New?? They did this when I was in elementary in the 1970's. My kids had this through 3rd grade. And my oldest is a senior in college, so she started in the late 1990's. Although we usually had a 4th designation (can't remember if it was E or O) for exceeds expectations. The "report" card was a complicated form with more than two dozen check boxes.
I think it's good thing but I guess it depends on how it's implemented. Young kids shouldn't feel pressure to get "straight A's" and giving kids A/B/C grades are just as arbitrary. (They just mean something to use since it's what your used to.) Young kids shouldn't be graded. A report card should be about feedback to parents on what the kids know. I do realize this is silly when the kids already knows everything in the curriculum but it does make sense for most kids.
Edited to add.. I think it's like others are saying a 1-4 designation and the letter designations are for effort.
Last edited by bluemagic; 10/08/15 10:36 PM.
