Grade Retention and Promotion

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.

Yes, a school can retain or promote a student without parent or guardian approval. However, the district Promotion Retention policy approved by the district’s school board must provide an appeal process for parents who disagree with a principal’s decision for their student.

A parent has a right to appeal the decision to promote or retain a child. State law requires districts to have a promotion and retention criteria for students. The District’s policy provides identification of students who should be retained and who are at risk of being retained in their current grade based on grades and other indicators of academic achievement.

Any special education student who is recommended for retention must have an IEP meeting prior to the final decision to retain. In the case of students, who are in the referral or assessment process, the teacher in consultation with the site administrator and student study team should make the promotion/retention decision.

The state does not require school districts to have student promotion and retention criteria beyond the last year of middle school to the first year of high school.

No student should be retained more than once during the primary grades and once during the intermediate grades, and/or once during the middle school grades.

To appeal a decision, the appealing party shall submit a written request to the Superintendent or designee specifying the reasons why the school’s decision should be overruled. Complete an Appeal form here.  Then click the “Submit” tab.  The appeal must be initiated within 10 school days of the determination of retention or promotion.

Within 30 school days of receiving the request, the Superintendent or designee shall determine whether or not to overrule the teacher’s decision. Prior to making this determination, the Superintendent or designee may meet with the appealing party and the teacher. If the Superintendent or designee determines that the appealing party has overwhelmingly proven that the teacher’s decision should be overruled, they shall overrule the teacher’s decision.

The decision of the Superintendent or designee shall be final. If the decision of the Board is unfavorable to the appealing party, they shall have the right to submit a written statement of objection, which shall become part of the student’s record.

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.