HPS Student and Parent Handbook 2019-2020

Homework Policy
Homework is an essential part of each student’s successful
education. Homework assignments help to develop many valuable
skills, including good study habits, time management,
responsibility, and perseverance. Teachers will assign homework
that fosters individual learning and growth and that is appropriate
for the subject area. Homework is part of all students’ regular
evaluations. Each student is responsible for completing and
turning in homework on time. The teacher’s record is final in cases
of conflict regarding homework assignments. If a student or
parent has questions about homework, contact the teacher who
assigned it.
Promotion
A student may be promoted only on the basis of academic
achievement or demonstrated proficiency of the subject matter of
the course or grade level as stated under TEC
§28.021(a). Harmony Public Schools shall consider the following in
determining promotion as outlined under TEC §28.021(c).
a) Yearly Average
Students in grades 1-8 must achieve an overall cumulative average
of 70 or above for all subject areas. For core subjects including
Reading/English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and
Science students in grades 1-8 must maintain an end of the year
average of 70 or higher for promotion.
b) NWEA MAP
Students in grades 1-8 must score in both Reading AND
Mathematics NWEA MAP testing at or above the 10th percentile
at least once throughout the current school year. Campus may
apply for a waiver for NWEA MAP promotion standard (as low as
7th percentile) within their district. If a student passes STAAR
assessments in Reading and Mathematics then that student will
be exempt from NWEA MAP promotion requirement.
c) Satisfactory Performance on STAAR
Assessments
In accordance with the TEC §28.0211(a) students in grades 5 & 8
must perform satisfactorily on the Mathematics and Reading
STAAR assessments, grade advancement tests. School reserves
the right to retain a student failing STAAR Assessments for grades
3rd through 8th.
d) Kindergarten Promotion
For students in kindergarten promotion to the next grade shall be
based on the evidence of satisfactory progress with an emphasis
on reading and mathematics. Evidence for promotion may include
assessment of the student’s reading/math level, information from
the student’s daily work, report cards, anecdotal records, and
teacher recommendation.
e) High School Promotion
In grades 9-12, grade-level advancement shall be earned by course
credits. To be promoted from one grade level to the next, a
student in grades 9-12 must have met the following
must have acquired at least six credits to be promoted to 10th
Grade
must have acquired at least twelve credits to be promoted to
11th Grade
must have acquired at least eighteen credits to be promoted
to 12th Grade
f) Transfer Students
A student who has been promoted upon completion of a school
year in a school other than a Texas public school may be enrolled
in that grade without regard to whether the student has
successfully satisfied school’s promotion standards. This does not
limit the school’s ability to appropriately place such a student.
g) Limited English Proficiency Committee
Limited English Proficiency determination does not change the
promotion criteria, but it requires that GPS consult with the
relevant LPAC member before making a promotion decision when
English proficiency is a consideration. However, the Language
Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) may lower NWEA MAP
promotion standard depending on the English proficiency level.
h) ARD Committee Decisions
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) can modify the
promotion criteria in whole or in part. Any modified promotion
standards shall be determined by the pertinent admission, review,
and dismissal (ARD) committee and documented in the
individualized education program (IEP).
The State’s Student Success Initiative requires students in certain
grades to pass their Reading and Mathematics State Assessment
in order to be promoted to the next grade level. This requirement
includes up to two retests in order to give each student the
opportunity to pass.
Students who receive special education services and who fail to
meet standards on the Reading or Mathematics STAAR tests in
Grades 5 and 8 will have an ARD committee meeting conducted
on their behalf prior to the second test administration.
The ARD committee must determine whether a student will be
promoted or retained. The student may be promoted if the
student has made sufficient progress in the measurable academic
goals described in the student’s IEP. If the ARD committee
promotes the student, the student is not required to take the
assessment a second time.
At this ARD, three options will be decided upon:
37 | Revised in July 2019