NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Creating Conditions for Learning So All Students Can Succeed
NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Creating Conditions for Learning So All Students Can Succeed
VI-16: Acceleration / Retention
North Sanpete School District Policy Number: VI-16
Statement of ............. Effective Date: 10/18/2011
Revised Date: 05/21/2024
Board Policy with Guidelines
Subject: Acceleration / Retention
PHILOSOPHY
The Philosophy of the District is that all students can learn. Effort shall be
made to assure that students move through the school system in a
continuous manner which is best practice and research based. Students
are expected to progress with their age and grade level peers.
Suggestions for acceleration or retention of a student, which will place
that student in a learning environment other than with own-age peers,
can be made by a parent/guardian or educator.
IMPLEMENTATION
A. Decisions will be based upon a careful study of individual student
needs. If acceleration or retention is proposed, the decision must be
determined through an educational team (IEP team for special
education students) convened to discuss the area of development
outlined in this policy. The school principal, child’s teacher, school
counselor, child’s parent, and a representative from the District Office
shall be included on the educational team to make decisions about
acceleration or retention of a student.
B. The areas of the student’s growth which must be considered before
recommending acceleration or retention are academic progress, social
development, emotional development, physical development,
attendance, and placements/interventions.
CONSIDERATION FOR RETENTION OR ACCELERATION
A. The educational team will consider the student’s academic progress,
including but not limited to:
1. whether a student has mastery of grade level expectations
2. a summary of test score data
3. the teacher’s observation of the child’s classroom performance
4. achievement on daily work in basic skills areas
B. The educational team will consider the student’s social/emotional
development, including, but not limited to:
1. the child’s attitude toward school
2. the child’s peer and adult relationships
3. the child’s behavior in a school setting
4. the child’s attention span and task commitment
5. the child’s confidence in school
C. The educational team will consider the student’s physical
development, including but not limited to:
1. the child’s gross and fine motor coordination
2. the child’s physical ability to perform expected tasks
3. health factors
4. the student’s age in relationship to other students in the grade
level
D. The educational team will consider the student’s attendance, including
but not limited to:
1. gaps in learning due to illness/excessive absences
2. whether there was a change of school or other factors that
created learning problems
E. The educational team will consider any alternative
placements/interventions, including but not limited to:
1. previous alternative grade placement (transition room,
developmental kindergarten, or grade level retentions)
2. other interventions that have been attempted (additional
instructional time for math or reading, extended year or
extended day programs, language instruction, etc.)
F. A parent or guardian requesting that their child remain in preschool for
an additional year after turning 5 will need to have the approval of the
educational team. The educational team will consider the student’s
academic progress, including but not limited to:
1. student birthday- must be after June 1st of the current school
year
2. whether student has mastery of grade level expectations
compared to peers socially, emotionally, and behaviorally
3. supported evidence of educational need from teacher i.e.,
observations, classroom performance, achievement on daily
work in basic skills areas
4. special needs have been identified
G. Students entering preschool must show a certified copy of a birth
certificate and immunization records. A physical examination including
a vision screening is recommended.
EDUCATIONAL PLAN
A. The educational team shall develop a plan for a child who is
accelerated or retained to ensure success for the following school
year. The plan should include:
1. Grade level expectations to be addressed both at school and at
home.
2. Suggested program placements and instructional procedures,
i.e., learning styles, delivery systems, classroom placement.
3. Additional support services to be provided for the student.
APPEAL PROCESS
A. If the educational team’s recommendation is contrary to what the
parent/guardian may desire, the parent/guardian may appeal the
decision to the Superintendent, or designee, within two weeks of the
team’s recommendation. The Superintendent, or designee, will review
the educational team’s decision and determine, based on the
information provided to the educational team and any additional
information provided by the parent/guardian in the appeal, whether
the educational team’s decision should be reversed. The
Superintendent’s decision is final.