5.8 ACADEMIC PROBATION, RETENTION/TRANSFER
Academic Probation
A student may be placed on academic probation if he/she receives any letter grade below a C or S per grade reporting period. At the teacher and principal’s discretion, a student may also be placed on academic probation for the following reasons:
continued low test scores.
continued missing/incomplete assignments.
poor or non-participation in class.
An “NI” or “U” in character and/or work habits
Repeated disregard and disrespect for the rights and welfare of others, including property.
A conference will be required for the student, parent/guardian with the recommending teacher and principal. The student’s presence is required at such conferences. At this conference, the specific problems will be discussed and an agreement will be drawn up that clearly states:
how the student is expected to improve.
how and when the improvement will be evaluated.
consequences if the student does not meet the agreement.
A meeting with the inclusion team to discuss testing the student to provide possible minor academic adjustments or a public school IEP procedure.
If the requirements of the agreement are not met, the student may be required to get tutoring, attend summer school, or be asked to transfer.
Retention/Transfer
The decision to promote a pupil to the next grade or to retain him/her in the present grade is based upon a consideration of the overall welfare of the pupil, i.e., made by carefully weighing academic, emotional, and social factors. This decision is made by the principal and faculty.
In the event that retention is under consideration, the following guidelines are applied:
If a student’s performance or behavior indicates the possible need for retention or transfer, the principal, parents and teacher will meet to discuss the issue and to consider remedial help, counseling, and/or psycho-educational evaluation.
Retention is more successful in primary grades than in later grades; therefore, the primary grade teachers diligently observe students with weaknesses so that the problems are corrected before the pupil reaches the upper grades. Sometimes, however, retention may be needed in the upper grades. Although the assessment of the teacher and parental opinion are significant factors, the final decision to retain a pupil is the responsibility of the principal.
In the case of a pupil with a severe learning/behavior problem it may be necessary to recognize that Assumption BVM School is not equipped to meet the needs of every pupil and that, therefore, a recommended transfer will be necessary.
The terms of probation are provided in a separate document that outlines how a student can improve and restore good standing in the school. The principal and/or assistant principal will oversee this process with assistance from the teacher/s.
During probation, extra-curricular activities, including sports and student council activities, will be restricted. Re-enrollment will not be automatic and will be reviewed with regard to progress made on probation terms of improvement. A STEP plan may be developed as part of the probation and a formal meeting will be held at the close of the probation period.
In rare, but some instances, it may be necessary to recognize that Assumption BVM School, with its limited resources, may not be able to meet the needs of a student with significant learning and/or behavioral problems, and a transfer to a different school may be necessary. In all cases, the principal, in consultation with the pastor, will make the final decision.
