STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
Students shall receive a progress report at the end of each 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 at least once each semester 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 (1999).
Iowa Code §§ 256E.1(1)(b)(1) (Supp. 1999)
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), .3(7); .5(16).
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
506 Student Records
Approved: 4/14/97 Revised: 11/99 Reviewed: 7/06 05/16
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 retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the licensed employee and the principal. 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. It shall be within the sole discretion of the Board to retain students in their current grade level.
Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required course work 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 shall be within the sole discretion of the Board to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
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.
It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the appropriate regulations.
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: 4/14/97 Revised: 11/99 Reviewed: 05/16
STUDENT PROMOTION - RETENTION - ACCELERATION
In general, students shall be placed at the grade level to which they are best adjusted academically, socially, and emotionally. Normally, the educational program shall provide for the continuous progress of students from grade to grade, with students spending one year in each grade.
The philosophy of the Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District concerning retention is to be sensitive to individual student needs, to identify deficiencies early, to effect corrective actions, to enlist parental support, to help students and parents learn to be responsible and accountable, and to retain students only in appropriate instances. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that steps are taken early to correct the students educational difficulties.
Retention should only be done when it will benefit the student. If retention is to be done at all, it should be done early in the student’s educational career.
Consideration for retention should include, but not be limited to the following:
1. Instances where the student evidences below average maturity in the physical, emotional, and cognitive areas of development.
2. Instances where the student evidences below average acquisition of skills, attention span, and related time on task. Cooperativeness in acceptance of and completion of task may also be considered.
3. Instances where the student evidences excessive absences from school. The general health of the student should be considered in relation to the absenteeism.
4. Instances where there is parental support for the decision to retain the student.
Early promotion or skipping of a grade shall be considered in rare and extreme cases, and then only with the unanimous approval of the teacher, principal, superintendent, and parents. Teachers are urged to utilize methods and materials of instruction which will broaden the interests and achievements of those students who are academically superior and use promotion of skipping grades only in an extraordinary situation.
In determining retention for students in grades K-8, the following guidelines shall be considered:
At least thirty (30) days before the end of the school year, the principal shall notify the parents and the superintendent of the decision to retain a student. Parents shall be notified of their rights of appeal. When a retention occurs, a record of that recommendation and its reasons shall be included in the student’s folder.
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. It is possible that students who have not attended the school district for their entire education or have not attended an accredited public or private school will not be eligible for honors and awards.
It shall be 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: 4/14/97 Reviewed: 11/99
7/06
5/16
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 shall be required, as part of any applicable program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
It shall be the responsibility of the Board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.
Legal Reference: No Child Left Behind, Title II, Sec. 1061, P.L. 107-110 (2002).
Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).
20 U.S.C. § 1232h (1994).
Iowa Code §§ 280.3; 256B; 282.1, .3, .6 (2003).
281 I.A.C. 12.5(13), .5(21).
Cross Reference: 505 Student Scholastic Achievement
506 Student Records
607.2 Student Health Services
Approved: 4/14/97 Reviewed: 11/99 Revised: 2/05
7/06
5/16
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Students must successfully complete the courses required by the Board and the Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate. Students who are in good standing and who meet the graduation requirements set by the Board are allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony and in senior activities. It is possible that students who are serving discipline at the time of the graduation ceremony or other senior activities will not be allowed to participate. Students are not required to participate in the graduation ceremony.
The Estherville Lincoln Central Community Schools Board of Education requires that students successfully complete the following courses to earn a diploma:
English 8 semesters (8 credits) Required: English 9
English 10
Speech
American Literature
Intermediate Composition
Science 6 semesters (6 credits) Required:
Physical Science in 9th Grade
Biology in 10th Grade
Mathematics 6 semesters (6 credits) Required: Algebra I
Or Its Equivalent
Social Science 6 semesters (6 credits) Required: 2 semesters
American History
American Government
Computer 1 semester (1 credit)
Physical Education 8 semesters (4 credits)
Career Technical Education 1 semester (1 credit)
Personal Finance 1 semester (1 credit)
Health 1 semester (1 credit)
Fine Arts 1 semester (1 credit)
Elective Courses 13 semesters (17 credits)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Notes: Vocal Music Class, Treble Choir, and Band Class will meet daily. Students successfully completing the defined curriculum will earn full credit each semester for these courses with their letter grade from these courses being calculated into the student’s grade point average. Jazz Band and Swing Choir will be assigned a credit value of one-half (1/2) credit per semester. Grades from these two offerings will not be calculated into the student’s grade point average.
In order for students to earn the Fine Arts credit, classes must qualify as appreciation or skill building in the areas of music, visual art or the performing arts.
All Physical Education classes will meet on an every other day basis. Students will earn one-half (1/2) credit each semester. Letter grades will be assigned to designate the levels of student achievement with those grades being calculated into the student’s grade point average.
The changes graduation requirements will be phased in over a period of four years. This will affect the total number of credits needed for graduation. The following chart reflects the transition of credits.
Yr. of Graduation # of Credits Needed
To Graduate
Class of 2007 48 – No Change
Class of 2008 50 – Additional 2 credits used as electives
Class of 2009 52 – Additional 4 credits used as electives
Class of 2010 48 – Follow 8 English, 6 Science, 6 Soc. Science, 6 Math for Graduation
Beginning with the class of 2022, graduation requirements for special education students will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.Prior to graduation, the IEP team shall determine whether the graduation requirements have been met. If necessary, other special situations will be considered and alternative requirements required.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3, .14 (1995).
281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5; 41.10(9).
Approved: 10/86 Reviewed: 05/22 Revised: 05/22
ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS
The Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District believes that earned credits are one major indicator of student learning. It is also the belief of the school district that the educational program and the curriculum development process should support the following expectations for all graduates of the Estherville Lincoln Central Schools:
The professional staff is directed to apply various assessments in order to determine whether the above expectations are being met.
Approved:
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.
Beginning with the class of 2022, graduation requirements for special education students will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.
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: 4/14/97 Revised: 05/22 Reviewed: 05/22
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: 4/14/97 Reviewed: 11/99
7/06
5/16
COMMENCEMENT
The commencement ceremony shall be a secular ceremony. Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they will abide by the proceedings established by the administration. If a student desires to be excused from graduation activities, application may be to the high school principal stating the reasons.
Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be reason for withholding the student’s diploma.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The senior with the highest cumulative point average for all academic courses taken in grades 9-12 will be named valedictorian and the senior with the next highest will be named salutatorian. In case of a tie, these persons would be named as co-valedictorians or co-salutatorians.
The students, so recognized, must have spent four semesters in the Estherville Lincoln Central High School and must have attended Estherville Lincoln Central High School during their senior year.
The student must have entered high school the same year as the class. For example, a senior in the Class of 2000 entered high school as a freshman in the fall of 1996. The one exception would be for the student who dropped behind because of illness.
Homework can be an effective teaching/learning activity. It is important that students develop the daily habit of independent learning outside of the classroom. Plus, it is recognized that home involvement in a student’s academic development further promotes the parent-school partnership in the education of our youth.
All homework should have a specific purpose relative to the curriculum and previous instruction, and not be assigned as busy work. It should not be given for disciplinary purposes. The quantity of homework should also be reasonable, and consistent with the following guidelines. *
K-1 - No homework, but give students a job assignment, i.e. bring five
pictures of things that begin with the letter “A”.
2-4 - 10-30 minutes of homework.
5-6 - 20-40 minutes of homework.
7-8 - 30-75 minutes of homework.
** 9-10 - 60-90 minutes of homework
** 11-12 - 60-120 minutes of homework
* The number of minutes are the suggested total minutes of homework,
not minutes per class.
** Based on 5-6 classes
All homework should involve some type of immediate follow-up and evaluation, so skills and knowledge are reinforced and students are kept informed of their academic standing.
It is important that the schools teach study skills, so students know how to be independent, self-directed learners. It is also suggested that homework assignments be discouraged before vacations.
Adopted: 5/00 Reviewed: 7/06
5/16