IKE STUDENT PROMOTION, RETENTION AND CLASSIFICATION POLICY
I - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
The Uinta County School District Number One recognizes that our most valuable resource for the future is the children of today. Accordingly, the district believes that learning must be a shared responsibility among the student, the parents and the classroom teacher. As the student grows older and moves through the various grade levels, that responsibility for learning should begin to shift more to the student. However, parents and the classroom teacher do no relinquish responsibility for providing successful learning experiences and accountability for the student.
The school district’s educational program will provide for the continuous progress and promotion of students from grade to grade through meeting specific standards of achievement at each level. For students not meeting these standards, the district may provide extended time opportunities during the school year or during summer. As a last resort, some students may need to be retained in the same grade for another year. Retention is recognized as an important alternative. In deciding which students would benefit from retention, it is important to consider the following:
1. Data should indicate retention will be beneficial to the student.
2. Retention is considered when the student’s academic and/or social performance is below grade level for an extended period of time.
3. Retention of the student is the last resort after other means of intervention have been tried.
4. Retention of a student for more than one time, in grades K-8, would occur only in unusual circumstances.
Retention of students on IEP’s will be determined by the Student Service Team in accordance with Local and State Placement Guidelines.
ELEMENTARY FACTORS
In determining which students may benefit from retention at the elementary level, the following factors will be considered.
1. Chronic Absenteeism: The student has a prolonged pattern of absences or has moved to multiple schools during the year.
2. Academic level in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics: The student’s proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics are significantly lower than the expectations required for the next grade that would be difficult to bring up to grade level during extended time opportunities.
3. Social or emotional maturity: The student’s social and/or emotional maturity is below expectations for students of a comparable chronological age which interferes with developing academic proficiency.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FACTORS
In determining which students benefit from retention at the middle level, the following factors will be considered:
1. Chronic Absenteeism: The student has a prolonged pattern of absences or has moved to multiple schools during the year that interferes with developing academic proficiency.
2. Academic Level: The student’s proficiency in core classes- English, Reading, Math, Social Science or Science- are lower than expectations required for the next grade level that would be difficult to bring up to grade level during extended time opportunities, as determined by course grades. Failure in any core class may be a determining factor in offering extended time opportunities including retention.
3. Total Course of Study: The student is failing multiple classes including core and related arts courses.
HIGH SCHOOL CRITERIA
Since high school graduation is based on credit completion, retention at this level becomes primarily about the number of credits to be considered a sophomore, junior or senior. Students who do not meet these credit requirements as determined in regulations may be reclassified.
GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES
FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY
When a student meets any of the applicable criteria/factors the school will follow these procedures:
1. Parent Notification: The parents of those students who meet any one of the above criteria will be notified by letter of their student’s possible non-promotion status within fifteen (15) school days following the end of each quarter.
2. Intervention: By February 15, the parents of students who have been identified by the retention criteria/factors during the first semester will be requested to meet with the principal or designee, teacher and other appropriate staff. This meeting will consist of a discussion of the student’s current performance, academic standing and possible retention. In addition, the teacher will discuss procedures and techniques used to promote academic and social success.
If students pass the first semester but meet the retention criteria during the second semester (third or fourth quarter), the school will arrange a meeting with parents within 15 working days before the end of the quarter or school year.
The final decision regarding retention for Elementary Students will be made by the sixth week of the fourth quarter. For Middle School Students, the decision will be made following completion of extended day opportunities described in regulation. High School Students will be notified of Reclassification by August 15.
Input for the final decision will be gathered from the teachers, staff members, students and parents. This group will consider the best interest of the student and make recommendations based on that consideration. However, the final decision of retention shall be made by the Principal. Parental consent is not necessary for retention of a child.
In considering the future educational program of the retained student, the school will develop a set of recommendations addressing the student’s specific needs. These recommendations will be reviewed and a plan implemented with the first nine weeks of the new school year.