Madison Metropolitan School District
Board of Education Policies and Procedures

POLICY	PROMOTION	3537 Instruction

The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to assuring that every student has the knowledge and skills needed for academic achievement and a successful life. As students progress from grade to grade, it is the responsibility of the School District to provide them with multiple opportunities to learn and then to certify that they have the knowledge and skills needed for academic achievement at the next level. This promotion policy, specifying criteria for promotion from Grade 4 to Grade 5 and from Grade 8 to Grade 9, is designed to afford students several different ways to demonstrate their knowledge. At the same time, the policy provides flexibility so students with disabilities may continue to be included with their non-disabled peers. Beginning in the school year 2002-2003, students must meet the criteria below to be promoted from 4th to 5th grade and from 8th to 9th grade.

PROCEDURE	PROMOTION	3537 Instruction

Fourth Grade

1. Beginning September 1, 2002, to be promoted from fourth grade, a student must have a grade of "2" or higher on the 4th grade report card in each of the core content areas (Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) aligned to the 4th Grade Wisconsin Model Academic Standards. For the purpose of this Policy, if a teacher or teachers give a student report card grades that meet the promotion standard that is set forth above, such report card grades are considered a formal teacher recommendation to promote the student.
2. If a student has a grade of "1" on his/her 4th grade report card in any of the core content areas, the school shall review the student's performance on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE). If the student has a score of "basic" or above in each content area where the report card grade was "1," the student shall be promoted. Either the Reading or the Language Arts subtest score on the WKCE may be used in lieu of the student's Language Arts report card grade.
3. If a student meets neither the report card grade nor the WKCE criteria, the student may be promoted if the student's academic performance is such that he/she passes a District-approved District summer school program that the student takes between his/her 4th and 5th grade school years. The summer school program must be approved by the District as a program that is a learning opportunity for the purpose of the student meeting the District's requirement(s).
4. If a student does not meet the criteria relative to report card grades, the WKCE or the summer school program, the student may, with District approval, (1) repeat the 4th grade school program, or (2) remain in 4th grade until the student attends and satisfies the District's requirement(s) in a District program that has been approved by the District as a learning opportunity for the purpose of the student meeting such requirement(s). If a student repeats the above-referenced 4th grade school program, and/or attends and satisfies the District's requirement(s) in the above-referenced District program, the student shall be promoted to 5th grade. A 4th grade student who meets the District's requirement(s) shall be promoted as soon as practicable.
5. The general student promotion requirements apply to a student with disabilities who is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) unless modified or alternative criteria are designated in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) by appropriate team members. Students with disabilities who meet the requirements of their promotion criteria in the IEP as determined by each student's individualized education program team will be promoted.
6. If a decision to retain a student is made over the objections of the parent/guardian, the decision may be appealed to the Assistant Superintendent responsible for that level, whose decision shall be final.

Eighth Grade

1. Beginning September 1, 2002, to be promoted from eighth grade, a student must have a 1.67 cumulative GPA during seventh and eighth grade in courses aligned to the 8th Grade Wisconsin Model Academic Standards in each of the core content areas (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies). For the purpose of this Policy, if a teacher or teachers give a student report card grades that meet the promotion standard that is set forth above, such report card grades are considered a formal teacher recommendation to promote the student.
2. If a student has less than a 1.67 cumulative GPA from 7th and 8th grade in any of the core content areas, the school shall review the student's performance on the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE). If the student has a score of "basic" or above in each content area where the GPA was below 1.67, the student shall be promoted. Either the Reading or the Language Arts subtest score on the WKCE may be used in lieu of the student's English/Language Arts GPA.
3. If a student does not meet the criteria relative to his/her report card grade point average or the WKCE, the student may be promoted if the student's academic performance is such that he/she passes a District-approved District summer school program that the student takes between his/her 8th and 9th grade school years. The summer school program must be approved by the District as a program that is a learning opportunity for the purpose of the student meeting the District's requirement(s).
4. If a student does not meet the criteria relative to the report card grade point average, the WKCE or the District's summer school program, the student may, with District approval, (1) repeat the 8th grade school program, or (2) remain in 8th grade until the student attends and satisfies the District's requirement(s) in a District program that has been approved by the District as a learning opportunity for the purpose of the student meeting such requirement(s). If a student repeats the above-referenced 8th grade school program, and/or attends and satisfies the District's requirement(s) in the above-referenced District program, a student shall be promoted to 9th grade. An 8th grade student who meets the District's requirement(s) shall be promoted as soon as practicable.
5. The general student promotion requirements apply to a student with disabilities who is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) unless modified or alternative criteria are designated in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) by appropriate team members. Students with disabilities who meet the requirements of their promotion criteria in the IEP as determined by each student's individualized education program team will be promoted.
6. If a decision to retain a student is made over the objections of the parent/guardian, the decision may be appealed to the Assistant Superintendent responsible for that level, whose decision shall be final.

s. 118.30
s. 118.33
4/1/02

Last Updated: Wed Jul 19 14:07:54 2006
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