Reports on way out as teachers cut down

THEY were once as much a part of school life as homework and uniforms – but it seems report cards and parents evenings are being ditched by teachers desperate to cut down on paperwork.

A third of Scottish councils have axed the age-old institutions in favour of email and short, informal meetings with parents.

The development is revealed in new research from government agency Education Scotland.

It discovered that most teachers regard ‘big end-of-session reports’ as a major contribution to school bureaucracy.

A recent report stated: ‘Inspectors noted that reporting to parents has been a specific cause of workload in schools.

‘This issue was mentioned frequently in discussions with representatives of teachers’ professional associations and local negotiating committees for teachers about working time agreements.’

The report added: ‘To address this issue, around a third of local

‘Full of jargon just to fill up space’

authorities have introduced new, less bureaucratic approaches to reporting to parents. Their aim is to reduce unnecessary workload, while still ensuring parents get the information they need.’

Seamus Searson, general secretary the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association, said: ‘The end of year report tends to be full of jargon to just fill up space.

‘Sometimes teachers are actually told by head teachers that they have to put in 60 or 80 words in a report. There are only so many times you can say “this pupil is doing well”. It’s about schools being smarter about what parents need. Often they want a shorter report.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We believe decisions about children’s learning and school life should be taken at school level, and the more parents are involved the better the outcomes for their children. Reporting to parents is a very important way of involving parents and supporting children’s learning.

‘As this review highlights, it need not be a burdensome or bureaucratic process which is why we encourage all schools and local authorities to consider if some of these approaches would work for them.’