The purpose of this causal-comparative study is to examine the effect of standards-based report cards on the growth and performance of Grade 4 students on the Massachusetts measure of accountability. This study examines the effect of the report card format on the grade level student growth percentiles (SGP) and composite performance index (CPI) on the 2010 Grade 4 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Mathematics Test. The sample population for this study is 103 elementary schools educating fourth grade students in southeastern Massachusetts. The study uses historical performance data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a brief questionnaire collected from elementary school leaders, and an ordinal product rating scale. The study conducts a document analysis of standards-based report cards collected from schools by applying a product rating scale created for this study. A multivariate analysis of covariance is used to build the ex post facto relationship between schools using standards-based report cards and results for the Grade 4 growth percentile and performance index on the MCAS for Mathematics. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]