Code No. 505.1
STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES
Students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) shall receive a progress report at the end of each nine (9) 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.
Students in preschool through grade eight (8) shall receive a standards-based progress report at the end of each twelve (12) week reporting period. Students who are performing below grade level expectations, and their parents, shall be notified of non-proficiency and gap-closing strategies and interventions.
Parent-teacher conferences about students' progress will be held to keep the parents informed. Parent-teacher conferences are held at least two times per year.
Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students at any time if they feel the circumstances warrant it. Students are encouraged to discuss their progress or other matters with their teachers.
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Date of Last Review: August 10, 2020
Date of Revision: August 10, 2020
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Legal References:
256.11, 279.8, 280.14; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), 12.3(6), 12.8(1)(b) |
STUDENT GRADE PLACEMENT
Students shall be assigned to grade levels by the building principal based upon their achievements and progress and based upon consultation with the instructional staff and the parents or guardians.
Promotion is the authorization for a student to progress from one grade level to the next higher grade level for the next school year. Retention is the decision to retain a student in a grade level from one school year to the next school year. Acceleration is the authorization for a student to progress from one grade level to another higher grade level during a school year or to progress from one grade level to another higher grade level which is higher than the next succeeding level at the end of a school year.
The assignment, promotion, retention or acceleration of a student is an individual matter, and the circumstances of each student shall be considered on their own merits and with regard to the best interests of the student. The decision of the building principal is final.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
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Date of Revision: October 14, 2019
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Legal References: 279.8, 280.3, 280.14, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STUDENT HONORS AND AWARDS
The District shall provide a program that establishes honors and awards for outstanding student efforts and achievements. Students shall be made aware of honors and awards and the actions and qualities necessary to earn them. Qualifications for such honors and awards shall be established by the principal and/or Superintendent. The principal and/or Superintendent may require that a student be regularly enrolled in the District to qualify for an award or honor. To be eligible at graduation for awards, a student must have been regularly enrolled as a full-time student in the District or in another accredited school during the student's sophomore, junior and senior years.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
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Date of Revision: October 14, 2019
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Legal References: 279.8, 287.3, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 36.14
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
A comprehensive assessment program shall be established and maintained to evaluate the total program of the District and to provide better guidance and counseling services to students and their families. The Board of Directors is responsible for granting approval for the evaluation and assessment program.
The Superintendent, with the assistance of his/her professional staff, shall develop standards and procedures to assess the educational program and student progress within each area of instruction.
Other types of assessments may be administered to individual students or groups of students. Testing for determining whether a student requires special education shall comply with federal and state laws. Persons administering individual psychological examinations of students shall hold a license as a school psychologist or be approved as competent to administer individual psychological examinations.
No student shall be required, as part of a program funded by the United States Department of Education, to submit, without prior written consent from the student's parent, to surveys, analysis or evaluation which reveals information concerning:
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Date of Revision: October 14, 2019
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Legal References: Every Student Succeeds Act, 29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. 1232h; 256.11, 279.8, 280.3, 280.12, 280.14, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. Chapters 12, 41
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Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
01643839
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding the District’s conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:
Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education -
Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of -
Inspect, upon request and before administration or use -
These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.
The District will develop and adopt policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The District will directly notify parents of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. The District will also directly notify, such as through U.S. mail or email, parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. The District will make this notification to parents at the beginning of the school year if the District has identified the specific or approximate dates of the activities or surveys at that time. For surveys and activities scheduled after the school year starts, parents will be provided reasonable notification of the planned activities and surveys listed below and be provided an opportunity to opt their child out of such activities and surveys. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement:
Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20202-5901
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
543255
Code No. 505.5
PERFORMANCE TESTING FOR CREDIT
Credit shall not be given for performance testing in lieu of course work.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
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Date of Revision: December 9, 2002
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Legal References: 256.11, 279.8, 280.3, 280.12, 280.14, Code of Iowa
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543257
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Credits Required:
A total of 48 credits are needed for graduation. One credit is awarded for the successful completion of one semester of work in an academic class and in vocal and instrumental music classes that meet on a daily basis. One-half credit is awarded for the successful completion of each semester of physical education class and for vocal and instrumental music classes meeting every other day. A minimum of a "D-" grade is required to earn a credit.
Required Credits:
English: 8 credits required
English 9 - 2 credits
English 10 - 2 credits
English 11 – 2 credits
English Elective – 2 credits
Social Studies: 6 credits required
World History 1 credit
American History 2 credits
Government 1 credit
Economics 1 credit
World Geography 1 credit
Science: 6 credits required
Physical Science 2 credits
Science Electives 4 credits
Mathematics: 6 credits required
Mathematics Electives 6 credits
Health: 1 credit required
Physical Education: 4 credits required
Physical Education is required each semester the student is in attendance unless the student is excused pursuant to District policy. One-half credit is earned for each semester successfully completed. A sport may be substituted for P.E. one semester each year during the Jr. and Sr. years.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Course
Prior to graduation, every pupil physically able to do so shall have completed a psychomotor course that provides training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The principal may waive this requirement for any pupil who is not physically able to compete the course.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
FIRST: 1 credit required
Elective Credits:
Electives chosen by the student, with assistance from parents, counselors and teachers will complete the total number of credits needed to graduate. Credits earned from other institutions or schools must be approved by the principal to count towards graduation. Any credit earned from the Post Secondary Enrollment Act will be approved towards graduation as allowed by law.
Financial Literacy:
Beginning with the class of 2020-2021, students must complete at least one-half credit of personal finance literacy.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
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Date of Revision: October 14, 2019 |
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Legal References: 256.11, 259A.1, Chapter 261E, 279.8, 280.3, 280.8, 280.9A, 280.14, 282.26, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C., Chapters 12, 22
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EARLY GRADUATION
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. Students who wish to graduate at the end of the first semester must make an application to the Board no later than the December Board meeting, and the student must have the approval of the Board. Students who wish to graduate a year early must make an application to the Board no later than the August Board meeting, and the student must have the approval of the Board.
A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a District student and will become an alumnus of the Decorah District. However, the student who graduates early may participate in commencement exercises, senior banquet, prom and other activities for seniors held within the District.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
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Date of Revision: October 14, 2019
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Legal References: 256.7, 256.11, 256.11A, 259A.1, Chapter 261E, 279.8, 280.3, 280.8, 280.9A, 280.14, 282.26, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C., Chapters 12 22
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COMMENCEMENT AND DIPLOMAS
Students who have successfully completed graduation requirements in the District shall be granted District diplomas. (The District may provide for a diploma from another District for students attending pursuant to a whole-grade sharing agreement.) Appropriate commencement ceremonies will be held annually. Only students who have completed the graduation requirements as indicated by the Board of Education shall receive a diploma and only those students who have completed the Board’s requirements prior to the date of commencement will be allowed to participate in commencement exercises. The District shall not arrange for religious invocations, benedictions or other prayers at commencement exercises. The administration may exclude a student from participating in commencement exercises for violation of school rules.
A student need not attend the ceremony in order to receive a diploma. Students graduating early after summer school or after the first semester shall be awarded diplomas at the commencement ceremony after the second semester. However, upon request of the student, the District will supply information verifying early graduation to employers, colleges, or other agencies.
Date of Last Review: October 14, 2019
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Date of Revision: July 11, 2011
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Legal References: 279.8, 280.14, 287.3, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 12.3(5)
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543260
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS