CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION
Grading Procedures Manual for Elementary Schools

Promotion/Retention of Students

AR IKE -R Promotion and Retention of Students

The following guidelines must be adhered to when considering any student for retention

• Parents/Legal guardians are to be notified in writing by the end of the second marking period and a parent/legal guardian teacher retention conference held if a child is being considered for retention. Conferences will be documented. Within two weeks following the parent/legal guardian teacher conference, copies of the conference form will be provided to the principal, parent/legal guardian and student intervention team. If parents/legal guardians do not attend, they will be sent a summary statement of concern.

• Following the parent/legal guardian teacher retention conference, the student intervention team must review the recommendation for retention and provide suggestions for alternative academic assistance.

• Teacher, principal, guidance counselor, parents/legal guardians and the student intervention team's observation and judgment must be considered.

Appeals Procedures

Parents/Legal guardians may appeal the retention decision to the appropriate executive director for schools if there is a compelling reason why the student should not be retained.

Parents/Legal guardians who choose to appeal must do so in writing within two weeks of the notification of the retention. This letter should be addressed to the appropriate executive director  for schools and should specify the reasons for disagreement with the retention decision. The executive director for schools will render a decision. Copies of the decision will be sent to the parents/legal guardians and the principal.

Parents/Legal guardians of identified disabled students who are enrolled in special education have specific due process rights under federal and state laws for appealing any dispute regarding the student's education placement. The appeal must be made in accordance with those laws.

Requirement

Kindergarten through two
The following will be considered when determining the promotion of  kindergarten through two students.

• individual academic progress toward meeting state standards

• maturity (social and emotional)

• physical development

The following criteria will govern promotion from one grade to another.

Demonstrate a 2-3 rating percent mastery using the non-graded scale on the English/language arts and mathematics standards. Mastery level will be determined by the teacher's assessment of standards-based work which may include daily assignments, tests, informal assessments, projects, presentations, etc.

Grades three through five
Demonstrate a 70 percent mastery level on the English/language arts and mathematics standards.  Demonstrate a 70 percent mastery level on each of the essential science or social studies standards. Mastery level will be determined by the teacher's assessment of standards-based work which may include daily assignments, tests, informal assessments, projects, presentations, etc.

Accelerated grade placement for students in grades three through five will be in accordance with policy IKEA and administrative rule IKEA-R.

Interventions (grades one through five)
When it is determined that a student is not keeping pace with grade-level instruction (as early as the first nine weeks), alternative instructional strategies will be provided.

Students who are not promoted will receive a different or modified instructional program which will be reflected on the student's academic assistance plan.

Limits to retention
A student may be retained no more than once in the primary grades (K through two) and no more than once in the intermediate grades (three through five).

If a student is being considered for retention for the second time in grades K through five, the principal must consult with the student intervention team to determine if a psychological evaluation or a referral for special education evaluation is appropriate. The recommendation derived through this process will be considered in the decision for retention the second time or for other appropriate placement.

The achievement of a limited English proficient student in his/her first language will be a factor in the promotion/retention decision when the minimum promotion standard has not been met. Other factors to be considered for promotion as listed in this rule may override the academic standard when deemed appropriate.

Procedures governing identified disabled students are contained in each student's Individualized Education Plan and must be considered when retention decisions are being made

Other factors to be considered for promotion

Grades one through five
Factors other than academic achievement may be considered in recommending promotion.  Evidence must be cited and documented when overriding the academic standards for retention by using physical factors, health, chronological age and socio-emotional factors. These factors are defined as follows.

Physical factors may override the academic standard when it is evident that height, weight and/or onset of puberty, along with the development of secondary sex characteristics, may cause the students to receive undue attention. Such early maturing students should receive consideration for promotion.

Health factors may override the academic standard in situations in which injury, illness or a traumatic experience has caused the student to achieve at a level below what has typified his/her previous school performance. An example of this would be a student with a history of satisfactory grades who makes unsatisfactory progress while receiving medical homebound instruction during a serious illness

Chronological age should be considered in promotion when the student is two years above the norm for the grade in question, particularly when physical factors become involved (see above).