Updated Report Cards: New High School Report Cards Focus on Post-School Success

Beyond Grades: Report Cards for Classes 9-12 Now Reflect Students' Path to Higher Education

Academic achievement alone is no longer sufficient to determine a student's readiness for the future in this day and age, and educational systems are changing to meet the new needs of society. Launching a new report card format for students in Classes 9 through 12 that covers a wider range of abilities and readiness essential for navigating life after school is a major step in the right direction by NCERT.

The report cards of students in grades 9 through 12 may range greatly, indicating much more than simply their grades on school-level and board tests. These include preparation for admission exams and the acquisition of life skills like time management and money management. These components are a part of the new report card known as the "Holistic Progress Card (HPC)," which was just announced for secondary school students (Classes 9 to 12) by PARAKH, a standard-setting body under the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training). Although the Holistic report card will not be utilised in the current 2024–25 academic year, officials such as teachers will receive training on using it, according to sources. States have the option to either adopt the HPC in its original form as provided by the NCERT or modify it to fit their requirements. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE), which aims to change evaluations by focusing on diverse skills and competencies rather than just the performance in sporadic pen-and-paper tests and exams, is aligned with school report cards in part through the use of HPCs.

The CEO and head of PARAKH, Indrani Bhaduri, told The Indian Express that the HPCs for classes 9 through 12 are intended to emphasize the "learner as researcher" and that the results of individuals who take the board exams in those classes are anticipated to take these report cards into account. "The internal marks used to evaluate candidates for the board test will not be the same as the HPC. The purpose of the HPC is to supplement the Board results by reflecting the child's academic performance throughout the years. Bhaduri stated, "It will be combined with the Board results. The specifics of how the HPC components can be included in the Board results have been submitted by PARAKH to the Education Ministry."

The secondary report card was created following discussions with school boards and SCERTs, the state-level curricular bodies. It is also intended to help create board-level equivalency. By adding these components to the report card, educational institutions enable their pupils to succeed in the real world outside of school as well as in the classroom. Grade-focused thinking gives way to a more thorough assessment that gives students the abilities, information, and self-assurance they need to succeed in their chosen careers. The report card's development over time is indicative of a larger paradigm shift in education that emphasises students' abilities rather than just their knowledge. We ensure that students are equipped to contribute meaningfully to society, innovate in their fields, and lead fulfilled lives by preparing them for the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead.

Editor’s Note:

The new report card for students in Classes 9 through 12 is a big step in the direction of developing well-rounded people who can handle the challenges of the twenty-first century. It portends a day when education will no longer be limited by conventional measures and will instead adopt a more innovative and inclusive strategy for the growth and achievement of all students.

Skoobuzz appreciates the efforts of NCERT for thinking beyond the conventional line and stepping forward to guide students in such an innovative way.