Regulations for Gainesville Middle School

All Gainesville Middle School students:

All middle school students must achieve classroom success to earn promotion to the next grade-level.  There are (5) five core academic content areas all students attempt yearly at the middle school level.  They are:  Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Reading, and Social Studies.  Students must earn passing grades in Mathematics, Language Arts or Reading, and Science or Social Studies to earn promotion to the next grade level. 

(3) Three credits are required for promotion:

If students are unsuccessful in their academic coursework during the school year, students may re-attempt up to (2) two classes in an opportunity for accelerated, differentiated, or additional instruction in the applicable subject(s).  This opportunity may include summer school coursework or an alternative assignment(s) approved by the campus principal or designee.

Promotion & Retention Guidelines for 8^th grade students only

I.    No 8^th grade student shall be promoted to the 9^th grade if the student does not achieve grade level on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in Reading (score of > 800) and Mathematics (score of > 300). (160-4-2-.11)

II.   If a student does not meet the promotion criteria, the student shall be given an opportunity for accelerated, differentiated, or additional instruction in the applicable subject(s) prior to the retesting opportunity.  This typically is delivered in the GCSS Summer School format.

III. The student shall be retested with appropriate section(s) of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test(s) or an alternative assessment instrument that is appropriate for the student’s grade level.  When a student does not perform at grade level on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test in grade 8, and also does not perform at grade level on a second opportunity to take the assessment, then the following shall occur:

1. The school principal or designee shall notify in writing by first-class mail the parent or guardian of the student and the teacher(s) regarding the decision to retain the student.  The principal or designee may also attempt to contact the parent or guardian by telephone.

(i) The notice shall describe the option of the parent or guardian to appeal the decision to retain the student;

(ii) The notice shall describe the composition and functions of the placement committee; and

(iii) The notice shall include the requirement that the decision to promote the student must be the unanimous decision of the placement committee comprised of the parent or guardian, teacher(s), and principal or designee.

2. If the parent or guardian or teacher(s) appeals the decision to retain the student, then the school principal or designee shall establish a placement committee to consider the appeal.

(i) The placement committee shall be comprised of the principal or designee, the student’s parent or guardian, a certified teacher, and/or a teacher(s) of the subject(s) of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test or the alternative assessment instrument on which the student failed to perform at grade level. 

(ii) The principal or designee shall notify in writing by first-class mail the parent or guardian and teacher(s) of the time and place for convening the placement committee.  The principal or designee may also attempt to contact the parent or guardian by telephone.

(iii) The placement committee shall review the overall academic achievement of the student in light of the performance on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test or the alternative assessment instrument and promotion standards and criteria established by the local board of education for the school that the student attends, and make a determination to promote or retain.

(iv) The decision to promote must be the unanimous decision of the placement committee and must determine that if promoted and given accelerated, differentiated, or additional instruction during the next year, the student is likely to perform at grade level by the conclusion of the school year.

(v) The placement committee shall prescribe such additional assessments as may be appropriate in addition to assessments administered to other students at the grade level during the year.

(vi) The placement committee shall provide for a plan of continuous assessment during the subsequent school year in order to monitor the progress of the student.

3. A student who is absent or otherwise unable to take the Criterion-Referenced     Competency Test in reading and/or mathematics on the first administration or its designated make-up day(s) shall take the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test in reading and/or mathematics on the second administration day(s) or an alternative assessment instrument that is appropriate for the student’s grade level as provided for by the State Board of Education and the GCSS board of education. Placement or promotion of these students shall follow the same procedures as students who do not achieve grade level on the first administration of the assessment.

4. A student’s failure to take the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test in grade 8 reading and/or mathematics on any of the designated testing date(s) or an alternative assessment instrument that is appropriate for the student’s grade level as provided for by the State Board of Education shall result in the student being retained.

5. For students receiving special education or related services, the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Committee shall serve as the placement committee.

Promotion & Retention Guidelines for 6^th and 7^th grade student 

1. Students and parents/guardians will receive progress reports 9 weeks prior to the end of the school year.  Students that are failing two (2) or more subjects [when averaging yearly grades] will be identified and a committee will convene consisting of: parent(s)/guardian(s), the student’s teachers, a counselor, and the Academy principal.  Retention, placement, or promotion criteria will be discussed and an action plan may be developed for the student.

2. If the student does not meet the promotion and retention guidelines, the student should attend the GCSS summer school or comparable substitute.  Students may be retained if no remedial instruction (summer school) is attempted or completed.

3. Students that are retained may change their Program of Choice (POC) for the subsequent year(s).

The Transitional Academy 

The Transitional Academy exists for 8^th grade students that have been academically unsuccessful or have completed an alternative instructional plan (summer school), and have attempted the CRCT exam for a second time and have not mastered the reading or mathematics portion of the exam. Students must maintain an acceptable attendance level, earn passing grades in their appropriate coursework, and have an acceptable disciplinary history once enrolled in the Transition Academy.  If students are able to demonstrate acceptable achievement through a local alternative assessment, the student will be eligible for placement into the 9^th grade to begin the 2^nd semester of high school.

The Fast-Track Academy

The Fast-Track Academy exists only for 6^th and 7^th grade students that have been academically unsuccessful for two or more years.  If students achieve an acceptable level of academic progress, maintain a superior rate of school attendance, and have minimal disciplinary infractions, students are eligible to be placed within the next grade level for the 2^nd semester of the academic year.  The principal of the Academy or campus principal has the authority to administratively place a student in the next grade level if the above criterion has not been met. Factors that influence a placement decision may include but are not limited to:  a students age, attendance, past academic achievement/retention, ESOL status, or special education status (pursuant to a student’s Individualized Educational Plan-IEP)  **Applicable to Fast Track students only** 

Transfer Students

 Transfer students must meet the same requirements as students enrolled in the Gainesville City School System for promotion or retention.