they fall too far behind.
Others argue that system gives helicopter parents even more incentive to micromanage their children. There is also the question of how much extra work/pressure this places on teachers who might feel as though they have to maintain an up to the minute grade book.
Carl B. a retired high school science teacher used a similar technology when he taught out of state.He said he liked that both students and parents had access to the grades even though the grades were sometimes misinterpreted. “One of the main problems was the individual assignments had to be weighted. A test counted towards more of the grade then a graded homework. Sometimes this confused the parents and students when they were looking at the individual letter grades for assignments.”
Parents agreed that it was important to know what the ‘big picture’ was for each class. “You have to know that it doesn’t necessarily reflect where the child is at the moment,” Diana H. said. She keeps that in mind when she logs in to see her daughter’s progress at Conestoga High School in Tredyffrin township. “If you react every time something changes you’re only going to frustrate your kid.”
Here at Tutor Delphia we appreciate that an online system can help students take ownership of their education. We especially like that the ILP is a collaboration between the student and counsellors and includes sections like identifying potential barriers and preparing for success.
Here are some tips so parents can get the most out of StudentNet:

Know the expectations and requirements for each class. That includes understanding how the teacher grades and weighs certain assignments. Expect that certain assignments or projects will count more than others.

Became familiar with the ins and outs of StudentNet. An online system is no use if you can’t navigate it properly. Call 215-400-5555 or helpdesk@philasd.org if you are having technical difficulties.

Make StudentNet work for you.The best part about technology is how it can be personalized to suit our needs. This particular system can be used to foster a deeper dialogue between yourself, teachers, and your child.