|
The School District of Auburndale recognizes that students must progress through school and advance through each level with the academic foundation to successfully master the next level of academic challenges. This progression will employ the best practices in instruction and assessment. Essential learning will be designed to meet the unique needs of all individual students. Partnering with parent(s)/guardian(s), the District will advance or promote students as they accomplish learning at each level.
I. PROMOTION OF STUDENTS (GRADES K-6)
Students who have demonstrated acceptable progress in the instructional program shall be promoted to the next grade at the completion of each school year. Students who have failed to demonstrate acceptable progress shall be considered for retention.
A. The primary responsibility for deciding whether there will be retention, advancement, or grade acceleration will rest with the classroom teacher or teachers primarily responsible for the student's education, the Elementary Principal, and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student. When appropriate, the School Psychologist, the Student Services Director and the Guidance Counselor will assist in determining appropriate placement of the student. As noted in this policy, parent(s)/guardian(s) need to be involved in every step of the procedure.
B. When a student experiences difficulty in school, it is the responsibility of the teacher to keep parent(s)/guardian(s) informed of the problem areas and to make every effort to remediate learning problems. These efforts will be documented by the teacher before the procedure is considered.
C. If a student is being considered for retention, the following steps must be completed:
1. The student is referred by the classroom teacher to a Student Assistance Team Meeting by the middle of the third quarter. Team members may include the Elementary Principal, Special Education Teacher, Speech Pathologist, School Psychologist, Student Services Director, two teacher representatives, the referring teacher, parent(s)/guardian(s), Guidance Counselor, Reading Specialist, and Title I Teacher.
2. A conference is arranged with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to develop a plan to help the student become successful. The teacher will schedule the meeting within two weeks after the Student Assistance Team meeting. A written copy of the plan will be sent to the parent(s)/guardian(s) and placed in the student’s file.
3. The final recommendation for retention will be made no later than the midpoint of the fourth quarter.
D. Before a student may enroll in the seventh grade, he/she must be recommended by the Elementary Principal. This recommendation will be based upon input from the appropriate elementary staff, School Psychologist, Student Services Director, and Elementary Guidance Counselor. Promotion or retention should be made on the basis of the placement that promises to serve the best interests of the individual student after a thorough consideration of his/her academic development, chronological age, cognitive ability, social and emotional maturity, physical characteristics and individual progress.
E. If a recommendation of retention is decided upon, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by the principal prior to the end of the school year. Parental/guardian acceptance or rejection of the recommendation will be documented in the student's permanent record folder.
F. Following the above procedures, if parent(s)/guardian(s) are in disagreement with the decision made by the team, they have the right to appeal to the District Administrator.
G. Disagreements with the District Administrator's decision may be appealed to the Board of Education.
II. PROMOTION OF STUDENTS (GRADES 7-8)
The School District of Auburndale recognizes the importance of a strong middle level education prior to the student’s promotion into high school and his/her quest for the successful completion of course work leading to a high school diploma. Grades 7 & 8 will conform to a quarterly grading system and will not fall under the District’s semester grading practices.
A. Prior to a student’s enrollment in eighth (8th) and/or ninth (9th) grade, he/she must have passed all scheduled courses at Auburndale Jr. High School for each quarter and semester.
B. Students who are failing a course(s) after midterm grades are submitted for each quarter will be expected to attend a midterm Academic Improvement Meeting (AIM) to improve their academic status. An Academic Improvement Meeting (AIM) is an afterschool event designed to assist students to achieve at a passing or satisfactory grade level in a subject or class which they are failing. At the end of each quarter, students who have failed to earn a passing grade will be expected to attend AIM events until work is completed to meet passing expectations.
C. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified at least one (1) week prior to scheduled AIM events if their student is failing in a subject or class and is expected to attend the upcoming AIM. Parent(s)/guardian(s) notification regarding concern for academic standing and possible retention will take place within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the first semester. Notification will be by letter from the Building Principal or his/her designee.
D. Variances from this policy for special education students will be specified in an individual educational program developed in cooperation with administration, the special education case manager, parent(s)/guardian(s) and classroom staff.
E. Variances from this policy for students under a Federal 504 Plan will be specified in student’s accommodation plan.
F. Students who fail to complete the AIM requirements as specified in this policy will be recommended for placement in the following sequence of options by a team of staff members:
1. Summer School – Students will have the opportunity to obtain credit for a course(s) not completed during AIM. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by mail within ten (10) days after the conclusion of summer school as to the academic status of the student.
2. Correspondence Course – Students who did not complete summer school will have the opportunity to obtain credit through District approved study courses. The district or parent(s)/guardian(s), depending upon the situation, may assume financial responsibility for this course. The course must also be completed and verified prior to the start of the next school year.
3. Retention - Students would be retained in the specific subject in which he/she did not meet passing expectations. A team of staff members, which may be comprised of the student’s classroom teacher(s), School Psychologist, Student Services Director, Building Principal, and Guidance Counselor, would monitor student progress with possible promotion within the school year.
G. As noted throughout the policy, parents and guardians need to be involved in every step of the procedure. Following the procedure, if parent(s)/guardian(s) are in disagreement with the decision made by the team, they have the right to appeal to the District Administrator. Disagreements with the District Administrator's decision may be appealed to the Board of Education.
H. Timelines and Appeals: Final notification of the decision not to promote will be mailed to the parent(s)/guardian(s) within five (5) working days of the last day of school as identified on the yearly calendar approved by the Board of Education. Should the student be placed in a summer school curriculum, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by mail within ten (10) days after the conclusion of summer school as to the retention/promotion of the student in question. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may appeal a decision of retention by contacting the District Administrator within five (5) working days of the receipt of the letter. The District Administrator will respond to such an appeal in writing. A final appeal may be made to the Board of Education within five (5) days of the receipt of the District Administrator’s decision. This appeal shall be made in writing and addressed to the Clerk of the Board of Education. After the receipt of this appeal, the Board of Education will make a final decision at the next scheduled Board Meeting.
Adopted: August 23, 2006
| 
