The Los Angeles Unified School District has a standards-based promotion policy in accordance with Education Code Section 48070.5(1)(d). The law requires that all Boards of Education adopt a policy that establishes criteria regarding promotion and mandatory retention of students at specific grade levels. Students must demonstrate achievement of grade level standards before being promoted to the next grade. This policy affects students in grades 2 through 5 and 8.

CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION

· English proficient students in grades 2-5 and 8 must meet minimum grade level standards in English Language Arts and in grades 4, 5, and 8 in Mathematics.
· English Learners must meet minimum English Language Development (ELD) standards by advancing one ELD level per year or one ELD level per semester in grade 8.
· English Learners in a Spanish bilingual program in grades 2-5 must meet minimum grade level standards in Spanish language reading and mathematics and meet minimum ELD standards by advancing one ELD level per year.
· Students with disabilities will meet the criteria as indicated on the IEP.

INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT PROMOTION

At risk students are identified early in the school year and offered a variety of interventions for assistance:
· Classroom instruction with the teacher assisting students in small groups and individually.
· Additional instruction providing academic support for students beyond the regular instructional day.
- Extended Learning Programs (ELP): Grades K-8 is provided before school, after school, or weekends.
- Extended Learning Academies (ELA): Grades 6-12 at selected secondary multitrack schools.
- Summer School/Intersession programs: during off-track time.

Secondary students who meet specific criteria for intervention in grades 6 through 9 will be enrolled in the Developing Readers and Writers Course for a double period daily during the regular school year.

Secondary English Learners in grades 6-8 will be enrolled in the English as a Second Language Course for a double period daily during the regular school year.

Elementary students who do not meet the criteriafor promotion will be retained unless the classroom teacher determines retention is not appropriate.

During the retention year, students will participate in on-going interventions and attend summer school/intersessions during their off-track time.

PARENT NOTIFICATION PROCESS

Parents are notified through teacher conferences, progress reports, and letters when their child is at risk of not meeting grade-level standards for promotion. All written notification must be signed by the parent and returned to the school.

PARENT APPEAL PROCESS

A parent may appeal the decision to retain their child with the school principal during the first month of school. The principal and teacher will meet with the parent to resolve the matter. If the parent does not agree with the principal’s decision, he/she may appeal to the Local District Director of School Support Services. A meeting will be held to discuss the appeal and all evidence will be reviewed. The final decision will be mailed to the parent.