L.D. Report Cards

A controversy over reports cards is brewing in Hillsborough County. It's about the report cards given to learning disabled children. Some parents say they harm the self-esteem of the learning disabled child.

In Assignment: Education..we take a look at the controversy and what parents want the school district to do.

--((Teacher Tiffany Grimm says:)) "Michael Kiger let's see who's heavier.. You or Christian."--

Essrig Elementary Kindergarten teacher Tiffany Grimm is teaching her students the difference between "heavy" and "light". In her -small- class, it's a lesson that can be taught more easily, but it's still a challenge. All of the children here have a speech or language impairment. Mothers Dolly Morino and Karen Parianous are thrilled with the education and attention their sons are getting in Mrs. Grimm's class, but they have a bone to pick with the school district. They're not happy about the report cards their children received.

--((Mother Karen Parianous says:)) "I had to hide his report card from him, because there was no way I could explain the grading policy to him without seriously undermining his self-esteem."--

Here's the problem.. when report cards came home, some of the children were graded as needing improvement in nearly all areas. And they were marked at below-grade level... based on academic benchmarks for regular kindergarten students. Dolly Morino says that's not right.

--((Mother Dolly Morino says:)) "We are know they are in a speech and language impairment class.. that is what the report card is currently showing. Yes, they should be tested and yes we should now what the difference is, but no, it should not be on the report card."--

That complaint was taken to Tampa State Representative Sandy Murman, who sits on the state's Education Commission on Reform and Accountability. She says the parents have a reason to be unhappy with the grading policy.

--((State Rep. Sandy Murman says:)) "If your basing it on a benchmark that is for a normal child, which is what they are doing, then it's not fair."--

The Hillsborough County Director of Exceptional Student Education says the state requires school districts to set goals for all grade levels. But agrees.. the report cards may not reflect the progress of learning disabled children.

--((Hillsborough E.S.E. Director Liz Argot says:)) "I think it is not giving a true picture of where children with disabilities are functioning and, uh, we need to take another look at that."--

And what does the mother of Michael Parianous want to see on his report card? She says it's simple.

--((Ms. Parianous says:)) "I want something to present to my child that shows how well he is doing and that can encourage him and show where he has progressed."--

It looks like her complaints, and those of others, have made an impact. The Hillsborough School District Report Card Committee will take up the issue in the next couple of weeks. Bill Ratliff, Newchannel 8.

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