Student/Parent Handbook - Ysleta Independent School District

REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION [Policy EIE]PROMOTION AND GRADUATIONGrades Pre-K – 6. The determination of promotion or retention will be made by the teacher with principal approval.Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students will be promoted to the next grade level. In grades 1-6, promotion to thenext grade level will be based on an overall average of 70 or above on grade-level standards (essential knowledgeand skills). In addition, a student will have a yearly average of 70 or higher in both language arts and mathematics,and a combined yearly average of 70 or higher in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.Grades 7-8. In grades 7 – 8, promotion to the next grade level shall be based on an overall grade average of 70 orabove for the year and in course-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) for all subject areas. In addition, astudent shall attain an average of 70 or above in three of the following subjects: Language arts or ESOL (includingreading improvement, if required), Mathematics, Social Studies, Science. Insofar as possible, a student shall not berequired to repeat any course in which he/she earned an average of 70 or above for any semester.Grades 9-12.Grade-level advancement for students in grades 9-12 will be earned by both total number of credits and core creditsawarded. Changes in grade-level classification will be made at the beginning of the fall semester. Credit may beawarded for courses taken prior to grades 9-12, as shown on the student’s transcript.Freshman (9 th )Sophomores (10 th )Junior (11 th )Senior (12 th )0 – 5.5 credits6 – 11.5 credits12 – 17.5 credits18 or more creditsA course may be considered completed and credit may be awarded if the student has demonstrated achievement bymeeting standard requirements of the course, including demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter, regardless ofthe time the student has received instruction in the course or the grade level at which proficiency was attained. [SeeEI]. Mastery of at least 70% of the objectives on district-approved tests is required.Grade Advancement Testing Grades 5 and 8. In addition to local standards for mastery and promotion, students ingrades 5 and 8 must meet the passing standard on an applicable assessment instrument in the subjects requiredunder state law in order to be promoted to the next grade. [This Grade Advancement Testing Requirement waspreviously referred to as the “Student Success Initiative.”]Special Education Students, Grades PK – 12. Promotion standards, as established by the individual education plan(IEP), or grade-level classification of students eligible for special education shall be determined by the ARDcommittee.Limited English Proficiency. In assessing students of limited English proficiency for mastery of the essentialknowledge and skills, the district shall be flexible in determining methods to allow students to demonstrate knowledgeor competency independent of their English language skills, including assessment in the primary language,assessment using ESL methodologies, and assessment with multiple varied instruments. [See EHBE]RETAINING STUDENTSThe district’s policy is to avoid retaining students in the same grade whenever possible. A parent may appeal theretention of a student who fails to demonstrate proficiency after the third testing opportunity. The school will convene aGrade Placement Committee (GPC) to determine whether the student is likely to perform on grade level if givenadditional accelerated instruction during the following school year. The student shall not be promoted unless the GPCunanimously agrees and the student has completed all accelerated instruction required to date. Whether the GPCdecides to promote or retain a student, the GPC will develop an accelerated instruction plan for the student for thefollowing school year, including interim reports to the student’s parent and opportunities for the parent to consult with theteacher or principal as needed. The principal or designee shall monitor the student’s progress during the followingschool year to ensure that he or she is progressing in accordance with the plan. A GPC shall also be convened and aplan developed for a student who transfers into the district having failed to demonstrate proficiency after the secondtesting.SKIPPING A GRADE LEVELA student in grades 1-5 may skip one grade level if the student scores 90 or higher on a criterion-referenced test for thegrade level to be skipped in each of language arts, math, science, and social studies, a district representative33