IKE
PROMOTION  AND  RETENTION 
OF  STUDENTS

The Palo Verde Elementary School District Governing Board believes the success of students lies with the mutual cooperation of parents/guardians, staff members, and students.  The Governing Board is dedicated to the total and continuous development of every student.  Original grade-level placement of students in schools is determined by the students' academic, social, emotional, and linguistic attributes as well as chronological age.

Promotion

Promotion requirements are an integral part of the educational plan for all students.  Promotion requirements reflect the District's high expectations for student learning.

Year to year promotion of a student in grades one (1) through eight (8) will be based upon standards for each basic subject area as identified in the course of study.

The District standards that students must achieve shall include accomplishment of the standards in reading, written communication, mathematics, science, and social studies adopted by the State Board of Education.

In addition to these standards, test scores, grades, teacher-principal recommendations, and other pertinent data will be used to determine promotion.

The promotion of a student from grade three (3) shall be conditioned on the satisfaction of the applicable competency requirements prescribed by A.R.S. 15-701 and depicted in Administrative Regulation IKE-RB.

Promotion from grade to grade is based on the following criteria.  No one (1) criterion may be utilized solely in determining grade-to-grade promotions.

A.  Successful completion of class assignments, projects, and tests.

B.  Achievement on the District-wide standardized achievement test.

C.  Attendance.

D.  Teacher recommendation for promotion [A.R.S. 15-521.10].

E.  Previous educational history.

Retention

Student retention is a process that is followed when, in the judgment of the professional staff and after consultation with the parents/guardians, it is determined to be in the best interest of the student.  The primary grades are suggested to be the most appropriate time for student retention.  Retention, however, may be considered at any other grade level when documented evidence indicates that it is in the best interest of the student.

When circumstances indicate that retention is in the best interest of the student, the student will have individual consideration, and decisions will be made only after a careful study of facts relating to all phases of the student's growth and development.  The student's academic achievement level and mental ability are important, but physical and social characteristics are also important factors.  A decision should be based on sufficient data, collected over a period of time and motivated by a desire to place students in school programs where they will be the most successful.

In addition to the above, such decisions, when applied to students enrolled in special education, shall be on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the individualized education plan and in accordance with A.A.C. R7-2-301 and R7-2-401.

Each principal shall establish procedures to ensure that all parents/guardians are informed of promotion requirements.  These procedures shall be communicated to new and continuing students at the opening of school and at registration of new students after school is in session.  Promotion and retention requirements will be stated in each school's student/parent handbook and/or other means of written communication.

Special  Education

Students who do not meet regular promotion requirements must meet the course of study and promotion requirements for special education under the guidance of A.A.C. R7-2-401.  The programs for such students may include adaptations.

Any student unable to meet regular academic requirements for promotion must meet the requirements of an alternative curriculum derived from the regular curriculum, which will be developed by an individualized educational program (IEP) team on an individual basis.  Students placed in special education will complete the course of study as prescribed in their individual promotion plans and implemented through their individual education programs.  Course work will be presented at a level commensurate with the student's ability.  The student's permanent file shall identify the courses completed through special education; however, the student will receive the standard certificate of promotion.

Adopted:  date of Manual adoption

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-203
15-341
15-342
15-701
15-701.01
15-715
15-802
A.A.C.
R7-2-301
R7-2-309
R7-2-401
A.G.O.
I84 - 016

CROSS REF.:
IHA - Basic Instructional Program
IKEB - Acceleration