505 Student Scholastic Achievement

505.1 Student Progress Reports and Conferences

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 a minimum of twice a year at all buildings to keep the parents informed.  The conferences at the high school may be scheduled or unscheduled as deemed effective by the site team.
 
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 References:          Iowa Code §§ 256.11,.11A; 280 (1999)
 Iowa Code §§ 256E.1(1)(b)(1)(Supp. 1999)
281.1 A.C. 12.3(6), .3(7), .5(16)
 
Cross References:          505       Student Scholastic Achievement
506       Student Records
505.2    Student Promotion – Retention - Acceleration
 
Previously Code No. 605.1
 
Adopted:  November 11, 1985              
 
Reviewed:   June 8, 1992 
March 11, 1996
March 20, 2000
January 20, 2003
September 2006
December 17, 2012
 
Revised:  June 8, 1992
October 18, 1999

505.1E1 Student Records Checklist

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E2 Request of Nonparent for Examination or Copies of Student Records

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E3 Authorizatioin for Release of Student Records

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E4 Request for Hearing on Correction of Student Records

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E5 Request for Examination of Student Records

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E6 Notification of Transfer of Student Records

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E7 Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpeona

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E8 Juvenille Justice Agency Information Sharing Agreement

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1E9 Annual Notice

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.1R1 Use of Student Records Regulation

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.2 Student Promotion-Retention-Acceleration

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 is 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 is 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.
 
 
Legal Reference:           Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3 (2001).
281 I.A.C. 12.3(7); 12.5(16).
 
Cross Reference:           501       Student Attendance
505       Student Scholastic Achievement
 
Previously Code No. 605.3
 
 
Adopted:  November 11, 1985              
 
Reviewed:   March 11, 1996            
March 20, 2000
September 2006
December 17, 2012
 
Revised: February 17, 2003

505.3 Student Honors and Awards

STUDENT HONORS AND AWARDS
 
The school district shall 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 shall 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 the school district for their entire high school 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 (1993)
 
 
Cross Reference:           504       Student Activities
505       Student Scholastic Achievement
 
 
Previously Code No. 503.8
 
 
Approved:  November 11, 1985            
 
Reviewed:   March 1998                  
January 20, 2003
September 2006
December 17, 2012
 
Revised:  July 17, 1995

505.4 Commencement

COMMENCEMENT
 
Students who have successfully completed high school shall be granted diplomas.  Attendance at commencement exercises is optional.  The Board of Directors may exclude students from participation for violation of rules established for the orderly governance of the school.
 
 
Legal Reference:           Iowa Code Section 280.14
 
 
Cross Reference:           505       Student Scholastic Achievement
 
 
Adopted:  November 11, 1985              
 
Reviewed:   March 1998                 
January 20, 2003
September 2006
December 17, 2012

505.5 Graduation Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
 
Students must have successfully completed the courses required by the board for graduation.   Students who receive a passing grade in a semester course receives one "credit."  A minimum of 54 academic credits and 40 community service hours will be required for graduation. 
 
Academic credits granted for the successful completion of the following courses shall be required to be included in the minimum graduation requirements:
a.  Four units (8 credits) of English.
b.  Four units (8 credits) of social sciences to  include two units (four credits) of American History, and one semester (one credit) of government.
c.  Three Units (six credits) of science.
d.  Three units (six credits) of math.
e.  One-half unit (one credit) of world of work/life skills.
f.  Two units (four credits) of physical education. 
 
Classification By Credits - Student will be classified by earned academic credits.
Classification                                                                Normal Progress
Entering Senior:  at least 40 credits                               42 - 48 credits
Entering Junior:  at least 25 credits                                28 - 32 credits
Entering Soph:  at least 12 credits                                 14 - 16 credits
 
GAINING CREDITS FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES - A student may wish to take high school courses not offered by our school, or may wish to make up failed subjects in order to graduate with his/her graduating class.  All such courses must be scheduled through the guidance department and approved by the principal.
 
Graduation requirements for special education students will be in accordance with the prescribed course of study as described in their Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Each student's IEP will include a statement of the projected date of graduation at least 18 months in advance of the projected date and the criteria to be used in determining whether graduation will occur.  Prior to the special education student's graduation, the IEP team will determine whether the graduation criteria have been met.
 
ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL – Students must earn the following credits to complete the graduation requirements for the alternative high school:
 
                  English           7 credits           Mathematics       4 credits
                  Science           4 credits           US History          2 credits
                  Government   1 credit             Elective Classes   18 credits                                                                                                         
 
(Notes:  The educational standards and requirements set by law and the Iowa Department of Education will be strictly observed.  There is a need to differentiate between and define "Unit" and "Credit".  A Unit is granted for a course that is taught for at least 200 minutes per week for 36 weeks, or for a course that is taught for the equivalent of 120 hours of instruction, or is taught as a part of an innovative program filed as prescribed in sub-rule 12.1 (6).  One-half Unit is equivalent to one Credit.)
 
 
Legal Reference:      Iowa Code 256.11,279.8, 280.3
670 Iowa Admin. Code 3.2, 3.3 (12)
670 Iowa Admin. Code 4.2, 4.3 (7), 4.5 (new standards)
 
Previously Code No. 605.4
 
Adopted:  November 11, 1985              
 
Reviewed:  November 14, 1988       
April, 2006     
September 2006  
December 17, 2012                                          
 
Revised: January 9, 1989
February 17, 2003
April 24, 2006
March 19, 2007
January 28, 2008
July 27, 2015
 

505.6 Citizenship Credit Requirement

CITIZENSHIP CREDIT REQUIREMENT
 
Consistent with this school district’s mission, “... We exist primarily for the purpose of developing the intellectual, physical, creative, cultural, CIVIC and SOCIAL (emphasis added) capabilities of our students.  Through our collective efforts, all students should be prepared to participate and meet the challenges of being successful citizens”, all students graduating from HMS High School must have earned a Citizenship Credit.  This credit can be obtained by the accumulation of a minimum of 40 Citizenship Points. Points can be earned in the following manners:
 
1.      Each clock hour a student expends in performing uncompensated  “service for others”
(See attached for rules and examples)      1 point
 
2.      Each school year a student meets all of these criteria      5 points
a.  No suspensions (in-school, out-of-school, from activities, from bus)
b.  No unexcused absences
c.  No violations of Student Good Conduct Rule
d.  No more than 3 tardies
 
3.      Each year a student maintains at least a 2.5 GPA      1 point
 
4.      Each semester a student receives “On-A-Roll” recognition      1/2 point
 
The transcripts of students who exceed the 40 point minimum requirement by 20 points or more will carry the notation “Citizenship Credit With Honors” provided that they have satisfied all four criteria of item 2 above during each of grades 10, 11, 12.  All other transcripts will carry the notation “Citizenship Credit - Satisfactory.”
 
Failure to meet at least the minimum point/credit requirement will result in a delay of graduation until such time that the requirement has been met.
 
 
Previously Code No. 605.41
 
 
Adopted:  April 13, 1992                      
 
Reviewed:   March 11, 1996             
March 20, 2000
January 20, 2003
September 2006
December 17, 2012
 

505.6E1 Citizenship Credit Examples

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.6R1 Citizenship Credit Rules

See attachment.

Attachment: 

505.7 Early Graduation

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.
 
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.
 
 
Legal Reference:           Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2001).
281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.
 
Cross Reference:           505       Student Scholastic Achievement
 
 
Previously part of Code No. 605.4
 
 
Adopted:  November 11, 1985              
 
Reviewed:   March 11, 1996            
March 20, 2000                                                                                                       
September 2006
December 17, 2012
 
Revised: February 10, 1997
February 17, 2003

505.8 Testing Program

TESTING PROGRAM
 
A Comprehensive testing program shall be 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 a program funded by the United States Department of Education, to submit, without prior written consent from the students’ parent, to surveys, analysis or evaluation which reveals information concerning:
 

  • political affiliations;

 

  • mental and psychological problems potentially embarrassing to the student or the student’s family;

 

  • sex behavior and 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; or

 

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

 

  • income, but not including income required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program.

 
It shall be 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 References:          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 (1993)
281  I.A.C. 12.5 (13), .5(21).
 
 
Cross References:          505       Student Scholastic Achievement
506       Student Records
507       Student Health and Well-Being
 
Previously Code No.  605.2
 
Approved: May 12, 1986                      
 
Reviewed:   March 11, 1996             
March 20, 2000
September, 2006
December 17, 2012
 
Revised: October 10, 1994
February 17, 2003

505.9 Parental Involvement

Parental Involvement
 
Parental involvement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.  The board will:
(In each of the following six items, the board must describe in policy how it will accomplish each of the items.)
(1)     how the board will involve parents in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement;
(2)     how the board will provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance;
(3)     build the schools’ and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement;
(4)     coordinate and integrate parental involvement strategies under Title I with other programs such as Head Start, Reading First, etc.;
(5)     conduct with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parental involvement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, minorities, parents with disabilities and parents with low literacy) and use the findings of the evaluation to design strategies for more effective parental involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parental involvement policies; and
(6)     involve parents in Title I activities.
 
The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy
 
 
Legal References:          No Child Left Behind, Title I, Sec. 1118, P.L. 107-110.
 
 
Adopted:  February 17, 2003                
 
Reviewed:  September 2006              
December 17, 2012