HPS Student and Parent Handbook 2019-2020

1. Will the student be required to take another test
administration?
2. If the student will have subsequent retests waived, will the
student be promoted based on the academic progress
demonstrated in their Individual Education Plan or retained at
their current grade level?
3. How will the student participate in an Accelerated Instruction
Program in the subject area(s) in which state standards were
not met?
If you have any questions, please contact campus Special
Education coordinator.
Retention
Students in danger of consideration for retention will receive a
written request for a mandatory conference between February
and May.
a) Kindergarten Retention
In kindergarten, retention shall be considered only in unusual
circumstances and with the approval of the student’s parents. A
written recommendation for retention, including suggestions for
assistance for the student shall be signed by the student’s teacher,
parent, and the principal.
b) Parental Notification
Whenever the school is required to notify a parent or guardian
about the requirements related to promotion and retention, the
School shall make a good-faith effort to ensure that the notice is
provided either in person or by regular mail, is clear and easy to
understand, and is written in English or in the parent or guardian’s
native language.
c) Grade Placement Committee
After a student identified as at risk of failing, a GPC shall be
established to prescribe the accelerated instruction the student is
to receive. In accordance with 19 TAC 101.2006(d), decisions by
the GPC shall be made on an individual student basis, address
required participation of the student in accelerated instruction,
and ensure the most effective instruction to support the student’s
academic achievement on grade level. The GPC shall be composed
of the Principal or the Principal’s designee, the student’s parent or
guardian, and the student’s teacher.
A decision to promote a student to the next grade level must be
unanimous. If the decision is not unanimous, the student will be
retained at his or her current grade level.
Retention and Appeal
A student who fails to satisfy school’s promotion standards shall
be retained at the same grade level for the next school year. The
parent or guardian may appeal the retention by submitting a
request to the district office within five working days of receipt of
the retention notification.
If an appeal is initiated by the parent or guardian, the district office
may decide in favor of promotion only if the district office
concludes, upon review of all facts and circumstances, and in
accordance with standards adopted by the Board, that the student
is likely to perform on grade level given additional accelerated
instruction during the next school year.
The district office’s decision regarding placement is final and may
not be appealed.
State Assessments
High School Students
To receive a high school diploma, students must successfully pass
state mandated tests. Test results will be reported to students and
parents. Certain students may be eligible for exemptions or
accommodations.
Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, students in 9th grade
are required to take 5 End-of-Course (“EOC”) assessments during
high school. These include the following EOC exams:
English I, English II;
Algebra I;
Biology;
U.S. History;
If a student is in a special education program, the student’s
Admission, Review, and Dismissal (“ARD”) Committee must
determine whether any allowable modification is necessary in
administering an assessment instrument to the student.
Students with Disabilities
Upon the recommendation of the Admission, Review, and
Dismissal (“ARD”) Committee, a student with disabilities who is
receiving special education services may be promoted and/ or
permitted to graduate under the provisions of his or her
Individualized Education Program (“IEP”).
A student who receives special education services and has
completed four years of high school, but has not met the
requirements of his or her IEP, may participate in graduation
ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance. Even if the
student participates in graduation ceremonies to receive the
certificate of attendance, he or she may remain enrolled to A
student who receives special education services and has
completed four years of high school, but has not met the
requirements of his or her IEP, may participate in graduation
ceremonies and receive a certificate of attendance. Even if the
student participates in graduation ceremonies to receive the
certificate of attendance, he or she may remain enrolled to
complete the IEP and earn his or her high school diploma;
38 | Revised in July 2019