POLICY 6-4.2      PROMOTION AND RETENTION OF STUDENTS

 

                Generally

 

                The Virginia Board of Education charges school principals with the ultimate responsibility of assigning pupils to classes, programs, and activities that are designed to promote maximum learning.  In accordance with this provision, the school principal is the final authority in all matters of promotion and retention.  In making the determination for placement, such factors as reading and math achievement commensurate with ability and social maturation, and other requisites necessary to predict success in placement will be considered.

 

                Promotion and Retention of Elementary Students

 

                All elementary schools shall use the third and fifth grade SOL test scores as part of a multiple set of criteria for determining the advancement or retention of students.

 

                Students not passing any portion of the SOL battery tests:

 

1.                    Will be required to participate in a remediation program that may include a summer program or other extended (day, week, year) program; and

2.                    Will be referred to the appropriate instructional team to determine the mode and extent of the remediation program.

 

Promotion, placement, or retention will be the decision of the principal with staff and parental input at the conclusion of the remediation program.

 

                Promotion and Retention of Middle School Students

 

                All middle schools shall use the eighth grade SOL test scores as part of a multiple set of criteria for determining the advancement or retention of students.

 

                Students not passing any portion of the SOL battery tests:

 

                1.             Will be required to participate in a remediation program that may include a summer program or other extended (day, week, year) program; and

                2.             Will be referred to the appropriate instructional team to determine the mode and extent of  

                                 the remediation program.

 

                Promotion, placement, or retention will be the decision of the principal with staff and parental input at the conclusion of the remediation program.  If an eighth grade student does not pass all segments of the SOL test battery, a face-to-face meeting of the student, parent(s), and school officials is required prior to the student’s placement or promotion to ninth grade.

 

                To be promoted to the next grade, a middle school student must:

 

                1.             Pass both language arts and mathematics and either science or social studies; and *

                2.             Attend and pass summer school if either language arts or mathematics is failed or if both        

                                science and social studies are failed. *

                *              Promotion, placement, or retention is the decision of the principal with staff input.

 

                A middle school student who fails two (2) or more classes in a six (6)-week period must:

 

                1.             Have an individual or group meeting with the counselor once every three (3) weeks; and

                2.             Have an individual conference with the teacher of each failed class at least once every three (3) weeks.

       

                                High School Credit End-of-Course SOL Tests

 

                                1.             Verified Credit: Students must pass the SOL test in order to receive verification of the course credit.

                2.             Course Credit: A standard unit of credit is awarded when a student passes a high                school credit-bearing course.

                3.             Following are possible scenarios detailing students receiving verified and/or standard units of credit after completion of a credit-bearing course:

 

                                a.             Pass course for the year and pass SOL test:

Students scoring at or above the SOL proficiency level as established by the state and passing the course requirements will receive verified credit for the course and a standard unit of credit toward graduation.

 

                                b.             Pass course for the year and fail SOL test:

Students who pass the course, and who score below the SOL proficiency level as established by the state, shall receive a standard unit of credit (not verified) for the course and shall participate in a remediation program designed by an appropriate instructional team.  Seniors who have earned the necessary verified credits for graduation are exempt from this remediation requirement.

 

                                c.             Fail course for the year and either pass or fail SOL test:  No credit will be earned, and the course must be repeated if the credit is required to meet graduation requirements.

 

                As school accreditation is tied to student success on SOL tests, schools will be expected to explore a variety of proactive means of promoting student success on SOL tests.

 

                Promotion and Retention of High School Students

 

                To be promoted from 9th to 10th grade at the high school level, a student must pass English and at least four (4) other courses (five on block).  A student is strongly encouraged to attend summer school if English is failed or if two (2) or more other academic courses are failed.  A student who has not earned at least two (2) verified units of credit is required to attend a conference with his/her parents and school officials to review graduation requirements. 

 

                To be promoted from 10th to 11th grade at the high school level, a student must pass English and at least ten (10) other courses (eleven on block).  A student is strongly encouraged to attend summer school if English is failed or if two (2) or more other academic courses are failed.  A student who has not earned at least four (4) verified units of credit is required to attend a conference with his/her parents and school officials to review graduation requirements.

 

                To be promoted from 11th to 12th grade at the high school level, a student must pass English and at least sixteen (16) other courses (seventeen on block).  A student who has not earned at least six (6) verified units of credit is required to attend a conference with his/her parents and school officials to review graduation requirements.

 

                Students will refrain from participating in class privileges unless classified in the appropriate grade.

 

                A student who fails English or two (2) or more classes in a six (6)-week period must:

 

                1.             Have an individual or group meeting with the counselor at least once every three (3) weeks; and

                2.             Have an individual conference with teacher(s) of courses failed at least once every three (3) weeks.

 

                Special Education

 

               Determinations regarding promotion of special education students shall be made consistent with applicable law and relevant individualized education plans.

 

LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, § 22.1-78; Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400, et seq; Virginia Board of Education Regulations Governing Educational Services for Gifted Students, 8 VAC 20-40-10; and Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, 8 VAC 20-131-10, and et seq.

 

 Adopted:  April 2004