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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 12-24 WA Adopting a Promotion and Retention Policy WESTLAKE ACADEMY RESOLUTION 12-24 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY AMENDING THE POLICY MANUAL AND APPROVING A POLICY PERTAINING TO PROMOTION OF STUDENTS AT WESTLAKE ACADEMY. WHEREAS, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees desires to amend the policy manual through the adoption of a promotion policy for the student's of Westlake Academy; and WHEREAS, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees finds that this policy will enhance student achievement by assisting all members of the school community to understand individual student needs and use educational data in a consistent and successful manner; and WHEREAS, the Westlake Academy Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best interests of the Academy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY: SECTION 1: That, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. SECTION 2: That the Board of Trustees of Westlake Academy hereby adopts the proposed policy related to the Promotion of Students in Academic Programs which is attached as Exhibit "A"to this resolution. SECTION 3: If any portion of this Resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof and the Board hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the invalid provision. WA Resolution 12-24 Page 1 of 2 SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of passage. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY, A CHARTER SCHOOL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, ON THE 5" DAY OF NOVEMBER,2012, La ra Wheat, President ATTEST: CA-5 !/ lw belly Edwar , Board Secretary Thomas E. Brym t!7 tendent APPROVE S O R L. n Low o et S ubert, School Attorney WA Resolution 12-24 Page 1 of 2 TOWN OF WESTLAKE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY Policy No. 6.12: Date Board Adopted: November 5, 2012 Date Board Amended: NIA Effective Date: November 5, 2012 Policy Name: Promotion of Students in Academic Programs Policy Category: Student Achievement Policy Goal: Guidelines for Determining Student Promotion in Grades K through 12 Policy Description: The curriculum of Westlake Academy as an IB World School requires students to embark on the rigorous International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) coursework found in the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and the Diploma Programme. The curriculum content aligns the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements and the IBO learning outcomes. A student's progression through the curriculum and instructional program has been designed to with the expectation that students complete one grade level during each academic year. It shall be the responsibility of the respective principals to develop guidelines and procedures to implement this intent. The Board also recognizes that a student may progress at a rate such that the student is prepared to pursue coursework in a grade or subject area above the student's corresponding grade level. However, a student will be promoted only on the basis of academic achievement or demonstrated proficiency of the subject matter or grade level. In an effort to pursue the vision of the Academy and "...inspire students to achieve their highest individual potential," the following processes and information shall be used by the principal(s) when making decisions related to promotion: a. School-work and achievement records for the student (internal assessments, report cards, etc.) b. Recommendations from current or previous instructors/teachers c. External standardized achievement exams (TAKS, STARR, and if appropriate, the International School's Assessment) 1 All state mandated exam requirements for promotion shall be met including the following: d. A student may not be promoted to a sixth grade program if the student has not performed satisfactorily on the fifth grade mathematics and reading assessment instruments; and a student may not be promoted to the ninth grade program if the student has not performed satisfactorily on the eighth grade mathematics and reading assessment instruments unless an exception applies under the state assessment requirements that exempts the student from administration of the fifth or eighth grade assessments. The principal and/or a parent may initiate a request for a student to advance beyond the next grade level or in a particular subject area beyond the next grade level. The principal will review the request and initiate a review of all data identified above for promotion as well as the following information: 1. Teacher recommendations that include social-emotional aspects and maturity of the student, and the student's attitude toward learning and independent study in . order to help determine the potential success of the student in the promoted course/grade 2. Documentation of additional academic work completed outside the normal classroom hours, and activities (academic competitions, summer camps, advanced tutoring programs, and/or on-line coursework, etc.) 3. If deemed necessary, performance on additional assessment(s) identified by the principal to determine the appropriate placement of the student and the student's ability to advance in the applicable coursework. Credit must be earned for any course required for graduation. Should a student seek to receive credit for a course without receiving instruction in the course from Westlake Academy, all of the above criteria shall be met along with the following: 1. The student shall complete a standardized exam, such as the Texas Tech high school exit-level course(s) or a similar assessment from a credit-awarding institution. The student must achieve a score of at least 90% or higher in order for consideration of credit at the Academy 2. All exams must be pre-approved by the principal(s) 3. The student shall be responsible for any associated exam fees required by the testing institution. Principal(s) should complete the review and consideration of the identified criteria within 30 days of the initial request and communicate the decision to the parents. 2