Code No. 603.2R1 Positive Alternatives for Scholastic Success (PASS)

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The philosophy of the Interstate 35 Community School District with regard to social promotion vs. retention is outlined in the following policy.  This policy will assure a student's due process in determining an appropriate educational program when discussing prevention of student retention issues.

The scholastic progress of K-8 students will be closely monitored by teachers.  If a student is not making satisfactory progress in one or more core curriculum subjects (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading), steps will be taken to alert parents of the problem.  Efforts to diagnose the problem and plans which allow opportunity for the student to learn satisfactorily will be instituted.

PASS - Elementary and Middle School

In grades K-8 the prevention of retention process will proceed through the following steps.

Step One:

1. Teachers will recognize that the student has educational deficiencies by midterm reporting time.
2. Teachers will document identified concerns.  Teachers will report to parents that the student is failing or dangerously near failing and for what reasons.  Reasons may include:
   1. Grades
   2. participation efforts
   3. attendance
   4. daily work scores
   5. test scores
   6. other concerns
3. Teachers will make recommendations with appropriate documentation to initiate positive change.

Step Two:

1. Parents are encouraged to contact the school upon receipt of notification so that a plan of action can be discussed and enacted.
2. If positive change has not been noted in a two-week period, the PASS process will advance to the next step.

Teacher compensation shall be paid at per diem, consistent with any applicable collective bargaining agreement in place.

Parents will be required to pay $150.00 per child per course prior to beginning the course.  Depending on the number of students in each course, this plan may or may not pay for the teacher.  In most instances, the school board would pay a portion of the total cost.

Completion of summer school does not guarantee passing.  An objective evaluation process would determine student promotion or retention.

If alternatives have not provided necessary change to meet the student's needs, retention will be considered.

Retention decisions will be made cooperatively by the principal, teacher, student, and parents and will be based on a variety of factors to include:

1. academic skills in reading, math, and language
2. age
3. physical development
4. social development
5. absence rate and
6. previous retentions

It is essential that continued emphasis be placed on meeting the special needs of retained students, both during and after the retention year.

Approved:  October 19, 1998

Revised/Reviewed: February 27, 2023