2023-24 JBMS Student Handbook
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ACADEMICS
Here is a link to the entire St. Mary Parish Public Schools Pupil Progression Plan. This document will demonstrate how students at each grade level are graded, how final grades are determined, and how students are promoted from one grade to the next. This document also includes graduation pathways and outlines programs and needed assessments at each grade level. https://www.stmaryk12.net/Page/16354
Placement of students in kindergarten and grade 1
Kindergarten
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the parent or legal guardian of a child who resides in Louisiana and who is age five by September thirtieth of the calendar year in which the school year begins though eighteen shall send the child to a public or nonpublic school, as defined by R.S. 17:236, unless the child’s parent or legal guardian opted to defer enrollment of his child in kindergarten pursuant to R.S. 17:151.3 (D) or the child graduates from high school prior to his eighteenth birthday. A child below the age of five who legally enrolls in school shall also be subject to the provisions of this Subpart.
Grade 1
Any child admitted to kindergarten pursuant shall be eligible to enter first grade upon successful completion of kindergarten and shall have satisfactorily passed an academic readiness screening, provided all other applicable entrance requirements have been fulfilled. The age at which a child may enter the first grade of any public school at the beginning of the public-school session shall be six years on or before September thirtieth of the calendar year in which the school year begins. Any child transferring into the first grade of a public school from another state and not meeting the requirements herein for kindergarten attendance shall be required to pass an academic readiness screening administered by the LEA prior to the time of enrollment for the first grade.
In the space below, please describe any additional placement considerations or policies required by the LEA. Include the names of any required assessments and explain how results will be used.
All students entering kindergarten for the first time will be administered the DRDP-K within the first 30 days of school. Results from this assessment will be used to plan instruction.
Screening data and information from DIBELS 8 and IREADY testing instruments will be used to determine student placement.
The St. Mary Parish Kindergarten End of Year Test will be administered to children who are seeking enrollment in 1st grade and have not met the kindergarten attendance requirement.
Promotion for students in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7
Teachers shall, on an individual basis, determine the promotion of each student according to the local Pupil Progression Plan. Emphasis shall be placed upon the student’s proficiency in grade appropriate skills.
In the space below, please describe the LEA’s policies and procedures that will be used to determine promotion for students in Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.
Kindergarten
Every child entering first grade shall meet one of the following criteria:
- All students who attended kindergarten in the public schools in St. Mary Parish shall demonstrate satisfactory performances on the report card as well as recognized bench-mark assessments. Students who did not meet the criteria at the end of a school year will be referred to SBLC to determine the appropriate grade level placement and interventions for the student.
- Students who did not attend a state-approved kindergarten shall demonstrate satisfactory performances as measured by the St. Mary Parish Kindergarten End of Year Test. Students demonstrating satisfactory performances are placed in first grade. Students who do not meet the criteria may be temporarily placed in kindergarten and tested again after the first four weeks of the school year. The SBLC will meet to determine the appropriate grade level placement of the student.
- Kindergarten students will be graded on the S/N/U scale for all subjects.
Grade 1
- First grade students will earn letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) each nine weeks in ELA and mathematics for evaluative and reporting purposes. All other subjects (social studies, science, specials, etc.) will be graded using the S/N/U scale.
- First grade students must pass English language arts and mathematics to be promoted to the next grade.
- If a student fails English language arts or math in first grade, the School Building Level Committee will meet to determine the appropriate grade level placement of the student. The following criteria will be utilized to evaluate the student on skills mastery:
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- Teacher-made tests (mathematics) and/or other forms of math assessments
- CKLA reading assessments and/or yearly benchmark assessments.
- Teacher observations and student work samples (reading and mathematics)
- IREADY scores (mathematics)
- Literacy screener
- Students in first grade who fail four major subjects (English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science) will be retained.
Grade 2
- Second grade students will earn letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) each nine weeks in ELA and mathematics for evaluative and reporting purposes. All other subjects (social studies, science, specials, etc.) will be graded using the S/N/U scale.
- Second grade students must pass English language arts and mathematics to be promoted to the next grade.
- If a student fails English language arts or math in second grade, the School Building Level Committee will meet to determine the appropriate grade level placement of the student. The following criteria will be utilized to evaluate the student on skills mastery:
- Teacher-made tests (mathematics) and/or other forms of math assessments
- CKLA reading assessments and/or yearly benchmark assessments o Teacher observations and student work samples (reading and mathematics)
- IREADY scores (mathematics)
- Literacy screener
- Students in second grade who fail four major subjects (English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science) will be retained.
Grades 5-7
- Students in grades 5-7 will earn letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) each nine weeks for evaluative and reporting purposes.
- Students in grades 5-7 who fail English language arts and/or mathematics may be retained or probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that the student attend required summer programming. A parent conference should be held to obtain signed permission for enrollment in the program. Attendance and discipline policies apply. Additional academic options as stated below may also be instituted based on SBLC recommendations.
- Students in grades 5-7 who fail science and social studies may be retained or probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that the student attend required summer programming. A parent conference should be held to obtain signed permission for enrollment in the program. Compulsory attendance and discipline policies apply. Additional academic options as stated below may also be instituted based on SBLC recommendations.
- Students in grades 5-7 who fail four major subjects (English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science) will be retained. Additionally, any two minor subjects constitute one major subject. Examples of minor subjects include physical education, music, band, keyboarding, and other subjects not previously defined as a major subject.
- Academic options that may be offered at either the school or district level: remediation course, documented interventions, After-School Academic Tutoring, and/or Saturday Tutoring. The SBLC will employ existing student data, including but not limited to DIBELS, parish and benchmark assessments, course grades, IREADY data, previous standardized test data, growth from pre-to-post tests, trends of low performance, and attendance to determine whether the student should be recommended for promotion as well as the requirement of any additional academic options.
Promotion for students in grade 3
Each LEA shall identify third grade students who have not met an acceptable level of performance that would enable them to successfully transition to the next grade level. Third grade students who have not met the acceptable level of performance may be retained or promoted, but in either case, shall be provided with an individual literacy plan that adheres to the following requirements:
- The school shall convene an in-person meeting with the student’s parent or legal custodian, all teachers of core academic subjects, and specialized support personnel, as needed, to review the student’s academic strengths and weaknesses relative to literacy, discuss any other relevant challenges, and formulate an individual academic improvement plan designed to assist the student in achieving proficiency in literacy. All participants shall sign the documented plan, using a template provided by the department, and shall meet to review progress at least once more before the next administration of the LEAP assessment.
- The student shall be provided with focused literacy interventions and supports based on the science of reading designed to improve foundational literacy.
- The student shall be identified as requiring an academic improvement plan in the state Student Information System (SIS).
- The student shall be afforded the opportunity to receive on-grade level instruction and focused literacy interventions based on the science of reading during the summer.
- Each LEA shall adopt a written policy pertaining to the development of the individual student literacy plan. This policy shall be included in the Pupil Progression Plan of the LEA and could include the following specific student supports daily targeted small-group interventions, before and after school literacy intervention provided by a teacher or tutor with specialized literacy training, and at-home literacy programs that include literacy workshops for the parents and legal guardians of students and web-based or parent-guided home literacy activities.
- The Department may audit a random sampling of students identified as needing an individual academic improvement plan in each local education agency each year.
The LDOE will provide to each LEA a roster of third grade students who have been identified for the purposes of this section. Such a roster will assist the LEA in making final determinations relative to students’ required individual academic plans.
- The decision to retain a student because of his/her failure to achieve the standard on the LEAP shall be made by the LEA in accordance with this pupil progression plan.
- The individual literacy plan shall continue to be in effect until such time as the student achieves a score of “Basic” in each of the core academic subjects that initially led to the development of the student’s individual plan.
In the space below, please describe any local policies or additional considerations used to determine promotion of students at the end of the third grade.
Grade 3
- Students in grade 3 will earn letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) each nine weeks for evaluative and reporting purposes.
- Students in grade 3 who fail English language arts and/or mathematics may be retained or probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that the student attend required summer programming. A parent conference should be held to obtain signed permission for enrollment in the program. Compulsory attendance and discipline policies apply. Additional academic options as stated in #6 below may also be instituted based on SBLC recommendations.
- Students in grade 3 who fail science and social studies may be retained or probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that the student attend required summer programming. A parent conference should be held to obtain signed permission for enrollment in the program. Compulsory attendance and discipline policies apply. Additional academic options as stated below may also be instituted based on SBLC recommendations.
- Students in grade 3 who fail four major subjects (English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science) will be retained. Additionally, any two minor subjects constitute one major subject. Examples of minor subjects include physical education, music, band, keyboarding, and other subjects not previously defined as a major subject.
- Academic options that may be offered at either the school or district level: remediation course, documented interventions, After-School Academic Tutoring, and/or Saturday Tutoring. The SBLC will employ existing student data, including but not limited to DIBELS, parish and benchmark assessments, course grades, IREADY data, previous standardized test data, growth from pre-to-post tests, trends of low performance, and attendance to determine whether the student should be recommended for promotion as well as the requirement of any additional academic options.
PROMOTION FOR STUDENTS IN GRADE 4
Each LEA shall identify fourth grade students who have not met an acceptable level of performance that would enable them to successfully transition to the next grade level. Fourth grade students who have not met the acceptable level of performance may be retained or promoted, but in either case, shall be provided with an individual academic improvement plan that adheres to the following requirements:
- The school shall convene an in-person meeting with the student’s parent or legal custodian, all teachers of core academic subjects, and specialized support personnel, as needed, to review the student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, discuss any other relevant challenges, and formulate an individual academic improvement plan designed to assist the student in achieving proficiency in all core academic subjects. All participants shall sign the documented plan and meet to review progress at least once more before the next administration of the LEAP assessment.
- The student shall be provided with focused, on-grade level instructional support that is appropriate to the content area(s) in which the student has not yet achieved proficiency. Instruction shall be aligned with state academic content standards.
- The student shall be identified as requiring an academic improvement plan in the state Student Information System (SIS).
- The student shall be afforded the opportunity to receive grade-level instruction during the summer.
- Each LEA shall adopt a written policy pertaining to the development of individual academic improvement plans. This policy shall be included in the Pupil Progression Plan.
- The Department shall audit a random sampling of students identified as needing an individual academic improvement plan in each local education agency each year.
- The LDOE will provide to each LEA a roster of fourth grade students who have scored below the “Basic” achievement level in at least two core academic subjects. Such a roster will assist the LEA in making final determinations relative to students’ required individual academic plans. • The decision to retain a student because of his/her failure to achieve the standard on the LEAP shall be made by the LEA in accordance with this pupil progression plan.
- The individual academic improvement plan shall continue to be in effect until such time as the student achieves a score of “Basic” in each of the core academic subjects that initially led to the development of the student’s individual academic plan.
In the space below, please describe any local policies or additional considerations used to determine promotion of students at the end of the fourth grade.
Grade 4
- Students in grade 4 will earn letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) each nine weeks for evaluative and reporting purposes.
- Students in grade 4 who fail English language arts and/or mathematics may be retained or probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that the student attend required summer programming. A parent conference should be held to obtain signed permission for enrollment in the program. Compulsory attendance and discipline policies apply. Additional academic options as stated in #6 below may also be instituted based on SBLC recommendations.
- Students in grade 4 who fail science and social studies may be retained or probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that the student attend required summer programming. A parent conference should be held to obtain signed permission for enrollment in the program. Compulsory attendance and discipline policies apply. Additional academic options as stated below may also be instituted based on SBLC recommendations.
- Students in grade 4 who fail four major subjects (English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science) will be retained. Additionally, any two minor subjects constitute one major subject. Examples of minor subjects include physical education, music, band, keyboarding, and other subjects not previously defined as a major subject.
- Academic options that may be offered at either the school or district level: remediation course, documented interventions, After-School Academic Tutoring, and/or Saturday Tutoring. The SBLC will employ existing student data, including but not limited to DIBELS, parish and benchmark assessments, course grades, IREADY data, previous standardized test data, growth from pre-to-post tests, trends of low performance, and attendance to determine whether the student should be recommended for promotion as well as the requirement of any additional academic options.
SUPPORT STANDARDS FOR GRADES KINDERGARTEN-3
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year and every year thereafter, each local education agency shall identify all students in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade who score below grade level on the literacy assessment.
- The school shall notify the parents or legal custodian of students identified in writing regarding the student’s performance within 15 days of identification. Such notification shall ○ Provide information on activities that can be done at home to support the student’s literacy proficiency.
- ○ Provide information about supports and interventions that will be provided by the school to support the student’s literacy proficiency.
- ○ Provide a timeline for updates as a result of progress monitoring that includes a middle of-year and end-of-year update.
- ○ Provide information about the importance of being able to read proficiently by the end of the third grade.
- ○ The school shall provide mid-year and end-of-the-year updates to the parent or legal custodian of students identified in subsection A.
LITERACY SUPPORT STANDARDS FOR GRADES 3 AND 4
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year and continuing through the summer following the 2023-2024 school year, any student enrolled in third or fourth grade and scoring below grade-level on the end-of the-year LDOE-approved literacy assessment shall receive a minimum of 30 hours of explicit literacy instruction inclusive of targeted interventions during the summer as set forth in §705 of BESE Bulletin 1566. The literacy instruction shall be based on the science of reading.
- No tuition or fees can be charged for the attendance of an eligible student, and transportation must be offered.
- Summer learning shall be provided by an LDOE-approved tutoring vendor or by a teacher who is enrolled in or has completed the required foundational literacy skills course required per LAC 28: CXV.509 and who has achieved a rating of “effective: proficient” or greater on the most recent evaluation.
- Students not participating in the required summer literacy interventions may be retained in the grade level during the subsequent school year. Such retention shall be included in each local pupil progression plan. A student qualifying for summer literacy interventions who fails to participate in the program but scored Basic or higher on the ELA portion of the most recent LEAP assessment may be promoted to the next grade level.
- The LEA may waive the state policy for students scoring below grade-level on the end-of-the year LDOE-approved literacy assessment for students with an IEP at the discretion of the IEP team.
ADDITIONAL LEA POLICIES REALTED TO STUDENT PLACEMENT AND PROMOTION
In the space below, please describe any additional LEA policies related to student placement and promotion that have not been addressed in other sections of this document.
Grading Policy
- LEAs shall use the following uniform grading system for students enrolled in all grades K-12 for which letter grades are used. [R.S. 17:7(31) (A)] (Bulletin 741 §2302.Uniform Grading Policy)
Grades 1-8 Semester and Final Averages
Quality points will be used to arrive at the semester and final averages in grades 1-8.
- To arrive at the semester average, add the quality point value of each letter grade for two nine-weeks, divide by two, and use the Quality Point Average Chart to determine the semester grade.
- To arrive at the final average, add the quality points from each of the four nine-week grades, divide by four, and use the Quality Point Average Chart to determine the final grade.
- A student in grades 1-8 must earn four quality points to pass a course for the year (two points must come in the second semester).
- In addition, the student must pass the fourth nine-weeks.
- If a course is failed because of either of these requirements, the computer will record "F" and note "*automatic F due to failed 2nd semester or final nine weeks."
Additional Grading and Makeup Policies
- Only letter grades shall be used on report cards and be recorded on the cumulative cards and transcripts.
- All numerical grades of .5 - .9 shall be rounded to the next higher percentage grade including a 66.5. All numerical grades of .1 - .4 shall be dropped.
- Grades for transfer students shall be equated to the Louisiana uniform grading scale. All transfer grades will be converted to the 4-point scale. No extra quality points will be allowed for transferred honor grades. If the transfer student’s previous school provides percentage grades, then the state scale shall be used to assign a letter grade.
- For courses that do not use letter grades
- Students in Grades 1 and 2 will receive letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) in English language arts and math. All other subjects will receive S, N or U throughout the year.
- Students in Grades 3-5 will receive letter grades (A, B, C, D or F) in English language arts, math, science and social studies. All other subjects will receive S, N or U throughout the year. • Band students in Grades 4-5 will receive letter grades (A, B, C, D or F).
- Beginning in Grade 1, students qualify for honor roll status throughout the school year.
- Makeup Work K-12
- Makeup work/tests must be completed within five (5) instructional days following the absence. In extenuating circumstances, the principal may allow an extension. Makes sure this matches policy.
- Students suspended from St. Mary Parish schools will be allowed to make up work in accordance with parish guidelines.
- Students expelled from St. Mary Parish Schools or other public schools will not be allowed to take tests to make up work missed while out on expulsion.
Retention Policy
- A student should only be retained once between kindergarten and fourth grade, inclusive.
- Student placement is open to review by his/her parent or guardian, principal, Superintendent or appointed designee and local school board.
- Decisions pertaining to retention will be made by the teacher within the framework of school board policy and in consultation with the principal, guidance counselor and assistant principal, and other resource personnel when applicable. For students receiving special education services, the SBLC and IEP committee shall also be included in the decision.
- Students not meeting the state-mandated attendance policy may lose credit due to non-attendance. The parent or guardian may appeal within ten (10) days to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance for a review of loss of credit decision and begin the appeal process.
- Students who fail to meet the promotion criteria shall be retained. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 may be probationally promoted with the stipulation that the student attend the recommended programming.
After-School Academic Tutoring Program
- All schools will operate an After-School Academic Tutoring program for grades 3-8. Classes will take place Tuesday and Thursday for 1 hour after school according to a schedule set by the district accountability manager.
- The program becomes part of the student’s regular school day; thus, compulsory attendance and discipline policies apply. All students must have a signed permission form. The permission form should be filed in the student’s cumulative folder.
- Entrance and exit in the program will occur at the end of each nine-week grading period.
- After-School Academic Tutoring will begin several days after the start of school.
- Students failing English or math after each nine-week period may be placed in After-School Academic Tutoring for the next 9-week period. If the student achieves a passing grade (D) at the end of the following 9 weeks, the student may be released from the program.
Probational Promotion
In lieu of retention: Students failing in grades 3-7 may be probationally promoted to the next grade by the School Building Level Committee with the stipulation that they attend district recommended programming.