The District will make every effort to place each student in the most appropriate learning level for a successful educational experience.
The following guidelines shall govern student progression:
Academic Criteria for Promotion
Principals shall be responsible for ensuring that written academic criteria for student promotion at each grade level are available upon request.
Early Identification/Intervention
Classroom teachers are expected to make every effort to identify those students at risk of failing as early as possible and shall contact the parent/guardian promptly. The teacher shall also notify the Principal and the Response to Intervention team. A support program shall be designed for each student identified as in danger of failing. Such support services may include, but are not limited to, individualized assistance before, during or after the school day; intervention services, and, where appropriate, referral to the Committee on Special Education for evaluation.
Promotion/Retention
Elementary schools
At the elementary level, students who make adequate progress in all subjects will be promoted. Students who do not make adequate progress in one or more core subjects shall have their cases considered on an individual basis and may be retained. Retention shall be limited to those situations where the best interest of the student is reasonably assured. Diligent effort shall be made to use all available resources to determine the student’s appropriate placement.
Middle School
Students who pass all subjects will be promoted. Students who fail one subject shall have the failure evaluated and a determination made as to the reason for the failure. The student may be required to repeat the subject, but in typical cases, shall be promoted with recommendation for either summer school or assignment to support services.
Students who fail two core subjects (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language) shall have their cases considered on an individual basis. The decision shall be arrived at by consensus from a case conference approach involving the school psychologist, school counselor, assistant principal, school nurse and other special support staff. Recommendations will be made to the Principal.
High School
In general, promotion from one class to the next shall be contingent upon passing of required subjects.
A student must have completed 9.5 credits to be considered an 11th grader.
A student must have completed 15 credits to be considered a 12th grader.
Semester tracking of credits earned will be conducted by the Guidance Department. Each semester the Guidance Department shall notify the parents in writing if their student is in danger of not attaining the credit benchmarks.
Retention
A decision to retain shall be arrived at by consensus from a case conference approach involving the teacher, Principal, school psychologist, school counselor, if appropriate, and parent/guardian. Factors to be considered include teacher recommendation; classroom achievement, effort and engagement; standardized test scores; social and emotional development; results of the family conference; and, for classified students, recommendations by the Committee on Special Education. If a consensus cannot be reached, the decision of the Principal shall be final.
No student will be retained unless there is an appropriate educational plan defining what will occur that is instructionally different for the student. Once the educational plan has been implemented, the student will be monitored regularly and adjusted, as appropriate.
Cross Reference: 4325, Academic Intervention Services
4321.2, School-Wide Pre-Referral Approaches and Interventions
Ref: Education Law §§1709; 2503(4); 3202
8 NYCRR §100.4
Isqwith v. Levitt, 285 App. Div. 833; 137 N.Y.S.2d 497 (1955)
Matter of Eckert, 13 EDR 270 (1979)
Op. Counsel, 1 EDR 775 (1952)
Adoption date: December 1, 1995
Amended date: December 17, 2007
Amended date: October 7, 2019
Amended date: November 16, 2020
Amended date: January 10, 2022
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