MECHANIC FALLS – Efforts to come up with a report card that gives a more complete picture of student progress are paying off, Elm Street School Principal Mary Martin told the School Committee this week.

Martin said she was pleased that early feedback, particularly from students, has been positive.

“The kids know why they get a “2” rather than a “3;” and they know what they have to do to earn a “3.” They like it,” said Martin.

School Committee Chairman Terri Arsenault said she was impressed that, with the new format, students are recognized for their effort and for how they meet school expectation for conduct.

“I spoke with a boy who doesn’t do particularly well academically who liked it that he could be recognized for trying his best,” Arsenault said.

School Superintendent Nina Schlikin concurred with a broader coverage of student progress.

“Not everyone is a scholar,” Schlikin said.

The new report card format let students (and their parents) know how they are doing in meeting grade appropriate goals of Maine Learning Results.

“Word is getting around about the new report card, the format and what it measures. I’ve received several calls on it,” Assistant Superintendent Marc Gendron said.

School Committee member Dave Griffiths pointed out that Poland Regional High School is moving toward giving credit for effort and that the school is rethinking how homework is handled.

“I know firsthand that without a deadline, kids let homework slide. (The school) is thinking of going back to homework being done on time,” Griffiths said.

Griffiths said he was glad the faculty was questioning the new school attitude that challenges long-held educational assumptions and practices and had decided to change the homework policy.

“In real life, you have deadlines. We are doing kids no favor by letting them let homework slide,” Schlikin said.

Martin noted that homework continues to be graded at the Elm Street School.

Director of Operations Gordon Murray said he was happy to report that all the school’s bus drivers are back at work after a particularly difficult November which, in addition to a driver on jury duty, saw several other drivers out sick more often than usual.

Murray thanked Transportation Director Mike Downing and school administrators Arthur Reed and Martin for shouldering extra duty.