Code: IKE-AR
Adopted: 1/25/99; 9/11/06
Orig. Code(s): R853
Revised: 6/9/08
Retention for Students Grades 1-8
Guidelines:
Retention should only be considered when the student performs below potential and, in the judgement of both school officials and parents, retention can be expected to contribute to student growth.
Procedures:
To assist parents the following procedures shall be used. The building principal shall manage these procedures.
Prior to Spring Vacation
An analysis of student ability, performance and environmental factors shall be conducted in considering a student for retention. In doing so, the following shall be considered:
1. Intelligence;
2. Achievement;
3. Learning and behavior characteristics;
4. Social and emotional skills;
5. Attendance;
6. Maturation;
7. Age;
8. Certified or potential disabilities;
9. Light’s Retention Scale;
10. Cultural/ethnic background;
11. Student Assistance Team interventions/recommendations.
A pre-referral process shall be initiated.
A conference with the parent shall be held by the teacher/principal to discuss the possibility of retention, the reasons why, and actions being taken as part of a pre-referral process.
Records shall be maintained of parent conferences, pre-referral actions, test results, and other performance and review data.
Prior to April 15
A follow-up conference shall be held to advise parents of progress, current observations, and recommendations. Should the pre-referral lead to a special education referral, the special education evaluation should be concluded prior to June 1.
Prior to June 1
The teacher and principal shall review the case and make a final recommendation report to the parent. The parent shall be presented the Student Retention Approval Form for completion.
End of School Year
Parents shall be advised that a retention decision and a signed Retention Approval form must be received by the end of the school year for action to be taken.
The signed Student Retention Approval shall be filed in the student cumulative record and a copy filed with the District Curriculum Coordinator. The confidential District Retention Report shall be filed in the student’s confidential file.
Retention Follow-up
A retained student will receive school counseling services and have a personal education plan written to be implemented the following year.
The counselor will contact the current teacher and principal to confer about the student’s adjustment to retention.
The teacher will assess the student’s progress. A follow-up review by the Student Assistance Team will be conducted to consider student needs. Parents shall be consulted in follow-up analysis.
Retention Consideration (Grade 8)
Test scores (teacher-made, standardized achievement tests, state assessments), grades, attendance, and behavior characteristics shall be considered in determining whether or not to retain a student.
1. Consideration for Required Summer Attendance and/or Retention *
Students who fail five or more classes at the end of either the first or second trimesters will be considered for required summer school at the end of the 8th grade year.
2. Consideration for Recommended Attendance at Summer School *
Students who fail three or four classes at the end of either the first or second trimester will be considered for recommended summer school at the end of the 8th grade year.
Retention/Summer School Procedures (8th Grade)*
1. Parents of 7th graders who receive three or more F’s at the end of their 7th grade year will be contacted prior to the start of the 8th grade to advise them that their child’s achievement will be reviewed for summer school placement following 8th grade.
2. A conference will be held after the first eighteen weeks of school with the parents of students being considered under paragraph above. Information regarding this policy will be sent to parents of students identified under either above paragraphs.
3. Parents of students who are required or recommended to attend summer school will be notified by May 1.
Grade Placement Following Summer School*
1. Students required to attend summer school, and whose attendance and performance warrant, will be promoted to 9th grade. Students who do not demonstrate adequate progress may be retained in the 8th grade and placed in an alternative program.
2. Students required to attend summer school, and who choose not to, will be retained in the 8th grade and placed in an alternative program.
3. Students retained under either paragraph 1 or 2 above who demonstrate significant progress in the alternative program may be recommended for promotion to the 9th grade following any regular Madras High School grading period.
* Summer school will be offered contingent upon funding available.