P5123

Students

Promotion/Acceleration/Retention

The Board of Education is dedicated to the best total and continuous development of each student enrolled in its schools.  The administration and professional staff shall establish a system of grading and reporting academic achievement to students and their parents and guardians.  The system shall also determine when promotion and graduation requirements are met.  The decision to promote a student to the next grade level shall be based on the following criteria:  successful completion of the curriculum, attendance, performance on the statewide grade 4, 6, 8, and 10 testing program and on other standardized tests, maturity, academic potential, student aptitude, and teacher recommendation.  A student shall not be promoted based upon age or any other social reason not related to academic performance.  The district shall provide alternatives to promotion such as, but not limited to transitional programs and may require students whose academic performance jeopardizes their promotion or graduation to attend after-school, summer school or other programs the district offers that are designed to help them.

The Board of Education shall approve the grading and reporting systems as developed by the administration and faculty upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.

The Board expects students to progress through each grade usually within one school year.  To accomplish this, instruction should accommodate individual students and include strategies for addressing academic deficiencies.  Students shall progress through the grade levels by demonstrating growth in learning and meeting grade-level standards of expected student achievement.

Progress toward high school graduation shall be based on the student’s ability to pass the required subjects and electives necessary to earn the required number of credits necessary for graduation.

When high academic achievement is evident, the principal or his/her designee may approve a student for acceleration into a higher grade level.  The student’s social and emotional growth shall be taken into consideration in making a determination to accelerate a student.

Schools shall identify students in danger of failing and being at risk for retention.  Prior to deciding on retention for a student not mastering the appropriate skills, the district may require the students to attend one or more alternatives for remedial assistance.

In all cases of promotion or retention, the parent/guardian is to be fully involved and informed throughout the promotion/retention decision making process.  Parents will be notified as early as possible that retention is being considered.  The principal shall be responsible for making the final decision as to retention and assignment.

(cf. 5124 -Reporting to Parents)

(cf. 6146-Graduation Requirements)

(cf. 6146.1-Grading System)

Legal Reference:  Connecticut General Statutes

P.A.99-288 An Act Concerning Education Accountability

10-221(b) Boards of Education to prescribe rules

10-265g  Summer reading programs required for priority school districts.

Evaluation of student reading level.  Personal reading plans.

Policy adopted:  September 2, 1997

Policy revised:  June 21, 2000

Reviewed and approved on June 19, 2018

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Portland, Connecticut