A. Purpose

The school believes that students should progress to the next level of study only after they are proficient in their knowledge and application of the current curriculum level. To the extent reasonably possible, students should be given as much time or as little time as they need to be proficient at a particular level of study. Students will be promoted to the next level of study as described in this policy.

B. Student Promotion Standards

The Dean shall develop promotion standards and a process to be used in determining a student’s readiness to progress to the next level of study. The standards will be based, in part, upon proficiency in reading. The standards and process must provide multiple criteria for assessing a student’s readiness to progress to the next level of study, such as standardized test scores, formative and diagnostic assessments, grades, a portfolio or anthology of the student’s work, and, when appropriate, accepted standards for assessing developmental growth. The standards and process will incorporate all state law and State Board of Education policy requirements, including those for the assessment and promotion of third grade students as described in G.S. 115C-83.6 et seq. and State Board of Education Policies KNEC-002 and -003.3.

The principal shall ensure that the promotion standards are used by teachers and school administrators in assessing each student’s readiness to progress to the next level of study. The principal has the authority to promote or retain students based upon the standards approved by the Dean and any applicable standards set by the State Board of Education.

C. Appeals of Promotion Decisions

1. Appeal to the Dean

Within five workdays of receiving the principal’s written decision to promote or retain a student, the student’s parents may appeal the decision to the Dean’s designee. The Dean may overturn the principal’s decision only upon a finding that the principal’s decision was arbitrary and capricious (i.e., without a rational basis) or was otherwise an abuse of discretion.

The Dean must render a decision within 10 workdays of receiving the appeal. The Dean may support the principal’s decision, remand it back to the principal for consideration of additional issues, or reverse the decision.

The Dean’s findings must be in writing and must be provided to the parents.

D. Promotion Standards for Students With Disabilities

To the extent possible, students with disabilities must be held to the same promotion standards as all other students. However, for students who take alternative assessments in lieu of the end-of-grade (EOG) or end-of-course (EOC) tests, promotion decisions must be based on criteria recommended by the IEP team.

All intervention strategies and other opportunities, benefits, and resources that are made available to students without disabilities must be made available to those students with disabilities who are subject to the student promotion standards. Such opportunities must be in addition to the special education services provided to the student.

E. Reporting Requirements

Pursuant to statutory requirements and standards established by the Department of Public Instruction, all required information regarding student performance will be provided annually to the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction.

F. Children of Military Families

As required by the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (G.S. 115C-407.5) and the school administrators have the authority to exercise flexibility in waiving course or program prerequisites or other preconditions for the placement of children of military families in courses or programs offered by the school.

Issued: October 15, 2018