Assembly Bill 104 (AB-104) provide parents/guardians of ‘eligible pupils’ with a supplemental review process to consider retention at the 2020-21 grade level, if desired:
- Parents and guardians of students who were in grades Kindergarten – 11 in the last school year are eligible to request that their student repeat the 2020-21 grade level if their student received a D, F, or No Pass grade for at least one-half of their coursework in the 2020-21 school year.
- This request triggers a personalized consultation with a representative of the district to review and discuss all learning recovery options and supports that a student can access.
The new retention consultation and review process outlined by AB 104 is supplemental to, but does not replace, the district’s existing policy on retention.
How to Apply
Parents/Guardians may submit a written request by completing the following steps:
- Fill out the Retention Conference & Review Request form:
- Return the form to Karen.Laughlin@fresnounified.org or by mail to:
Fresno Unified School District
Attention: Karen Laughlin
Director, Curriculum & Instruction
2309 Tulare Street
Fresno, CA 93721-2287
The district will schedule a consultation within 30 days of receiving the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Apply?
Parents and guardians of students who were in grades Kindergarten – 11 in the last school year are eligible to request that their student repeat the 2020-21 grade level if their student received a D, F, or No Pass grade for at least one-half of their coursework in the 2020-21 school year
What are the next steps after a written request is submitted?
The district will schedule a personalize consultation within 30 days of receiving a written request to review and discuss all learning recovery options, including access to retake prior semester courses where the student received the deficient grades and other interventions and supports.
Parents/Guardians will be notified of the retention decision within 10 days of the consultation.
Is Retention an effective strategy for improving student achievement?
Each student is unique and each request will be individually reviewed. However, research summarized by the California Department of Education (FAQs Pupil Promotion & Retention – Pupil Promotion & Retention), indicates that retention does not produce higher achievement and is one of the most powerful predictors of high school dropout.
If my student is retained, would they receive an extra year of athletic eligibility for high school sports?
According to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Bylaw 204, students are eligible for 8 consecutive semester of athletic participation. “Once a student attends a class and is continuously enrolled for 15 school days that clock begins.”
In extremely rare circumstances, CIF can grant a hardship as described in California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Bylaws 203 and 213.
If my student is currently in elementary or middle school, can retention affect their future high school sports eligibility?
Retention can affect future athletic eligibility. California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has rules around the age of students and eligibility. Please refer to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Bylaws 203 and 204 to read about the current age eligibility rules for high school sports.