12 Report Card Comments That Would Never Be Allowed Today
Report cards used to include brutally honest and sometimes downright inappropriate comments from teachers. What once passed as feedback would today raise eyebrows and probably lead to a parent-teacher conference. These outdated remarks show how far classroom communication has come.
- Tricia Quitales
- 3 min read
Times have changed, and so has the way educators talk about student progress. Comments that once seemed normal on report cards are now viewed as too harsh, vague, or unprofessional. Modern schools aim for positive, constructive language that supports both student growth and parent understanding. Looking back at these outdated comments is both surprising and a little funny.
1. “Talks too much”
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Once a go-to comment, this phrase labeled kids as disruptive without offering any real support. It often embarrassed students instead of helping them develop communication skills. Today, teachers focus on guiding social behavior, not shaming it.
2. “Lacks self-control”
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Instead of identifying what caused the behavior, this comment just pointed fingers. It sounded more like a character flaw than helpful feedback. Schools now aim to understand behavior rather than judge it.
3. “Needs to try harder”
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This vague line ignored any real learning challenges or obstacles a student might face. It made students feel lazy instead of supported. Teachers now use specific goals to encourage effort.
4. “Not working to potential”
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This comment left parents guessing what exactly needed improvement. It assumed teachers knew a child’s limits better than the child or family. Today’s educators avoid this kind of unclear judgment.
5. “Daydreams too much”
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This line is used to describe quiet or creative kids, but it discourages imagination. It focused more on control than on learning style. Now, there’s more understanding of different attention spans and learning differences.
6. “A distraction to others”
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This made the student the problem rather than addressing classroom dynamics. It was often written without context or support. Modern comments focus on solutions, not labels.
7. “Below average”
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Brutally direct and discouraging, this phrase did more harm than good. It failed to recognize effort or potential progress. Educators today use growth-based language to help build confidence.
8. “Lazy”
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Calling a student lazy says nothing useful and can seriously hurt their self-esteem. This word places blame without any attempt to understand what’s behind the behavior. Now, teachers explore learning needs and motivation instead.
9. “Slow learner”
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This outdated term ignores the idea that everyone learns at their own pace. It felt dismissive and could stick with a student for years. Today, the focus is on learning styles and personal development.
10. “Fails to pay attention”
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Instead of addressing how to help the student focus, this comment just pointed out a weakness. It didn’t guide improvement or show support. Now, feedback is framed around strategies, not flaws.
11. “Unmotivated”
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Labeling a student this way didn’t help fix the problem. It gave no insight and left parents frustrated. Teachers today look for causes and solutions rather than blame.
12. “Needs improvement in everything”
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One of the harshest things you could read on a report card. It made students feel like complete failures with no hope. Education now encourages highlighting strengths alongside areas for growth.