The Scores Are In… Now What?

October 14, 2026

The school year is in full swing! I'm sure by now, your child has been assessed to gather baseline data for this school year. At the beginning of every school year, most schools test students to determine their current academic skill levels.

I know you may be thinking, "Didn't they just test them at the end of the school year in June?"

Yes and summer slide is real, y'all!

What's summer slide, you ask? It refers to the loss of academic concepts and skills over the summer, typically due to a lack of engagement with academic content. Some students return to the new school year knowing less than they did when they left. This is why it's critical for students to engage in some type of academic learning and reading over the summer, but that's a topic for a different day.

Now, as a result of all these assessments, your child has a fresh, new set of data to help you determine where they may need academic support. Reports should begin coming home, and if they aren't, ASK!

These reports may or may not include a narrative explaining what you're seeing. There will probably be a few numbers, but the reports may not explain how to interpret them.

When reading the reports, don't be afraid to Google "cut scores or scoring charts for..." followed by the name of the assessment. This will typically allow you to see where your child should be performing based on their grade level and the time of the school year as the on grade level score changes throughout the school year.

Okay, so now you know students are being assessed for baseline data and that you should be receiving reports or some type of communication to make you aware of your child's academic levels.

Now, if your child is performing on grade level, KUDOS TO YOU! GOLD STAR! BRAVO!

*insert Seinfeld GIF of the friend group jumping up and down at the door*

However, this is not a stopping point. What can you do to help them excel to the next level?

If your child is not performing on grade level, no worries, but we have some WORK to do.

In the next part of this post, I'm going to provide the next steps for each respective group.

This is not the time to bury your head in the sand or sit back and relax, regardless of which group your child falls into. Either situation can change based on the academic support and effort put forth by you and your child.

The steps will outline how to support your child at home, along with questions to ask and information to gather from your child's teacher or from your own experiences working with your child at home.

Are you ready? Let's go!

Your Child Is Performing on Grade Level —What’s Next?

First, WAY TO GO!!! We love to see our babies flourishing and doing well academically, but this is not the finish line!

There is always room for growth, and there may be gaps in previously taught concepts and skills that still need to be filled.

I want your child, as I know you do, to continue developing their skills, building confidence in their academic abilities, and being challenged academically.

So, what's next?

1. Know What Those Scores Actually Mean!

Knowing where your child falls on the "on-grade-level" scale matters. Are they barely skating by, or have they developed a deep understanding? There is a difference!

Ask your child's teacher what the scores indicate about their strengths and where they still have room to grow.

And while we're here, let's talk about you talking to your child's teacher.

This should be a regular practice, not an anomaly because something has gone wrong. You don't have to wait for parent-teacher conferences to talk to your child's teacher. You have the right to request a meeting at any time and ASK QUESTIONS.

Now, don't drive the teacher out of their mind, but actually be in partnership with them. They should know they can call you with concerns or wins, and vice versa.

In most schools, there are also other staff members, such as reading specialists, math resource teachers, etc., who specialize in particular content areas and can help answer your questions.

Everyone who works in that school should be working to support you and your child's success.

2. Ask About Enrichment Opportunities.

Ask what's next and whether your child is being challenged in the classroom.

Differentiation is the term used in schools to describe how teachers plan and deliver instruction to meet students at their individual learning levels. This can be TOUGH with a class of 25+ students!

However, in a good school, there are ways the instructional leadership team supports classroom teachers in making this happen.

So, if your child needs the next level of instruction, ask how that's being provided in the classroom. Is there another class they can visit, even for part of the day, that will continue to challenge them?

Are there before- or after-school opportunities, such as a STEM club or book club, that encourage higher-level thinking, problem-solving, and deeper understanding?

It's not just about more work. We want students to do more thinking and be able to justify their reasoning.

That doesn't always mean more work, but it does require a higher level of thinking.

3. Keep the Learning Going at Home.

IT CAN'T ALL HAPPEN AT SCHOOL! YOU ARE YOUR CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER.

Okay, now that I got that out of the way, what are you doing at home to support your child's academic success?

Remember that summer slide we talked about earlier? This is where that comes into play. Did you plan or do anything academic with your child over the summer?

Reading—and not just reading, but discussing the story—playing games, and discussing what your child is learning at school show a vested interest in their education and help strengthen their skills.

It sets the precedent that learning is important and a priority in your home.

4. Set Academic Goals Together.

After you have an understanding of what the numbers mean and the work that needs to be done, set goals with your child.

For a Pre-K or kindergarten student, that may sound like this:

"Okay, honey, you know all the names of your letters, and that is fantastic! We need to make sure you learn the sounds, too. Can we practice our letter flashcards every day?"

Make a chart to track how the number of letter sounds they know is growing, and create a calendar to cross off each day you practice with them.

And the most important part? Celebrate as they progress!

For an older student, it may sound like this:

"I see on your progress report that you're reading above grade level, and I know this probably makes reading super easy for you at school. Let's read a more challenging book together. Every day, we're going to read for 10 minutes and then talk about the book."

You know your child best. Whether you need to turn it into a game or use charts to track their progress, do what it takes to help them set goals and work toward accomplishing them.

5. Stay Informed and Involved.

As I stated before, this is not the time for you to sit back and relax.

Continue checking the online parent portal for weekly graded assignments, check grades, reviewing assessment results, and communicating with your child's teacher. This will also allow you to spot changes in your child’s academic performance.

Your child's academic needs can change throughout the year, and you want to be the first to know!

The bottom line? Don't confuse your child meeting expectations with reaching their full potential!

Your Child Is Performing Below Grade Level — Let's Get to Work!

Now, even though your child may not be performing on grade level YET, this is not a life sentence.

Those scores don't define them, and with targeted support, their performance can improve over time.

However, we can't address what we don't understand, and we cannot improve without a plan.

So, let's get to work!

1. Identify Where Your Child Is Struggling.

Reading a report that states your child is below grade level is not enough information.

We need the DEETS!

Is the issue that they have trouble decoding words, which is affecting their ability to comprehend what they're reading? Or do they not yet know their letters and letter sounds well enough to decode words?

Is the issue with math facts, place value, or multi-step math problems?

You see how "below grade level" doesn't provide enough detail about where to go next?

Ask for a detailed breakdown of the assessment report.

2. Have a Conversation With the Teacher.

Ask the teacher! And I'm going to say this again, as I stated above: You need to be in regular communication with your child's teacher.

Don't drive them batty, but let them know you are there to support your child's academic needs. Don’t just ask what your child is struggling with but also what the school is doing to address it. Ask about the interventions being put in the place to address the learning gaps. Remember, we're not just collecting information. We're using it to make sure your child is receiving the support they need!

Don't be afraid to ask what you can do at home and whether they have materials to help you get started.

They are the experts. Utilize their expertise!

Remember, you and the teacher are partners in your child's education.

3. Create a Plan for Home.

Okay, now that we know exactly what's going on and where the challenges are, we can create a plan.

This does not mean overwhelming your child when they come home with two more hours of reading or worksheets.

They'll burn out quickly, learning can become a battleground, and your child may begin to resent learning and school.

Instead, focus on short, consistent activities that are meaningful.

Completing 50 math facts on a worksheet will take a considerable amount of time if your child is already struggling and, again, may make them resentful.

However, practicing five math facts and letting your child show you how they got their answers using manipulatives is a more meaningful way to practice and doesn't take as long.

And again, ASK THE TEACHER what to practice and how to practice at home.

Consistency is key here!

4. Find Out What Additional Support Is Available.

Does your child's school or district offer small-group interventions? Is tutoring offered? Is there homework help? Do I need to hire a private tutor?

ASK!

You also want to understand how your child is being supported during the school day.

If your child continues to struggle, you may want to inquire about additional screenings or evaluations and when they should be considered.

That may be tough to hear, but the most important thing is getting your child the help and support they need.

This is not a reflection of the intelligence you've passed down to your child or your parenting.

Some students think and learn differently. We want to understand how your child learns best so the information and content they're learning can be presented in a way that allows them to access it and be successful.

Don't assume that someone will automatically reach out with every available option. Advocate for your child!

5. Monitor Progress and Celebrate the Small Wins.

This is where you need to be really intentional.

Don't wait until the end of the year to find out whether your child has made progress! Ask the teacher how often your child's progress is being monitored and when you should expect an update. If your child is receiving additional academic support, regular progress checks are especially important. We need to know whether the plan is WORKING, and if it's not, what needs to change!

Schedule meetings with your child's teacher. Quarterly is a great place to start.

Celebrate the improvements, and let your child know you're not only proud when they get things "right," but also proud of how hard they're working to figure things out and their willingness to continue practicing.

The goal isn't just to improve a test score. The goal is to strengthen the skills, confidence, and independence your child needs to succeed.

Regardless of the Scores, YOUR Involvement Matters!

Whether your child is performing on grade level or needs additional support, YOU have an important role in their educational trajectory.

Assessment reports are not just pieces of paper to toss on the kitchen table. They are tools to help you make informed decisions about your child's learning. But first, you have to understand what they mean.

So, here's my charge to you: Pull out your child's most recent assessment report. Read it. Ask questions. Identify ONE action you can take to support your child's academic growth.

PARENTS, LET'S PUT THAT DATA TO WORK! 📊

Your child's assessment report shouldn't be collecting dust on the kitchen counter!

Not sure what the numbers mean? WE CAN HELP!

Know your child needs additional academic support? WE CAN HELP WITH THAT TOO!

At The Spark Collective, we help families make sense of their child's academic assessment reports by breaking down the data and identifying actionable next steps.

We also offer personalized tutoring services designed to strengthen academic skills, build confidence, and help students reach their full potential!

Because knowing where your child stands is important, but knowing HOW TO MOVE FORWARD is even better!

Your child's next academic success story can start with a plan.

📚 Let's get to work!

📩 Ready to get started? Visit the Contact Us tab on our website and send us a message about how we can help!