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 two times per school year at the elementary, junior high, and high school to keep the parents informed.

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 Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 280 (1995).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), .3(7); .5(16).

Cross Reference:  505  Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      506  Student Records

Approved:   7/10/89   
Reviewed:  11/15/21                                            
Revised: 8/14/95

 

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.

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

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 (1995).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(7); 12.5(16).

Cross Reference:  501  Student Attendance
                                      505  Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:   7/10/89   
Reviewed:  11/15/21                                           
Revised: 8/14/95

 

The school district will 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 will 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 Janesville Consolidated School District for their entire high school education or have not attended an accredited public or private school will not be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian honors.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 279.8 (1995).

Cross Reference:  501.6  Student Transfers In
                                      504    Student Activities
                                      505    Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:   7/10/89             
Reviewed:  11/15/21             
Revised: 8/14/95

 

A comprehensive testing program is 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 is required, as part of any applicable program, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

            ·       political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent:

            ·       mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;

            ·       sex behavior or attitudes;

            ·       illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;

            ·       critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;

            ·       legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;

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

            ·       income,(other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program).

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

It is the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.

 

 

Legal Reference:  No Child Left Behind, Title II, Sec. 1061, P.L. 107-110 (2002).
                                      Goals 2000:  Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).
                                       20 U.S.C. § 1232h (1994).
                                      Iowa Code §§ 280.3; 256B; 282.1, .3, .6 (2003).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.5(13), .5(21).

Cross Reference:  505       Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      506       Student Records
                                      607.2    Student Health Services

Approved    4/11/05                        
Reviewed  11/15/21                                                                       
Revised                   

 

Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate.  

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete 48 credits prior to graduation.  The following credits will be required for graduation:
 

English/Language Arts	8 credits
Science	6 credits
Mathematics	6 credits
Social Studies	6 credits
Physical Education	4 credits
United States Government	1 credit
American History	2 credits
Financial Literacy	1 credit
Career Exploration	1 credit
Health	1 credit

The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually.

Prior to graduation, the district will advise students on how to successfully complete the free application for federal student aid.

Graduation requirements for special education students include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science. 

Students who complete a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited ½ credit of social studies.

Students enrolled in a junior officers’ training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program. 

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.7, 11, .41; 279.8; 279.61; 280.3, .14.
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.3(5); 12.5

Cross References:  603.3     Special Education

 Approved     07/10/89                            
Reviewed  11/15/21, 10/11/22   
Revised    11/15/21, 10/11/22      

 

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 (1995).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:  505  Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:   7/10/89   
Reviewed:  11/15/21                                  
Revised: 8/14/95

 

Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  It shall be the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.

Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (1995).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:  505  Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:   7/10/89        
Reviewed:   11/15/21                               
Revised: 8/14/95

 

Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.  The board will:

1. This jointly developed and agreed upon written policy is distributed to parents and family members of participating Title I children through the Parent Handbook which is made available online to every family. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2))
2. The district will provide technical assistance and support in planning and implementing effective parent and family engagement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance through professional development regarding parent and family engagement. The district will partner with community groups as a means to engage families more creatively and successfully. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(B))
3. The district will work to find ways to work cooperatively with other Federal, state, and local programs. The Title I program will work with local public preschool programs, local library programs, and special education program (IDEA). (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(C))
4. The district conducts a bi-annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness for the parent and family engagement policy. The evaluation includes parents in a meaningful manner. The evaluation tools and methods identify the type and frequency of schoolhome interactions and the needs parents and families have to better support and assist their children in learning. The surveys focus on parent understanding of the program, progress of students, and suggestions to strengthen the program. (ESSA Section 1116(a)(2)(D)(i-iii))
5. The district uses the findings for the annual evaluation to design evidenced based strategies for more effective parent and family engagement. The evaluation results will help uncover best practices that are working and adapt those ideas to the district needs. (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(E))
6. The district involves parents and family members in activities of the school. The district has established a parent advisory committee comprised of willing and interested parents, who adequately represent the needs to the population; revising; and reviewing the Parent and Family Engagement Policy (ESSA, Section 1116(a)(2)(F))
7. At least one annual meeting will be held to inform parents and family members of the district's participation in the Title I program and to explain the requirements of the program and their right to be involved. Janesville Consolidated School District will hold an annual meeting in the fall. Notification will be sent in the district newsletter. (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(1))
8. Parent and family meetings, including parent conferences, will be held at a variety of times and Title I funds may be used to pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parent and family engagement activities, including transportation, childcare, or home visit expenses to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions. (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(2))
9. The district will involve parents in the planning, review, and improvement of the school’s Title I program through participation in in-person meetings where parents give input and feedback. (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(3))
10. Not applicable. (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(3) and Section 1114))
11. Parents and family members of participating children are given assistance in understanding the Title I program, with timely information about the Title I program. Through annual meetings and parent-teacher conferences, the school will provide parents and family members of participating children with a description and explanation of the curriculum in use, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet through individual reports given to parents at conference time, and through report cards. (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(4)(A) & (B))
12. If requested by parents, the school will provide opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible. (ESSA, Section 1116(c)(4)(C))
13. If the schoolwide plan under Section 1114(b) is not satisfactory, parents of participating students may comment. Comments may be made in writing to the school principal. Section 1116(c)(5)
14. A jointly developed school/parent compact outlines how parents and family members, the entire school staff, and students all share responsibility for improved student achievement. The compact also describes the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve our local high standards. It is distributed to parents with participating students at the beginning of each school year and is reviewed at the annual meetings. Section 1116(d)
15. Parents will be notified of this policy in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, provided in a language the parents can understand. The policy will be free of educational jargon. Section 1116(b)(1)
16. In order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the district, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, the district shall:
    
    1. Provide assistance to parents in understanding challenging State academic standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of this part, and how to monitor a child’s progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children 
    2. Provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children’s achievement, such as literacy training, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement; 
    3. Educate teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, principals and other school leaders, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school; 
    4. Coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with other Federal, State, and local programs, including public preschool programs, and conduct other activities that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children; 
    5. Ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand;
    6. Provide such other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under this section as parents may request. (ESSA Section 1116(e)(1-14))
17. The school, to the extent practicable, will provide opportunities for the informed participation of parents and family members (including parents and family members who have limited English proficiency, parents and family members with disabilities, and parents and family members of migratory children) by providing information and school reports required under section 1111 in a format and language the parties can understand. (Section 11116(f))

The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents and families of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year.  The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy. 

 

 

Legal References:  20 U.S.C. §6318

Cross References:  903.2    Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

Approved:   11/12/18                  
Reviewed    11/15/21              
Revised   11/12/18