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IV. E. 1. Placement, Promotion and Retention
In general, children shall be placed at the grade level to which they are best adjusted academically, socially and emotionally. Children shall usually progress annually from grade to grade, spending one year in each grade. However, some children shall profit by staying another year in the same grade. In such cases, the parent shall be contacted in advance, although the final decision shall rest with the school authorities.
Following sound principles of child guidance, it shall be the policy of the West Warwick School Committee not to advocate the skipping of grades.
In the departmentalized program (grades 9-12), the pupil's progress shall be determined by the number of subjects passed and/or credits earned. When it has been determined that a student has successfully completed the work prescribed for his or her grade level or received a sufficient number of credits he or she shall be promoted to the next level.
Grade placement shall be the responsibility of the principal following consultation with the professional staff, and shall be based on general achievement, consideration being given to the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of the child.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Elementary Schools
The basis of a student promotion system in the elementary schools of West Warwick is largely administrative. It is a means of organizing children into groups of efficient working size. Children shall be placed at the grade level to which they are best adjusted academically, socially, and emotionally. The educational program shall provide for the continuous progress of children from grade to grade with children spending one year in each grade. A small number of children, however, may benefit from staying another year in the same grade. Such retention may be considered when:
1. The child is achieving significantly below ability and grade level.
2. Retention would not cause an undue social and emotional adjustment.
3. Retention would have a reasonable chance of benefiting the child totally.
Whenever such retention is being considered, but no later than the end of the first semester, the teacher shall confer with the principal and other staff members involved with the child. The parents shall be invited to a meeting with the teacher, principal, and other staff members no later than February 1 for discussion of the matter. This discussion shall consist of an explanation to the parents of their child's current academic standing in relationship to his or her group and the merits of a referral for evaluation. Should the parents elect not to pursue an evaluation, goals shall be set for the third term. During the first two weeks of the fourth term another meeting shall be held to review the goals and the student's progress. If there has been no significant strides toward the attainment of established goals, a referral shall again be suggested. Should the option of an evaluation again be dismissed by the parents, a reassessment of goals and performance standards shall be established. However, in the end, the final decision of retention shall be made jointly by the principal and classroom teacher(s) after consulting with the parents.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Junior High School
Students of John F. Deering Junior High School shall progress from grade to grade according to a system that is based upon the number of times a subject is offered each week. Students who pass all subjects, or have no more than one failure at the end of the school year, are eligible for promotion.
A student shall be retained in a grade if he or she fails two (2) major subjects, i.e. a subject who meets five (5) days per week. A student shall also repeat the year if he or she fails minor subjects or a combination of major and minor subjects such that the aggregate of days per week that the subjects meet equals ten (10). In such cases:
1. The parents of these students shall be notified by registered mail prior to the close of school in June.
2. Upon return to school in September, repeating students shall be placed on weekly report and shall be counseled on a weekly basis.
3. A list of repeated students shall be circulated to the faculty in September so that the faculty can closely monitor the progress of these students.
4. The students who are not promoted shall be given the option of attending summer school.
Based upon an evaluation by teachers, counselors and with the approval of the principal, repeated students may be promoted to the next higher grade after the first term of the succeeding term.
References
Policy adopted: 4/23/81
Graduation Policy of West Warwick School Department for Students with Disabilities
Effective upon the signing of this policy and for all the years thereafter until amended, the graduation policy for students with disabilities is as follows:
It is the policy of the West Warwick School Committee to maintain a student for an entire school year if his or her birthday is on or after the ending date of the first quarter grading period. Any student who has a 21st birthday before that date, shall graduate the proceeding June. If there are problems enrolling the student at Trudeau until the 21st birthday, the student shall be maintained, although graduated in June, until the 21st birthday.
The School Committee retains the right, at its discretion, to terminate any student reaching his or her 21st birthday.
Policy adopted: 9/28/81
References