2260 - Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity

2260 - NONDISCRIMINATION AND ACCESS TO EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation against a student or an employee is prohibited. No person shall, on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any District educational program or activity, or employment conditions or practices.

The District shall fully comply with The Florida Educational Equity Act, F.S. 1000.05.

F.S.760.08,760.021,1000.05
F.A.C.6A-19.001
FourteenthAmendment,U.S.Constitution
20U.S.C.Section1681,TitleIXofEducationAmendmentAct
20U.S.C.Section1701etseq.,EqualEducationalOpportunitiesActof1974
29U.S.C.Section794,RehabilitationActof1973
42U.S.C.Section2000etseq.,CivilRightsActof1964
42U.S.C.12101etseq.,TheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990
42U.S.C.6101etseq.
34C.F.R.Part110(7/27/93)
VocationalEducationProgramGuidelinesforEliminatingDiscriminationandDenial
ofServices,DepartmentofEducation,OfficeofCivilRights,March1979
Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

5410 - STUDENT PROGRESSION

TheSchoolBoardshallprovidefortheplacementand progression of studentspursuantto Policy 5210 and Policy 5410.01 throughPolicy5465,whichshallconstitutetheStudentProgressionPlan.Theplandescribesacomprehensiveprogramforstudentprogressionwhichshallincludebutnotbelimitedtothefollowing:

A.Student placementand progression attheelementary, middle, andsenior high schoollevelsduringtheregularschoolyear(180days).

B.Extendedlearningopportunities.

C.Adulteducationprogramsinwhicheligiblestudentsmayenrolltoearnhighschoolcreditstowardgraduationorforhighschoolgraduationintheadulteducationprogram.

D.Dualorearlyentrancetopostsecondaryinstitutionstoearncredittowardhighschoolgraduation.

E.Credit Acceleration Program (CAP) by earning passing scores on State End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments (i.e.) Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Biology, and US History.

F.CompliancewithStateBoardofEducationminimumperformancestandards.

G.Pinellas Virtual Schoolforhighschoolcredittowards graduation requirements.

H.Studentswithdisabilitieswhograduateorhavemetgraduationrequirementsforaspecialdiplomamayauditcoursesatpostsecondaryinstitutions.

F.S.1003.415,1003.4156,1008.25

F.A.C.6A-1.094222

Adopted12/9/09;Revised12/6/11, 8/25/15

5410.01 - REQUIRED CORE CURRICULUM/PROMOTION/RETENTION/ACCELERATION - ELEMENTARY

(1)RequiredProgram: Therequiredcorecurriculumforelementary schoolgradesintheDistrictreflectsStateandlocalrequirementsforelementaryeducation.Thefollowingcorecurriculumareasarerequiredforeachgrade,K-5.

(a)Art

(b)LanguageArts(reading,writingandcivicsintegration)

(c)Mathematics

(d)Music

(e)ScienceandHealth

(f)SocialStudies(mustincludeeconomiceducationandlaweducation)

(g)CharacterEducation

(h)ComputerLiteracySkills

(i)PhysicalEducation:Physicaleducationispartoftherequiredcurriculuminelementaryschoolandshouldbescheduledfor150minutesperweek.Thephysicaleducationclassesshouldbestaffedbyacertifiedphysicaleducationteacherandnon-certifiedassistantswhenappropriate.

(j)Criticalthinkingskills,problemsolvingskills,andstudentresponsibilityforlearning,inthecontextcorecurriculumareasofmathematics,scienceandhealth,social studies,reading,andwritingwillalsobeincludedintheinstructionalprogramfortheelementarystudents.

(k)EnglishforSpeakersofOtherLanguages(ESOL)shallbeprovidedforthosestudentsinneedofsuchinstruction.

(l)Inaddition,exceptionalstudenteducationservicesarerequiredforeligiblestudentsasspecifiedbystatestatutes,StateBoardofEducationregulationsandIDEA.

(2) StudentPlacement

(a)Kindergarten/FirstGradeLegalRequirements

1. Studentswhoarekindergartenageeligible(agefive(5)yearsonorbeforeSeptember1st)areenrolledinkindergarten.Inextenuating circumstances,theIndividual EducationalPlan(IEP)teamfora studentwithadisabilitymayrecommendthatakindergarten-ageeligiblestudentbeassignedtoaprekindergartenprogram.

(b)FirstGradeLegalRequirements:Priortoplacementingrade1,studentsarerequiredto:

1. FirstgradeenrollmentbelimitedtostudentswhoturnsixyearsoldonorbeforeSeptember1stwhohavesuccessfullycompletedkindergarten.

1. Provideevidenceofareportcardreflectiveofthestudent’ssatisfactory completionofkindergarten,orletterbytheprincipalordirectoroftheschoolcertifyingthestudent’ssatisfactorycompletionofakindergartenprogram.

(3)StudentProgression:Acceleration,Promotion,PromotionwithInstructionalSupport,andRetention

1. Acceleration:Accelerationmay includesubjectareaaccelerationorgradelevelacceleration.Anacceleratedcurriculummaybeprovidedtothosestudentswhohavedemonstratedaneedbeyondthegeneralcurriculum.Forgradelevelacceleration,theprincipalwillreviewthefollowingdocumentationbeforeanyacceleratedplacementisconsidered:studentperformanceonlocallydeterminedassessments,statewideassessment,andnorm-reference assessment;gradepointaverage;attendanceandconductrecord;recommendationsfromoneormoreofstudent’steachersincore-curriculacourses;recommendationfromaguidancecounselorifassignedtotheschooltoaddresssocial/emotionalneeds,andreferralforgiftedservices.

(1) AccelerationOptions(WholeGrade,Midyear,Subject-MatterandVirtualInstruction):

1. Each school principalwill establishanAcademically ChallengingCurriculumto EnhanceLearning(ACCEL)teamtoreview requestsforwholegradeandmidyearpromotion.Theteamwillincludebutnotbelimitedto:principal,guidancecounselor,giftedteacher,psychologist,student’scurrentteacher,ateacher fromthereceivinggradelevelandtheparent.
2. Ateacher,administrator,orparentmayrequestthatastudentbeconsideredforACCELoptionsofwholegradeormidyearpromotionbycompletingtheappropriateformprovidedbytheschoolprincipal.
3. AconferencewillbeheldwiththeparentandACCELteamtoreviewtheACCELevaluationprocessandobtainconsentforevaluationusingtheIowaAccelerationScale(whichmayincludeanintellectualevaluation).
4. Followingthecollectionofallrequireddatabytheprincipalorprincipaldesignee,theACCELteamwillmeettoreviewthedataanddeterminestudenteligibilityforwholegradeormidyearacceleration.
5. StudenteligibilityforwholegradeormidyearpromotionshallbebasedonobtaininganIowaAccelerationScalecompositescoreofatleastsixty(60)points.
6. Aperformancecontract includingprogress monitoringwill beestablishedandsignedbytheparentandstudent,ifthestudentiseligible.
7. IftheACCELteamdeterminesthatwholegradeormidyearpromotionisnotappropriateforthestudent,theteamwillconsidersubject-matteraccelerationasanoption.
8. Forplanningpurposes,studentswhoqualifyforawholegradeormidyearpromotionshall remainintheircurrentgradeleveluntiltheendofthatsemester.

(2) Theschoolprincipalwilldeterminecriteriaforsubject-matteracceleration.

(3) VirtualinstructioninhighergradelevelsubjectsisanACCELoptionforstudents demonstrating the need forsubjectarea acceleration or students requesting subject area accelerationincorecontentareas.EnrollmentinthevirtualaccelerationoptionwillresultinthestudentbeingwithdrawnfromtheelementarysubjectareacourseintheircurrentPinellasCountySchoolandthenenrolledinPinellasVirtualSchooloranothervirtualinstructionproviderforthecourse.ThisACCELoptionwillrequireprincipal’sapproval.

(4) IfaparentdisagreeswiththerecommendationoftheACCELteamhe/shehastherighttoseekanappealthroughpolicy5500.13.

1. Promotion: Promotion from one level to the next is based upon each student’s mastery of the standards specifically English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies standards. Theevaluationofeachstudent’sprogresswillbebaseduponthestudent’sclassroomwork,observations,tests,districtandstateassessments,andotherrelevant information. Student progression K-12is determinedbyavarietyof indicators, asdefined bystateanddistrictexpectations.Theseexpectationsincludespecificlevelsofperformanceinreading,writing,science, social studiesandmathematicsforeachlevel onlocallydeterminedassessments,includinguniversalscreenings andongoingprogressmonitoringandresultsofstatewideassessments.Theseindicatorsmayinclude:

1. TeacherJudgment:Considerationshouldbegiventoteachermadetests,acceptableaveragedfinalprogressreportgrades,classroomparticipation,dailyperformance,levelofstudentmaturity,socialdevelopment,andthenumberofretentionsinelementaryschool.

1. StudentProficiency:Thestudentshalldemonstrateproficiencyincorecurriculumareasofreading,writing,mathematics, social studies,andscienceasmeasuredbydistrictcommonassessments.Studentsmustalsodemonstratesatisfactoryprogressinthe corecurriculumareasofart,music, physicaleducation, health, socialstudies,andwhereoffered,worldlanguages.TheseareasarealignedtotheFloridaStandardsandarenecessary forstudentstomeetgraduationrequirements.

1. FifthGradePromotion:Itisrecommendedthatallfifthgradestudentswilldemonstrateadequatereadingability beforepromotion tothe sixthgrade.Acceptabledemonstrationofadequatereadingability includes: 1)scoringalevel2orhigheronthemostrecentFloridaStandardsAssessmentsinELAor2)scoringatalevelthatmeetsgradelevelexpectationsonotherDistrictapprovedELAassessmentsor3)demonstratingayear'sgrowthonFloridaStandardsReadingor4)meetingtheDistrict’sfifthgradeportfoliorequirements.

1. EliminationofSocialPromotion:Nostudentmaybeassignedtoagradelevelbasedsolelyonageorotherfactorsthatconstitutesocialpromotion.

1. Student/ParentNotification:Studentsandparentswillbeinformedofacademicprogressandstudentachievementofproficiencythroughtheendofthegradingperiodprogressreports,parent/teacherconferences,and theProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP)whenappropriate.

1. IntensiveRemediation/AlternativeInstructionalStrategiesforRetainedStudents:Retainedstudentswillreceiveintensiveremediation/alternativeinstructionalstrategiesdifferentfrompreviousyearsasdefinedontheirProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP).

1. Remedial/SupplementalInstruction:Allocationofremedialandsupplementalinstructionalresourceswilloccurinthefollowingpriority:1)studentswhoaredeficientinreadinginprimarygradesand2)studentswhofailtomeetperformancelevelsrequiredforpromotionconsistentwiththeDistrict’sprocedures.

1. PromotionwithInstructionalSupport:All studentsshouldbe affordedeveryopportunityto meetachievementexpectations.Whenstudentsarenotmeetingdistrict/stateidentifiedminimumlevelsofperformance,assessmentdatawillbeusedtoidentifystudent’slevelofperformanceandrateofprogress;intensiveinterventionswillbeadministered;andthestudent’sresponsetotheinterventionwillbemonitoredinordertoacceleratethestudents’rateofprogresstowardstandards.Anystudentwhoseoverallperformancesuggestshe/shewouldbenefitfrombeingofficiallyplacedinahighergradewithoutmeetingdistrict/stateidentifiedminimumlevelsofperformanceinreading,writing,mathematics,orsciencewillbepromotedwithinstructionalsupport.AllstudentspromotedwithinstructionalsupportwillreceiveaProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP).

1. Remediation:Allstudentsshouldbeaffordedeveryopportunitytomeetachievementexpectations.Studentsnotmeetingdistrict/stateidentifiedminimumlevelsofperformancemustreceiveintensiveinstructionalsupportinordertoacceleratethestudents’rateofprogresstowardstandards.Theareasofacademicneedandinterventionstrategiesareidentifiedthroughaproblem-solving/responsetoinstruction/interventionprocess.Multipletiersofincreasingintenseinstructionalandinstruction/interventionservicesareimplementedtosupportstudentacademicperformance.Studentsneedingremediationorintensiveinstructionalsupportwillbematchedtostrategicandintensiveresearch/evidencebasedinterventionsbasedonscreening,progressmonitoring,anddiagnosticassessments.

1. Retention:According to research, students who are retained more than twice are not likely to graduate from high school. An additional retention may not be as beneficial as an intensive intervention program. On the recommendation of the principal after consulting with School Based Leadership Team or Promotion/Retention Committee and the Area Superintendent, a student may be retained.

1. Promotion/RetentionCommittee:A school committee will review the student's performance data and make a recommendation to the principal regarding promotion or retention. The decisions to retain, promote, or accelerate shall follow State statute and be based upon multiple factors and the professional judgment of the principal and staff with the principal having final jurisdiction with the exception of 3rd grade. Further, a student who has been retained in third grade, due to a reading deficiency, shall be promoted mid-year if the student has demonstrated mastery of the State-mandated requirements in reading. In all instances of retention and challenged promotion parents' input will be solicited and included in the decision process. After consultation with the school administration, a student will be recommended for retention by the School Based Leadership Team or Promotion/Retention Committee to the principal. The school principal shall make such a recommendation in writing to the district area superintendent. The district area superintendent shall accept or reject the school principal’s recommendation in writing. A student who is retained must be in the MTSS process and include the teacher and parent input.

1. AssessmentandRemediation:Additionalscreening,progressmonitoring,diagnostic,andoutcomemeasuresinreadingmaybeadministeredasneeded.Uponsubsequentevaluation,ifthedocumenteddeficiencyhasnotbeenremediatedinaccordancewiththeprogressmonitoringplan,thestudentmayberetained.

1. MandatoryGrade3Retention:Anystudentdeemeddeficientinreading, willberetainedifperformancedoesnotimprovebytheendofgrade3(asdemonstratedbyscoringLevel1ontheFloridaStandardsAssessmentinELA).

1. Exemptionfrom3rdGradeMandatoryRetentionforGoodCause:TheSchoolBoardmayonlyexemptstudentsfrommandatoryretentionforgoodcause.Goodcauseexemptionsshallbelimitedtothefollowing:

1. LimitedEnglishproficientstudentswhohavehadlessthantwo(2)yearsofinstructioninanEnglishforSpeakersofOtherLanguagesprogram; LessthantwoyearsofESOLservicesstartsfromthe“DateEnteredUS School.”

1. StudentswithdisabilitieswhoseIndividualEducationPlanindicatesthatparticipationinthestatewideassessmentprogramisnotappropriate,consistentwiththerequirementsoftheStateBoardofEducationrule;thecorecurriculumforthesestudentsistheFloridaStandardsAccesspoints.

1. StudentswhodemonstrateanacceptablelevelofperformanceonanalternativestandardizedreadingassessmentapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducation;

1. Studentswhodemonstrated,throughastudentportfolio,thatthestudentisreadingongradelevelasevidencedbydemonstrationofmasteryofFloridaStandardsinreadingequaltoatleastaLevel2performanceontheFloridaStandardsAssessment;

1. StudentswithdisabilitieswhoparticipateintheFloridaStandardsAssessmentandwhohave anIndividualEducationPlanor aSection504planthat reflectsthatthestudent has received theintensive remediation inreading formorethantwo(2)yearsbutstilldemonstratesadeficiencyinreadingandwaspreviouslyretainedinkindergarten,grade1,grade2,orgrade3;Studentsmaynotberetainedingradethreemorethanonce.

1. Studentswhohavereceivedtheintensiveremediationinreadingandwhowerepreviouslyretainedinkindergarten,grade1,grade2,orgrade3foratotaloftwo(2)years.IntensivereadinginstructionforstudentssopromotedmustincludeanalteredinstructionaldaybaseduponaProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP)thatincludesspecializeddiagnosticinformationandspecificreadingstrategiesforeachstudent.TheDistrictshallassistschoolsandteacherstoimplementevidence-basedreadingstrategiesshowntobesuccessfulinimprovingreadingamonglow-performingreaders.

5.GoodCauseExemptions:Requestsforgoodcauseexemptionshallbesubmittedfromthestudent'steachertotheschoolprincipal.Documentationmustindicatethatthepromotionofthestudentisappropriateandbasedonthestudent'sacademic record. Documentation shallconsistoftheexistingProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP),IndividualEducationPlan(IEP),ifapplicable,studentprogressreportorstudentportfolio.Theprincipalshallreviewanddiscusssuchrecommendationwiththeteacheranddeterminewhetherthestudentiseligibletobepromoted.Iftheschoolprincipaldeterminesthatthestudentshouldbepromoted,arecommendationshallbemadeinwritingtotheSuperintendentwhowill acceptorrejecttherecommendationinwriting.Studentsingrade4whowerepromotedbasedongoodcauseexemptionmustbeprovidedintensivereadinginstructionandinterventionthatincludesspecializeddiagnosticinformationandspecificreadingstrategiestomeettheneedsofthestudents.Theschooldistrictmustprovideschoolsandteacherswithstrategiesthatresearchhasshowntobeeffectiveforimprovingstudentachievementwithstudentsthatdemonstratereadingdeficiencies.

6.Mid-YearPromotion forRetainedStudentsCurrently Repeatinga GradeLevel: DistrictMid-YearPromotionproceduresarelocatedintheTeachingandLearningHandbookandontheElementaryEducationMoodleSite.Parentscanobtaincopiesoftheseproceduresbycontactingtheschoolprincipal.

7.ParentNotificationofStudentDeficiency:Basedonstudent’sperformanceondistrictcommonassessments,teacherassessments,statewideassessments,andprogressreportgradesduringthefirsttwo(2)reportingperiods,schools willidentifythosestudents not meetinggradelevelexpectations.Theparentsofeachidentifiedstudent shallbenotifiedinwritingofthepossibilityofnon-promotionnolaterthanthemiddleofFebruary.Inthecaseoftransferstudents,notificationshallbegivenwithinnine(9)weeksoftransfer.Aparentofathirdgradestudentwhoisidentifiedanytimeduringtheyearasbeingatriskofretentionmayrequesttheschoolimmediatelybegincollection evidenceforaportfolio.

8.End-of-YearDecisionsforStudentsNotMeetingStandards:AnystudentwhodoesnotmeettheDistrictidentifiedminimumgradelevelexpectationsorwhodoesnotmeettheidentifiedminimumlevelsofperformanceonstatewideassessmentsmustbeprovidedremediation.Studentsnotmeetinggradelevelexpectationsreceiveincreasinglyintenseinstruction/interventionservicesimplementedtosupportstudentacademicperformance.Studentsarematchedtotheinstruction/interventiontierbasedonscreening,progressmonitoring,anddiagnosticassessments.Attheconclusionoftheschoolyear,students’performanceiscomparedtotheDistrictidentifiedminimumlevelsofperformanceinreading, writing,mathematics,andscienceto determinewhetherornottheymeetexpectations.Determinationsaremadeforplacementforthefollowingyear.Basedontheperformancetherearetwooptionsforstudentplacement.

1. ThirdgradestudentsthatmastergradelevelstandardsthroughSummerReadingCampbeforethebeginningofthenextschoolyearwillbepromoted.

1. Ifretentionisdeemedappropriatethenthestudentmustreceiveinstructionthatisdifferentfromthepreviousyear’sinstructionandtakesintoaccountthestudent’slearningstyle.

1. Athirdgradestudentmaynotberetainedingrade3morethanonce.

(4)ProgressMonitoringPlans(PMPs): EachstudentmustparticipateinthestatewideassessmenttestsrequiredbyF.S.1008.22.

(a)ProgressMonitoring:AProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP)isaspecific,detailedplantailoredtoidentifytheindividualassistancethatwillbegiventoremedyastudent’sindividualdiagnoseddeficiencies.ThepurposeofthePMPistodetailthecurrentservicesprovidedtothestudentandtheintensive,supplementalinstructional,andsupportservicesthatwillbeprovidedtothestudenttomeetthedesiredlevelofperformance.APMPmustbedevelopedforanystudent(includingESOLandESE)whohasbeenretainedoridentifiedasnotmeetingStateorDistrictexpectationsforproficiencyinreadinginkindergartenorforproficiencyinreading,writing,mathematics,orscience ingrades1-5.TheDistrictAssessment Planinformation, publishedbyTeachingand Learning,identifiesthecriteriaforaPMP.APMPmustbedevelopedinconsultationwiththestudent’sparentorlegalguardianandmustincludetheintensiveremedial instructionthat will begiven intheareas of weakness.AcopyofthePMPwill begiventotheparent.

(b)ReadingDeficiencyandParentalNotification:Studentsatanygradewhohavebeenidentifiedashavingadeficiency inreadingmust haveaprogressmonitoringplanthatidentifiesthestudent’sspecificareaofdeficiencyinphonemicawareness,phonics,fluency,comprehension,andvocabularyaswellasdesiredlevelsofperformanceintheseareas.Schoolsshallalsoprovideforthefrequentmonitoringofthestudent'sprogressinmeetingthedesiredlevelsofperformance.Anystudentwhoexhibitsasubstantialdeficiencyinreading,baseduponlocallydeterminedassessmentsorStatewide assessmentsmustbegivenintensivereadinginstructionoutsideof theninety(90)minutereadingblockimmediatelyfollowingtheidentificationofthereadingdeficiency.

Theparentofanystudentwhoexhibitsasubstantialdeficiencyinreading,asdeterminedbythecurrentDistrictassessment,mustbenotifiedinwritingofthefollowing:

1.thathis/herchildhasbeenidentifiedashavingasubstantialdeficiencyinreading;

2.adescriptionofthecurrentservicesthatareprovidedtothechild;

3.adescriptionoftheproposedsupplementalinstructionalservicesandsupportsthatwillbeprovidedtothechildthataredesignedtoremediatetheidentifiedareaofreadingdeficiency;

4.thatifthechild'sreadingdeficiencyisnotremediatedbytheendofgrade3,thechildmustberetainedunlesss/heisexemptfrommandatoryretentionforgoodcause;

5.strategiesforparentstouseinhelpingtheirchildsucceedinreadingproficiency;

6.thattheFloridaStandardsAssessmentisnotthesoledeterminerofpromotionandthatadditionalevaluations,assessmentsandportfolioreview maybeusedtodetermineifthestudentisreadingatorabovegradelevel;

7.whenthereisachangeinthePMPstatus.

(c)Reading,Writing,Science,andMathematicsDeficiency:EachstudentwhodoesnotmeetminimumperformanceexpectationsfortheStatewideassessmenttestsinreading,writing,science,andmathematicsmustcontinueremedialinstructionorsupplementalinstructionuntilexpectationsaremet.IfthedocumenteddeficiencyhasnotbeenremediatedaccordingtotheProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP),thestudentmayberetained.Theintensivereadinginstructionshallbecontinueduntilthereadingdeficiencyisremediated.ReadingproficiencyisreassessedbytheuseofFloridaAssessmentsofInstructioninReading(FAIR-FS),locallydeterminedassessments,orthroughteacherobservationatthebeginningofeachyearandinanongoingmannerinaccordancewithDistrictprocedures.

5)DistrictAssessmentPlan:TheDistrictAssessmentPlanistheDistrictplandesignedtoprovidecurriculum,assessment,andinstructionalinformationforteachersintheacademicareasofreading,writing,mathematics,andscience,aswellasinformationabouthealth,socialdevelopment,andbehaviorstrategies.Periodicandongoingassessmentsareanintegralpartofinstruction.TheDistrictAssessmentPlanlistsspecificassessmentsthataretobegivenateachgradelevelforeachassessmentcycle.Additionaldiagnosticassessmentstodeterminethenatureofthestudent'sdifficultyand areasofacademicneedareincluded.EachK-5studentshall haveanAssessmentPlanfolder.Thefoldershouldcontainassessments,whichsupportthestudent'sinstructionalneeds,andProgressMonitoringPlans(PMPs)foridentifiedstudents.Kindergartenstudentsshouldhaveastudentrecordsheet,whichincludesallassessmentdata.StudentswithdisabilitieswhosecorecurriculumistheSunshineStateStandardswithAccessPointswillhaveanalternateassessmentportfolio.

6)AnnualReports:TheparentofeachstudentwillreceiveinformationregardingtheprogressofthestudenttowardsachievingStateandDistrictexpectationsforproficiencyinreading,writing,science, social studies,andmathematics,includingthestudent’s results oneachStatewide assessment test. Theevaluationofeachstudent’s progress willbebaseduponthestudent’sclassroomwork,observations,testdata,DistrictandStateassessments,andotherrelevantinformation.ProgressreportingmustbeprovidedtotheparentinwritinginaformatadoptedbytheBoard.Additionalformsofprogressreportingincludereportingatparent/teacherconferences,andontheProgressMonitoringPlan(PMP)andIndividualEducationPlan(IEP),whenappropriate.Multiplefactorswilldeterminepromotionorretention.

F.S.1003.21,1003.455(2),1008.25,1008.25(6),1008.25(6)(b)

Revised:02/25/2014, 10/28/2014, 8/25/2015

5410.02 - REGULAR PROGRAM CORE CURRICULUM/PROMOTION/RETENTION/ACCELERATION - MIDDLE SCHOOL

RegularProgramRequirements

Eachmiddleschoolstudentwillberegisteredinaminimumofseven(7)coursesperyearwhileinaPinellasCountymiddleschool.

BasicCourseRequirements

Thebasiccourserequirementsarelistedbelowformiddleschoolstudentprogression.Studentsmustpassalltwelve

(12) ofthesecoursesorhigherlevelcourses:

A.LanguageArts:Grades6, 7,8

Threemiddlegradeorhighercoursesinlanguagearts.

• M/J Language Arts 1 or 1 ADV
• M/J Language Arts 2 or 2 ADV
• M/J Language Arts 3 or 3 ADV
• English 1 Honors (High School Credit)

B.Mathematics:Grades6,7,8

Threemiddlegradesorhighercoursesinmathematics.

• M/J Grade 6 Math or Grade 6 Math ADV
• M/J Grade 7 Math or Grade 7 Math ADV
• M/J Grade 8 Pre-Algebra
• Algebra 1 (High School Credit)
• Algebra 1 Honors (High School Credit)
• Geometry Honors (High School Credit)

Eachschoolthatincludesmiddlegradesmustofferatleastonehighschoollevelmathematicscourseforwhichstudentsmayearnhighschoolcredit.SuccessfulcompletionofahighschoollevelAlgebra1orGeometrycourseisnotcontingentuponthestudent’sperformanceonthestatewide,standardizedend-of-course(EOC)assessment.

ToearnhighschoolcreditforAlgebra1,amiddlegradesstudentmusttakethestatewide,standardizedAlgebra1EOCassessmentandpassthecourse. Astudent’s performanceontheAlgebra1 & Geometry EOCassessments willconstitute30percentofthestudent’sfinalcoursegrade.

C.Science:Grades6,7,8

Threemiddlegradeorhighercoursesinscience.

• M/J Science 1 or Science 1 ADV
• M/J Accelerated Science 1 Honors
• M/J Science 2 or Science 2 ADV
• M/J Accelerated Science 2 Honors
• M/J Science 3 or Science 3 ADV
• Integrated Science Honors (High School Credit)

D.SocialStudies:Grades6,7,8

Threemiddlegradeorhighercoursesinsocialstudies.

• M/J World History or World History ADV
• M/J Civics or Civics ADV
• M/J US History or US History ADV

Students enrolled in Civics are required to take the statewide, standardized middle grades Civics EOC assessment. This assessment will constitute 30 percent of the student’s final course grade in Civics.

AdditionalRequirements

A.Readingisrequiredforthefollowingstudents:

1.Each student must participate in the statewide, standardized assessment program required by F.S. 1008.22. Each student who does not score Level 3 or above on the statewide, standardized Reading assessment or, upon implementation, the English Language Arts assessment, or on the statewide, Algebra I EOC assessment, must be provided with additional diagnostic assessments to determine the nature of the student's difficulty, the areas of academic need, and strategies for providing academic supports to improve the student's performance. If the student is not enrolled in a reading or algebra remediation course determined by state assessment and local diagnostic data to appropriately support the student in reading and/or algebra then the school in which the student is enrolled must develop and implement, in consultation with the student's parent a progress monitoring plan. A student who is not meeting the district and/or state requirements for satisfactory performance in English Language Arts/Reading and Algebra shall be covered by one of the following plans to target instruction and identify ways to improve his or her academic achievement:

A. A federally required student plan such as an individual education plan;

B. A schoolwide system of progress monitoring for all students;

C. An individualized progress monitoring plan.

MiddleschoolstudentswhoscoreatLevel1orLevel2onthestatewide,standardizedReadingassessmentortheEnglishLanguageArts(ELA)assessmentthefollowingyearthestudent may be enrolled inandcompletearemedialcourseoracontentareacourseinwhichremediationstrategiesareincorporatedintocoursecontentdelivery.Studentsingrades6-8whoscoreatLevel1orLevel2onthestatewide,standardizedReadingassessmentortheEnglishLanguageArts(ELA)assessmentanddonotneedinstructionindecodingortextreading efficiencymay receivereadingremediation throughacontentareacoursewithaReadingCertified/Endorsed,ContentAreaReadingProfessionalDevelopment(CAR-PD),orNextGeneration/CommonCoreContentAreaReadingProfessionalDevelopment(NGCAR-PD)qualifiedteacherinwhichremediationstrategiesareincorporatedintocoursecontentdelivery.ThosestudentswhoqualifyforcontentreadingremediationmustalsohaveanapprovedSecondaryIndividualLiteracyImprovementPlaninplace,anddatamustbeavailabletoshowthatLevel1orLevel2students do not have decoding or text reading efficiency issues based on districtplacementcriteria.

2.SixthgradestudentswhoscoredLevel3orhighermusttakeayearlongreadingcourse,asdeterminedbytheschool.Sixthgradestudentsenrolledinthegiftedelective or a district level application programmayexemptthisrequirementiftheyscoredatLevel3oraboveonthefifthgradestatewide,standardizedReadingAssessment.

B.IfamiddlegradesstudentscoresLevel1orLevel2onthestatewide,standardizedMathematicsassessmentthefollowingyearthestudent may receiveremediation,whichmaybeintegrated intothestudent’srequiredmathematicscourses.InPinellasCountyallstudentsscoringaLevel1onthestatewide,standardizedMathematicsassessmentwill receivedirectdailyinstructioninanintensivemathclass.Studentsscoringalevel2canreceiveremediationwhichmustbeintegratedintothegradelevelrequiredmathcourse;however,schoolsmustcloselymonitortheprogressofthesestudentstoensurestudentsuccess.

C.CareerEducationandPlanning

StudentsmustcompleteacoursecontainingthestandardsofCareerEducationandPlanningbeforefinishingeighthgrade.Eachstudentmustgenerateapersonalizedacademicandcareerplan.

SB1076addsrequirementsthatthemiddlegradescareerandeducationplanningcourse:

●BeInternet-based,easytouseandcustomizabletoeachstudent

●Includeresearch-basedassessmentstoassiststudentsindeterminingeducationalandcareeroptionsandgoals

●Emphasizetheimportanceofentrepreneurshipskills

●Informstudentsaboutdiplomadesignationoptions

D.Physicaleducationisrequiredingrades6,7,and8foraminimum ofone(1)semester.Anystudenthavingwrittenparentalconsent(seePCSForm 2-3097)orwhoisenrolledinaremedialclassmaybeexemptfromthephysicaleducationrequirement.

Physicaleducationteachersshouldbecertifiedinphysicaleducation.

E.Healthisrequiredingrades 6and8foraminimum ofone (1) semester.

1.M/JHealth6(08000500)orPersonalDevelopment(85002300)willmeettherequirementforComprehensiveHealthEducation/FamilyLifeEducation.

2.Sixthgradestudentsenrolledinayearlongprogram(i.e.,band,strings,chorus,worldlanguages,etc.)mayoptoutofthesixthgradehealth and physical education requirement.Writtenparentalconsentisrequired.(seePCSForm2-3180 and PCS Form 2-3097)

3.Onlyeighthgradegiftedstudentsenrolledinthegiftedelectivemayoptout oftheeighthgradehealthand physical education requirement.Writtenparentalconsentisrequired.(seePCSForm2-2648)

F.School-BasedRequirements

Reading,physicaleducation,andhealthmaybescheduledbeyondtheminimumrequirementsshownabove.

G.ElectiveProgram Grades6,7,and8

Electivecoursesarepartofthecorecurriculum andaredescribedintheMiddleSchoolCourseCodeDirectorywithrecommendationsregardingcourselengthandgradelevel.Middleschoolsshouldattempttoscheduleavarietyofelectiveofferings,butnoattemptshouldbemadetoestablishclassesthatarenotfeasibleorpracticalforaparticularschoolasitstrivestomeetthe needsofitsstudents.

H.CAPEIndustryCertification

Allmiddleschoolstudentswillhavetheopportunitytoearnatleastoneindustrycertificationvalidatingproficiencyofcertaintechnicalskills.Technicalskillsvalidatedatthemiddleschoollevelaregenerallycomputerbasedskillsrelatedtodigitaltechnologyliteracy. (F.S.1003.4203)

I.ReturnonInvestmentforIndustryCertification

Studentswhoearnanindustrycertificationthatarticulatesforpostsecondarycreditwillrealizeacostsavingsintuitionandfeesrelatedtothepostsecondaryprogram.Thescopeofindustrycertificationsearningarticulatedcreditchangesannuallyasadditionalarticulationagreementsareestablished.ThemostcurrentlistofarticulatedpostsecondarycreditcanbefoundattheFloridaDepartmentofEducationweb

page: (1)(j)

ExceptionalStudentRequirements

TheIEPsforeachstudentwithdisabilitiesmustspecifythestudent'sinstructionallevelsandlevelofparticipationinthegeneraleducationcurriculum.Courseselections(generalorexceptionaleducation),progressreporting,participationinassessment,andimplicationfordiplomaoptionsmustbeclearlycommunicatedtoparents.Annualparentalconsentmustbeobtainedinordertoadministerthealternateassessmentinaccordancewiths.1008.22,FSandfortheprovisionofinstructioninstatestandardsaccesspoints’ curriculum. ThisdecisionisreviewedannuallybytheIEPteam.Thedecisionmaybechanged,understandingthatitmayincreasetheamountoftimerequiredtograduate.

Studentswithdisabilitiesareenrolledincourseworkinone(1)ormoreofthefollowingoptions:

A.Generaleducationclasseswithnoaccommodationsrequired(Speechonly);

B.Generaleducationclasseswithaccommodationsrequired;

Accommodationscannotchangecourseperformancestandards.Theyspecifychangesininstructionalstrategiesthatarerequiredasaresultofastudent'sdisabilityandmayaddressmethodsandmaterialsforinstruction,assignmentsandclassroomassessments,learningenvironment,timedemandsandscheduling,orspecialcommunicationsystems.CoursesmaybetaughtbyESEteachers,butstudentsmustbegradedbasedonthegradelevelperformancestandards.

Studentsin"A"and"B"abovearepursuingstandardhighschooldiplomasandparticipateinallStateandDistrictassessments.

StudentPromotion,RetentionandAcceleration

A.PromotionfromElementarySchooltoMiddleSchool

StudentsenteringmiddleschoolmusthavesuccessfullycompletedtherequirementsandstandardsoftheelementaryschoolprogramanddemonstratedadequatereadingabilityasspecifiedintheelementarypromotionalguidelinesinBoardpolicyorshallhavebeenadministrativelypromotedbytheelementaryschool.

B.PromotionandRetention

1. Promotionofmiddleschoolstudentsshallbebasedupontheirachievingminimumstandardsasidentifiedinprogramobjectivesandmeetingtherequirednumberofcourses.Eachmiddleschoolstudent whoperformsbelowtheminimumperformanceexpectationlevelonthestatewidestandardizedReading and/orMathematicsassessmentswillreceiveremediation.

Forpromotiontohigh school,aneighthgradestudentmustsuccessfullycompletethree(3)coursesinLanguageArts,three(3)coursesinScience,three(3)coursesinSocialStudies,andthree(3)coursesinMath.Allcoursesmustbeatthemiddleschoollevelorhigher.

Tobeconsideredforpromotion,aneighthgradestudentmustalsosuccessfullycompleteacareerplanningcourse(currentlyembeddedinUSHistoryandAdv.USHistory)orcareerthemedcourseandapersonalizedacademicandcareerplan.Nostudentsmaybeassignedtoagradelevelbasedsolelyonageorotherfactorsthatconstitutesocialpromotion.

1. BasicCourseRequirementsforPromotion/Retention

a.Promotiontogrades7or8:Tobepromotedfromgradetogradewithinthemiddleschoolprogram,astudentmayfailonlyone(1)basiccourse.Thestudentwillberequired,however,topassthecourseeitherduringthefollowing yearorintheextendedlearning/courserecoveryprogramoritsequivalent.

1)Ifasixthorseventhgradestudentfailstwo(2)basiccourses,thestudentmaybepromoteduponpassingone(1)courseintheextendedlearning/courserecoveryprogramandtakingone(1)courseduringthefollowingschoolyear.

• Recommendationtoreflectthatthestudentberetained–ifhe/shehas nottakenadvantageofeithertheextendedlearning/courserecoveryprogramoritsequivalent.

2)Ifasixthorseventhgradestudentfailsthree(3)basiccoursesinanacademicyear, the studentwill be retained atthe samegrade level orwillbepromoteduponpassingtwo(2)coursesintheextendedlearning/courserecoveryprogramandtakingone(1)courseduringthefollowingschoolyear.

• Recommendationtoreflectthatthestudentberetained–ifhe/shehas nottakenadvantageofeithertheextendedlearning/courserecoveryprogramoritsequivalent.

3)Ifasixthorseventhgradestudentfailsmorethanthree(3)basiccourseswithinanacademicyear,thestudentwillberetained.

b.PromotiontoHighSchool:Ifaneighthgradestudentfailsone(1)ormorecore courses,thestudentwillberetainedorwillbeadministrativelypromoteduponpassingthecourse(s)intheextendedlearning/courserecoveryprogram.

Promotionfromamiddleschooltoahighschooliscontingentuponthestudent'spassingnotfewerthantwelve(12)corecourses (3 courses each in Language Arts, Math, Science & Social Studies). Students whopasstherequiredcourseswillbeconsideredtohavedemonstratedadequateprogressforpromotiontoninthgrade.

c.Inallinstancestheparents’inputshallbesolicitedandconsideredforpurposesofpromotion,retention,andchallengedpromotion;however,thedecisiontoretain,accelerate,promote,orplaceastudentinanalternativeprogramshallbebasedupontheprofessionaljudgmentoftheprincipalandstaff,withtheprincipalhavingfinaljurisdiction.

C.AccelerationOptions(WholeGrade,Midyear,SubjectMatterandVirtualInstruction)

1. CoreRequirements

a.Forastudenttobeeligibleforwholegradeormidyearpromotion,theymusthavecompletedallbasiccourserequirementsfortheircurrentgradelevelpriortopromotion.

1. AccelerationProcess

a.EachschoolprincipalwillestablishanACCELteamtoreviewrequestsforwhole gradeandmidyearpromotion.Theteam willincludebutnotbelimitedto:

the middle school executive director, principal,guidancecounselor,giftedteacher,psychologist,student’scurrent teacher,ateacherfrom thereceivinggradelevelandtheparent.

b.Ateacher,administrator,orparentmayrequestthatastudentbeconsideredfor

ACCELoptionsofwholegradeormidyearpromotionbycompletingthe

appropriateformprovidedbytheschoolprincipal.

c.AconferencewillbeheldwiththeparentandACCELteam toreviewtheACCEL

evaluationprocessandobtainconsentforevaluationusingtheIowaAcceleration

Scale(whichmayincludeanintellectualevaluation).

d.Followingthecollectionofallrequireddatabytheprincipalorprincipaldesignee,

theACCELteamwillmeettoreviewthedataanddeterminestudenteligibilityfor

wholegradeormidyearacceleration.

e.Studenteligibilityforwholegradeormidyearpromotionshallbebasedon

obtaininganIowaAccelerationScalecompositescoreofatleastsixty(60)points.

f.Aperformancecontractincludingprogressmonitoringwillbeestablishedand

signedbytheparentandstudent,ifthestudentiseligible.

g.IftheACCELteam determinesthatwholegradeormidyearpromotionisnot

appropriateforthestudent,theteamwillconsidersubject-matteraccelerationas

anoption.

h.Forplanningpurposes,studentswhoqualifyforawholegradeormidyear

promotionshallremainintheircurrentgradeleveluntiltheendofthatsemester.

i.IfaparentdisagreeswiththerecommendationoftheACCELteam he/shehasthe righttoseekanappealthroughpolicy5500.13.

ProgressMonitoringPlan

Eachstudentmustparticipateinthestatewideassessmenttests.Eachstudent whodoesnotmeetspecificlevelsofperformanceforeachgradelevel,orwhodoesnotmeetspecificlevelsofperformanceonstatewide, standardizedassessments,mustbeprovidedwithadditionaldiagnosticassessmentstodeterminethenatureofthestudent’sdifficulty,theareasofacademicneed,andstrategiesforappropriateinterventionandinstruction.AstudentwhoisnotmeetingtheSchoolDistrictorStaterequirementsforproficiencyinreadingandmathshallbecoveredbyaschoolwidesystem ofprogressmonitoringforallstudents.TheplanmustassistthestudentortheschoolinmeetingStateandDistrictexpectationsforproficiency.Ifthestudenthasbeenidentifiedashavingadeficiencyinreading,theK-12comprehensivereadingplanshallincludeinstructionalandsupportservicestobeprovidedtomeetthedesiredlevelsofperformance.Studentsmayberequiredtoattendremediationprogramsheldbeforeorafterregularschoolhoursorduringthesummer.Eachstudentwhodoesnotmeettheminimumperformanceexpectations forthestatewide, standardizedassessmenttestingprogrammustcontinuetobeprovidedwithremedialorsupplementalinstructionuntiltheexpectationsaremetorthestudentispromotedfrommiddleschool.

MiddlegradesstudentsenrolledinAlgebra1,GeometryorBiology1musttakethestatewide,standardizedEOCassessmentforthosecoursesandarenotrequiredtotakethecorrespondingsubjectandgrade-levelstatewide,standardizedassessment.

EnrollmentinPinellasVirtualSchoolorFloridaVirtualSchool

Withtheapprovaloftheprincipal(ordesignee)andthestudent’sparent,amiddleschoolstudentmayenrollinaPinellasVirtualSchoolorFloridaVirtualSchoolcourseorcoursesbeyondtheregularschoolday/year.

A.Thecoursemustfulfillaneducationallyvalidpurposeandbeanappropriatecourseplacementbasedonthestudent'sacademichistory,gradelevel,andage.Theassistantprincipalwillcollaboratewiththecertifiedschoolcounselorandteacher(s)todecideifplacementinavirtualcourseisappropriate.Aparentmayappealthestaffdecisiontotheprincipalwhowillmakethefinaldecisiononplacement.

B.CertainDistrictrequiredmiddleschoolcoursesorcoursesequencesmaynotbesubstitutedbytakingaPinellasVirtualSchoolorFloridaVirtualSchoolcourse.

C.Thestudentmustmeettherecommendedprerequisites.

D.StudentsenrolledinamagnetprogrammaynottaketheirspecificmagnetcoursesthroughPinellasVirtualSchoolorFloridaVirtualSchool.

E.AstudentmaynotbeenrolledsimultaneouslyinthesamecourseatboththeirschoolandthePinellasVirtualSchoolortheFloridaVirtualSchool.StudentsshouldenrollinPinellasVirtualorFloridaVirtualcoursesatthebeginningofasemester.WhilestudentsawaitacceptanceinaFloridaVirtualSchoolcourse,theymustbeenrolledfulltimeinaDistrictschool.

F.AlthoughFloridaVirtualSchoolmayhaveinstitutionaldrop/addproceduresandtimelines,studentsmustbeenrolledinafullscheduleintheDistrictandmaynotdropaPinellasVirtualSchoolorFloridaVirtualSchoolcoursethatresultsinlessthanafullcourseload.PinellasVirtualSchoolorFloridaVirtualSchool“W/F”gradeswillbetreatedasagradeof“F” “W/F” onastudent’stranscript.

G.Duringagradingperiod,astudentmustbeenrolledinandattendingatleastfour(4)coursesinmiddleschoolorbeafulltimestudentofthePinellas VirtualSchoolPrograminordertobeaDistrictstudent.

MiddleSchoolCourseOfferings–Advancedand/orHighSchoolCredit

A.Placementinadvancedand/orhighschoolcreditcourseswillbebasedontheconsiderationofavarietyofindicatorssuchasgrades,classroomperformance,assessmentdata,studentmotivation/interest,andbythestudentmakingaplanwiththeschoolcounselorandparentforasequenceofcoursesthatwouldallowthestudenttoearncollegecreditwhileinhighschoolthroughadvancedplacementcourse(s)ordualcreditcourse(s).

Ifastudent is not recommended for placement, placement may be requested by signing a Request for Placement form (PCS Form 2-3059). The request must be made prior to the start of the academic school year. Students experiencing difficulty (i.e. a grade of “D” or “F”) in the placement may be removed from the advanced or high school credit course and placed in the appropriate course for the remainder of the school year. All end of the grading period grades will be included in the final grade average for the course.

B.Creditforhighschoolcoursescanonlybeawardeduponsuccessfulcompletionofallcourserequirements.

1.Students must pass the course itself to earn high school credit (regardless of whether or not a state EOC is required for the course).

2.ForcourseswitharequiredEndofCourseAssessment,studentswhoreceiveafailinggradeinthecourse,butpasstheEndofCourseAssessmentreceivehighschoolcredit. Credit Acceleration Program (CAP); a student who is not enrolled in or who has not successfully completed the related course may take the EOC during any regular administration of the assessment. If the student earns a passing score, they will receive regular course credit (i.e. Geometry, not Geometry Honors) and a “P” for the course grade. The “P” does not impact a student grade point average.

C.Gradesforcoursesthatofferhighschoolcreditinmiddleschoolwillbeusedtocalculatehighschoolclassrankandgradepointaverage.Amiddleschoolstudentenrolledinacourseawardinghighschoolcreditandearningagradeof"C","D",or"F"mayrepeatthecourseforforgivenessasdefinedinBoardpolicy.

F.S.1001.32(2),1001.41,1001.42,1001.43,1003.415,1008.25

Adopted12/9/09;Revised12/6/11,01/15/13,2/25/14,10/28/14, 8/25/15

5420.03 - REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS AND

CLASS RANKING - HIGH SCHOOL

ReportCard

Thereportcardprovidesagradeforthestudent'sacademicperformanceineachclassorcourse,thestudent'sconductandthestudent'sattendanceincludingabsencesandtardiness.Eachreportcardfortheschoolyearshallcontaininformationregardingastudent'sperformanceatgradelevelorbelow,behavior,andattendance.Thefinalreportcardshallcontaininformationregardingastudent'spromotionornon-promotion.

AlternateReportCard

NochangesshallbemadeintheformofthereportcardwithouttheexpressapprovaloftheSuperintendent.

GradingScale

Thefollowingpointscalewillapplytoallhighschools,aswellastomiddleschoolstudentsenrolledinhighschoolcoursesingrade7or8forcredittowardgraduation:

A.A= 4gradepoints(90-100)(outstandingprogress)

B.B= 3gradepoints(80-89)(aboveaverageprogress)

C.C=2gradepoints(70-79)(averageprogress)

D.D=1gradepoint(60-69)(lowestacceptableprogress)

E.F= 0gradepoints(0-59)(failure)

F.I= 0gradepoints(incomplete)

Percentsbetweeneighty-ninepercent(89%)andninetypercent(90%),seventy-ninepercent(79%)andeightypercent(80%),sixty-ninepercent(69%)andseventypercent(70%),andfifty-nine(59%)andsixtypercent(60%)shallberoundeduptothehighergradeifatthemidpoint(.50)orabove;thosebelowthemidpoint(.50)shallberoundeddowntothelowergrade.

IncompleteGrades

Astudentreceiving agrade ofIncomplete(I) ina course(s)duringanygradingperiodshallhavea periodof three(3)weeksafterhisreturntoschooltomakeupanyworkmissedthatisneededfortheteachertobeabletoassignanappropriategrade.Anyincompletegrade willreverttoan"F"ifthestudentdoes notmakeupthework missed withinthethree(3)weeksofreturningtoschool.Extensionsoftimemaybegrantedbytheprincipalforthefinalgradingperiodofthe year.

FinalExaminations

A.Definition:Afinalexaminationisacomprehensiveassessmentcoveringthecoursestudentperformancestandardsfortheentireterm (aterm isasemesterinallhighschools).Furthermore:

1.--Forallhighcoursesthataresemestercourses,thesemesterfinalexaminationwill be either adistrictdevelopedcommonassessment or a teacher-developed assessment.For courses identified as having a district-developed assessment as outlined in 1(a), the semester examination will be the district-developed assessment.

--Forallhighschoolcoursesthatare year-longcoursesandthatdonothaveastaterequiredend ofcourseassessment(EOC),thesemester2finalexaminationmaybeadistrictdevelopedcommonassessment or a teacher-developed assessment. For year-long courses identified as having a district-developed common assessment as outlined in 1(a), the year-long final examination will be the district-developed common assessment.

a. Each year, by the first day of the new school year, the Teaching and Learning Division will identify and provide schools, teachers, parents and students a list of district developed common assessments that will be implemented that year as either semester exams (for semester courses) or semester 2 final exams for year-long courses.

b. During the first year of implement for any district-developed common semester or year-long assessment, teachers will determine the semester and final exam grades for students. During the second and subsequent years of implementation for district developed common assessments the semester exam grade and final exam grade for students will be determined by the district’s Accountability, Assessment and Research office through a score-norming process for the purpose of ensuring consistency across the district in the scoring of district common assessments.

--Forallhighschoolcoursesthatare year-longcoursesthatdohaveastaterequiredendofcourseassessment,thesemester1finalexaminationwillbeadistrictdevelopedcommonassessment, taken by all students enrolled in the course,andtheendofthe yearexaminationwillbethestateendofcourseassessment(EOC).

B.Studentsshalltakethefinalexaminationassetforthin"C"belowasanacademicperformancerequirementforthecompletionofthecoursesforwhichsuchexaminationsarerequired.The student’sneglectofthisresponsibilityshallresultinafailinggradefortheexam inthatcourse.

1.Finalexaminationsshallberequiredinthefollowingcourses:art,music,socialstudies,science,languageartsandreading,math,worldlanguages,physicaleducation,driver’seducation,healtheducationandvocational.

2.Allstudentsshalltakefinalexaminationsinthosecoursesforwhichsuchexaminationsarerequired,asprovidedin"C"below.AnAdvancedPlacementorInternationalBaccalaureateexammaybetakeninlieuofateacherdevelopedfinalexaminthosedesignated courses.Insuchcase,thestudentmuststillattendhisorherregularsubjectareaclassesforstructuredactivitiesand/orprojectsuntiltheendofthegradingperiod.

3.Intheeventastudentisunabletotakeanexaminationatthegiventimebecauseofalegitimateabsencethroughillnessorsomeotherseriousreason,thestudentshallbegivenanopportunitytomakeuptheexaminationwithoutpenaltyofanykind.

4.Intheeventastudentisundersuspensionduringsuchanexaminationperiod,theprincipalshallprovideforthestudent’stakingoftheexaminationseitheratthegiventimeorthroughsomespecialarrangement,atthediscretionoftheteacherandprincipal.

5.Studentswhoentercollegeatmid-yearwillbepermittedtotaketheirfinalexaminationsinaccordancewith"D"below,ofthispolicyprovidedsuchstudentsshallfurnishtotheirrespectiveprincipal(ordesignee)acopyofthereceiptedbillforcollegetuition.

C.FinalExamRequirement

Withthefollowingenumeratedexceptions,studentswhohaveacoursegradeof"A"or"B"inthe1stquarterandaprovisionalcoursegradeof“A”or“B”inthe2ndquarterarenotrequiredtotakethefinalinthatcourse.Exceptforsecondsemesterseniors,thisprovisionshallapplytonomorethanthreecourseseachsemester,regardlessofthenumberofperiodsinastudent’sschedule.Theprovisional2ndquartergradewillbebasedonthegradesearnedforthefirstsevenweeksofthe2ndquarter.Thestudentmustmaintainthe“A”or“B”gradethroughtheremainderofthe2ndquarter.

Exceptions:

1. Thestudentisenrolledinthesamecourseduringtwo(2)termsofthesameschool year.Insuchcases,thestudentisrequiredtotakeatleastone(1)finalexam inthatcourse.

1. ThestudenthasbeenenrolledinaDistrictpublichighschoolforlessthantheentireterm.Insuchcases,thestudentisrequiredtotakeallexams.

1. Thestudenthasfive(5)ormoreabsencespersemesterinanyclass.Ifso,thestudentisrequiredtotakethefinalexam inallclasses.Regardlessofthenumberofminutesinaclassperiod,anabsencefrom theclassisonlycountedasone(1)absenceintheclassforpurposesofthispolicy.Forpurposesofthispolicyastudentwhoisnotpresentinclassatleastonehalfoftheclassperiodshallbecountedabsent.Preapprovedabsencesforschoolsponsoredactivities,religiousholidays,andcollege/post-secondaryvisitationshallnotbecountedincalculatingthefive(5)ormoreabsencesspecifiedabove.Absencesforcollege/post-secondaryvisitationarelimitedtothree(3)daysperyearforseniorsandone dayperyearforjuniors.

1. Thefinalexam isaState-requiredEndofCourseexam. Studentsnotrequiredtotakeafinalexammayelecttotaketheirfinalexaminationstoimprovethefinalgrades.Afinalgradeshallnotbereducedasaresultoftheexaminationgrade,shouldthestudentelectthisoption.

1. ThefinalexamisanAdvancedPlacement,InternationalBaccalaureate,orAdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducationexam.

StudentsarerequiredtotakethefirstsemesterexamforAdvancedPlacement,InternationalBaccalaureate,orAdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducationcourses.

AnAdvancedPlacement,InternationalBaccalaureate,orAdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducationwillbetakeninlieuofateacherdevelopedfinal(semester2)examinthosedesignatedcourses.Insuchcase,thestudentmuststillattendhisorherregularsubjectareaclassesforstructuredactivitiesand/orprojectsuntiltheendofthegradingperiod.

D.EarlyExams

Ifasecondarystudentwithdrawsorleavesschoolfortheremainderoftheyearduringthelastten(10)schooldaysofthesemesterforareasonacceptabletotheschoolprincipal,thestudentmaybepermittedtotakeearlyexaminations.

1. Noearlyexamsshallbeadministeredpriortothelasttwelve(12)schooldaysofeachsemester.

1. StudentsshallpayareasonablefeeperexaminationasestablishedbytheSuperintendent.Theteacherwhopreparedtheexaminationandtheperson(acertifiedinstructionalprofessional)whoadministerstheexaminationwilleachbepaidone-half(1/2)thefeeperexam.

1. Earlyexaminationsshallnotbegivenduringregularschoolhours.Earlyexaminationsmaybeadministeredafterschoolhoursandonweekends.

1. Incourseswheretheteacherchoosestogiveanoral/participationexaminationtheexamshallbeadministeredbythatteacher.

FinalGrades

The finalgradeinhighschoolcoursesisasemestergradedeterminedbygivinga75%weighttotheaverageofthetwo(2)quartergradesanda25%weighttothefinalexamination.

A.CalculatingFinalGrades

Seventy-five(75)percentofthefinalsemestergrade willcomefrom anaverageofastudent’squartergradesandtwenty-five(25)percentofthefinalsemestergradewillcomefrom astudent’sfinalexam grade.Toobtainthesemestergrade,averagetheunweightedgradepointvaluesofthetwo(2)quartergrades (Q)thenmultiplythisaverageby75%.Thatvalueisaddedtotheunweightedgradepointvalueoftheexam gradewhichismultipliedby25%.

Incoursesforwhichfinalexaminationsarenotprescribedorrequired,thefinalgradewillbedeterminedbyaveragingtheunweightedgradesofthetwo(2)quarters:

Theresultingsemestergradeaverageisconvertedtoalettergradebasedonthescalebelow(seeparagraph(c)regardinggradesatthemidpoint):

A=3.5 -4

B=2.5 -3.5

C=1.5-2.5

D=.5-1.5

F=0-.5

B. AcademicGradesvs.EvaluationofConduct

Inarrivingattheacademicgradesofallstudents,teachersareexpectedtocarefullydistinguishbetweentheacademicgradeandthestudents'conduct.Allreportcardswillprovidesomeformofevaluationconcerningthestudents'conductordeportment.Innocasewillthestudentreceiveanacademicgradewhichiscontingentuponhis/herconduct,exceptasprovidedintheCodeofStudentConduct.

C. GradesattheMid-pointof EachGradeLevel

Atthemid-pointofeachgradelevel,(i.e.,3.5,2.5,1.5,.5)itwillbetheoptionoftheteacherastowhetherthehigherorlowergradewillbegiven.Ifthelowergradeisgiven,thedecisionmustbedocumentedandapprovedbytheprincipal(ordesignee).

D.Teacher/PrincipalDiscretioninDeterminingtheFinalGrade

Ifahighschoolstudentfailshis/herfinalmarkingperiodandhis/herfinalexamination,thestudentmaybegivenafailingsemestergrade,atthediscretionoftheteacherandprincipal,regardlessofthegradepointaverage. Ifahighschoolstudentfailsallthree(3)markingperiodsortwo(2)markingperiodsandthefinalexamination,thestudentmayreceiveafailingsemestergradeinthatcourseatthediscretionoftheteacherandprincipal,regardlessofgradepointaverage.Ifafailinggradeisgiven,thedecisionmustbedocumentedandapprovedbytheprincipalordesignee.

E.FinalGradePointAverage

AllhighschoolcourseswillbeincludedintheGPAcalculationunlessthegradehasbeenforgiven.

F. UnweightedGradePointAverage

Gradesareassignedthefollowingpointvaluesexcept asidentifiedinBoardpolicy(e.g.whendeterminingeligibilityforextra-curricularactivitiesandfordeterminingthecumulativegradepoint averageforgraduation):

1.A=4

2.B=3

3.C=2

4.D=1

5.F=0

G.WeightedGradePointAverageforStandardCurriculumStudents

Gradesareassignedthefollowingpointvaluesonlywhendeterminingclassrankingandforaveragesforsummacumlaude,magnacumlaude,cumlaudestatus,valedictorian,salutatorian,andtheNationalHonorSociety:

Thefollowingpointvaluesareapplicableonlyforthosestudentswhoentered9thgrade,orcompletedhighschoolqualitypointcoursesinmiddleschool,duringorpriortothe2013-14schoolyear:

1.toreceivean"A"in:

a.Honors(Q)-A=5

b.Regular-A=4

c.Basic(B)-A=3

2.toreceivea"B"in:

a.Honors(Q)-B=4

b.Regular-B=3

c.Basic(B)-B=2

3.toreceivea"C"in:

a.Honors(Q)-C=3

b.Regular-C=2

c.Basic(B)-C =1

4.toreceivea"D"in:

a.Honors(Q)-D=1

b.Regular-D=1

c.Basic(B)-D=.5

5.toreceivean"F"in:

a.Honors(Q)-F=0

b.Regular-F=0

c.Basic(B)-F =0

Thefollowingpointvaluesareapplicableonly forthosestudentswhoenter9thgradeduringthe2014-15schoolyearandsubsequentschoolyears.

Thefollowingkeyappliestotheprogramslistedbelow:AdvancedPlacement(AP),InternationalBaccalaureate(IB),DualEnrollment(DE),AdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducation(AICE)

1.toreceivean"A"in:

a.AP,DE,IB,orAICECourses(Q)-A=5

b.AllothernonAP,DE,IB,orAICECoursesthatareHonors(Q),includingthePre-AICEandPre-IBcourses-A=4.5

c.Regular-A=4

2.toreceivea"B"in:

a.AP,DE,IB,orAICECourses(Q)-B=4

b.AllothernonAP,DE,IB,orAICECoursesthatareHonors(Q)includingthePre-AICEandPre-IBcourses-B=3.5

c.Regular-B=3

3.toreceivea"C"in:

a.AP,DE,IB,orAICECourses(Q)-C=3

b.AllothernonAP,DE,IB,orAICECoursesthatareHonors(Q)includingthePre-AICEandPre-IBcourses-C=2.5

c.Regular-C=2

4.toreceivea"D"in:

a.AP,DE,IB,orAICECourses(Q)-D=1

b.AllothernonAP,DE,IB,orAICECoursesthatareHonors(Q)-D=1

c.Regular-D=1

5.toreceivean"F"in:

a.AP,DE,IB,orAICECourses(Q)-F=0

b.AllothernonAP,DE,IB,orAICECoursesthatareHonors(Q)-F=0

c.Regular-F=0

H.HonorsQualityPoints

Aweightedgradepointaverageisachieved byassigningone(1)extrahonorsqualitypointtoA,B,andCgradesearnedinselected,advancedplacement,dualcredit,andIBcourses(seeabove). Honorscourseswillbeawardeda(0.5)extrahonorsqualityhalf-pointtoA,B,andCgrades.TheDistrict’sHighSchoolUniformCourseDescriptionsandtheindividualhighschoolcurriculumguideswillusea(Q)toindicatetheBoardapprovedhonorsqualitypointcourses.

1. WhenaqualitypointisapprovedforanexistingcourseintheDistrict’sHighSchoolUniformCourseDescriptions,theapplicationoftheextrapointwillbeginwiththenextschoolyearafteritisapprovedandwillonlyimpacttheenteringninthgradeclassthatschoolyearorthe enteringseventhandeighthgradeclassesthatschoolyearifthehighschoolcourseistakenatthemiddleschoollevel.Thesequalitypointsarenotappliedretroactively.