Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈe͡ɪd kˈɑːdz] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "grade cards" is /ɡreɪd kɑːrdz/. The first syllable "grade" is pronounced as /ɡreɪd/ with the long vowel sound of "a" and the second syllable "cards" is pronounced as /kɑːrdz/ with the short "a" sound and the plural marker "-s". The word refers to a card containing a student's academic grades in a particular subject or course, usually given at the end of a semester or academic year.
Grade cards, also known as report cards or progress reports, are documents produced by educational institutions to communicate students' academic achievements and overall progress to parents and guardians. These cards typically comprise a summary of a student's performance and grades for each subject or course within a given grading period.
The grade cards often display a combination of numerical or letter-based grading systems, standardized across the educational institution or region. These grades are intended to objectively evaluate a student's proficiency in different subjects, reflecting their level of understanding and performance compared to predetermined standards or curriculum guidelines.
In addition to subject-specific grades, grade cards might also include information about attendance, behavior, and other qualitative assessments of the student's conduct in the classroom. Furthermore, they may contain comments and notes from the teachers or school administrators, providing additional insights into the student's progress, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Grade cards play a vital role in the educational system as they serve as a means of tracking students' academic growth and performance over time. They allow parents and guardians to stay informed about their child's achievements, providing a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses while fostering communication between home and school. Additionally, grade cards can serve as important tools for educational institutions to identify and address areas where additional support or intervention might be required to ensure each student's success.
The term "grade cards" does not have a specific etymology since it is a combination of two separate words. "Grade" in this context refers to the assessment or evaluation of a student's performance in academics. It comes from the Latin word "gradus", meaning a step or degree. "Card" refers to a small piece of paper or a document that provides information or records. The combination of these two words, "grade cards", simply refers to the documents or cards that display a student's grades or evaluations.
