Narrative comments paramount for student improvement

Clare Tipler, Online Production ManagerJanuary 12, 2017Leave a Comment

Clare Tipler

Senior Muneil Rizvi reads the narrative comments that he recieved from his teachers following the first semester. “They are helpful for the students mostly because they help to improve organization and other things the teachers feel are important for the student,” Rizvi said.

Teachers spend several days writing a paragraph (or more) for each of their semester one students, and these narrative comments were released to students on Jan. 11. The comments teachers write are directed both at students and parents, and outline the work in a specific course. More specifically, teachers outline the strengths and weaknesses of a student, and suggest how a student can improve for the next semester. These narrative comments, in conjunction with the report card, provide a comprehensive explanation of a student’s success in the first semester. They are essential to future success and students should reflect thoroughly what their teacher have written.

Many students, however, take little time to read the narrative comments, if they read them at all. Advisors schedule mandatory meetings to review the comments with each student, but this is often the only time students think about the comments.

This is a mistake that ends up harming students in the long run. Most teachers write very clearly what the student needs to work on to improve future success. If followed, these are a clear recipe of success and should not be ignored.

“Narrative comments are helpful  for the students mostly because they help improve organization and other things the teachers feel are important for the student,” senior Muneil Rizvi said. “It is good to get feedback from teachers every semester.”

It is important to keep in mind that the comments go along with the report card, and one is not more important than the other. They inform each other and work to complement the other. Success is qualified in the comments and quantified in the report card.

“People should read them and spend more time thinking about them because they tell you exactly what the teacher is looking for,” sophomore Emma Sampson said.

Many students, like Rizvi, take the time to read their comments, but do students think about them enough after? These are thoughtful comments from teachers and students should really work to implement the better habits they suggest. Take the time to reflect on the last semester, and set out to make the next one better with advice from the narrative comments.