School District of Adams Friendship
Bylaws & Policies
 

5410.01 - GRADE ADVANCEMENT POLICY FOR GRADES 4 AND 8

The philosophy of the Adams-Friendship School District is for all students to achieve optimal learning based on high expectations and considerations of their abilities and needs. The Board recognizes that students have diverse capabilities and interests and individual patterns of growth and learning. Therefore, the Board believes it is important that teachers have as much accurate knowledge of each student as is possible through tests, observations of students, achievement, work habits, skills, health, and home environment.

Because the promotion of students from the fourth grade to the fifth grade and from the eighth to ninth grade is affected by State Statutes (ss. 118.33)(6)(a), this grade advancement policy applies to such promotions. Other District policies relating to the promotion of students apply as long as they are consistent with this policy. Beginning on September 1, 2002, no student may be promoted from fourth grade to fifth grade or from the eighth grade to the ninth grade unless the student satisfies the criteria for promotion in this policy.

Grade advancement decisions will be based on the four (4) criteria listed below. For those students opted out of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE), or who did not take the test, judgment is based on the other three (3) specified criteria.
 

A.

Student Score on Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE)
 
 

Student receives a score of basic or above on both Math and Reading subtests and basic or above on two (2) of the three (3) subtests for Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
 
 

B.

Student's Academic Performance
 
 

For fourth grade, students will have a 2 or above for the fourth quarter in all categories for the following areas: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. This applies if the student's test score was not "Basic" or above on the WKCE.
 
 

OR

  
 
 

For fourth grade, students will have a 1 for the fourth quarter in any reading category with a remediation plan developed. For fourth grade, students will have a 1 for the fourth quarter in more than thirty percent (30%) of the math categories with a remediation plan developed. The student's grades in science and social studies are not considered for the purpose of promotion.
 
 

OR

  
 
 

C.

Teacher Recommendations
 
 

At the end of fourth and eighth grades, students may be promoted based on the recommendations of a committee (minimum of three (3) members - one (1) of which must be a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction licensed individual in the skill area of deficit) that may include the following District personnel:
 
 

1.

Principal
 
 

2.

Guidance Counselor
 
 

3.

Psychologist
 
 

4.

Pupil Services Personnel (Special Education students only)
 
 

5.

Teacher(s)*
 
 

The teacher recommendations must be based solely on academic performance.
 
 

*The grade level teacher must be part of this team. At least one (1) of the teachers must have five (5) or more years of teaching experience with at least one (1) of the five (5) years at the student's present grade level.
 
 

Considerations may include, but are not limited to:
 
 

1.

Alternative Assessment
 
 

2.

Successful completion of a remediation plan prescribed by the Teacher Recommendation Committee
 
 

3.

Past Retentions
 
 

4.

Performance in non-core areas
 
 

5.

Parental Input
 
 

OR

  
 
 

D.

Other Academic Criteria
 
 

At the end of fourth and eighth grades, the student has successfully completed, as determined by building administrator, a DISTRICT APPROVED alternative delivery model or alternative assessment, for example: Academic Summer Schools or Academic After School Program. At minimum, the areas of Reading and Math must be successfully completed.

The District Administrator shall be responsible for the general supervision and management of the promotion of students under this policy. The District Administrator or, if assigned the responsibility by the District Administrator, the building principal shall determine whether a student has satisfied the criteria for this policy. This policy is designed to encourage early identification and interventions for those students who have academic, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties. Written confirmation will be sent to the parents/guardians regarding the final decision at the end of the school year.

Adopted 4/26/10