Board Policy

BP 5123

Students

Promotion/Acceleration/Retention

The Board of Education expects students to progress through each grade level within one school year. Within available district resources, instruction therefore shall be designed to meet the varying growth patterns and interest of individual students and in addition, shall include strategies for addressing academic deficiencies as needed. State and local grade level standards/benchmarks of expected district achievement shall form the basis for the instructional design.

Progress through the various grade levels shall be determined by demonstrated growth in learning and satisfaction of grade-level standards of expected academic achievement. Specific progress toward high school graduation shall be based on the student's ability to (1) complete the prescribed course pattern, (2) earn the required number of credits for the twelfth grade diploma, and (3) meet state and locally-mandated graduation requirements, including the California High School Exit (HSEE) examination.

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)

(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)

(cf. 6146.5 - Elementary/Middle School Graduation Requirements)

Acceleration

Acceleration to a higher grade level may be recommended by the principal when superior academic achievement has been clearly demonstrated. The student's social and emotional growth shall be key considerations in the recommendation process. Typically, the decision to accelerate a student shall have the concurrence of the parent/guardian, the teacher, the counselor (if applicable,), and the principal.

Retention

Retention (or enrollment at the same grade level for a second year) is an action to assist students in increasing learning achievement and satisfying promotion requirements for the succeeding grade. As early as possible in the student's school career and/or in a specific school year, the principal shall identify students who are "at risk" of being retained and/or would benefit from retention.

The district and its schools shall provide opportunities for remedial instruction to assist students in overcoming academic deficiencies. Such opportunities may include, but are not limited to, tutorial programs, after-school programs, summer school programs, and parental assistance.

In cases in which a student is identified as performing below the minimum standards for promotion to the next grade level, he/she shall be retained in the current grade level unless the student's regular classroom teacher indicates, in writing, that retention is not the appropriate intervention.

The Superintendent shall designate an appeals process by which the decision to promote or retain a student may be appealed by the parent/guardian to an appeal panel. In such cases, the burden shall be on the parent/guardian to show that the decision of the teacher and principal should be overruled. The decision of the appeal panel shall be final.

(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)

(cf. 6141 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation)

(cf. 6146.5 - Elementary School Promotion/Standards of Proficiency)

The parent/guardian of a retained student shall be afforded the opportunity to request to transfer of the student to a different district school.

(cf. 5116.1 - Intradistrict Open Enrollment)

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

37252.5 Supplemental instruction

46300 Method of computing ADA

48011 Admission on completing kindergarten; grade placement of pupils coming from other districts

48070-48070.5 Promotion and retention

48431.6 Required systematic review of students and grading

56345 Elements of individualized education plan

60641-60648 Standardized Testing and Reporting Program

60850-60856 Exit examination

CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5

200-202 Admission and exclusion of students

Management Resources:

CDE MANAGEMENT ADVISORIES

0900.90 Changes in Law Concerning Eligibility for Admission to Kindergarten 90-10

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S OPINION

Promotion and Retention #21610

CSBA POLICY ADVISORIES

0901.99 Social Promotion/Retention Policy Briefing: Considerations for English Language Learners

1112.98 Student Promotion/Retention Advisory

WEB SITES

CSBA: http://www.csba.org

CDE: http://www.cde.ca.gov

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: May 24, 2001 Palso Verdes Estates, California