The Salem R-80 School District is committed to the continuous development of students enrolled
in the district's schools, and to student achievement of the skills for the current grade assignment for
promotion to a higher grade. The superintendent, in cooperation with the professional staff, shall
develop administrative procedures for the promotion, acceleration and retention of students.
In evaluating student achievement, each teacher will make use of all available information, including
results of teacher-made tests, other measures of skill and content mastery, standardized test results
and teacher observation of student performance. The principal will direct and aid teachers in student
evaluations and will review grade assignments in order to ensure uniformity of evaluation standards.
Decisions on whether to promote, accelerate or retain a student with disabilities will be made in
accordance with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and as required by other
applicable law.
Promotion
Students will normally progress annually from grade to grade when, in the judgment of the district's
professional staff, it is in the best educational interest of the student involved. The final decision to
promote a student rests with the school administration.
The district requires remediation as a condition of promotion to the next grade level for any student
identified by the district as failing to master skills and competencies established for that particular
grade level. The superintendent or designee shall determine which skills and competencies must be
mastered, how they are to be assessed and what type of remediation is appropriate.
Remediation may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, a mandatory summer school
program focused on the areas of deficiency or other such alternatives conducted by the district
outside of the regular school day. If the district provides remediation in this manner outside the
traditional school day, the extra hours of instruction may be counted in the calculation of average
daily attendance. Such remediation shall recognize that different students learn differently and shall
employ methods designed to help these students achieve at high levels.
The district may require parents or guardians of such students to commit to conduct home-based
tutorial activities with their children. Decisions concerning the remedial reading instruction of a
student who receives special education services, including the nature of parental involvement
consistent with a free appropriate public education, shall be made in accordance with the student's
Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Acceleration
The district will assist students so that they progress academically in accordance with their
capabilities. While provisions for individual differences should be adequately accomplished within
a grade level, it may occasionally be necessary to advance a student to the next grade. Acceleration
to a higher grade level should be approached with caution. Capable students may be so advanced,
but only after thorough discussion with the student's guidance counselor and with the joint approval
of the parents/guardians, the principal and the superintendent.
Retention
Retention may be considered when, in the judgment of the professional staff, it is in the best
educational interest of the student involved. Parents/Guardians will receive prior notification and
explanation concerning the retention. However, the final decision will rest with the school
administration.
State law requires that all students who are reading below a third-grade reading level according to
the district’s fourth-grade reading assessment shall be retained if the student has not adequately
improved by the end of summer school. Further, if a student fails to attend remediation assigned as
a condition of promotion, the student will be retained.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
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Adopted: 11/17/1994
Last Revised: 10/18/2001
Legal Refs: § 167.645, RSMo.
Board of Curators, Univ. of Mo. v. Horowitz, 435 U.S. 78 (1978)
Salem R-80 School District, Salem, Missouri
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