NEPN/NSBA Code:  IKE

PROMOTION, RETENTION AND ACCELERATION OF STUDENTS

It is the intention of the School Committee that instruction be offered to all students in aprogressive and sequential way.

Students will normally progress through one grade level each year. Exceptions will bemade when, in the judgment of the professional staff, repetition or acceleration of a grade is in the student’s best interest. Parents will be notified as early as possible when retention or acceleration is being considered. Recommendations for placement for on special education students will be made independent of the Individualized Education Plan(IEP)Team to the building principal.

Questions/Factors for the team to consider:

A. Academic Factors

1. Does the student’s ability fall within the normal range?

2. Is the student reading below/above grade level?

3. Is academic performance below/above grade level in one or more areas?

4. Are standardized achievement test scores below the 40th percentile in one or more areas (especially reading)?

5. Does the student have difficulty completing school tasks in allotted time?

B. Social Factors

1. Is the student’s chronological age within 18 months of his/her classmates?

2. Does the student appear motivated to succeed in school?

3. Is the student’s social maturity comparable to other students?

4. If retained, will the student have a sibling in the same grade?

5. Will the student’s physical size or development make him/her stand out among his/her classmates?

C. Other Factors

1. Has the student been retained/accelerated before?

2. What is the student’s attitude concerning retention/acceleration likely to be?

3. What are the parents’/guardians’ attitudes concerning retention/acceleration?

4. Has the student had regular attendance (missed fewer than 20 days of school this year)?

5. Has the student been enrolled in two or more schools this year?

6. Are there extenuating circumstances (illness, divorce, death, relocation, abuse, etc.) to be considered? If so, do these factors favor or disfavor retention/acceleration?

If after considering these factors, school staff and/or parents/guardians feel a K-6 student might benefit from retention/acceleration, established administrative procedures shall be followed.

If consensus cannot be reached between a parent/guardian and the administrator, the administrator will have final decision making authority for student placement.

Criteria (Grades 7-8)

In order to be promoted to the next grade, students must pass 4 of their 5 classes (Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, and average of all Unified Arts courses).  Students who have not met this criteria must complete a summer school program that targets the specific standards upon which the student has not yet demonstrated proficiency. In order for students to be invited to participate in Summer School,students must be meeting the Habits of Work criteria.

Criteria (Grades 9-12)

Promotion is based upon the student successfully completing the minimum course credits to advance to the next grade.

Legal Reference: Ch. 125.23,B,5,1 (Maine Dept. of Ed. Rule)

Cross Reference: IKE-R – Promotion, Retention and Acceleration Administrative

Procedure (K-8)

IKF – Graduation Requirements

Adopted: June 7, 2000

Reviewed: September 10, 2012

Revised: May 6, 2019