607.04 - Student Promotion, Acceleration, and Retention

The school district strives to place each student in an environment where maximum development will take place.  Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student’s achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.

The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the licensed employee and the principal.  When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed as early in the school year as possible.  It is within the sole discretion of the board to retain students in their current grade level.

Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required course work necessary to be promoted each year.  When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed.  It is within the sole discretion of the board to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.

It shall be the policy of the school district to retain children at grade level when they do not have the skills necessary to be successful in the next grade.  The district has the responsibility to assure that a child is ready for promotion to the next grade level.  When considering a child for promotion item I, II, and III below will be examined and the final decision will be based upon the best interest of the child.

I.          Academic Ability

    Determined by:

1.   Standardized Achievement Tests
2.   Classroom Tests Administered by the Classroom Teachers
3.   Intelligence Tests Administered by a Psychologist
4.   History of Grades Received.

II.        Social and Emotion Adaptability

     Determined by:

1.   Ability to get along with the peers.  (Teacher Observation)
2.   Interview with a Psychologist and/or other professional educator.
3.   Teacher Observation in the Classroom, Hallway, Lunchroom and the Playground.

III.       Physical Maturation

     Determined by:

1.   Ability to undertake the same tasks as the rest of the students in the grade when they plan to be placed in for the next year.
2.   Recommendation from the Physical Education Teacher and the School Nurse, Counselor, or Principal.

IV.       Requests and Procedure:

1.   When a parent has made a request for retention the principal shall strongly consider this request in making the final decision.
2.   Requests shall be made directly to the building principal(s) involved and must be submitted prior to May 1^st.
3.   The building principal makes the final decision.
4.   The parent will be notified not later than July 1^st as to the district’s decision.
5.   Thorough documentation will be kept in the individual’s cumulative folder.

 

V.        Appeal

The parents may request a meeting with the Superintendent of Schools to review the data if they are unhappy with the initial recommendation. 

 

 

(August 18, 1986; June 15, 1992; May 15, 2000; July 7, 2003; July 9, 2012; January 19, 2015; October 21, 2019)