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5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention

The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) expects students to progress through each grade level within one school year. Toward this end, instruction shall be designed to accommodate the variety of ways that students learn and provide strategies for addressing academic deficiencies as needed.

Students shall progress through the grade levels by demonstrating growth in learning and meeting grade-level standards of expected student achievement.

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6146.1 - High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.5 - Elementary/Middle School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6170.1 - Transitional Kindergarten)

When high academic achievement is evident, the teacher may recommend a student for acceleration to a higher grade level. The student's maturity level shall be taken into consideration in making a determination to accelerate a student.

Teachers shall identify students who should be retained or who are at risk of being retained at their current grade level as early as possible in the school year and as early in their school careers as practicable.

OPTION 1: Students shall be identified for retention on the basis of failure to meet minimum levels of proficiency, as indicated by grades and the following additional indicators of academic achievement:

(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)

OPTION 2: Students shall be identified for retention on the basis of failure to meet minimum levels of proficiency, as indicated by the results of state assessments administered pursuant to Education Code 60640-60649 and the following additional indicators of academic achievement:

(cf. 6162.5 - Student Assessment)
(cf. 6162.51 - State Academic Achievement Tests)

Students between grades 2 and 3 and grades 3 and 4 shall be identified primarily on the basis of their level of proficiency in reading. Proficiency in reading, English language arts, and mathematics shall be the basis for identifying students between grades 4 and 5, between intermediate and middle school grades, and between middle school grades and high school grades. (Education Code 48070.5)

(cf. 6142.91 - Reading/Language Arts Instruction)
(cf. 6142.92 - Mathematics Instruction)

If a student does not have a single regular classroom teacher, the Superintendent or designee shall specify the teacher(s) responsible for the decision to promote or retain the student. (Education Code 48070.5)

The teacher's decision to promote or retain a student may be appealed in accordance with AR 5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention.

When a student in grades 2-9 is retained or recommended for retention, the Superintendent or designee shall offer an appropriate program of remedial instruction to assist the student in meeting grade-level expectations. SBCSS also may offer supplemental instruction to a student in grades 2-6 who is identified as being at risk for retention. (Education Code 37252.2, 37252.8, 48070.5)

When a student is recommended for retention or is identified as being at risk for retention, the Superintendent or designee shall offer an appropriate program of remedial instruction to assist the student in meeting grade-level expectations. (Education Code 48070.5)

(cf. 6176 - Weekend/Saturday Classes)
(cf. 6177 - Summer Learning Programs)
(cf. 6179 - Supplemental Instruction)

State Minimum Graduation Requirement Exemptions

Under California Education Code 51225.1, foster youth, homeless youth, current or former juvenile court school pupils, or children of military families who transfer after their second year of high school may be eligible to graduate under the terms of the California State Minimum Graduation Requirements instead of being required to meet local District requirements for graduation.

A. California State Minimum Graduation Requirements

1. Three Courses in English (30 credits)

2. Two Courses in Mathematics (20 credits) including 5 credits in Math 1 (second term) or Math 2 or in any higher-level Math course

3. Two courses in Science (20 credits), including Biological and Physical Science

4. Three courses in Social Science (15 credits), including United States History and Geography; a one-semester course in American Government and Civics, and a one semester course in Economics

5. One course (10 credits) in Visual or Performing Arts or Career Technical Education

6. Two courses in physical education (10 credits) unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to the provisions of EC section 51241.

B. Within 30 days of enrollment schools must identify all potentially eligible youth who transferred into their school after the student’s second year of high school and conduct an assessment to determine the student’s eligibility status including conducting a transcript analysis to identify courses and credits needed to meet locally defined graduation requirements.

C. SBCSS will then make a reasonable determination on whether the student can complete District graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the student’s fourth year of high school.

D. If the student is eligible for the California State Minimum Graduation requirements, a consult will be held with the student and educational rights holder, social worker or probation officer of the student’s eligibility.

E. SBCSS will honor any eligibility exemption determination made by a school in California provided the school counselor or principal receives such confirmation in writing.

F. SBCSS will honor a student’s legal right to continue to attend SBCSS-operated schools for a fifth year of instruction under conditions set forth under law including a potentially eligible student’s ability to graduate before the end of their fifth year.

G. SBCSS shall not request, nor honor any request to transfer a student to any of its programs solely to qualify a student for the exemption.

H. An otherwise eligible student shall not be requested or compelled to graduate under the terms of this policy or California Law if they are otherwise eligible to attend SBCSS programs.

Grade Level Assignment

Legislative Background

A. The Dashboard Alternative School Status (DASS) replaces the Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM). Schools that participate in DASS will not receive a California School Dashboard in fall 2017. The California Department of Education is developing measures appropriate for alternative schools, for implementation in fall 2018.

B. In May of 2018, the State Board of Education approved the methods for calculating the 1-year graduation rate for schools participating in DASS. The state intent of the 1-year graduation rate is to hold DASS schools accountable for students who have earned sufficient credits to be appropriately classified as a grade 12 student such that they are expected to graduate with their peers under existing graduation policies.

C. To ensure SBCSS-operated school and programs receive accurate 1-year graduation rates under the stated intent of the DASS program, and to ensure maximum transparency and accountability, students entering SBCSS programs in grades 9-12 will be classified or reclassified into grade levels according to the table below.

Credits Earned at Enrollment : Assigned Grade Level
0 - 55 : 9th Grade
56 - 110 : 10th Grade
111 - 165 : 11th Grade
166 – 210* : 12th Grade

*For students who qualify under EC51225.1. Foster Youth, Homeless and juvenile court school pupils, or children of military families the credit range for 12th grade is 75 – 130.

D. Upon a student’s return to their district, they are subject to the school and district of residence’s policies on grade level assignment and may be reclassified upon re-enrollment in the school of residence. SBCSS recognizes that this is entirely consistent with the stated intent of holding comprehensive schools and districts accountable to the 4-year graduation rate.

E. Nothing in Section C is intended to impact the eligibility of foster youth’s graduation under the provisions stated above and consistent with California law.

F. In addition, students in special education programs will have their grade level assigned under this policy only to the degree the student is enrolled in a diploma track program and as consistent with IEP team decisions on this matter. For students who are on a certificate of completion or alternative diploma track, the IEP team will determine the student’s last year of high school and place the student at the 12th grade level, at that time. The IEP team will make all decisions about grade level and program offerings in the best interests of students and consistent with State and Federal law.

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
37252-37254.1 Supplemental instruction
41505-41508 Pupil Retention Block Grant
46300 Method of computing average daily attendance
48010 Admittance to first grade
48011 Promotion/retention following one year of kindergarten
48070-48070.5 Promotion and retention
51225.1 State minimum graduation requirements and exemptions
56345 Elements of individualized education plan
60640-60649 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
60850-60859 Exit examination
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
200-202 Admission and exclusion of students

Management Resources:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
FAQs Promotion, Retention, and Grading (students with disabilities)
FAQs Pupil Promotion and Retention
Kindergarten Continuance Form
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov

Approved: February 3, 2016
Revised: January 8, 2019

William F. Roberts IV

Assistant Superintendent

For additional information, please call 909.386.9572.

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760 East Brier Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408