Family Guides To Report Cards

Elementary Report Cards: What Families Need to Know for 2026–27

Berkeley Unified School District is updating our elementary report cards to make them clearer, more consistent, equitable, and meaningful for students and families.

During the 2025–26 school year, a joint committee of teachers, site and district staff, BREA, and BFT began a two-year process to redesign the elementary report card.

What is changing this year?

A new 1–3 reporting scale
Students in grades TK–5 will now receive standards-based ratings using a consistent 1–3 scale, replacing the previous 1–4 scale. The goal is to make reporting more consistent across grade levels and easier for families to understand.

A clearer focus on student learning and progress
The redesigned report card uses a more strengths-based approach and evaluates all students using the same standards-based criteria.

More consistent English Language Arts (ELA) reporting across grades
ELA reporting has been streamlined and aligned from TK through fifth grade. The report card focuses on five key areas:

• Reading

• Foundational Skills

• Writing

• Speaking & Listening

• Language

This approach is designed to help families more easily understand their child’s literacy development and progress from year to year.

Report cards are moving to Infinite Campus
Elementary report cards will now be available through the Infinite Campus (IC) Parent Portal. Families will be able to view their child’s report card after the end of each trimester.

How are report card ratings determined?

Report cards continue to be based on California State Standards. Teachers use multiple sources of information to understand what students know and are able to do, including student work, assessments, classroom performance, curriculum-based evidence, and professional judgment.

A report card is one part of the ongoing communication between families and teachers about a student’s learning and growth.

What about English Language Development (ELD)?

Students receiving English Language Development services will continue to have their English language development reported separately using the following levels: Beginning (BG), Somewhat Developed (SD), Moderately Developed (MD), and Well Developed (WD).

Is the redesign finished?

Not yet. This is a two-year redesign process. During the 2026–27 school year, the Report Card Committee will continue its work, including reviewing Math and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) reporting. Educator feedback will also continue to inform improvements to the report card.

Language Arts/Literacy