Policy: 2421
Instruction
Promotion/Retention
The board recognizes that the rate of physical, social, emotional and academic growth will vary among individual students. Since each student grows at his/her own rate, these individual growth characteristics will be recognized in classroom programming.
Definitions:
- Promotion: After a student successfully completes a year of study at a specific grade level, they will be promoted to the next grade level
- Retention: A student will repeat a grade level after one full year at that level or will be moved to a lower grade level partway through an academic year
- Double Promotion: A student will move ahead more than one grade level after completion of a year of study at a specific grade level
In most typical settings, a student will be promoted to the next grade after successfully completing a year of study at a specific grade level.
Retention at the same grade may be beneficial to the student when he/she is not demonstrating minimum competency in basic skill subjects in relation to ability and grade level. Retention or double promotion can be detrimental and should not be considered, except in these instances where there is a strong likelihood that the student will academically benefit in the short and long-term with minimum social and emotional disruption.
Considerations will be given to multiple factors (e.g.; achievement of learning standards, social and emotional maturity, monitoring of implemented interventions) when determining whether to retain or double promote a student. Retention or double promotion of a student in grades kindergarten through grade eight shall in all cases result only from a thorough study of all factors.
Decisions around promotion, retention, and double promotion are generally made as close to the end of the school year as possible in order for students to demonstrate readiness or need. Parents/guardians of a student being considered for retention or double promotion shall be notified and have the opportunity to be involved in the process for determining placement. The final decision to retain or double promote a student is made by the principal. The principal is to report each retention or double promotion with its rationale to the superintendent or designee prior to the beginning of the next school year.
The superintendent will establish procedures for the retention and double promotion of students The procedure may include an exception to this timeline for third grade students subject to the grade placement requirements in Policy 2107, Comprehensive Early Literacy Plan.
Cross References:
2090 - Program Evaluation
2107 - Comprehensive Early Literacy Plan
Adopted 6/20/2012
Revised:5/2016; 3/2026