STUDENTS

505.1 - STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES

Students shall receive a progress report at the end of each nine-week grading period.  Students who are doing poorly, and their parents, shall be notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade.  The board encourages the notification of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held once per semester at the elementary and secondary school to keep the parents informed. 

Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in  grades kindergarten through twelve in addition to the scheduled conference time.  Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 280 (1995).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), .3(7); .5(16).

Cross Reference:         505  Student Scholastic Achievement

                                    506  Student Records

Approved:                   7/13/00

Reviewed:                  9/21/15, 7/17/2023

Revised:                     

STUDENTS

505.2 - STUDENT PROMOTION - RETENTION - ACCELERATION

Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student's achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.

The district shall adhere to the following: 

• Retention/Promotion in kindergarten – eighth grade: The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the district’s professional staff. When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed prior to making the retention decision.  It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
   
• Retention/Promotion in ninth – twelfth grade: Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required coursework necessary to be promoted each year. When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
   
• Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade: Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level. Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district's graduation requirements.
   
• Retention or Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade may also occur in additional instances as provided by law. 

For students in grades kindergarten through sixth, if a student is not reading at a proficient level, the district will notify a student’s parent or guardian of the student’s reading level, and the option for parents to request that the student be retained in the student’s current grade level for the subsequent school year.  The district is prohibited from promoting a student to the next grade level if the student is not reading proficiently, and the student’s parent or guardian requests the student be retained at their current grade level for the next year.

Any student or parent who is not satisfied with the decision of the district’s professional staff my seek recourse through policy 502.4 – Student Complaints and Grievances. 

NOTE: School districts that use specific steps or processes for determining retention or acceleration should reference the applicable criteria or where to locate the criteria in the bulleted information above. 

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3 (1995).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.3(7); 12.5(16).

Cross Reference:         501  Student Attendance

                                    505  Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:                   7/13/00

Reviewed:                  9/21/15

Revised:                     7/17/2023, 10/21/2024

STUDENTS

505.3 - STUDENT HONORS AND AWARDS

The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals.  Students will be made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them. Students who have not attended an accredited public or private school for their entire high school education, will not be eligible for honors and awards.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).

Cross Reference:         501.6  Student Transfers In

                                    504    Student Activities

                                    505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:                   7/13/00

Reviewed:                   9/21/15

Revised:                     7/17/2023

STUDENTS

505.4 - TESTING PROGRAM

A comprehensive testing program is established and maintained to evaluate the education program of the school district and to assist in providing guidance or counseling services to students and their families.

No student is required, as part of any applicable program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

·         political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parents;

·         mental and psychological problems or the student or the student's family;

·         sex behavior or attitudes;

·         illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and demeaning behavior;

·         critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships;

·         legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;

·         religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent or;

·         income, (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

without the prior consent of the student (if the student is an adult or emancipated minor), or in the case of an unemancipated minor, without the prior written consent of the parent.

Prior to an employee or contractor of the district providing information on a student enrolled in the district on any survey related to the social or emotional abilities, competencies or characteristics of the student; the district will provide the parent/guardian of the student detailed information related to the survey and obtain written consent of the parent/guardian of the student.  This includes the person who created the survey, the person who sponsors the survey, how the information generated by the survey is used and how information generated by the survey is stored. This requirement will not prohibit a district employee from answering questions related to a student enrolled in the district as part of developing or implementing an individualized education program for the student.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

It is the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and reflects federal law.

Legal Reference:         No Child Left Behind, Title II, Sec. 1061, P.L. 107-110 (2202). Goals 2000:  Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).

                                    20 U.S.C. § 1232h (1988).

                                    Iowa Code §§ 280.3; 256B; 282.1, .3, .6 (2001).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.5(13), .5(21).

Cross Reference:         505    Student Scholastic Achievement

                                    506    Student Records

                                    607.2  Student Health Services

Approved:                   7/13/00

Reviewed:                  9/21/15

Revised:                      1/20/03, 7/17/2023, 8/21/2023

STUDENTS

505.5 - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete 52 credits prior to graduation.  The following credits will be required:

            Language Arts            8 credits

            Science                       6 credits

            Mathematics               6 credits

            Social Studies             6 credits

            Physical Education     4 credits

            Electives                     19 credits

            Computer                    1 credit

            Health                         1 credit

            Financial Literacy:       1 credit

The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually.

Prior to graduation, the district will advise students on how to successfully complete the free application for federal student aid.

Graduation requirements for special education students include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science. 

Students who complete a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited ½ credit of social studies.

Students enrolled in a junior officers’ training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program.  
NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy. 
 

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 256.7, 11, .41; 279.8; 279.61; 280.3, .14.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(5); 12.5

I.C. Iowa Code
Description

Iowa Code § 256.11
DE - Educational Standards

Iowa Code § 256.41
DE - Online Learning Requirements

Iowa Code § 256.7
DE - Duties of State Board

Iowa Code § 279.8
Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees

Iowa Code § 280.14
Uniform School Requirements - Administrators

Iowa Code § 280.3
Education Program - Attendance Center Requirements

Iowa Code §279.61
Individual Career and Academic Plan

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code
Description

281 I.A.C. 12.3
Administration

281 I.A.C. 12.5
General Accreditation Standards - Education Program

Cross References

Code
Description

603.03
Special Education

Approved:                    7/13/00

Reviewed:                   11/18/19

Revised:                      11/18/19, 8/21/2023

STUDENTS

505.6 - EARLY GRADUATION

Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve.  Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.  Students must request permission for early graduation at least 30 days prior to the completion of graduation requirements.

A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district.  However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.  School districts do not have the authority to limit when a student may graduate early.  Students can graduate early whenever they meet the school district's graduation requirements.  It is recommended that when a student graduates early, the student either gets the diploma or a notice from the school district that the student has graduated.  The board should determine in policy how an early graduate will be treated after the student graduates.  The board should determine whether the early graduate will be allowed to participate in activities and, if so, which activities.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (1995).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:         505  Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:                   7/13/00

Reviewed:                   9/21/15, 9/18/2023

Revised:                     

STUDENTS

505.7 - COMMENCEMENT

Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  It shall be the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.

Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.

Legal Reference:         Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (1995).

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:         505  Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:                   7/13/00

Reviewed:                   9/21/15, 9/18/2023

Revised:                     

STUDENTS

505.8 - Parent and Family Engagement

Policy 505.08: Parent and Family Engagement District Wide Policy (Formerly Parental Involvement)

Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school. The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success. In order to facilitate parent and family involvement, it is the goal of the district to conduct outreach and implement programs, activities and procedures to further involve parents and families with the academic success of their students. The board will:

1. Involve parents and families in the development of the Title 1 plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement by holding parent meetings at the elementary school, participation of Title teachers in parent/teacher conferences, parent surveys, and home to school compacts between parents.
2. Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of all participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance by collaboration of the Title 1 Committee and the Administrative Team.
    
3. To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title 1 with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs by collaboration of the Title 1 Committee and the Building Leadership Team.
    
4. Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying: barriers to greater participation by parents in Title 1 activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, parents of any racial or ethnic minority, parents with disabilities and parents with limited literacy); needs of parents and family to assist their children’s learning; and strategies to support successful school and family interactions by surveying parents and staff to gather relevant data. The Title 1 Committee will use student achievement data and survey data to complete the annual program evaluation.
    
5. Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies by analyzing the data, reviewing current best practice, and taking action to improve parent and family involvement.
    
6. Involve parents and families in Title 1 activities by sending home Title 1 folders, containing reading activities and information to parents about what students are learning and working on in class, with students on a regular basis. Emails and phone calls containing student progress will be regular and two-way between the Title 1 teacher and parents.

Revised:  9/18/2023

STUDENTS

505.8R1 - Parent and Family Engagement Regulation