Keep it simple. Use a simple design and format. Prekinders.com and oklahomahomeschool.com have examples of progress reports that are easy to understand. The document should be thorough but not so in-depth that it becomes a three-page report. Aim for a one-page design.
Use the school's curriculum guide or educational standards to write checklists. These are usually written in simple sentence form or in short phrases like, "Recognizes numbers zero to 10," or "Writes first and last name." By each instructional objective leave room to check or mark the box that indicates their proficiency level. Parents will be able to see the skills that need improvement.
Make personal comments on the report card. You do not need to write a lengthy discourse. Parent-teacher conferences are more appropriate if there are several issues to be addressed. On a report card, write short comments that include the student's name like, "Sally has really improved over the last few weeks. Thanks for helping her at home." Parents appreciate this personal touch.
Leave space for parents to make comments. At the bottom of the report card, designate a few lines for parents' comments. They may want to request a conference or ask a general question. This is a good way to communicate with parents who work and may not be able to visit the school.