2011-2012 Student Handbook - McKinney Independent School District

McKinney Independent School District2011-2012 Student Handbook

Table of ContentsPREFACESECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESPARENTAL INVOLVEMENT...................................................................................................... 2Working Together……………………………………………………………………………2PARENTAL RIGHTS .................................................................................................................... 3Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights ............................................................ 3“Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities ................................................................................. 3Inspecting Surveys .................................................................................................................. 3Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Staff ............................................... 3Reviewing Instructional Materials .......................................................................................... 4Displaying a Student’s Artwork and Projects ......................................................................... 4Accessing Student Records ..................................................................................................... 4Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student ..................................................... 4Granting Permission to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness Instruction………….. 5Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom .......................................................... 5Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction ........................................................ 5Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas Flags .......................... 6Excusing a Student from Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of Independence ................. 6Requesting Limited or No Contact with a Student through Electronic Media……………... 6Requesting Notices of Certain Student Misconduct ............................................................... 6School Safety Transfers .......................................................................................................... 6Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth Siblings ............................................ 7Other Import Information for Parents………………………………………………………. 7Parents of Students with Disabilities ...................................................................................... 7Requesting the Use of a Service Animal………………………………………………… 7Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who Have LearningDifficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education ................................................ 7Parents of Students Who Speak a Primary Language Other than English…………………. 8Accommodations for Children of Military Families .............................................................. 8Student Records ...................................................................................................................... 8- i -

Directory Information ....................................................................................................... 10Directory Information for School-Sponsored Purposes .................................................... 10Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of HigherEducation .......................................................................................................................... 10SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTSABSENCES/ATTENDANCE ...................................................................................................... 11Compulsory Attendance........................................................................................................ 11Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance ............................................................................... 11Failure to Comply with Compulsory Attendance ................................................................. 12Attendance for Credit ............................................................................................................ 12Parent’s Note after an Absence ............................................................................................. 13Doctor’s Note after an Absence for Illness ........................................................................... 13Driver License Attendance Verification ............................................................................... 13ACADEMIC PROGRAMS .......................................................................................................... 13BULLYING .................................................................................................................................. 13CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ........................................................................................................... 14CLASS RANK/TOP TEN PERCENT/HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT ................................. 15CLASS SCHEDULES………………………………………………………………………….. 15COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS……………………………………………… 15COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES .................................................................................................. 15COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ............................................................................................. 15CONDUCT ................................................................................................................................... 16Applicability of School Rules ............................................................................................... 16Disruptions of School Operations…………………………………………………………. 16Social Events ......................................................................................................................... 16COUNSELING ............................................................................................................................. 16Academic Counseling ........................................................................................................... 16Personal Counseling.............................................................................................................. 17Psychological Exams, Tests, or Treatment ……………………………………………….. 17Harold Murphy Counseling Center………………………………………………………... 17COURSE CREDIT……………………………………………………………………………... 17CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the Course .......................................................... 17CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course ................................................... 18DATING VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATION ........... 18- ii -

Dating Violence…………………………………………………………………………… 18Discrimination....................................................................................................................... 18Harassment ............................................................................................................................ 18Sexual Harassment ................................................................................................................ 19Retaliation ............................................................................................................................. 19Reporting Procedures ............................................................................................................ 19Investigation of Report ......................................................................................................... 19DISCRIMINATION ..................................................................................................................... 20DISTANCE LEARNING………………………………………………………………………. 20DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS OR DOCUMENTS ..................................... 20School Materials ................................................................................................................... 20Nonschool Materials...from students .................................................................................... 20Nonschool Materials...from others........................................................................................ 21DRESS AND GROOMING ......................................................................................................... 21Dress………………………………………………………………………………………. 21Grooming………………………………………………………………………………….. 22ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES……………………………. 23Possession and Use of Other Personal Electronic Devices………………………………... 23Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic Devices………. 23Acceptable Use of District Technology Resources……………………………………….. 24Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology Resources………………………….. 24END-OF-COURSE (EOC) ASSESSMENTS…………………………………………………. 24EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS ............................. 24Standards of Behavior ........................................................................................................... 25FEES ............................................................................................................................................. 25FUND-RAISING .......................................................................................................................... 26GANG-FREE ZONES .................................................................................................................. 26GRADE CLASSIFICATION ....................................................................................................... 26GRADING GUIDELINES ........................................................................................................... 26GRADUATION ............................................................................................................................ 26Requirements for a Diploma ................................................................................................. 26Graduation Programs……………………………………………………………………… 27Certificates of Course Completion………………………………………………………… 28Students with Disabilities…………………………………………………………………. 29- iii -

HARASSMENT ........................................................................................................................... 29HAZING………………………………………………………………………………………... 29HEALTH-RELATED MATTERS ............................................................................................... 29Contagious Diseases/Conditions………………………………………………………….. 29Bacterial Meningitis .............................................................................................................. 30Food Allergies……………………………………………………………………………... 31Physical Activity for Students in Elementary and Middle School ....................................... 31School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)............................................................................ 32Other Health-Related Matters…………………………………………………………………... 32Physical Fitness Assessment ............................................................................................. 32Tobacco Prohibited ........................................................................................................... 32Asbestos Management Plan .............................................................................................. 32Pest Management Plan ...................................................................................................... 32Integrated Pest Management……………………………………………………………. 32HOMELESS STUDENTS ............................................................................................................ 33IMMUNIZATION ........................................................................................................................ 33LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES .......................................................................................... 33Questioning of Students ........................................................................................................ 33Students Taken Into Custody ................................................................................................ 34Notification of Law Violations ............................................................................................. 34LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT STUDENTS…………………………………………….. 35MAKEUP WORK ........................................................................................................................ 35Makeup Work Because of Absence ...................................................................................... 35DAEP Makeup Work ............................................................................................................ 35In-school Suspension (ISS) Makeup Work ........................................................................... 35MEDICINE AT SCHOOL ............................................................................................................ 36No Tolerance Policy ............................................................................................................. 36Medication Guidelines .......................................................................................................... 36Psychotropic Drugs ............................................................................................................... 37NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT .................................................................................... 37PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS / HEALTH SCREENINGS ....................................................... 37PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE OF SILENCE ............................................... 38PRAYER ....................................................................................................................................... 38PROMOTION AND RETENTION .............................................................................................. 38- iv -

RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL ............................................................................ 39REPORT CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES ........................................ 39RETALIATION ............................................................................................................................ 40SAFETY ....................................................................................................................................... 40Accident Insurance ................................................................................................................ 40Drills: Fire, Tornado, and Other Emergencies ..................................................................... 40Fire Drill Bells .................................................................................................................. 40Tornado Drill Bells ........................................................................................................... 40Emergency Medical Treatment and Information .................................................................. 40Emergency School-Closing Information .............................................................................. 41SCHOOL FACILITIES ................................................................................................................ 41Use by Students Before and After School ............................................................................ 41Conduct Before and After School ......................................................................................... 41Use of Hallways During Class Time .................................................................................... 41Cafeteria Services ................................................................................................................. 41Meetings of Noncurriculum-Related Groups ........................................................................ 42SEARCHES .................................................................................................................................. 42Students’ Desks and Lockers ................................................................................................ 42Electronic Devices………………………………………………………………………… 42Vehicles on Campus ............................................................................................................. 42Trained Dogs ......................................................................................................................... 42SPECIAL PROGRAMS ............................................................................................................... 42STANDARIZED TESTING……………………………………………………………………. 43SAT/ACT (Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Test)………………………. 43STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness)…………………………... 43TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)……………………………………. 44THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment)…………………………………………… 44STEROIDS ................................................................................................................................... 44STUDENTS IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OF THE STATE………………………………... 45STUDENT SPEAKERS ............................................................................................................... 45SUICIDE AWARENESS………………………………………………………………………. 45TAKS (TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS) ........................................ 45TARDINESS................................................................................................................................. 45TEMPERATURE/SEVERE WEATHER .................................................................................... 46- v -

Heat/Ozone Guidelines ......................................................................................................... 46Cold Temperatures ……………………………………………………………………..... 47Severe Weather……………………………………………………………………………. 47TEXTBOOKS, ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS, AND TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT...... 47TRANSFERS ................................................................................................................................ 47TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................................................... 47School-Sponsored Trips ........................................................................................................ 47Buses and Other School Vehicles ......................................................................................... 47VANDALISM............................................................................................................................... 48VIDEO CAMERAS ...................................................................................................................... 48VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL .................................................................................................... 48General Visitors .................................................................................................................... 48WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL ........................................................................................... 49- vi -

PREFACETo Students and Parents:Welcome to school year 2011–2012! Education is a team effort, and we know that students,parents, teachers, and other staff members all working together can make this a wonderfullysuccessful year for our students.The McKinney ISD Student Handbook is designed to provide a resource for some of the basicinformation that you and your child will need during the school year. In an effort to make iteasier to use, the handbook is divided into two sections:Section I—PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES—with information to assist youin responding to school related issues. We encourage you to take some time to closely reviewthis section of the handbook.Section II—OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS—organized alphabetically by topic for quick access when searching for information on a specificissue.Please be aware that the term “the student’s parent” is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian,or any other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student.Both students and parents should become familiar with the McKinney ISD Student Code ofConduct, which is a document adopted by the board and intended to promote school safety andan atmosphere for learning.The Student Handbook is designed to be in harmony with board policy and the Student Code ofConduct. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption andrevision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy or other rules that affect StudentHandbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters or othercommunications.In case of conflict between board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and any provisions ofthe Student Handbook, the current provisions of board policy or the Student Code of Conductare to be followed.After reading through the entire handbook with your child, keep it as a reference during thisschool year. If you or your child has questions about any of the material in this handbook, pleasecontact the campus principal.Please note that references to policy codes are included so that parents can refer to current boardpolicy. A copy of the district’s policy manual is available for review in the school office [oronline at the district’s website – www.mckinneyisd.net.- 1 -

SECTION I: PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESThis section of the McKinney ISD Student Handbook includes information on topics of particular interestto you as a parent.PARENTAL INVOLVEMENTWorking TogetherBoth experience and research tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is goodcommunication and a strong partnership between home and school. Your involvement in this partnershipmay include:• Encouraging your child to put a high priority on education and working with your child on a dailybasis to make the most of the educational opportunities the school provides.• Ensuring that your child completes all homework assignments and special projects and comes toschool each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn.• Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs,including special programs, offered in the district.• Discussing with the counselor or principal any questions you may have about the options andopportunities available to your child.• Reviewing the requirements of the graduation programs with your child, once your child beginsenrolling in courses that earn high school credit.• Monitoring your child’s academic progress and contacting teachers as needed• Attending scheduled conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed. To schedule atelephone or in-person conference with a teacher, counselor, or principal, please call the school officefor an appointment. The teacher will usually return your call or meet with you during his or herconference period or before or after school.• Becoming a school volunteer.• Participating in campus parent organizations. For a listing of parent organizations contact the campusprincipal.• Serving as a parent representative on the district-level or campus-level planning committees, assistingin the development of educational goals and plans to improve student achievement. For furtherinformation, see policies at BQA and BQB, and contact the campus principal.• Serving on the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), assisting the district in ensuring localcommunity values are reflected in health education instruction. [See policies at BDF, EHAA, FFA,and information in this handbook at School Health Advisory Council• Attending school board meetings to learn more about district operations. [See policies at BE andBED for more information.]- 2 -

PARENTAL RIGHTSObtaining Information and Protecting Student RightsYour child will not be required to participate without parental consent in any survey, analysis, orevaluation—funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education—that concerns:• Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.• Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.• Sexual behavior or attitudes.• Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.• Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has a close family relationship.• Relationships privileged under law, such as relationships with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.• Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents.• Income, except when the information is required by law and will be used to determine the student’seligibility to participate in a special program or to receive financial assistance under such a program.You will be able to inspect the survey or other instrument and any instructional materials used inconnection with such a survey, analysis, or evaluation. [For further information, see policy EF(LEGAL).]“Opting Out” of Surveys and ActivitiesAs a parent, you have a right to receive notice of and deny permission for your child’s participation in:• Any survey concerning the private information listed above, regardless of funding.• School activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information gathered fromyour child for the purpose of marketing or selling that information.• Any nonemergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance,administered and scheduled by the school in advance and not necessary to protect the immediatehealth and safety of the student. Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or anyphysical exam or screening permitted or required under state law. [See policies EF and FFAA.]Inspecting SurveysAs a parent, you may inspect a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered ordistributed to your child.Requesting Professional Qualifications of Teachers and StaffYou may request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, includingwhether a teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas inwhich the teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher has an emergency permit or other provisionalstatus for which state requirements have been waived; and undergraduate and graduate degree majors,graduate certifications, and the field of study of the certification or degree. You also have the right torequest information about the qualifications of any paraprofessional who may provide services to yourchild.- 3 -

Reviewing Instructional MaterialsAs a parent, you have a right to review teaching materials, textbooks, and other teaching aids andinstructional materials used in the curriculum, and to examine tests that have been administered to yourchild.Displaying a Student’s Artwork and ProjectsTeachers may display student’s work in classrooms or elsewhere on campus as recognition of studentachievement. However, the district will obtain parental consent before displaying student’s artwork,special projects, photographs taken by students, and the like on the district’s Web site, in printed material,video, or by any other method of mass communication.Accessing Student RecordsYou may review your child’s student records. These records include:• Attendance records,• Test scores,• Grades,• Disciplinary records,• Counseling records,• Psychological records,• Applications for admission,• Health and immunization information,• Other medical records,• Teacher and counselor evaluations,• Reports of behavioral patterns, and• State assessment instruments that have been administered to your child.Granting Permission to Video or Audio Record a Student• As a parent, you may grant or deny any written request from the district to make a video or voicerecording of your child. State law, however, permits the school to make a video or voice recordingwithout parental permission for the following circumstances:• When it is to be used for school safety;• When it relates to classroom instruction or a co curricular or extracurricular activity; or• When it relates to media coverage of the school.- 4 -

Granting Permission to Receive Parenting and Paternity Awareness InstructionAs a parent, if your child is under the age of 14, you must grant permission for your child to receiveinstruction in the district’s parenting and paternity awareness program or your child will not be allowed toparticipate in the instruction. This program, developed by the Office of the Texas Attorney General andthe State Board of Education (SBOE), is incorporated into the district’s health education classes.Removing a Student Temporarily from the ClassroomYou may remove your child temporarily from the classroom if an instructional activity in which yourchild is scheduled to participate, conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs. The removal cannot be forthe purpose of avoiding a test and may not extend for an entire semester. Further, your child must satisfygrade-level and graduation requirements as determined by the school and by the Texas EducationAgency.Removing a Student from Human Sexuality InstructionAs a part of the district’s curriculum, students receive instruction related to human sexuality. The SchoolHealth Advisory Council (SHAC) is involved with the selection of course materials for such instruction.State law requires that any instruction related to human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, or humanimmunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome must:• Present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relationship to all sexualactivity for unmarried persons of school age;• Devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior;• Emphasize that abstinence is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy,sexually transmitted diseases, and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity.• Direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriageis the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and;• If include in the content of the curriculum, teach contraception and condom use in terms of humanuse reality rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates.• In accordance with state law, below is a summary of the district’s curriculum regarding humansexuality instruction:• MISD has developed a scope and sequence of growth and development and related bodychanges which begins in 4 th grade during the month of May. The 4 th grade science curriculumwill include a hygiene segment and a video shown by the nurse. The focus in fourth grade willbe body changes that occur during puberty/growth and development and their related hygieneissues. The video will include facts specific to male and female anatomical changes. The scopeand sequence will continue in 5 th grade with emphasis on the endocrine and reproductive bodysystems. The 5 th grade will cover the endocrine body system in science followed by a videofocused on puberty and the reproductive system. Grades 6-12 utilize information from the healthtextbooks and Choosing the Best, abstinence- based sex education program, incorporated intothe health/PE curriculum.• As a parent, you are entitled to review the curriculum materials. You may choose to becomemore involved wi th the development of curriculum used f or this purpose by becoming a memberof the district’s SHAC. Please see the campus principal for additional information.• Parent information letters will be sent home to parents in 4 th and 5 th grade prior to any instruction andhave an opt in parent permission slip. Removal of a student under the “opt out” provision will behandled in accordance with “Removing a Student Temporarily from the Classroom” above. A parentmust sign an opt out permission slip in grades 6-12. All of the parent permission/information sheets- 5 -

may be accessed through the Coordinated Health & Wellness section under the Health Services &Wellness Coordinated Health & Wellness tab of www.mckinneyisd.net.Excusing a Student from Reciting the Pledges to the U.S. and Texas FlagsAs a parent, you may request that your child be excused from participation in the daily recitation of thePledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. The requestmust be in writing. State law does not allow your child to be excused from participation in the requiredminute of silence or silent activity that follows. [See Pledges of Allegiance and a Minute of Silence andpolicy EC (LEGAL).]Excusing a Student from Reciting a Portion of the Declaration of IndependenceYou may request that your child be excused from recitation of a portion of the Declaration ofIndependence. State law requires students in social studies classes in grades 3–12 to recite a portion of thetext of the Declaration of Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week unless (1) you provide a writtenstatement requesting that your child be excused, (2) the district determines that your child has aconscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a foreign government to whomthe United States government extends diplomatic immunity. [See policy EHBK (LEGAL).]Requesting Limited or No Contact with a Student through Electronic MediaTeachers and other approved employees are permitted by the district to communicate with studentsthrough the use of electronic media within the scope of the individual’s professional responsibilities. Forexample, a teacher may set up a social networking page for his or her class that has information related toclass work, homework, and tests. As a parent, you are welcome to join, or become a member of, such apage.An employee described above may also contact a student individually through electronic media tocommunicate about items such as homework or upcoming tests.If you prefer that your child not receive any one-to-one electronic communications from a districtemployee, please submit a written request to the campus principal stating this preference.Requesting Notices of Certain Student MisconductA noncustodial parent may request in writing that he or she be provided, for the remainder of the schoolyear, a copy of any written notice usually provided to a parent related to his or her child’s misconduct thatmay involve placement in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) or expulsion. [See policyFO (LEGAL) and the Student Code of Conduct.]School Safety TransfersAs a parent, you have a right:• To request the transfer of your child to another classroom or campus if your child has beendetermined by the board’s designee to have been a victim of bullying as the term is defined byEducation Code 25.0341. Transportation is not provided for a transfer to another campus. [Seepolicy FDB.][See Bullying policy FFI (LOCAL).]• To request the transfer of your child to attend a safe public school in the district if your child attendsschool at a campus identified by TEA as persistently dangerous or if your child has been a victim of aviolent criminal offense while at school or on school grounds. [See policy FDD (LOCAL).]- 6 -

• To request the transfer of your child to another campus if your child has been the victim of a sexualassault by another student assigned to the same campus, whether the assault occurred on or offcampus, and that student has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication for that assault.[See policy FDD (LEGAL) and (LOCAL).]Requesting Classroom Assignment for Multiple Birth SiblingsAs a parent, if your children are multiple birth siblings (e.g., twins, triplets, etc.) assigned to the samegrade and campus, you may request that they be placed either in the same classroom or in separateclassrooms. Your written request must be submitted no later than the 14 th day after the enrollment of yourchildren. [See FDB (LEGAL).]OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTSParents of Students with DisabilitiesIf a student is receiving special education services at a campus outside his or her attendance zone, theparent or guardian may request that any other student residing in the household be transferred to the samecampus, if the appropriate grade level for the transferring student is offered on that campus. [See policyFDB (LOCAL).]Requesting the Use of a Service AnimalA parent of a student who uses a service animal because of the student’s disability must submit a requestin writing to the principal at least ten district business days before bringing the service animal on campusto permit time for the district to evaluate the request in accordance with applicable federal and state lawsand regulations.Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to Students Who HaveLearning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education ServicesIf a child is experiencing learning difficulties, the parent may contact the person listed below to learnabout the district’s overall general education referral or screening system for support services. Thissystem links students to a variety of support options, including referral for a special education evaluation.Students having difficulty in the regular classroom should be considered for tutorial, compensatory, andother academic or behavior support services that are available to all students including a process based onResponse to Intervention (RtI). The implementation of RtI has the potential to have a positive impact onthe ability of school districts to meet the needs of all struggling students.At any time, a parent is entitled to request an evaluation for special education services. Within areasonable amount of time, the district must decide if the evaluation is needed. If the evaluation isneeded, the parent will be notified and asked to provide informed written consent for the evaluation. Thedistrict must complete the evaluation and the report within 60 calendar days of the date the districtreceives the written consent. The district must give a copy of the report to the parent.If the district determines that the evaluation is not needed, the district will provide the parent with priorwritten notice that explains why the child will not be evaluated. This written notice will include astatement that informs the parents of their rights if they disagree with the district. The district is requiredto give parents the Notice of Procedural Safeguards—Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities.Additional information regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is availablefrom the school district in a companion document, A Guide to the Admission, Review, and DismissalProcess.The following Web sites provide information to those who are seeking information and resources specificto students with disabilities and their families:- 7 -

• Texas Project First, at http://www.texasprojectfirst.org/• Partners Resource Network, at http://partnerstx.org/how PRNhelps.htmlThe designated contact regarding options for a child experiencing learning difficulties or a referral forevaluation for special education services is Special Populations, at 469-742-6300.Parents of Students Who Speak a Primary Language Other than EnglishA student may be eligible to receive specialized support if his or her primary language is not English, andthe student has difficulty performing ordinary class work in English. If the student qualifies for theseextra services, the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will determine the types ofservices the student needs, including accommodations or modifications related to classroom instruction,local assessment, and state-mandated assessments.Accommodations for Children of Military FamiliesChildren of military families will be provided flexibility regarding certain district requirements,including:• Immunization requirements.• Grade level, course, or educational program placement.• Eligibility requirements for participation in extracurricular activities.• Graduation requirements.In addition, absences related to a student visiting with his or her parent related to leave or deploymentactivities may be excused by the district. Additional information may be found athttp://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=7995.Student RecordsBoth federal and state laws safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provideparents and eligible students certain rights of privacy. Before disclosing any personally identifiableinformation from a student’s records, the district must verify the identity of the person, including a parentor the student, requesting the information. For purposes of student records, an “eligible” student is onewho is 18 or older OR who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.Virtually all information pertaining to student performance, including grades, test results, and disciplinaryrecords, is considered confidential educational records. Release is restricted to:• The parents—whether married, separated, or divorced—unless the school is given a copy of a courtorder terminating parental rights or the right to access a student’s education records.Federal law requires that, as soon as a student becomes 18, is emancipated by a court, or enrolls in apost-secondary institution, control of the records goes to the student. The parents may continue tohave access to the records, however, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes and under limitedcircumstances when there is a threat to the health and safety of the student or other individuals.• District school officials who have what federal law refers to as a “legitimate educational interest” in astudent’s records. School officials would include trustees and employees, such as the superintendent,administrators, and principals; teachers, counselors, diagnosticians, and support staff; a person orcompany with whom the district has contracted or allowed to provide a particular service or function(such as an attorney, consultant, auditor, medical consultant, therapist, or volunteer); a parent orstudent serving on a school committee; or a parent or student assisting a school official in the- 8 -

performance of his or her duties. “Legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records includesworking with the student; considering disciplinary or academic actions, the student’s case, or anindividualized education program for a student with disabilities; compiling statistical data; reviewingan educational record to fulfill the official’s professional responsibility; or investigating or evaluatingprograms.• Various governmental agencies, including juvenile service providers.• Individuals granted access in response to a subpoena or court order.• A school or institution of postsecondary education to which a student seeks or intends to enroll or inwhich he or she is already enrolled.Release to any other person or agency—such as a prospective employer or for a scholarship application—will occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate.The campus principal is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school.The superintendent is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated.Records may be inspected by a parent or eligible student during regular school hours. The recordscustodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of therecords.A parent or eligible student who provides a written request and pays copying costs per page may obtaincopies. If circumstances prevent inspection during regular school hours and the student qualifies for freeor reduced-price meals, the district will either provide a copy of the records requested or make otherarrangements for the parent or student to review these records. The address of the superintendent’s officeis #1 Duvall St., McKinney, Texas 75069. Please find the address and contact number for your child’sschool by contacting 469-742-4000.A parent (or eligible student) may inspect the student’s records and request a correction if the records areconsidered inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. A request tocorrect a student’s record should be submitted to the principal. The request must clearly identify the partof the record that should be corrected and include an explanation of how the information in the record isinaccurate. If the district denies the request to amend the records, the parent or eligible student has theright to request a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the parent or eligiblestudent has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in thestudent’s record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a student’s gradein a course is handled through the general complaint process found in policy FNG (LOCAL). A gradeissued by a classroom teacher can be changed only if, as determined by the board of trustees, the grade isarbitrary, erroneous, or inconsistent with the district’s grading policy. [See FINALITY OF GRADES atFNG (LEGAL), Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences, and Student or ParentComplaints and Concerns for an overview of the process.]The district’s policy regarding student records found at FL (LEGAL) and (LOCAL) is available from theprincipal’s or superintendent’s office or on the district’s website at www.mckinneyisd.net.The parent’s or eligible student’s right of access to and copies of student records do not extend to allrecords. Materials that are not considered educational records—such as a teacher’s personal notes about astudent that are shared only with a substitute teacher—do not have to be made available to the parents orstudent.Please note:Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education ifthey believe the district is not in compliance with federal law regarding student records. The complaintmay be mailed to:- 9 -

Family Policy Compliance OfficeU. S. Department of Education400 Maryland Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20202-5901Directory InformationThe law permits the district to designate certain personal information about students as “directoryinformation.” In accordance with board policy FL (LOCAL), the district defines “directory information”as information contained in an education record of a student that is not considered harmful or an invasionof privacy if disclosed. Accordingly, the district shall not consider a student’s address, phone number, ore-mail address to be “directory information” unless the student’s parent requests, in writing, that theinformation be released. The district has designated the following categories of information as “directoryinformation”; student name; photograph, date and place of birth; major field of study; degrees, honors,and awards received; dates of attendance; grade level; most recent educational institution attended;participation in officially recognized activities and sports; and weight and height of members of athleticteams. This “directory information” will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it.However, release of a student’s directory information may be prevented by the parent or an eligiblestudent. This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten school days of your child’sfirst day of instruction for this school year.Directory Information for School-Sponsored PurposesThe District will use “directory information”, as defined above, for school-sponsored purposes. Thisinformation will not be used for other purposes without the consent of the parent or eligible student,except as described above at Directory Information.Unless you object to the use of your child’s information for these limited purposes, the school will notneed to ask your permission each time the district wishes to use this information for the school-sponsoredpurposes listed above.Release of Student Information to Military Recruiters and Institutions of HigherEducationThe district is required by federal law to comply with a request by a military recruiter or an institution ofhigher education for students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings, unless parents have advised thedistrict not to release their child’s information without prior written consent. Contact your campusprincipal if you do not want the district to provide this information to military recruiters or institutions ofhigher education.- 10 -

SECTION II: OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTSAND PARENTSTopics in this section of the handbook contain important information on academics, school activities, andschool operations and requirements. Take a moment with your child to become familiar with the variousissues addressed in this section. It is conveniently organized in alphabetical order to serve as a quickreferencewhen you or your child has a question about a specific school-related issue. Should you beunable to find the information on a particular topic, please contact your campus principal.ABSENCES/ATTENDANCERegular school attendance is essential for the student to make the most of his or her education—to benefitfrom teacher-led and school activities; to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s; and to grow asan individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of theinstructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessaryabsences. Two state laws, one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for coursecredit, are of special interest to students and parents. They are discussed in the following sections:Compulsory AttendanceState law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, as well as any applicableaccelerated instruction programs, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student isotherwise legally exempt or excused.A student who voluntarily attends or enrolls after his or her 18 th birthday is required to attend each schoolday until the end of the school year and is subject to compulsory attendance laws, if the student is under21 years old. In addition, if a student 18 or older has more than five unexcused absences in a semester thedistrict may revoke the student’s enrollment. The student’s presence on school property thereafter wouldbe unauthorized and may be considered trespassing. [See policy FEA.]Students enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten, are required to attend school and are subject tocompulsory attendance.State law requires attendance in an accelerated reading instruction program when kindergarten, firstgrade, or second grade students are assigned to such a program. Parents will be notified in writing if theirchild is assigned to an accelerated instruction program as a result of a diagnostic reading instrument.A student in grades 3-8 will be required to attend any assigned accelerated instruction program, whichmay occur before or after school or during the summer, if the student does not meet the passing standardsof the state assessment for his or her grade level and application subject area.Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance• Religious holy days;• Required court appearances;• Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship;• Service as an election clerk; and• Documented health-care appointments, including absences for recognized services for studentsdiagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. A note from the health-care provider must besubmitted upon the student’s return to campus.In addition, a junior or senior student’s absence of up to two days related to visiting a college oruniversity will be considered an exemption, provided the student receives approval from the campusprincipal, follows the campus procedures to verify such a visit, and makes up any work missed.- 11 -

Failure to Comply with Compulsory AttendanceSchool employees must investigate and report violations of the state compulsory attendance law. Astudent absent without permission from school; from any class; from required special programs, such asadditional special instruction (termed “accelerated instruction” by the state) assigned by a gradeplacement committee including basic skills for ninth graders; or from required tutorials will be consideredin violation of the compulsory attendance law and subject to disciplinary action.A court of law may also impose penalties against both the student and his or her parents if a school-agedstudent is deliberately not attending school. A complaint against the parent may be filed in court if thestudent:• Is absent from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the sameschool year (tardies are considered days or parts of days under this provision), or• Is absent on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.For a student younger than 12 years of age, the student’s parent could be charged with a criminal offensebased on the student’s failure to attend school.If a student between the ages of 12 and 18 violates the compulsory attendance law, both the parent andstudent could be charged with a criminal offense.If the student is age 18 or other, the student, but not the student’s parents, would be subject to penalties asa result of the student’s violation of state compulsory attendance law.[See policy FEA(LEGAL)]Attendance for CreditTo receive credit in a class, a student must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Astudent who attends at least 75 percent but fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered mayreceive credit for the class if he or she completes a plan, approved by the principal that allows the studentto fulfill the instructional requirements for the class. If a student is involved in a criminal or juvenilecourt proceeding, the approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the studentreceives credit for the class.If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days a class is offered or has not completed the planapproved by the principal, then the student will be referred to the attendance review committee todetermine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regaincredit, if appropriate. [See polices at FEC]In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the attendance committeewill use the following guidelines:‣ All absences will be considered in determining whether a student has attended the requiredpercentage of days. If makeup work is completed, absences for religious holy days anddocumented health-care appointments will be considered days of attendance for this purpose.[See polices at FEB.]‣ A transfer or migrant student begins to accumulate absences only after he or she has enrolledin the district. In reaching a decision about the student’s absences, the committee willattempt to ensure that it is in the best interest of the student.‣ The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented reasons for thestudent’s absences.‣ The committee will consider whether the absences were for reasons over which the student orthe student’s parent could exercise any control.- 12 -

‣ The committee will consider the extent to which the student has completed all assignments,mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing grades in the course orsubject.‣ The student or parent will be given an opportunity to present any information to thecommittee about the absences and to talk about ways to earn or regain credit.The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the board of trustees by filing a writtenrequest with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL).Parent’s Note after an AbsenceWithin three (3) days of the student’s return to school, a note signed by the parent that describes thereason for the absence must be delivered to the appropriate campus office for attendance documentation.Parent notes are not considered as an excused absence under the compulsory attendance law. Notes notreceived within 3 days of the student’s return to school will be accepted at the discretion of the campusadministrator. A note signed by the student, even with the parent’s permission, will not be acceptedunless the student is 18 or older.Parents may receive an attendance letter if a student has been absent from school without excuse for 3or more days.Doctor’s Note after an Absence for IllnessUpon return to school, a student absent for more than 5 consecutive days because of a personal illnessmust bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused thestudent’s extended absence from school. [See FEC (LOCAL).]Driver License Attendance VerificationFor a student between the ages of 16 and 18 to obtain a driver license, written parental permission must beprovided for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to access the student’s attendance records and,in certain circumstances, for a school administrator to provide the student’s attendance information toDPS.ACADEMIC PROGRAMSThe school counselor provides students and parents information regarding academic programs to preparefor higher education and career choices. Please check with your child’s school counselor for furtherinformation on academic programs at your child’s school.BULLYINGBullying occurs when a student or group of students engages in written or verbal expression or physicalconduct against another student and the behavior:• Results in harm to the student or the student’s property,• Places a student in fear of harm to himself or his property, or• Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening or abusiveeducational environment.Bullying is prohibited by the district and could include hazing, threats, taunting, teasing, assault, demandsfor money, confinement, destruction of property, theft of valued possessions, name-calling, rumorspreading,and ostracism. In some cases, bullying can occur through electronic methods, called“cyberbullying.”- 13 -

If a student believes that he or she has experienced bullying or has witnessed bullying of another student,it is important for the student or parent to notify a teacher, counselor, principal, or another districtemployee as soon as possible. The administration will investigate any allegations of bullying and willtake appropriate disciplinary action if an investigation indicates that bullying has occurred. Disciplinaryor other action may be taken even if the conduct did not rise to the level of bullying.Any retaliation against a student who reports an incident of bullying is prohibited.[Also see School Safety Transfers, Hazing, and policy FFI (LOCAL).]CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND OTHER MALTREATMENT OF CHILDRENThe district has established a plan for addressing child sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children.As a parent, it is important for you to be aware of warning signs that could indicate a child may have beenor is being sexually abused. Sexual abuse in the Texas Family Code is defined as any sexual conductharmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare as well as a failure to make a reasonable effortto prevent sexual conduct with a child. Anyone who suspects that a child has been or may be abused orneglected has a legal responsibility, under state law, for reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to lawenforcement or to Child Protective Services (CPS).Possible physical warning signs of sexual abuse could be difficulty sitting or walking, pain in the genitalareas, and claims of stomachaches and headaches. Behavior indicators may include verbal references orpretend games of sexual activity between adults and children, fear of being alone with adults of particulargender, or sexually suggestive behavior. Emotional warning signs to be aware of include withdrawal,depression, sleeping and eating disorders, and problems in school.A child who has experienced sexual abuse or any other type of abuse or neglect should be encouraged toseek out a trusted adult. Beware as a parent or other trusted adult that disclosures of sexual abuse may bemore indirect than disclosure of physical abuse and neglect, and it is important to be calm and comfortingif your child, or another child, confides in you. Reassure the child that he or she did the right thing bytelling you.As a parent, if your child is a victim of sexual abuse or other maltreatment, the campus counselor orprincipal will provide information regarding counseling options for you and your child available in yourarea.The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) also manages early interventioncounseling programs. To find out what services may be available in your county seehttp:/www.dfps.state.tx.us/Prevention_and_Early_Intevention/Programs_Available_In_Your_County/default.asp.The following Websites might help you become more aware of child sexual abuse:http://childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfmhttp://sapn.nonprofitoffice.com/http://www.taasa.org/member/materials2.phphttp://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publicaitons/txts/childabluse1.shtm1http://www.oag.state.tx.us/AG_Publications/txts/childabuse2.shtm1Reports may be made to:The Child Protective Services (CPS) division of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Servicesby phone at 1-800-252-5400 or on the Web at http://www.txabusehotline.org.- 14 -

CLASS RANK /TOP TEN PERCENT / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT[For further information, see policies at EIC. Or the McKinney ISD Academic Planning Guide located onthe MISD website at http://www.mckinneyisd.net/informaiton/docs/APG_12-1710.pdfCLASS SCHEDULESAll students are expected to attend school for the entire school day and maintain a class/course scheduleto fulfill each period of the day. Exceptions may be made occasionally by the campus principal forstudents in 12 th grade and eHigh who meet specific criteria and receive parental consent to enroll in lessthan a full-day’s schedule. Additionally, exceptions may be made in accordance with applicable federaland state laws and regulations.COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONSFor two school years following his or her graduation, a district student who graduates in the top tenpercent, and in some cases, the top 25 percent, or his or her class is eligible for automatic admission intofour-year public universities and colleges in Texas if the student:• Completes the Recommended or Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program: or• Satisfies the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks or earns at least a 1500 out of 2400 on the SAT.In addition, the student must submit a completed application for admission in accordance with thedeadline established by the college or university.The University of Texas at Austin may limit the number of students automatically admitted to 75 percentof the University’s enrollment capacity for incoming resident freshmen. For students who are eligible toenroll in the University of Texas at Austin during the summer or fall 2012 term, the University will beadmitting the top nine percent of the high school’s graduating class who meet the above requirements.Additional applicants will be considered by the University through an independent review process.Should a college or university adopt an admissions policy that automatically accepts the top 25 percent ofa graduation class, the provisions above will also apply to a student ranked in the top 25 percent of his orher class.Students and parents should contact the counselor at their student’s campus for further information aboutautomatic admissions, the application process, and deadlines.[See also the Class Rank/Highest Ranking Student information specifically related to how the districtcalculates a student’s rank in class].COLLEGE CREDIT COURSESIn addition to the programs offered by the district, students in grades 9–12 may earn college credit. Formore information, contact the school counselor or the McKinney ISD Academic Planning Guide locatedon the MISD website at http:/www.mckinneyisd.net/information/docs/APG_12-17-10.pdf.COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNSUsually student or parent complaints or concerns can be addressed by a phone call or a conference withthe teacher or principal. For those complaints and concerns that cannot be handled so easily, the districthas adopted a standard complaint policy at FNG (LOCAL) in the district’s policy manual. A copy of thispolicy may be obtained in the principal’s or superintendent’s office or on the district’s Web site.In general, the student or parent should submit a written complaint and request a conference with thecampus principal. If the concern is not resolved, the student or parent may contact the appropriate centraladministrator (director, assistant superintendent or the superintendent. If still unresolved, the districtprovides for the complaint to be presented to the board of trustees.- 15 -

CONDUCTApplicability of School RulesAs required by law, the board has adopted a Student Code of Conduct that prohibits certain behaviors,defines standards of acceptable behavior both on and off campus, and consequences for violation of thesestandards. The district has disciplinary authority over a student in accordance with the Student Code ofConduct. Students and parents should be familiar with the standards set out in the Student Code ofConduct, as well as campus and classroom rules.Disruptions of School OperationsDisruptions of school operations are not tolerated and may constitute a misdemeanor offense. Asidentified by law, disruptions include the following:• Interference with the movement of people at an exit, entrance, or hallway of a district buildingwithout authorization from an administrator.• Interference with an authorized activity by seizing control of all or part of a building.• Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent participation in an authorized assembly.• Use of force, violence, or threats to cause disruption during an assembly.• Interference with the movement of people at an exit or an entrance to district property.• Use of force, violence, or threats in an attempt to prevent people from entering or leaving districtproperty without authorization from an administrator.• Disruption of classes or other school activities while on district property or on public property that iswithin 500 feet of district property. Class disruption includes making loud noises; trying to entice astudent away from, or to prevent a student from attending, a required class or activity; and entering aclassroom without authorization and disrupting the activity with loud or profane language or anymisconduct.• Interference with the transportation of students in vehicles owned or operated by the district.Social EventsSchool rules apply to all school social events. Guests attending these events are expected to observe thesame rules as students, and a student inviting a guest will share responsibility for the conduct of his or herguest.A student attending a social event will be asked to sign out when leaving before the end of the event;anyone leaving before the official end of the event will not be readmitted.COUNSELINGAcademic CounselingStudents and their parents are encouraged to talk with a school counselor, teacher, or principal to learnmore about course offerings, graduation requirements, for the next year and other information that willhelp them make the most of academic and vocational opportunities.To plan for the future, each student should work closely with the counselor in order to enroll in the highschool courses that best prepare him or her for attendance at a college, university, or training school, orfor pursuit of some other type of advanced education. The counselor can also provide information about- 16 -

entrance exams and application deadlines, as well as information about automatic admission to statecolleges and universities, financial aid, housing, and scholarships.Personal CounselingThe school counselor is available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns, includingsuch areas as social, family, or emotional issues, or substance abuse. The counselor may also makeavailable information about community resources to address these concerns. A student who wishes tomeet with the counselor should follow the campus’ accepted procedures for accessing the schoolcounselor.Psychological Exams, Tests, or TreatmentThe school will not conduct a psychological examination, test, or treatment without first obtaining theparent’s written consent. Parental consent is not necessary when a psychological examination, test, ortreatment is required by state or federal law for special education purposes, unless required under theIDEA, or by the Texas Education Agency for child abuse investigations and reports.[For more information, refer to FFE (LEGAL) and FFG (EXHIBIT).Harold Murphy Counseling CenterMcKinney ISD and the Department of Counseling at Texas A&M University-Commerce are pleased toannounce the opening of the Harold Murphy Counseling Center (HMCC). The HMCC provides valuablecounseling to MISD students PreK-12 th grade and their family members who are referred on a slidingscale. The HMCC is located at the Greer Annex, 510 Heard Street in McKinney, phone number469-742-6318. Please see your school counselor for details.COURSE CREDITA student in grades 9-12 will earn credit for a course only if the final grade is 70 or above. For a twosemester(1 credit) course, the student’s grades from both semesters will be averaged and credit will beawarded if the combined average is 70 or above. Should the student’s combined average be less than 70,the student will be required to retake the semester in which he or she failed. According to state law,students must attend 90 percent of the days a class is offered to receive credit.CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the CourseA student who has previously taken a course or subject—but did not receive credit for it—may, incircumstances determined by the , principal or attendance committee, be permitted to earn credit bypassing an exam on the essential knowledge and skills defined for that course or subject. Prior instructionmay include, for example, incomplete coursework due to a failed course or excessive absences,homeschooling, or coursework by a student transferring from a non-accredited schoolThe counselor or principal would determine if the student could take an exam for this purpose. Ifapproval is granted, the student must score at least 70 on the exam to receive credit for the course orsubject.The attendance review committee may also offer a student with excessive absences an opportunity to earncredit for a course by passing an exam.[For further information, see the counselor and policies EHDB (LOCAL).]- 17 -

CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Not Taken the CourseA student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the studenthas had no prior instruction or to accelerate to the next grade level. Please see the appropriate campuspersonnel for scheduled testing dates during the 2011-2012 school year.Subject to the requirements below, a student may earn credit with a passing score of at least 90 on theexam. A student in elementary school will be eligible to accelerate to the next grade level if the studentscores at least 90 on each exam in the subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and socialstudies.If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent) must register with the principal no later than 30days prior to the scheduled testing date. The district [may or may not] honor a request by a parent toadminister a test on a date other than the published dates. If the district agrees to administer a test otherthan the one chosen by the district, the student’s parent will be responsible for the cost of the exam. [Forfurther information, see policy EHDC (LOCAL).]DATING VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RETALIATIONThe district believes that all students learn best in an environment free from dating violence,discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and that their welfare is best served when they are free fromthis prohibited conduct while attending school. Students are expected to treat other students and districtemployees with courtesy and respect; to avoid behaviors known to be offensive; and to stop thosebehaviors when asked or told to stop. District employees are expected to treat students with courtesy andrespect.The board has established policies and procedures to prohibit and promptly respond to inappropriate andoffensive behaviors that are based on a person’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, orany other basis prohibited by law. [See policy FFH]Dating ViolenceDating ViolenceDating violence occurs when a person in a current or past dating relationship uses physical, sexual,verbal, or emotional abuse to harm, threaten, intimidate, or control the other person in the relationship.Dating violence also occurs when a person commits these acts against a person in a marriage or datingrelationship with the individual who is or was once in a marriage or dating relationship with the personcommitting the offense. This type of conduct is considered harassment if the conduct is so severe,persistent, or pervasive that it affects the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educationalprogram or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; orsubstantially interferes with the student’s academic performance.Examples of dating violence against a student may include, but are not limited to, physical or sexualassaults, name-calling, put-downs, threats to hurt the student or the student’s family members or membersof the student’s household, destroying property belonging to the student, threats to commit suicide orhomicide if the student ends the relationship, attempts to isolate the student from friends and family,stalking, or encouraging others to engage in these behaviors.DiscriminationDiscrimination is defined as any conduct directed at a student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender,national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law, that negatively affects the student.HarassmentHarassment, in general terms, is conduct so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects the student’sability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity; creates an intimidating,- 18 -

threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; or substantially interferes with the student’sacademic performance. A copy of the district’s policy is available in the principal’s office and in thesuperintendent’s office, or on the district’s Web site.Examples of harassment may include, but are not limited to, offensive or derogatory language directed ata person’s religious beliefs or practices, accent, skin color, or need for accommodation; threatening orintimidating conduct; offensive jokes, name-calling, slurs, or rumors; physical aggression or assault;graffiti or printed material promoting racial, ethnic, or other negative stereotypes; or other kinds ofaggressive conduct such as theft or damage to property.Sexual HarassmentSexual harassment of a student by an employee, volunteer, or another student is prohibited.Sexual harassment of a student by an employee or volunteer does not include necessary or permissiblephysical contact not reasonably construed as sexual in nature. However, romantic and other inappropriatesocial relationships, as well as all sexual relationships, between students and district employees areprohibited, even if consensual.Examples of prohibited sexual harassment may include, but not be limited to, touching private body partsor coercing physical contact that is sexual in nature; sexual advances; jokes or conversations of a sexualnature; and other sexually motivated conduct, communications, or contact.RetaliationRetaliation against a person, who makes a good faith report of discrimination or harassment, includingdating violence, is prohibited. A person who makes a false claim or offers false statements or refuses tocooperate with a district investigation, however, may be subject to appropriate discipline.Retaliation against a person who is participating in an investigation of alleged discrimination orharassment is also prohibited. Retaliation against a student might occur when a student receives threatsfrom another student or an employee or when an employee imposes an unjustified punishment orunwarranted grade reduction. Retaliation does not include petty slights and annoyances from otherstudents or negative comments from a teacher that are justified by a student’s poor academic performancein the classroom.Reporting ProceduresAny student who believes that he or she has experienced dating violence, discrimination, harassment, orretaliation should immediately report the problem to a teacher, counselor, principal, or other districtemployee. The report may be made by the student’s parent. See policy FFH (LOCAL) for the appropriatedistricts officials to whom to make a report.Investigation of ReportTo the extent possible, the district will respect the privacy of the student; however, limited disclosuresmay be necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and to comply with law. Allegations of prohibitedconduct, which includes dating violence, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, will be promptlyinvestigated. The district will notify the parents of any student alleged to have experienced prohibitedconduct involving an adult associated with the district.In the event prohibited conduct involves another student, the district will notify the parents of the studentalleged to have experienced the prohibited conduct In the event prohibited conduct involves anotherstudent, the district will notify the parents of the student alleged to have experienced the prohibitedconduct when the allegations, if proven, would constitute a violation as defined by policy.- 19 -

If the district’s investigation indicates that prohibited conduct occurred, appropriate disciplinary orcorrective action will be taken to address the conduct. The district may take disciplinary action even ifthe conduct that is the subject of the complaint was not unlawful.A student or parent who is dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation may appeal in accordancewith policy FNG (LOCAL).DISCRIMINATION[See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation].DISTANCE LEARNINGDistance learning and correspondence courses include courses that encompass the state-required essentialknowledge and skills but are taught through multiple technologies and alternative methodologies such asmail, satellite, Internet, video-conference, and instructional television.Apex Learning has been established as the preferred method of distance learning in MISD. A student hasthe option, with certain limitations, to enroll in a course offered through Apex Learning to earn coursecredit for graduation. In limited circumstances, a student in grade 8 may be eligible to enroll in a coursethrough the Apex Learning.Depending on the Apex Learning course in which a student enrolls, the course may be subject to the “nopass, no play” rules. [Also see Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, and Organization.]If you have questions or which to make a request that your child be enrolled in a Apex Learning course,please contact the counselor.If a student wishes to enroll in a correspondence course or a distance learning course that is not providedthrough Apex Learning in order to earn credit in a course or subject, the student must receive permissionfrom the principal prior to enrolling in the course or subject. If the student does not receive priorapproval, the district will not recognize and apply the course or subject toward graduation requirements orsubject mastery.DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS OR DOCUMENTSSchool MaterialsPublications prepared by and for the school may be posted or distributed, with the prior approval of theprincipal, sponsor, or teacher. Such items may include school posters, brochures, flyers, etc.All school publications are under the supervision of a teacher, sponsor, and the principal.Nonschool Materials from StudentsStudents must obtain prior approval from the principal before posting, circulating, or distributing writtenmaterials, handbills, photographs, pictures, petitions, films, tapes, posters, or other visual or auditorymaterials that were not developed under the oversight of the school. To be considered, any nonschoolmaterial must include the name of the sponsoring person or organization. The decision regardingapproval will be made within two school days.Please refer to campus specific information to find the designated location for approved non-schoolmaterials for voluntary viewing by students. [See policies at FNAA.]- 20 -

A student may appeal a principal’s decision in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL). Any student whoposts nonschool material without prior approval will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance withthe Student Code of Conduct. Materials displayed without the principal’s approval will be removed.Nonschool Materials from othersWritten or printed materials, handbills, photographs, pictures, films, tapes, or other visual or auditorymaterials not sponsored by the district or by a district-affiliated school-support organization will not besold, circulated, distributed, or posted on any district premises by any district employee or by persons orgroups not associated with the district, except as permitted by policy GKDA. To be considered fordistribution, any nonschool material must meet the limitations on content established in the policy,include the name of the sponsoring person or organization, and be submitted to the campus principal forprior review. The campus principal will approve or reject the materials within two school days of thetime the materials are received. The requestor may appeal a rejection in accordance with the appropriatedistrict complaint policy. [See policies at DGBA, FNG, or GF.]Prior review will not be required for:• Distribution of materials by an attendee to other attendees of a school-sponsored meeting intended foradults and held after school hours.• Distribution of materials by an attendee to other attendees of a community group meeting held afterschool hours in accordance with policy GKD (LOCAL) or a noncurriculum-related student groupmeeting held in accordance with FNAB (LOCAL).• Distribution for electioneering purposes during the time a school facility is being used as a pollingplace, in accordance with state law.All nonschool materials distributed under these circumstances must be removed from district propertyimmediately following the event at which the materials are distributed.DRESS AND GROOMINGThe district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevents disruption, andminimizes safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student’s personal dress and groomingstandards in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.It is the campus administrator’s or designee’s responsibility to insure that enforcement of this policy isdone so in a consistent manner with respect to community standards and age appropriateness. While it isinevitable that there will be differences of opinion regarding the appropriateness of a student’s attire, thefinal decision lies with the building administrator.The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevent disruption, and minimizesafety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student’s personal dress and grooming standards,provided that they comply with the following:DressThe following modes of dress or grooming are PROHIBITED.• Clothing, including tee shirts, which displays sex, violence, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, death, gang or hateslogans or pictures• Short shorts, skirts (must be at least fingertip length)• Pants, shorts, and skirts with holes or tears above the knee• Pants, shorts, and skirts worn below the waist (“sagging” garments are not acceptable)- 21 -

• Pajamas• Underwear as outerwear, exposed underwear (appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times.)• Exposed midriff or cleavage• Trench coats or dusters• See-through shirts (e.g. thin or mesh)• Spaghetti straps, tank tops, basketball jersey (unless worn over an appropriate garment, i.e. tee shirt)• Oversize, or overlong baggy jeans (pants with legs that totally cover/hide shoes are inappropriate)• Oversize or overlong baggy shirts (tall tee’s”)• Leggings without appropriate clothing which extend over and cover the hips• House shoes, slippers• Barefoot• Chains on clothing or wallets, or as necklaces• Any inappropriately worn or mode of clothing that is disruptive (tops or pants that are too tight)Grooming• Non-natural colored hair (green, blue, purple, orange, cherry red, etc.)• Hats, caps, sunglasses• Hairstyles that are disruptive (head and facial)• Bandannas, hairnets, skull caps• Body piercing jewelry• Jewelry – swastikas, pentagram (a pentagram is permitted if worn as a religious symbol), spoons, anddrug related items• Heavy or spiked jewelry (e.g. dog collars, heavy chains)• Body paint• Tattoos with provocative, profane or offensive pictures or writing- 22 -

ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCESPossession and Use of Personal Telecommunications Devices, Including MobileTelephonesFor safety purposes the district permits students to possess personal mobile telephones; however, thesedevices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing unless they arebeing used for approved instructional purposes. A student must have approval to possess othertelecommunications devices such as netbooks, laptops, tablets, or other portable computers.The use of mobile telephones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in lockerrooms or restroom areas while at school or a school-related or school-sponsored event.If a student uses a telecommunications device without authorization during the school day, the device willbe confiscated. The parent may pick up the confiscated telecommunications device form the principal’soffice for a fee of $15.Confiscated telecommunication devices that are not retrieved by the student or the student’s parents willbe disposed of after the notice require by law. [See policy FNCE.]In limited circumstances and in accordance with law, a student’s personal telecommunications devicemay be searched by authorized personnel. [See Searches and policy FNE].Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The district will not beresponsible for damaged, lost, or stolen telecommunication devices.Possession and Use of Other Personal Electronic DevicesExcept as described below, students are not permitted to possess or use personal electronic devices suchas MP3 players, video or audio recorders, DVD players, cameras, games, e-readers, or other electronicdevices at school, unless prior permission has been obtained. Without such permission, teachers willcollect the items and turn them in to the principal’s office. The principal will determine whether to returnitems to students at the end of the day or to contact parents to pick up the items.In limited circumstances and in accordance with law, a student’s personal electronics device may besearched by authorized personnel. [See Searches and policy FNE].Any disciplinary action will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The district will not beresponsible for damaged, lost, or stolen personal electronic devices.Instructional Use of Personal Telecommunications and Other Electronic DevicesIn some cases, students may find it beneficial or might be encouraged to use personal telecommunicationsdevices or other personal electronic devices for instructional purposes while on campus. Students mustobtain prior approval before using personal telecommunications devices or other personal electronicdevices for instructional use. Students must also sign a user agreement that contains applicable rules foruse (separate from this handbook). When students are not using the devices for approved instructionalpurposes, all devices must be turned off during the instructional day. Violations of the user agreementmay result in withdrawal of privileges and/or other disciplinary action.- 23 -

Acceptable Use of District Technology ResourcesTo prepare students for an increasingly technological society, the district has made an investment in theuse of district-owned technology resources for instructional purposes; specific resources may be issuedindividually to students. Use of these technological resources, which include the district’s networksystems and use of district equipment, is restricted to approved purposes only. Students and parents willbe asked to sign a user agreement (separate from this handbook) regarding use of the district resources.Violations of the user agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and/or other disciplinary action.Email ServiceThe District may provide email accounts to students for purposes consistent with the Student AUP.Students are required to abide by the Student Code of Conduct, District Policy, State and Federal laws,and the Student AUP when accessing District emails accounts. Parents should be aware that in order toprovide this service to students, the District is required to disclose certain personally identifiableinformation to email service providers for the limited purpose of creating and maintaining student emailaccounts in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).Unacceptable and Inappropriate Use of Technology ResourcesStudents are prohibited from possessing, sending, forwarding, or posting, accessing, or displayingelectronic messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging toanother’s reputation, or illegal. This prohibition also applies to conduct off school property; whether theequipment used to send such messages is district-owned or personally owned, if it results in a substantialdisruption to the educational environment. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, possessing orsharing obscene, sexually oriented, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or other content, commonly referredto as “sexting,” will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct and may, in certaincircumstances, be reported to law enforcement.In addition, any student who engages in conduct that results in a breach of the district’s computer securitywill be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, and, in some cases, the consequencemay rise to the level of expulsion.END-OF-COURSE (EOC) ASSESSMENTSSee Course Credit, Grading Guidelines, Graduation and Standardized TestingEXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONSParticipation in school-sponsored activities is an excellent way for a student to develop talents, receiveindividual recognition, and build strong friendships with other students; participation, however, is aprivilege, not a right.Eligibility for participation in many of these activities is governed by state law and the rules of theUniversity Interscholastic League (UIL)—a statewide association overseeing inter-district competition. Ifa student is involved in an academic, athletic, or music activity governed by UIL, the student and parentsare expected to know and follow all rules of the UIL organizations. [See http://www.uiltexas.org foradditional information.]The following requirements apply to all extracurricular activities:- 24 -

• A student who receives at the end of a grading period a grade below 70 in any academic class—otherthan an advanced placement or international baccalaureate course; or an honors or dual credit coursein English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, or a foreign language—may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks.• A student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the individualized education program(IEP) may not participate for at least three school weeks.• An ineligible student may practice or rehearse.• A student is allowed in a school year a specific number of absences not related to post-districtcompetition, a maximum number for post-district competition prior to state, and a maximum ofabsences for state competition. All extracurricular activities and public performances, whether UILactivities or other activities approved by the board, are subject to these restrictions.• An absence for participation in an activity that has not been approved will receive an unexcusedabsence.Standards of BehaviorSponsors of student clubs and performing groups such as the band, choir, and drill and athletic teams mayestablish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those forstudents in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by theStudent Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by theorganization’s standards of behavior.[For further information, see policies at FM and FO. For student-organized, student-led groups, seeMeetings of Non-curriculum-Related Groups.]FEESMaterials that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state and local funds at nocharge to a student. A student, however, is expected to provide his or her own pencils, paper, erasers, andnotebooks and may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits, including:• Costs for materials for a class project that the student will keep.• Membership dues in voluntary clubs or student organizations and admission fees to extracurricularactivities.• Security deposits.• Personal physical education and athletic equipment and apparel.• Voluntarily purchased pictures, publications, class rings, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc.• Voluntarily purchased student accident insurance.• Musical instrument rental and uniform maintenance, when uniforms are provided by the district.• Personal apparel used in extracurricular activities that becomes the property of the student.• Parking fees and student identification cards.• Fees for lost, damaged, or overdue library books.• Summer school for courses that are offered tuition-free during the regular school year.• A fee not to exceed $50 for costs of providing an educational program outside of regular school hoursfor a student who has lost credit because of absences and whose parent chooses the program in orderfor the student to meet the 90 percent attendance requirement. The fee will be charged only if theparent or guardian signs a district-provided request form.Any required fee or deposit may be waived if the student and parent are unable to pay. Application forsuch a waiver may be made to the campus principal.- 25 -

FUND-RAISINGStudent groups or classes and/or parent groups may be permitted to conduct fund-raising drives forapproved school purposes. An application for permission must be made to the campus principal at least 3weeks before the event.GANG-FREE ZONESCertain criminal offenses, including those involving organized criminal activity such as gang-relatedcrimes, will be enhanced to the next highest category of offense if they are committed in a gang-free zone.For purposes of the district, a gang-free zone includes a school bus and a location in, on, or within 1,000feet of any district-owned or leased property or campus playground.GRADE CLASSIFICATIONAfter the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of credits earned toward graduationCredits Earned Classification5 Grade 10 (Sophomore)10 Grade 11 (Junior)15 Grade 12 (Senior)GRADING GUIDELINESGrading guidelines for each grade level or course will be communicated and distributed to students andtheir parents by the classroom teacher. These guidelines have been reviewed by each applicablecurriculum department and have been approved by the campus principal. These guidelines establish theminimum number of assignments, projects, and examinations required for each grading period. Inaddition, these guidelines establish how the student’s mastery of concepts and achievement will becommunicated (i.e., letter grades, numerical averages, checklist of required skills, etc). Gradingguidelines also outline in what circumstances a student will be allowed to redo an assignment or retakeand examination for which the student originally made a failing grade.State law requires a student’s score on an end-of-course (EOC) assessment to count as 15 percent of thestudent’s final grade for the course.Also see Report Cards/Progress Reports and Conferences for additional information on gradingguidelines. See Graduation below, Course Credit and Standardized Testing for additional informationregarding EOC assessmentsGRADUATIONRequirements for a DiplomaTo receive a high school diploma from the district, a student must successfully:• Complete the required number of credits;• Complete any locally required courses in addition to the courses mandated by the state; and• Depending on the year in which the student is scheduled to graduate, pass a statewide exit-levelexam or achieve the required cumulative scores on end-of-course (EOC) assessments.- 26 -

The exit-level test, currently required for students in grade 11, covers English language arts, mathematics,science, and social studies and requires knowledge of Algebra I and Geometry; Biology, and IntegratedChemistry and Physics; English III; and early American and United States History, World History, andWorld Geography.Students in grades 10 and 11 during the 2011-2012 school year must pass the exit-level tests to graduate.A student in grade 12 that has not passed the exit-level test will have opportunities to retake it.Also see Standardized Testing for more information.Beginning with students who enter grade 9 in the 2011-2012 school year, EOC assessments will beadministered for the following courses and will replace the exit-level test, as mentioned above: English I,English II, English III, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, World Geography,World History, and United States History. Students graduating under the Minimum Program must takeEOC assessments only for courses in which they are enrolled and for which there is an EOC assessment.Each student will be required to achieve certain scores on the applicable EOC assessments to graduate,depending on the graduation program in which the student is enrolled. A student who has not achievedsufficient scores on the EOC assessments to graduate will have opportunities to retake the assessments.If a student fails to perform satisfactorily on an EOC assessment, the district will provide remediation tothe student in the content area for which the performance standard was not met.Also see Grading Guidelines above and Standardized Testing for more information.Graduation ProgramsThe district offers the graduation programs listed below. All students entering grade 9 are required toenroll in the Recommended Program or Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program. Permission toenroll in the Minimum Program will be granted only if a written agreement is reached among the student,the student’s parent or person standing in parental relation, and the counselor or appropriate administrator.In order for a student to take courses under the Minimum Program, the student must be at least 16 yearsof age; have completed at least two credits each in English language arts, math, science, and social studiescourses that are required for graduation; or have failed grade 9 one or more times. [See policy EIF(LEGAL).]Effective with ninth graders in the 2011-2012 school year, in addition to the credit and courserequirements for each program, performance on EOC assessments will be inked to a student’s eligiblegraduation program. To graduate, as student must meet a minimum cumulative score set by the TexasEducation Agency (TEA) for each content area: English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Todetermine whether the student meets the cumulative score, the student’s EOC assessment scores in eachcontent area will be added altogether. If the student’s total score on the assessments within the contentarea is not equal to or greater than the cumulative score set by TEA, the student may retake any of theassessments in that content area until the student achieves the cumulative score. A student who does notmake the minimum required score on any individual assessment will be required to retake thatassessment.To graduate on the Recommended Program, a student must perform satisfactorily on the Algebra II andEnglish III EOC assessments, in addition to meeting the cumulative score requirements described above.To graduate on the Advanced/Distinguished Program, a student must demonstrate advanced academicperformance on the Algebra II and English III EOC assessments commonly referred to as college andcareer readiness standards, in addition to successfully meeting performance standards on the other EOCassessments. If this standard is not met, the student will graduate under the Recommended Program,- 27 -

egardless of whether the student has met all other requirements for graduation under theAdvanced/Distinguished Achievement Program.*A student who is unable to participate in physical activity due to a disability or illness may be able tosubstitute a course in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies for the required creditof physical education. This determination will be made by the student’s ARD committee, Section 504committee, or other campus committee, as applicable.**A student graduating under the Advanced/Distinguished Achievement Program must also achieve acombination of four of the following advanced measures:1. An original research project or other project that is related to the required curriculum. Theseprojects must be judged by a panel of professionals or conducted under the direction of a mentor andreported to an appropriate audience. Please note that no more than two of the four advancedmeasures may be received from this option.2. Test data where a student receives:a. A score of three or above on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam:b. A score of four or above on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam; orc. A score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar or higher by the CollegeBoard and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National HispanicRecognition Program (NHRP) of the College Board, or as part of the National AchievementScholarship Program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT/NMSQTscore will count as only one advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received bythe student.3. College academic courses, including those taken for dual credit, and advanced technicalcourses, including locally articulated courses, provided the student scores the equivalent of a3.9 or higher.Information regarding specific courses required or offered in each curriculum area, along with adescription of advanced measures available to students in the Advanced/DistinguishedAchievement Program, will be distributed to students each spring in order to enroll in coursesfor the upcoming school year.Please be aware that not all courses are offered at every secondary campus in the district. Astudent whowants to take a course not offered at his or her regular campus should contact the counselorabout a transfer or other alternatives. If the parents of at least 22 students request a transfer forthose students to take a course in the required curriculum other than fine arts or CTE, the districtwill offer the course for the following year either by teleconference or at the school from whichthe transfers were requested.Certificates of Coursework CompletionA certificate of coursework completion will not be issued to a student who has successfully completedstate and local credit requirements for graduation but has not yet demonstrated satisfactory performanceon the state-mandated tests required for graduation.- 28 -

Students with DisabilitiesUpon the recommendation of the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee, a student withdisabilities who receives special education services may be permitted to graduate under the provisions ofhis or her IEP.A student who receives special education services and has completed four years of high school, but hasnot met the requirements of his or her IEP, may participate in graduation ceremonies to receive his or herhigh school diploma; however, the student will only be allowed to participate in one graduationceremony. [See policy FMH (LEBAL).]Please also be aware that if an ARD committee places a student with a disability on a modifiedcurriculum in a subject area, the student will be automatically placed in the Minimum Program, inaccordance with state rules.If a student receiving special education services is scheduled to graduate under the Minimum Program orin accordance with the provisions of his or her IEP, the student’s ARD committee will determine whetherthe general EOC assessment is an accurate measure of the student’s achievement and progress or whetheran alternative assessment is more appropriate. STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate are thealternative assessments currently allowed by the state. [See STANDARDIZED TESTING for additionalinformation.] If a student takes the STAAR Modified or STAAR Alternate assessment, the student’sARD committee will determine whether the score on an EOC assessment will count as 15 percent of astudent’s final grade, as well as whether successful performance and a cumulative score on the EOCassessments will be required for graduation.HARRASSMENT[See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation].HAZINGHazing is defined as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act occurring on or off campus directed againsta student that endangers the mental or physical health or the safety of a student for the purpose ofpledging, being initiated to, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in anyorganization whose members are or include other students.Hazing will not be tolerated by the district. If an incident of hazing occurs, disciplinary consequenceswill be handled in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. It is a criminal offense if a personengages in hazing; solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in hazing; or has firsthandknowledge of an incident of hazing being planned or having occurred and fails to report this to theprincipal or superintendent.[Also see Bullying and policies FFI and FNCC.]HEALTH-RELATED MATTERSContagious Diseases/ConditionsTo protect other students from contagious illnesses, students infected with certain diseases are notallowed to come to school while contagious. If a parent suspects that his or her child has a contagiousdisease, the parent should contact the school nurse or principal so that other students who might havebeen exposed to the disease can be alerted according to the Department of State Health Services- 29 -

Guidelines. For more information, please visitwww.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/schools_childcare/resources/childcarechartnotes.pdf.Unless otherwise advised by the Department of State Health Services or Collin County HealthDepartment, parental notification of contagious diseases/conditions will occur when there have been 3 ormore documented cases in a single classroom within the given incubation period. Students should besymptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.The guidelines below have been developed for the exclusion of students who have communicable orcontagious diseases:• A student with any of the following symptoms must be excluded from school until such time asthe student is free from symptoms has been satisfactorily treated or submits a physician’sstatement that he or she is not contagious.• Temperature of 100.0 degrees or more. Student must be fever free for 24 hours, withoutmedication, before re-entry.• Pain and/or swelling at angle of jaw.• Undetermined rash over any part of the body accompanied by fever.• Undiagnosed patches on the body or scalp.• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Student must be symptom free for 24 hours, without medicationbefore re-entry.• Red, draining eyes.• Intense itching with signs and symptoms of secondary infection.• Open, draining lesions or wounds.• Jaundice• Lice or nits on the shaft of the hair (See McKinney ISD Lice guidelines)• Antibiotics prescribed for any illness must be taken for a minimum of 24 hours prior to readmittance.Bacterial MeningitisState law specifically requires the district to provide the following information:• What is meningitis?Meningitis is an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused byviruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria. Viral meningitis is most common and the least serious.Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of serious bacterial infection with the potential forserious, long-term complications. It is an uncommon disease, but requires urgent treatment withantibiotics to prevent permanent damage or death.• What are the symptoms?Someone with meningitis will become very ill. The illness may develop over one or two days, but itcan also rapidly progress in a matter of hours. Not everyone with meningitis will have the samesymptoms.Children (over 1 year old) and adults with meningitis may have a severe headache, high temperature,vomiting, sensitivity to bright lights, neck stiffness or joint pains, and drowsiness or confusion. Inboth children and adults, there may be a rash of tiny, red-purple spots. These can occur anywhere onthe body.The diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory results.- 30 -

• How serious is bacterial meningitis?If it is diagnosed early and treated promptly, the majority of people make a complete recovery. Insome cases it can be fatal or a person may be left with a permanent disability.• How is bacterial meningitis spread?Fortunately, none of the bacteria that cause meningitis are as contagious as diseases like the commoncold or the flu, and they are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where aperson with meningitis has been. The germs live naturally in the back of our noses and throats, butthey do not live for long outside the body. They are spread when people exchange saliva (such as bykissing, sharing drinking containers, utensils, or cigarettes).The germ does not cause meningitis in most people. Instead, most people become carriers of thegerm for days, weeks, or even months. The bacteria rarely overcome the body’s immune system andcause meningitis or another serious illness.• How can bacterial meningitis be prevented?Do not share food, drinks, utensils, toothbrushes, or cigarettes. Limit the number of persons you kiss.While there are vaccines for some other strains of bacterial meningitis, they are used only in specialcircumstances. These include when there is a disease outbreak in a community or for people travelingto a country where there is a high risk of getting the disease. Also, a vaccine is recommended bysome groups for college students, particularly freshmen living in dorms or residence halls. Thevaccine is safe and effective (85–90 percent). It can cause mild side effects, such as redness and painat the injection site lasting up to two days. Immunity develops within seven to ten days after thevaccine is given and lasts for up to five years.• What should you do if you think you or a friend might have bacterial meningitis?You should seek prompt medical attention.• Where can you get more information?Your school nurse, family doctor, and the staff at your local or regional health department office areexcellent sources for information on all communicable diseases. You may also call your local healthdepartment or Regional Department of State Health Services office to ask about a meningococcalvaccine. Additional information may also be found at the Web sites for the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov, and the Department of State Health Services,http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/.Food AllergiesThe district requests to be notified when a student has been diagnosed with a food allergy, especiallythose allergies that could result in dangerous or possibly life-threatening reactions either by inhalation,ingestion, or skin contact with the particular food. It is important to disclose the food to which the studentis allergic, as well as the nature of the allergic reaction. Please contact the school nurse or campusprincipal if your child has a known food allergy or as soon as possible after any diagnosis of a foodallergy.Physical Activity for Students in Elementary and Middle SchoolIn accordance with policies at EHAB, EHAC, [and FFA], the district will ensure that students inkindergarten through grade 5 engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes perday or 135 minutes per week.- 31 -

Students in middle or junior high school shall engage in [30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physicalactivity per day for at least four semesters OR at least 225 minutes of moderate or vigorous physicalactivity within a two-week period for at least four semesters].For additional information on the district’s requirements and programs regarding elementary, middle, andjunior high school student physical activity requirements, please see the principal.School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)During the preceding school year, the district’s School Health Advisory Council held 11 meetings.Additional information regarding the district’s School Health Advisory Council is available from theMcKinney ISD Coordinator of Health Services. [See also policies at BDF and EHAA.][See Removing a Student from Human Sexuality Instruction for additional information.]Other Health-Related MattersPhysical Fitness AssessmentAnnually, the district will conduct a physical fitness assessment of students in grades 3–12 who areenrolled in a physical education course or a course for which physical education credit is awarded. Atthe end of the school year, the results of your child’s physical fitness assessment will be sent to you.Tobacco ProhibitedThe district and its staff strictly enforce prohibitions against the use of tobacco products by students andothers on school property and at school-sponsored and school-related activities. [See the Student Code ofConduct and policies at FNCD and GKA.]Asbestos Management PlanThe district works diligently to maintain compliance with federal and state law governing asbestos inschool buildings. A copy of the district’s Asbestos Management Plan is available in the campus mainoffice. If you have any questions, or would like to examine the district’s plan in more detail, pleasecontact the campus principal.Pest Management PlanThe district is required to follow integrated pest management (IPM) procedures to control pests on schoolgrounds. Although the district strives to use the safest and most effective methods to manage pests,including a variety of non-chemical control measures, pesticide use is sometimes necessary to maintainadequate pest control and ensure a safe, pest-free school environment.As part of our commitment to provide your child with a safe, pest free learning environment, McKinneyIndependent School District may periodically apply pesticides to help manage insects, weeds orpathogens. Only Licensed Technicians or Certified Applicators licensed with the Department ofAgriculture will be permitted to perform pest control on District property.The State of Texas requires that all districts practice IPM. The State defines IPM as the following:Integrated Pest Management – A pest management strategy that relies on accurate identification andscientific knowledge of target pests, reliable monitoring methods to assess pest presence, preventativemeasures to limit pest problems, and thresholds to determine when corrective control measures areneeded. Under IPM, whenever economical and practical, multiple control tactics should be used toachieve best control of pests. These tactics will possibly include, but are not limited to, the judicious useof pesticides. (Texas Administrative Code Title 4, Part 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter H, Division 1, Rule7.114, Line 16).- 32 -

All pesticides are registered for their intended use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.Except in emergency, signs will be posted 48 hours before indoor application. All outdoor applicationswill be posted at the time of treatment, and signs will remain until it is safe to enter the area.Information regarding our pest management program may be obtained from: Cecil Fueston, IPMCoordinator, 469-742-4280 or cfueston@mckinneyisd.net.HOMELESS STUDENTSFor more information on services for homeless students, contact the district’s Liaison for HomelessChildren and Youth, P J Holland-Rasor at 469-742-7708.IMMUNIZATIONA student must be fully immunized against certain diseases or must present a certificate or statement that,for medical reasons or reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, the student will not beimmunized. For exemptions based on reasons of conscience, only official forms issued by the TexasDepartment of State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch, can be honored by the district. Thisform may be obtained by writing the DSHS Immunization Branch (MC 1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin,Texas 78714-9347; or online at https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm. The form must benotarized and submitted to the principal or school nurse within 90 days of notarization. If the parent isseeking an exemption for more than one student in the family, a separate form must be provided for eachstudent.The immunizations required are: diphtheria, rubella (measles), rubella (German measles), mumps,tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis (polio), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, meningococcal andvaricella (chicken pox). The school nurse can provide information on age-appropriate doses or on anacceptable physician-validated history of illness required by the Department of State Health Services.Proof of immunization may be established by personal records from a licensed physician or public healthclinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation.If a student should not be immunized for medical reasons, the student or parent must present a certificatesigned by a U.S. licensed physician stating that, in the doctor’s opinion, the immunization required posesa significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or member of the student’s family orhousehold. This certificate must be renewed yearly unless the physician specifies a life-long condition.[For further information, see policy FFAB (LEGAL) and the Department of State Health Services Website: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/default.shtm.]LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIESQuestioning of StudentsWhen law enforcement officers or other lawful authorities wish to question or interview a student atschool, the principal will cooperate fully regarding the conditions of the interview, if the questioning orinterview is part of a child abuse investigation. In other circumstances:• The principal will verify and record the identity of the officer or other authority and ask for anexplanation of the need to question or interview the student at school.• The principal ordinarily will make reasonable efforts to notify the parents unless the interviewerraises what the principal considers to be a valid objection.• The principal ordinarily will be present unless the interviewer raises what the principal considers tobe a valid objection.- 33 -

Students Taken Into CustodyState law requires the district to permit a student to be taken into legal custody:• To comply with an order of the juvenile court.• To comply with the laws of arrest.• By law enforcement officer if there is probable cause to believe the student has engaged in delinquentconduct or conduct in need of supervision.• By a probation officer if there is probable cause to believe the student has violated a condition ofprobation imposed by the juvenile court.• By an authorized representative of Child Protective Services, Texas Department of Family andProtective Services, a law enforcement officer, or a juvenile probation officer, without a court order,under the conditions set out in the Family Code relating to the student’s physical health or safety.• To comply with a properly issued directive to take a student into custody.Before a student is released to a law enforcement officer or other legally authorized person, the principalwill verify the officer’s identity and, to the best of his or her ability, will verify the official’s authority totake custody of the student.The principal will immediately notify the superintendent and/or designee and will ordinarily attempt tonotify the parent unless the officer or other authorized person raises what the principal considers to be avalid objection to notifying the parents. Because the principal does not have the authority to prevent ordelay a student’s release to a law enforcement officer, any notification will most likely be after the fact.Notification of Law ViolationsThe district is required by state law to notify:• All instructional and support personnel who have responsibility for supervising a student who hasbeen arrested or referred to the juvenile court for any felony offense or for certain misdemeanors.• All instructional and support personnel who have regular contact with a student who is required toregister as a sex offender or who has been convicted, received deferred prosecution, received deferredadjudication, or was adjudicated for delinquent conduct for any felony offense or certainmisdemeanors.[For further information, see policies FL (LEGAL) and GRA (LEGAL).]- 34 -

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT STUDENTSA student with limited English proficiency (LEP) is entitled to receive specialized services from thedistrict. To determine whether the student qualifies for services, a Language Proficiency AssessmentCommittee (LPAC) will be formed, which will consists of both district personnel and at least one parentrepresentative.. The student’s parent must consent to any services recommended by the LPAC for a LEPstudent.In order to determine a student’s level of proficiency in English, the LPAC will use information from avariety of assessments. If the student qualifies for services, and once a level of proficiency has beenestablished, the LPAC will then designate instructional accommodations or additional special programsthe student will require to eventually become proficient at grade level work in English. Ongoingassessments will be conducted to determine a student’s continued eligibility for the program.The LPAC will also determine whether certain accommodations are necessary for any state mandatedassessments. The STAAR-L, as mentioned at Standardized Testing, below, may be administered to aLEP student. The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) will also beadministered to LEP students who qualify for services.If a student is considered LEP and receives special education services because of a qualifying disability,the student’s ARD committee will make these decisions.MAKEUP WORKMakeup Work Because of AbsenceFor any class missed, the teacher may assign the student makeup work based on the instructionalobjectives for the subject, or course and the needs of the individual student in mastering the essentialknowledge and skills, or in meeting subject or course requirements.A student will be responsible for obtaining and completing the makeup work in a satisfactory manner andwithin the time specified by the teacher. [For further information, see policy EIAB (LOCAL).]A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive agrade of zero for the assignment.A student will be permitted to make up tests and to turn in projects due in any class missed because ofabsence. Teachers may assign a late penalty to any long-term project in accordance with time linesapproved by the principal and previously communicated to students.DAEP Makeup WorkA student removed to a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) during the school year willhave an opportunity to complete, before the beginning of the next school year, a foundation curriculumcourse in which the student was enrolled at the time of removal. The district may provide the opportunityto complete the course through an alternative method, including a correspondence course, anotherdistance learning option, or summer school. The district will not charge the student for any method ofcompletion provided by the district. [See policy FOC (LEGAL).]In-school Suspension (ISS) Makeup WorkA student removed from the regular classroom to in-school suspension or another setting, other than aDisciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), will have an opportunity to complete before thebeginning of the next school year each course the student was enrolled in at the time of removal from theregular classroom. The district may provide the opportunity by any method available, including summerschool. [See policy FO (LEGAL).]- 35 -

MEDICINE AT SCHOOLNo Tolerance PolicyMcKinney ISD has a no tolerance policy for students in possession of medication of any kind, includingherbal supplements, vitamins, and all over the counter medications including cough drops/lozenges.All medications must be delivered and picked up by a parent or guardian. Students are not allowed todrop off or take home their medication(s) from the school clinic. All medications are to be stored in thenurse’s office with the exception of prescribed medications for the treatment of asthma, anaphylaxis anddiabetes. Please see the campus nurse if your child has one of these conditions.Students with asthma or anaphylaxis may carry prescribed inhalers or medications provided writtenauthorization from the parent or guardian is given to the campus nurse as well as a written statementfrom the student’s physician or licensed health care provider stating that the student has asthma oranaphylaxis and is capable of self-administering the prescribed medication. The physician must alsoprovide written information of the name and purpose of the medication and the prescribed dosage. Allmedications must be examined and approved by the campus nurse and must also have the prescriptionlabel on the medication.In accordance with a student’s individual health plan for management of diabetes, a student with diabeteswill be permitted to possess and use monitoring and treatment supplies and equipment while at school orat a school-related activity. See the school nurse for information [See policy FFAF.]All other medications must be stored in the campus clinic in the original container clearly labeled with thestudent’s name. Failure to store medication in the campus clinic or follow the above mentioned proceduremay result in serious disciplinary action.Medication Guidelines:1. All medication must be stored in the clinic except in special circumstances for a student with asthma,diabetes or a life threatening allergy (See above no tolerance section). . Special educationclassrooms will work one on one with campus nurse for medication procedures.2. All prescription medication MUST be in the original container with pharmacy prescription label. Nomore than one month’s supply of medication, in a prescription labeled bottle, shall be brought to theclinic at one time. ALL prescription medication will be counted and documented upon arrival to theclinic.3. Over the counter medication MUST be in the original container with the student’s name on thecontainer. Due to limited storage, no more than a 30 count container shall be stored in the clinic.Over the counter medications may be left in the clinic during the entire school year with a parent’ssignature. We are unable to store any medication at the school during the summer and will dispose ofall medication left in the clinic after the last day of school.4. Over the counter medications will be given according to the label on the package unless otherwisedirected by a physician.5. Over the counter medications will not be given for more than 5 consecutive school days without aphysician’s signature.6. MISD Medication Administration Form must be complete with parent’s signature.7. Medications are to be brought to the clinic by the parent or guardian. Only an adult may pick upmedications from the clinic.8. All prescription medication given over 10 days will REQUIRE a physician’s signature.9. No medication container may contain more than one (1) type of medication.10. Medications prescribed or requested to be given three (3) times per day or less are not to be given atschool unless the nurse determines that a special need exists.- 36 -

11. A student MAY NOT share medication with another student.Siblings MAY NOT share medication.12. MISD registered nurses do not administer dietary or herbal supplements.In accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, Texas Code, Section 217.11, the school nurse has theresponsibility and authority to refuse to administer medications that in the nurse’s professional judgmentare not in the best interest of the student.District employees will not give a student prescription medication, nonprescription medication, herbalsubstances, anabolic steroids, or dietary supplements, with the following exceptions:• In certain emergency situations, the district will maintain and administer to a studentnonprescription medication, but only:• In accordance with the guidelines developed with the district’s medical advisor; and• When the parent has previously provided written consent to emergency treatment on thedistrict’s form.Psychotropic DrugsA psychotropic drug is a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as acomponent of a medication. It is intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behaviorand is commonly described as a mood- or behavior-altering substance.Teachers and other district employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or behavior with thestudent’s parents or another employee as appropriate; however, they are not permitted to recommend useof psychotropic drugs. A district employee who is a registered nurse, an advanced nurse practitioner, aphysician, or a certified or credentialed mental health professional can recommend that a student beevaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, if appropriate. [For further information, see policies atFFAC.]NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENTIn its efforts to promote nondiscrimination, McKinney ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race,religion, color, national origin, gender, or disability in providing education services, activities, andprograms, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, asamended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of1973, as amended.The following district staff members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these legalrequirements:• Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of gender: AssistantSuperintendent of Human Resources at 469-742-4000• Section 504 Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability: SpecialPopulations at 469-742-4000• All other concerns regarding discrimination: Contact the Office of the Superintendent at 469-742-4000.PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS/HEALTH SCREENINGSThe RN, or state-trained clinic assistant, conducts all state-mandated screenings for Acanthosis Nigricans(AN) – a screening for hyperinsulinemia that places a person at risk for developing Type II diabetes. The- 37 -

RN or clinic assistant will also conduct hearing, spinal and vision screenings. A spinal screening involvesa visual examination of the student’s back. See the campus nurse for information.PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE AND A MINUTE OF SILENCEEach school day, students will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge ofAllegiance to the Texas flag. Parents may submit a written request to the principal to excuse their childfrom reciting a pledge.One minute of silence will follow recitation of the pledges. Each student may choose to reflect, pray,meditate, or engage in any other silent activity during that minute so long as the silent activity does notinterfere with or distract others. [See policy EC (LEGAL) for more information.]PRAYEREach student has a right to individually, voluntarily, and silently pray or meditate in school in a mannerthat does not disrupt instructional or other activities of the school. The school will not encourage, require,or coerce a student to engage in or to refrain from such prayer or meditation during any school activity.PROMOTION AND RETENTIONA student will be promoted only on the basis of academic achievement or demonstrated proficiency in thesubject matter of the course or grade level. To earn credit in a course, a student must receive a grade of atleast 70 based on course-level or grade-level standards.Refer to EIE (LOCAL) for Promotion standards for the respective grade levels.In addition, at certain grade levels a student—with limited exceptions—will be required to pass the TheState of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), if the student is enrolled in a public Texasschool on any day between January 1 and the date of the first administration of the STAAR.• In order to be promoted to grade 6, students enrolled in grade 5 must perform satisfactorily on themathematics and reading sections of the grade 5 assessment in English or Spanish.• In order to be promoted to grade 9, students enrolled in grade 8 must perform satisfactorily on themathematics and reading sections of the grade 8 assessment in English.*Because the 2011-2012 school year is the first year of implementation of the STAAR, students will notbe required by state law to perform satisfactorily on the grade 5 or 8 STAARs for this one year only inorder to be promoted to the next grade level.If a student in grade 5 or 8 is enrolled in a course that earns high school credit and for which an end-ofcourse(EOC) assessment will be administered or in a course intended for students above the student’scurrent grade level in which the student will be administered a state mandated assessment, the student willnot be subject to the promotion requirements described above for the relevant grade 5 or 8 assessment.If a student is enrolled in a class or course intended for students above his or her current grade level inwhich the student will be administered a state mandated assessment, the student will only be required totake an applicable state mandated assessment for the course in which he or she is enrolled.Parents of a student in grades 3-8 who does not perform satisfactorily on his or her exams will be notifiedthat their child will participate in special instructional programs designed to improve performance. Thestudent may be required to participate in this instruction before or after normal school hours or outside ofthe normal school day.With the exception of the 2011-2012 school year, a student in grades 5 or 8 who does not performsatisfactorily on his or her exams will be notified that their child will participate in special instructionalprograms designed to improve performance. Such students will have two additional opportunities to take- 38 -

the test. If a student fails a second time, a grade placement committee, consisting of the principal ordesignee, the teacher, and the student’s parent, will determine the additional special instruction thestudent will receive. After a third failed attempt, the student will be retained; however, the parent canappeal this decision to the committee. In order for the student to be promoted, based on standardspreviously established by the district, the decision of the committee must be unanimous. Whether thestudent is retained or promoted, an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the studentto perform at grade level by the end of the next school year. [See policies at EIE.]Certain students—some with disabilities and some with limited English proficiency—may be eligible forexemptions, accommodations, or deferred testing. For more information, see the principal, counselor, orspecial education director.A Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) will be prepared for any student in a middle school or beyond who didnot perform satisfactorily on a state-mandated assessment or is determined by the district as not likely toearn a high school diploma before the fifth school year following enrollment in grade 9. The PGP will bedesigned and implemented by a guidance counselor, teacher, or other staff member designated by theprincipal. The plan will, among other items, identify the student’s educational goals, address the parent’seducational expectations for the student, and outline an intensive instruction program for the student.[For additional information, see the principal and policy EIF (LEGAL).] For a student receiving specialeducation services, the student’s IEP may serve as the student’s PGP and would therefore be developedby the student’s ARD committee.RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLBecause class time is important, doctor’s appointments should be scheduled, if possible, at times whenthe student will not miss instructional time.A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from his or her parent thatmorning and follow the campus sign-out procedures before leaving the campus. Otherwise, a student willnot be released from school at times other than at the end of the school day. Unless the principal hasgranted approval because of extenuating circumstances, a student will not regularly be released before theend of the instructional day.If a student becomes ill during the school day, the student should receive permission from the teacherbefore reporting to the school nurse. The nurse will decide whether or not the student should be senthome and will notify the student’s parent.REPORT CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCESReport cards with each student’s grades or performance and absences in each class or subject are issued toparents at least once every nine weeks.Progress reports are sent home every five weeks. Parents will be given a written progress report if theirchild’s performance in any course OR in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies isnear or below 70, or is below the expected level of performance. If the student receives a grade lowerthan 70 in any class or subject at the end of a grading period, the parent will be requested to schedule aconference with the teacher of that class or subject.Teachers follow grading guidelines that have been approved by the superintendent and are designed toreflect each student’s academic achievement for the grading period, semester, or course. State lawprovides that a test or course grade issued by a teacher cannot be changed unless the board determinesthat the grade was arbitrary or contains an error, or that the teacher did not follow the district’s gradingpolicy. [See policy EIA (LOCAL).]- 39 -

Questions about grade calculation should first be discussed with the teacher; if the question is notresolved, the student or parent may request a conference with the principal in accordance with FNG(LOCAL).The report card or unsatisfactory progress report will state whether tutorials are required for a student whoreceives a grade lower than 70 (secondary student) or 2 (elementary student) in a class or subject.RETALIATION[See Dating Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation]SAFETYStudent safety on campus and at school-related events is a high priority of the district. Although thedistrict has implemented safety procedures, the cooperation of students is essential to ensuring schoolsafety. A student should:• Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student or other students at risk.• Follow the behavioral standards in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct, as well as anyadditional rules for behavior and safety set by the principal, teachers, or bus drivers.• Remain alert to and promptly report to a teacher or the principal any safety hazards, such as intruderson campus or threats made by any person toward a student or staff member.• Know emergency evacuation routes and signals.• Follow immediately the instructions of teachers, bus drivers, and other district employees who areoverseeing the welfare of students.Accident InsuranceSoon after the school year begins, parents will have the opportunity to purchase low-cost accidentinsurance that would help meet medical expenses in the event of injury to their child.Drills: Fire, Tornado, and Other EmergenciesFrom time to time, students, teachers, and other district employees will participate in drills of emergencyprocedures. When the alarm is sounded, students should follow the direction of teachers or others incharge quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner.Fire Drill Bells3 bells leave the building1 bell halt; stand at attention2 bells return to the classroomTornado Drill Bells1 continuous bell move quietly but quickly to the designated locations2 bells return to the classroomEmergency Medical Treatment and InformationIf a student has a medical emergency at school or a school-related activity when the parent cannot bereached, the school would need to have written parental consent to obtain emergency medical treatment,and information about allergies to medications, foods, insect bites, etc. Therefore, parents are asked each- 40 -

year to complete an emergency care consent form. Parents should keep emergency care information upto-date(name of doctor, emergency phone numbers, allergies, etc.). Please contact the school nurse toupdate any information that the nurse or the teacher needs to know.Emergency School-Closing InformationMcKinney ISD administration makes decisions about canceling school due to severe weather on a caseby-casebasis. The first and foremost determining factor in the decision making process is based on thesafety of the students. During severe weather conditions (snow/ice storms), information about schoolclosings can be obtained through the McKinney ISD website (www.mckinneyisd.net), MISDCommunications Department and through local media sources.SCHOOL FACILITIESUse by Students before and After SchoolCertain areas of the school will be accessible to students before and after school for specific purposes.Students are required to remain in the area where their activity is scheduled to take place. For a list ofareas on school property that are opened to students before school and the times when these areas areavailable check with the school principal.Unless the teacher or sponsor overseeing the activity gives permission, a student will not be permitted togo to another area of the building or campus.After dismissal of school in the afternoon, and unless involved in an activity under the supervision of ateacher, students must leave campus immediately.Conduct Before and After SchoolTeachers and administrators have full authority over student conduct at before- or after-school activitieson district premises and at school-sponsored events off district premises, such as play rehearsals, clubmeetings, athletic practices, and special study groups or tutorials. Students are subject to the same rulesof conduct that apply during the instructional day and will be subject to consequences established by theStudent Code of Conduct or any stricter standards of behavior established by the sponsor forextracurricular participants.Use of Hallways during Class TimeLoitering or standing in the halls during class is not permitted. During class time, a student must have ahall pass to be outside the classroom for any purpose. Failure to obtain a pass will result in disciplinaryaction in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.Cafeteria ServicesThe district participates in the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program and offersstudents nutritionally balanced lunches daily. Free and reduced-price lunches are available based onfinancial need. Information about a student’s participation is confidential. Applications are availableupon entry or registration.The district follows the federal and state guidelines regarding foods of minimal nutritional value beingserved or sold on school premises during the school day. [For more information, see policy CO(LEGAL).]- 41 -

Meetings of Non-curriculum-Related GroupsStudent-organized, student-led non-curriculum-related groups are permitted to meet during the hoursdesignated by the principal before and after school. These groups must comply with the requirements ofpolicy FNAB (LOCAL).SEARCHESIn the interest of promoting student safety and attempting to ensure that schools are safe and drug free,district officials may from time to time conduct searches. Such searches are conducted without a warrantand as permitted by law and district policies.Students’ Desks and LockersStudents’ desks and lockers are school property and remain under the control and jurisdiction of theschool even when assigned to an individual student.Students are fully responsible for the security and contents of their assigned desks and lockers. Studentsshould be certain that their lockers are locked, and that the combinations are not available to others.Searches of desks or lockers may be conducted at any time there is reasonable cause to believe that theycontain articles or materials prohibited by policy, whether or not a student is present.The parent will be notified if any prohibited items are found in the student’s desk or locker.Electronic DevicesUse of district-owned equipment and its network systems is not private and will be monitored by thedistrict. [See policy CQ for more information.]Any searches of personal telecommunications devices or other personal electronic devices will beconducted in accordance with law, and the devices may be confiscated in order to perform a lawfulsearch. A confiscated device may be turned over to law enforcement to determine whether a crime hasbeen committed.[See policy FNF(LEGAL) for more information.]Vehicles on CampusVehicles parked on school property are under the jurisdiction of the school. School officials may searchany vehicle any time there is reasonable cause to do so, with or without the permission of the student. Astudent has full responsibility for the security and content of his or her vehicle and must make certain thatit is locked and that the keys are not given to others. [See also the Student Code of Conduct.]Trained DogsThe district will use trained dogs to alert school officials to the presence of prohibited or illegal items,including drugs and alcohol. At any time, trained dogs may be used around lockers and the areas aroundvehicles parked on school property. Searches of classrooms, common areas, or student belongings mayalso be conducted by trained dogs when students are not present. An item in a classroom, a locker, or avehicle to which a trained dog alerts may be searched by school officials.SPECIAL PROGRAMSThe district provides special programs for gifted and talented students, homeless students, bilingualstudents, and migrant students, students with limited English proficiency, dyslexic students, and studentswith disabilities. The coordinator of each program can answer questions about eligibility requirements, as- 42 -

well as programs and services offered in the district or by other organizations. A student or parent withquestions about these programs should contact the building principal.STANDARDIZED TESTINGSAT/ACT (Scholastic Aptitude Test and American College Test)Many colleges require either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test(SAT) for admission. Students are encouraged to talk with the counselor early during theirjunior year to determine the appropriate exam to take; these exams are usually taken at the end ofthe junior year.The ACT or SAT may be available at no cost to students. In addition, students in grades 8 and10 may have the opportunity to take the corresponding preparation assessments at no charge.Please check with the counselor for details.STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness)Grades 3-8In addition to routine tests and other measures of achievement, students at certain grade levels will takestate-mandated assessments, such as the STAAR, in the following subjects:• Mathematics, annually in grades 3-8• Reading, annually in grades 3-8• Writing, including, spelling and grammar, in grades 4 and 7• Science in grades 5 and 8• Social Studies in grade 8Successful performance on the reading and math assessments in grades 5 and 8 is required by law inorder for the student to be promoted to the next grade level. For the 2011-2012 school year only, thisrequirement will be waived. See Promotion and Retention for additional information.STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternate, for students receiving special education services, will beavailable for eligible students, as determined by the student’s ARD committee.STAAR-L is a linguistically accommodated assessment that is available for certain limited Englishproficient (LEP) students, as determined by the student’s Language Proficiency AssessmentCommittee (LPAC).End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments for Students in Grades 9-12Beginning with ninth graders in the 2011-2012 school year; end–of-course (EOC) assessments will beadministered for the following courses:• Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II• English I, English II, and English III• Biology, Chemistry, and Physics• World Geography, World History, and United States HistorySatisfactory performance on the applicable assessments will be required for graduation and will alsoaffect the plan under which the student may graduate.- 43 -

Normally, there will be three testing windows during the year in which a student may take an EOCassessment, which will occur during the fall, spring, and summer months. For the 2011-2012 school year,however, there will be only the spring and summer administration of the EOC assessments.In each content area (English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies), a student mustachieve a cumulative score. To determine whether the student meets the cumulative score, the student’sEOC assessment scores in each content area will be added together. If the student’s total score on theassessments within the content area is not equal to or greater than the cumulative score set by TEA, thestudent may retake any of the assessments in that content area until the student achieves the cumulativescore. A student who does not achieve the minimum required score on any individual assessment will berequired to retake that assessment.A student may choose to retake the EOC assessment in situations other than those listed above as well.STAAR Modified and STAAR Alternative, for students receiving special education services, will beavailable for eligible students, as determined by the student’s ARD committee. These particular EOCassessments may have different testing windows than the general assessments, and the ARD committeewill determine whether successful performance on the assessments will be required for graduation.STAAR-L., which is linguistically accommodated assessment, will be available for students who havebeen determined to be limited English proficient (LEP) and who require this type of testingaccommodation.Additional information will be provided to students and parents prior to the spring 2012 administrations.Also see Course Credit, Grading Guidelines and Graduation for additional information.TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)TAKS is a state-mandated assessment currently being transitioned to the STAAR program. However,depending on the grade level of the student, TAKS may still be administered to a student.For a student in grade 10 or 11 during the 2011-2012 school year, the student will be assessed with TAKSin the subject areas of mathematics, English/language arts, social studies, and science. The test at grade11 is called “exit-level” TAKS, and satisfactory performance on this test is required for graduation.Also see Graduation for more information.THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment)Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most students must take a standardized test,such as the Texas Higher Education Assessment [THEA]. The purpose of the THEA is to assess thereading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshmen-level students should have if they are toperform effectively in undergraduate certificate or degree programs in Texas public colleges anduniversities. This test may be required before a student enrolls in a dual-credit course offered through thedistrict as well.STEROIDSState law prohibits students from possessing, dispensing, delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid.Anabolic steroids are for medical use only, and only a physician can prescribe use.Body building, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength through the use of ananabolic steroid or human growth hormone by a healthy student is not a valid medical use and is acriminal offense.- 44 -

Students participating in UIL athletic competition may be subject to random steroid testing. Moreinformation on the UIL testing program may be found on the UIL Web site athttp://www.uiltexas.org/health/steroid-information.STUDENTS IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY OF THE STATEThe district strives to assist any student who has been placed in either temporary or permanentconservatorship (custody) of the state of Texas with the enrollment and registration process, as well asother educational services throughout the student’s enrollment in the district.Please contact the district Homeless Liaison, who has been designated as the district’s liaison for childrenin the conservatorship of the state, with any questions.STUDENT SPEAKERSThe district provides students the opportunity to introduce school events: listed in FNA (LOCAL) atINTRODUCTORY SPEAKERS]. Students are eligible to introduce these events if they meet thedistrict’s ELIGIBILITY criteria in FNA (LOCAL)].A student who is eligible and wishes to introduce one of the school events listed above should submit hisor her name to the principal during the first week of the fall semester and/or spring semester. The namesof all students who volunteered will be randomly drawn and matched to the event for which the studentwill give the introduction. If the selected student speaker declines or becomes ineligible, then no studentintroduction will be made at that event. The selection of students to introduce school events will occur atthe beginning of each semester.As determined by the principal, students who have been selected for special honors, such as captain of anathletic team, student council officers, leaders of school-sponsored organizations, homecoming king orqueen, or prom king or queen may also address school audiences at designated events.[See policy FNA (LOCAL).]SUICIDE AWARENESSThe district is committed to partnering with parents to support the healthy mental, emotional, andbehavioral development of its students. If you are concerned about your child, please access thefollowing Web sites or contact the school counselor for more information related to suicide preventionand to find mental health services available in your area:• http://www.texassuicideprevention.org/• http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhservices-search/TAKS (TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS)See Standardized TestingTARDINESSA student is considered late when the tardy bell rings, and the student is not in the appropriate classroom.Repeated instances of tardiness will result in more severe disciplinary action, in accordance with theStudent Code of Conduct. Tardies are considered absences under the guidelines and policies regardingcompulsory attendance.- 45 -

TEMPERATURE/SEVERE WEATHERHEAT/OZONE GUIDELINESWeather conditions can pose a risk to the health of students. The following guidelines are intended toassist when making decisions regarding outside activities during periods of high heat or heat index, whenthere is an ozone warning or when other atmospheric conditions pose a health risk to students. Activityresults in the loss of body fluids. Excessive heat and/or humidity increase the amount of fluid loss. Thebody needs a cool-down period to readjust itself to the cooler temperatures within the building. Effortswill be made to make sure that students consistently drink fluids so they do not dehydrate. If a studentbecomes thirsty, he or she is already under-hydrated. Fluids are especially important before any physicalactivity or before leaving an air-conditioned environment. Many medications prescribed for therapeuticpurposes can potentially affect heat tolerance. Some students on mediation have an impaired ability todissipate heat from the body due to their medical conditions.McKinney ISD staff will utilize one of the following sites to access current weather conditions forMcKinney and Collin County:Temperature:http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Mc+kinney&state=TX&site=FWD&textField1-33.2009&textField2=96.6549&e-0Air Quality (Ozone): http://www.airnow.gov/When the temperature or heat index is at or above 90 degrees or the ozone alert is orange, outdoor recessor activities should be limited to 10 minutes.When the temperature or heat index is at or above 95 or the ozone alert is red or purple no outside recessor activities should be allowed, except of normal dismissal procedures, but caution will be used duringdismissal time to keep exposure to heat at a minimum.Parents should notify the school in writing if they do not want their children to go outside on days otherthan those mentioned above for recess or any other outside activity.Parents are encouraged to dress children in cotton material, loose fitting, lightweight and light coloredclothes.Parents are encouraged to provide a balanced diet including 4 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.These foods are not only natural sources of vitamins and electrolytes, but provide additional water to thebody.To the extent possible schedules will be rearranged so that outside activities can occur in the mornings,when the temperature is cooler.Discretion will be used to decrease outside activities when seasonal temperatures and humidity exceedthose normal for this area.Vigilance in hydrating students before, during and after outside activities will be used.Efforts will be made to ensure that all staff members are aware of the signs, symptoms and treatmentprocedures for heat-related illnesses.A cool-down period once the students return to the building from outside activities will be encouraged.Efforts will be made to ensure that students are aware that metal parts, including swing chains, metalsslides, metal wheels, screws and bolts will be hot and to avoid them as much as possible during this time.During these times of heat it is advised that students are to be kept inside the building while waiting for abus, daycare van, or parent pick-up.- 46 -

Cold TemperaturesDuring times of excessive cold weather the following precautions should be taken:When the temperature or wind chill is at or below 40 degrees only 10 minutes of outdoor recess oractivities should be allowed.When the temperature or wind chill is at or below 32 degrees no outdoor recess or activities should beallowed.Parents please make sure to dress your student accordingly for outside temperatures.Severe WeatherMcKinney ISD administration makes decisions about canceling school due to severe weather ona case-by-case basis. The first and foremost determining factor in that decision-making is basedon the safety of the students. During severe weather conditions (snow storms, ice storms, etc.),information about school closings can be obtained at the following media sources: McKinneyISD web site: www.mckinneyisd.netTEXTBOOKS, ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS, AND TECHNOLOGICAL EQUIPMENTState-approved textbooks are provided to students free of charge for each subject or class. Books must becovered by the student, as directed by the teacher, and treated with care. A student who is issued adamaged book should report the damage to the teacher. Any student failing to return a book issued by theschool loses the right to free textbooks until the book is returned or paid for by the parent; however, thestudent will be provided textbooks for use at school during the school day.TRANSFERS[See School Safety Transfers, and Options and Requirements for Providing Assistance to StudentsWho Have Learning Difficulties or Who Need or May Need Special Education Services, for othertransfer options.]TRANSPORTATIONSchool-Sponsored TripsStudents who participate in school-sponsored trips are required to use transportation provided by theschool to and from the event. The principal, however, may make an exception if the parent makes awritten request that the student be released to the parent or to another adult designated by the parent.Buses and Other School VehiclesThe district makes school bus transportation available to all students living two or more miles fromschool. This service is provided at no cost to students. Bus routes and any subsequent changes are postedat the school and on the district’s Web site.A parent may also designate a child-care facility or grandparent’s residence as the regular pickup anddrop-off location for his or her child. The designated facility or residence must be on an approved stop onan approved route. For information on bus routes and stops or to designate an alternate pickup or dropofflocation, you may contact Durham Bus Services 972-542-8316See the Student Code of Conduct for provisions regarding transportation to the disciplinary alternativeeducation program (DAEP).- 47 -

Students are expected to assist district staff in ensuring that buses remain in good condition and thattransportation is provided safely. When riding in district vehicles, students are held to behavioralstandards established in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Students must:• Follow the driver’s directions at all times.• Enter and leave the bus or van in an orderly manner at the designated stop.• Keep feet, books, instrument cases, and other objects out of the aisle.• Not deface the bus, van, or its equipment.• Not put head, hands, arms, or legs out of the window, hold any object out of the window, or throwobjects within or out of the bus or van.• Not possess or use any form of tobacco on school buses.• Observe all usual classroom rules.• Be seated while the vehicle is moving.• Fasten their seat belts, if available.• Wait for the driver’s signal upon leaving the bus or van and before crossing in front of the vehicle.Misconduct will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; bus-riding privileges maybe suspended.VANDALISMThe taxpayers of the community have made a sustained financial commitment for the construction andupkeep of school facilities. To ensure that school facilities can serve those for whom they are intended—both this year and for years to come—littering, defacing, or damaging school property is not tolerated.Students will be required to pay for damages they cause and will be subject to criminal proceedings aswell as disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.VIDEO CAMERASFor safety purposes, video/audio equipment may be used to monitor student behavior, including on busesand in common areas on campus. Students will not be told when the equipment is being used.The principal will review the video/audio recordings routinely and document student misconduct.Discipline will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.VISITORS TO THE SCHOOLGeneral VisitorsParents and others are welcome to visit district schools. For the safety of those within the school and toavoid disruption of instructional time, all visitors must first report to the principal’s office, and mustcomply with all applicable district policies and procedures. All campuses utilize a Raptor V-Soft Systemto sign visitors in to the campus.Visits to individual classrooms during instructional time are permitted only with approval of the principaland teacher and only so long as their duration or frequency does not interfere with the delivery ofinstruction or disrupt the normal school environment.All visitors are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct; disruptivebehavior will not be permitted.- 48 -

WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOLA student under 18 may be withdrawn from school only by a parent. The school requests notice from theparent at least three days in advance so that records and documents may be prepared. The parent mayobtain a withdrawal form from the principal’s office.On the student’s last day, the withdrawal form must be presented to each teacher for current gradeaverages and book clearance; to the librarian to ensure a clear library record; to the clinic for healthrecords; to the counselor for the last report card and course clearance; and finally, to the principal. Acopy of the withdrawal form will be given to the student, and a copy will be placed in the student’spermanent record.A student who is 18 or older, who is married, or who has been declared by a court to be an emancipatedminor, may withdraw without parental signature.- 49 -

GLOSSARYAccelerated instruction is an intensive supplemental program designed to address the needs ofan individual student in acquiring the knowledge and skills required at his or her grade level.ACT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: theAmerican College Test. The test may be a requirement for admission to certain colleges oruniversities.Apex Learning is the online course provider for MISD students to supplement the instructionalprogram. Courses are taught by qualified instructors, and courses are equivalent in rigor andscope to a course taught in a traditional classroom setting.ARD is the admission, review, and dismissal committee convened for each student who isidentified as needing a full and individual evaluation for special education services. The eligiblestudent and his or her parents are members of the committee.Attendance Review Committee is sometimes responsible for reviewing a student’s absenceswhen the student’s attendance drops below 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Underguidelines adopted by the board, the committee will determine whether there were extenuatingcircumstances for the absences and whether the student needs to complete certain conditions tomaster the course and regain credit lost because of absences.DAEP stands for disciplinary alternative education program, a placement for students who haveviolated certain provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.EOC assessments are end-of-course tests, which are state-mandated, and are part of the STAARprogram. Successful performance on EOC assessments will be required for graduationbeginning with students in grade 9 during the 2011-2012 school year. These exams will be givenin English I, English II, English III, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Biology, Chemistry,Physics, World Geography, World History, and United States History.FERPA refers to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act that grants specificprivacy protections to student records. The law contains certain exceptions, such as for directoryinformation, unless a student’s parent or a student 18 or older directs the school not to releasedirectory information.IEP is the written record of the Individualized Education Program prepared by the ARDcommittee for a student with disabilities who is eligible for special education services. The IEPcontains several parts, such as a statement of the student’s present educational performance; astatement of measurable annual goals, with short-term objectives; the special education andrelated services and supplemental aids and services to be provided, and program modifications orsupport by school personnel; a statement regarding how the student’s progress will be measuredand how the parents will be kept informed; accommodations for state or district wide tests,whether successful completion of state-mandated assessments is required for graduation, etc.ISS refers to in-school suspension, a disciplinary technique for misconduct found in the StudentCode of Conduct. Although different from out-of-school suspension and placement in a DAEP,ISS removes the student from the regular classroom.- 50 -

LAT stands for Linguistically Accommodated Testing, which is an assessment process for recentimmigrant English language learners who are required to be assessed in certain grades andsubjects under the NCLB Act.NCLB Act is the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) is recommended for all students entering grade 9 and isrequired by state law for any student in middle school or higher who fails a section on a statemandatedtest or is identified by the district as not likely to earn a high school diploma before thefifth school year after he or she begins grade 9.SAT refers to one of the two most frequently used college or university admissions exams: theScholastic Aptitude Test. The test may be a requirement for admissions to certain colleges oruniversities.Section 504 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination against a student with a disability,requiring schools to provide opportunities for equal services, programs, and participation inactivities. Unless the student is determined to be eligible for special education services under theIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), general education with appropriateinstructional accommodations will be provided.STAAR is the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, the state’s system ofstandardized academic achievement assessments, effective beginning with certain students forthe 2011-2012 school year.STAAR Alternate is an alternative state-mandated assessment designed for students with severecognitive disabilities receiving special education services who meet the participationrequirements, as determined by the student’s ARD committee.STAAR Modified is an alternative state-mandated assessment based on modified achievementstandards that is administered to eligible students receiving special education services, asdetermined by the student’s ARD committee.STAAR Linguistically Accommodated (STAAR L) is an alternative state-mandatedassessment with linguistic accommodations designed for certain recent immigrate Englishlanguage learners.State-mandated assessments are required of students at certain grade levels and in specifiedsubjects. Successful performance sometimes is a condition of promotion, and passing the grade11 exit-level test or end-of-course assessments, when applicable, is a condition of graduation.Students have multiple opportunities to take the tests if necessary for promotion or graduation.Student Code of Conduct is developed with the advice of the district-level committee andadopted by the board; identifies the circumstances, consistent with law, when a student may beremoved from the classroom or campus. It also sets out the conditions that authorize or requirethe principal or another administrator to place the student in a DAEP. It outlines conditions forout-of-school suspension and for expulsion, and states whether self-defense is a consideration insuspension, DAEP placement, or expulsion. The Student Code of Conduct also addresses noticeto the parent regarding a student’s violation of one of its provisions.TAKS is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, the state’s standardized achievementtest currently given to students in certain subjects in grades 10 and 11 and is required forgraduation for students at these grade levels.- 51 -

TELPAS stands for the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System, whichassesses the progress that English language learners make in learning the English language, andis administered for those who meet the participation requirements in kindergarten–grade 12.UIL refers to the University Interscholastic League, the statewide voluntary nonprofitorganization that oversees educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests.- 52 -

McKinney Independent School Districtwww.mckinneyisd.net