School Board Policy 513 -
Student Promotion, Retention and Program Design

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to professional staff, parents, and students regarding student promotion, retention, and program design.

II. General Statement of Policy

The School Board expects all students to achieve at an acceptable level of proficiency. Parental assistance, tutorial and remedial programs, counseling, and other appropriate services shall be coordinated and utilized to the greatest extent possible to help students succeed in school.

A. Promotion

Students who achieve at levels deemed acceptable by local and state standards shall be promoted to the next level at the completion of each school year.

B. Retention

Retention of a student may be considered when professional staff and parents feel that it is in the best interest of the student. Physical development, maturity, and emotional factors shall be considered as well as scholastic achievement. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final.

C. Program Design

1. The Superintendent, with participation of the professional staff and parents, shall develop and implement programs to challenge students that are consistent with the needs of students at every level. A process to assess and evaluate students for program assignments can be developed in coordination with such programs. Opportunities for special programs and placement outside of the school district shall also be developed as additional options. All programs will be aligned with creating comprehensive achievement and civic readiness.

2. The school district may identify students, locally develop programs and services addressing instructional and affective needs, provide staff development, an devaluate programs to provide gifted and talented students with challenging and appropriate educational programs and services.

3. The school district must adopt guidelines for assessing and identifying students for participation in gifted and talented programs and services consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11. The guidelines should include the use of:

a. Multiple objective criteria; and

b. Assessments and procedures that are valid and reliable, fair, and based on current theory and research. Assessments and procedures should be sensitive to gender participation and to under-represented groups, including, but not limited to, low-income, minority, twice-exceptional, and English learners.

4. The school district must adopt procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students. These procedures will include how the school district will:

a. Assess a student’s readiness and motivation for acceleration; and

b. Match the level, complexity, and pace of the curriculum to a student to achieve the best type of academic acceleration for that student.

5. The school district must adopt procedures consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.02 for early admission to kindergarten or first grade of gifted or talented learners consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2). The procedures must be sensitive to under-represented groups.

Legal References:
Minn. Stat. § 120B.15 (Gifted and Talented Program)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.143 Subd.1 (Superintendent)

Cross References:
WBLASB Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements)
WBLASB Policy 614 (School District Testing Play and Procedure)
WBLASB Policy 615 (Testing Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEP, Section 504 Plans, and LEP Students) WBLASB Policy 618 (Assessment of Student Achievement)
WBLASB Policy 620 (Credit for Learning)