2011-2012 Student Handbook - McKinney Independent School District

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 -