Promotion shall be considered on the basis of what is best for the child in terms
of school success. Special consideration for promotion and/or retention shall
be given to students with special academic, social, and emotional needs.
In the case of failing work being done by the child, the parents shall be informed
early so that the school and home may cooperate in helping him/her improve.
Retention is used to help students improve their knowledge base by providing
an additional year of instruction thus addressing the frustration and failure
often associated with inadequate skills mastery.
Retention will be considered on an individual basis. Assessment of the student
in the context of the total learning situation and its attendant circumstances
should be used to determine what is best for the student. If a student's ability
to succeed at the next grade level is highly questionable, consideration shall
be given to conditional promotion and/or assignment to transitional classes if
such classes exist.
Factors to be considered in deciding what is best for the student should include:
current skill level;
the student's age;
achievement potential;
previous potential;
evaluative data;
chances for success with more difficult material when current skills are inadequate;
number of absences;
maturity level and most importantly;
what benefits can be accomplished by retention;
previous retention.
A collectively developed educational plan which suggests different strategies
and materials should be considered for every student to be retained. Central
office personnel shall monitor the progress of the retained students.
Deficiencies in several of the above areas indicate that retention shall be considered.
Retention, however, should not be used as a punitive measure or as a way to hold
a student back because of parental wishes when a student's performances does
not warrant it or when the school feels retention is inappropriate.
Parents who disagree with the decision of the teacher(s) and principal regarding
the promotion or retention of a student may appeal the decision to the Superintendent
or his designee. The decision of the Superintendent or his designee shall be
final.