Parents trust report cards more than test scores, with consequences for kids

Most parents want the same thing: for their children to succeed.

We check report cards. We ask about homework. We encourage studying. And when grades look good, we breathe a little easier.

But new research suggests that report cards may not always tell the full story.

A recent study of more than 2,000 parents found that most parents trust report card grades more than standardized test scores when deciding whether their child needs extra help. And that trust can have real consequences for students.

 

What the Study Found

 

Researchers from Oregon State University and the University of Chicago created fictional fifth graders and presented parents with different combinations of grades and test scores.

Parents were asked how they would respond. Would they invest time reading with their child? Hire a tutor? Enroll them in after-school programs?

Here’s what stood out:

  • Parents increased help when both grades and test scores were low.

  • Parents were much less likely to step in when grades were high but test scores were low.

  • More than 70 percent of parents said they trust grades more than test scores.

  • Fewer than 9 percent said they trusted test scores more.

In short, when report cards show A’s, most parents assume everything is fine — even if standardized test results show their child is performing below grade level.

 

Why This Is Happening

 

There are a few reasons.

Grades are familiar. They feel personal. They reflect daily effort and classroom participation.

Test scores, on the other hand, are often confusing. Percentiles and scaled scores are harder to interpret. Some parents distrust standardized tests altogether. In the study:

  • 40 percent said they believed tests were biased.

  • Nearly 30 percent thought scores mostly reflected family income.

  • Fewer than 20 percent believed tests accurately captured their child’s skills.

There’s also a psychological factor. When good news and bad news appear together, people tend to focus on the good. If the report card shows mostly A’s, it is easy to dismiss lower test results.

But when grades rise and test scores fall, children can slip through the cracks.

 

Why This Matters for Reading

 

Literacy is foundational. By third grade, reading shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. If students are behind at that point, catching up becomes significantly harder.

When grades are inflated or do not reflect true skill levels, families may delay intervention. And early support is critical. The longer reading gaps persist, the harder they are to close.

The researchers warn that when parents underestimate academic challenges, children may receive less support than they need. Over time, that affects graduation rates, long-term earnings, and even workforce readiness.

 

What Parents Can Do

 

Strong grades are encouraging. But they should not be the only signal.

If grades and test scores do not align, it is worth asking questions:

  • Is my child reading independently at grade level?

  • Can they summarize what they read?

  • Are they struggling more than peers?

  • Do classroom grades reflect mastery or effort?

 

Transparency matters. Early action matters even more.

At At Grade Level, we believe families deserve clear information about whether children are reading at grade level — not just reassurance that everything looks fine on paper.

 

If you’re unsure where your child stands, you can start here:

 

Take the Grade Level Reading Assessment

 

Because a report card may tell part of the story.

But literacy tells the rest.

 

Read full story at: hechingerreport.org