Tom

Please take just 10 seconds to respond "yes" or "no" to three simple questions because I'm interested in learning about how your international school reports student progress to parents. Many lower schools already use a standards-based report card. Does yours? How about your middle school and high school? At the Thai-Chinese International School in Bangkok, our lower school (grades PK through 4) uses a standards-based reporting system however, we are in the process of overhauling it to make it parent friendly. Once the elementary standards-based report card is finalized, I will share it. I would like to use the forum to create a repository of standards-based report cards so please consider sharing yours. The results of this highly scientific poll will also be shared to foster a dialogue on this topic.

I work at the Thai-Chinese International School in Bangkok. TCIS provides an American curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards. Here are the links to these fundamental documents which identify what all students should know and be able to do at each grade level in mathematics and English Language Arts. Notice the English Language Arts standards also cover literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and technical subjects. English Language Arts: http://www.corestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/ELA_Standards1.pdf Mathematics: http://www.corestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/Math_Standards1.pdf

If you want to get away from the city for a little relaxation, try the little island of Koh Samed. It's about three hours south of Bangkok by bus and has lodging options for all budgets. There is 20 minute speed boat shuttle to the island or for a little less, you can take a slower economic option (the ferry). We stayed at a beach-side bungalow (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ao-Cho-Grand-View-Resort-Koh-Samed/120535931360461). Very nice accommodations (w/ wifi), phenomenal staff, fantastic view of the beach right outside our bungalow and breakfast each morning. Bring a book to read while relaxing on the beach or rent a motor cycle (300 to 500 baht per day) and tour the nice, mostly paved streets of the island. If you desire even more action, try parasailing, jet skiing or a neighboring island boat tour with snorkeling. This is one of those island destinations I heard about before moving to Thailand. While I plan to explore many other destinations in Thailand, I will definitely return to the wonderful, peaceful and pristine get-away!

I am a recently retired school superintendent from Michigan who just moved to Bangkok, Thailand in July. Both my wife and I are now employed at the second best international school in Bangkok, according to a recent poll from internationaleducators.com. We are still adjusting to the hot and humid climate as well as some of the unique aspects of the urban living of Bangkok. We have quickly become proficient with public transportation, the BTS, and are enjoying many great massages and local dining establishments. I look forward to exploring this forum! Tom English.