Retention

Grade level and group assignments, including promotion and retention, shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent and shall be made in the best interests of the individual scholar subject to Parent(s)/Guardian(s) involvement in accordance with law. Scholars will normally progress annually from grade to grade. However, exceptions may be recommended when, in the judgment of the professional staff, and after consultation with Parent(s)/Guardian(s), such exceptions are in the best interests of the individual scholar involved and retention is indicated. 

Elementary & Middle School

1. Recommendations for grade level placement shall be the responsibility of the building Principal, who shall consult with the Superintendent when in his/her judgment borderline cases might create controversy between Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and the school
2. Grade level placement in the elementary schools shall be based on the following criteria:
   • Academic achievement and ability as indicated by standardized test scores
   • Academic achievement and ability as observed by the classroom teacher(s) involved
   • Chronological age of scholar
   • Size and physical development of the scholar
   • Social maturity of the scholar
   • Emotional maturity of the scholar, and
   • Attitudes and reaction of Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and scholar
   • Documented interventions that include frequency of intervention, specific objections and results
3. Notification should be given to Parent(s)/Guardian(s) as soon as the teacher feels that retention may be recommended, and a conference held with the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) in order to prepare them for the possibility of retention and enlist their help in preparing the scholar. Nothing should be said at the conferences that would indicate to the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) that any decision regarding a recommendation for retention has already been made.
4. The final recommendation of retention shall be made to the Principal at least six (6) weeks before the end of the school year. Final approval must come through the appropriate Executive Director at least forty-five (45) days prior to the end of the school year. A retention plan indicating specific objectives, interventions, and targets should be in place prior to conference with the teacher and Parent(s)/Guardian(s). At that time, a conference should be scheduled with the Principal, teacher or teachers, and Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) in attendance.
5. After the conference, the Principal, in consultation with the teacher, shall make the decision as to whether or not a final recommendation should be made to the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) that the scholar be retained.
6. A written statement of Parent(s)/Guardian(s) approval of the retention should be obtained if possible, and included in the scholar’s permanent record file. If the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) do not agree to retention and, as a result, the scholar is promoted, a statement signed by the Parent(s)/ Guardian(s) so indicating the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) rejection of the District’s recommendation for retention should be placed in the scholar’s file.
7. Promotions from elementary to middle school or middle school to the high school shall be determined by the sending Building Principal based upon credits earned/academic level achieved. A single failure will not necessarily require a recommendation for retention.
8. Though retention may be used at all grade levels, it is recommended that adjustments in a scholar’s placement be made as early as possible. 

Senior High School

1. Senior high scholars are expected to make proper progress towards graduation in order to be promoted with their class. Minimum requirements for Grad Years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 are as follows:
   • 4.5 credits for sophomore status
   • 10.0 credits for junior status
   • 16.0 credits for senior status
   • 22.0 credits to qualify for graduation
2. Potential failure of high school scholars should be called to the attention of the scholar and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) by mid-semester and an effort made to confer with the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) concerning the potential failure.
3. No scholar shall participate in commencement that has not completed all requirements for graduation.
4. Scholars obtaining the requirements will be issued an Academic Diploma.

Also see Board of Education Policy 7600-R.