This is an idea I use for writing comments on either report cards or progress reports. I start with a positive comment: "I like the way you remember to put your name on all of your papers, Stephanie!" Then I state a new goal for that academic area: "Now, your new goal is to write your name with only the first letter capitalized, and all of the rest lower case." By writing the note and goal to the student instead of the parent, you give the student both credit for the good work, and responsibility for improvement. This also encourages the parents to share your report card comments with their children! (Especially important in schools where students aren't included in parent conferences.)