Despite work-to-rule, Rainbow board still issuing report cards

As they're required to do, the teachers provided a list of grades for older students, and short anecdotal comments for kindergarten and special needs students.

But the teachers didn't enter the data into the computer system, leaving that work to vice-principals, principals and Rainbow board administrators.

Teachers also didn't provide comments on the progress of most students, information that would be difficult for school administrators to provide.

Because of the extra work heaped on a relatively small number of people, report cards for students in grades 1-8 will simply include grades, and will not feature comments on their academic progress.

“We're happy our teachers were able to get done what they did do, because at least parents are getting something,” said Rainbow board director of education Norm Blaseg.

“We're thrilled that our principals were able to get the work done, even though it's not their job. I'm very thankful for them and very thankful to our board staff.

“We're hopeful that parents can bear with us as we get through this process.”

In some Southern Ontario boards, including the Toronto District School Board, students will not receive report cards this term at all.

There's so many students in the Toronto board that it would be difficult to issue report cards without the help of teachers.

Report cards are part of ETFO's work-to-rule action because the union is targeting ministry initiatives, said Barb Blasutti, president of ETFO's Rainbow local.

“It's the ministry that created these really lengthy and onerous report cards and these reporting procedures,” she said.

As for what she has to say to parents who won't be receiving a full report on their child's progress, Blasutti said that for the most part, when children are struggling, parents are in regular contact with teachers anyway.