student progression plan - st lucie public schools

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StudentProgressionPlanElementarySchool

2017‐2018BoardApprovedSeptember2017

www.stlucie.k12.fl.us

2017‐2018St.LuciePublicSchools

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E.WayneGentSuperintendent

BoardofEducationKathrynHensley

Chairman

TroyIngersollViceChairman

DebbieHawley

CarolHilson

DonnaMills


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LegalFoundationoftheStudentProgressionPlanSection1008.25,FloridaStatutes,StudentProgression

Currentlawrequiresthateachschoolboardestablishacomprehensiveprogramforstudentprogression,whichshallbebaseduponanevaluationofeachpupil’sperformance,includinghowwell thestudentmasters theperformancestandardsapprovedby thestateboard.Thedistrictprogramforstudentprogressionshallbebaseduponlocalgoalsandobjectives,whicharecompatiblewiththestate’splanforeducation. 1. It is the intent of the Legislature that each student’s progression from one grade toanother be determined, in part, upon proficiency in reading, writing, science, andmathematics; that district school board policies facilitate such proficiency; and that eachstudentandhisorherparentbeinformedofthatstudent’sacademicprogress. 2. Each district school board shall establish a comprehensive program for studentprogressionwhichmustinclude:

a. Standards forevaluatingeachstudent’sperformance, includinghowwellheorshemasterstheperformancestandardsapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducation.

b. Specificlevelsofperformanceinreading,writing,science,andmathematicsforeachgradelevel,includingthelevelsofperformanceonstatewideassessmentsasdefinedbythecommissioner,belowwhichastudentmustreceiveremediation,orberetainedwithinanintensiveprogramthatisdifferentfromthepreviousyear’sprogramandthattakesintoaccountthestudent’slearningstyle.

c. Appropriate alternativeplacement for a studentwhohasbeen retained2ormoreyears.

TheSt.LuciePublicSchoolDistrictStudentProgressionPlangivesconsiderationtothebestinterestofindividualstudentsandcomplieswithstatestatutesandStateBoardofEducationdirectives.Itisintendedthattheplanprovidetoschoolpersonnel,parents,studentsandinterestedcitizenswritteninformationwithregardtostudentadvancementthroughthedistrictschoolsystem. Aswithallpolicyhandbooks,periodic reviewandrevision isundertaken inorder toretainguidelinesthatareconsistentwiththeintentoftheBoardandlegislativeactions.


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STUDENTPROGRESSIONPLANTableofContents

I.ADMISSION,PLACEMENT,TRANSFERSANDATTENDANCE A.AgeRequirements…………………………………………………………………………………….6 B.DocumentationforAdmission………………………………………………………………….7 C.PlacementofStudents………………………………………………………………………………7 InterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildren EducationalRecordsandEnrollment AssistancetoTransitioningStudentsfromMilitaryFamilies

D.Attendance…………………………………………………………………………………………..10CompulsorySchoolAttendance&DeclarationofIntenttoTerminateSchoolEnrollmentOfficialAttendanceEnforcementofAttendanceParent/GuardianResponsibilityProjectRockAttendanceCodes,Excused,UnexcusedAbsencesReportingAttendanceCasestoPSTCommitteeTruancyPetitionHabitualTruantsHomebound/HospitalizedPhysicianAuthorizationRequirementNon‐EnrollmentTardyEarlyPick‐upStudentswithDocumentedChronic/SeriousMedicalConditionsStudentsCoveredUndertheRilyaWilsonActStudentWithdrawalPriortotheEndoftheYearCompulsoryAttendanceandHomeEducationProgramsPerfect/CommendableAttendanceRecognitionWithdrawalofStudentsforNon‐Attendance

II. SPECIALPROGRAMSA. Homebound/Hospitalized………………………………………………..……..………19

ProceduresforStudentEvaluationDismissalfromHomebound/HospitalizedProgramGeneralResponsibilities

B. DigitalLearning/VirtualEducation………………………………………………..………21

Part‐timeVirtualInstructionFull‐timeVirtualInstruction


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StudentEligibilityforK–12VirtualInstruction III. CURRICULUMANDINSTRUCTION…………………………………………………………….………23

GeneralProgramRequirementsDisabilityHistoryandAwarenessWeekPledgeofAllegianceHomework

IV. GRADINGANDREPORTINGPROCEDURES…………………………………………………..……25

GradingandReportCardsUniformGradingSystemGradingESOLStudentsMake‐upWork

V. PROMOTION,ACCELERATIONANDRETENTION……………………………………………..27

GeneralRequirementsPromotionRequirementsGradesK–8PromotionRequirementsGradesK–5PhysicalEducationGradeK–3READInitiativeGoodCauseExemptionsSuccessfulProgressionofRetainedThirdGradersTransitionalInstructionalSettingforRetainedThirdGradersMid‐YearPromotionforStudentsinaTransitionalInstructionalSettingPerformanceIndicatorsDocumentationofEvidenceDeficiencyReportingtoParents/GuardiansorAdultStudentsRetentionParentNotificationAlternativestoRetentionRetentionandPromotionofESOLStudentsAcceleration/ACCELEligibilityCriteriaforACCELOptions

VI. ProvisionsforExceptionalEducationStudents………………………………….….34PromotionRetentionProgressMonitoringAssessmentsExtendedSchoolYearDeterminationofESYServicesIEPAnnualGoalProgressReportsforStudentsinESEProgramsPlacementofTransferESEStudents


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ELEMENTARYSCHOOLSTUDENTPROGRESSION(GRADESK‐5) I. ADMISSION,PLACEMENT,TRANSFERSANDATTENDANCEA. AgeRequirementsFloridalawrequiresthatallchildrenwhohaveattainedtheageofsix(6)yearsorwillhaveattainedtheageofsix(6)yearsbyFebruary1ofanyschoolyearorwhoareolderthan6yearsofage,butwhohavenotyetattainedtheageofsixteen(16)yearsarerequiredtoattendschoolregularlyduringtheentireschoolterm.(F.S.1003.21)

Regularattendanceasrequiredbystatutemaybefulfilledby:

• attendanceinapublicschoolsupportedbypublicfunds;• aparochial,religious,ordenominationalschool;• aprivateschoolsupportedinwholeorinpartbytuitioncharges,endowments,orgifts;

or• ahomeeducationprogramthatmeetstherequirementsofstatestatute.(F.S.1003.01)

Childrenwhohaveattainedtheageoffive(5)yearsonorbeforeSeptember1oftheschool year shall be eligible for admission to public kindergarten under the rulesprescribedherein.Childrenwhohaveattainedtheageoffour(4)yearsonorbeforeSeptember 1 of a school year are eligible for admission to prekindergarten earlyinterventionprogramsduringthatschoolyearsubject toavailabilityandtherulesprescribedbytheSt.LucieCountySchoolBoard.

Childrenwithdisabilitieswhohaveattainedtheageofthree(3)yearsshallbeeligibleforadmissiontopublicspecialeducationprogramsandforrelatedservicesunderrulesadoptedbytheSchoolBoard.(F.S.1003.21)

An eligible exceptional student may be enrolled in one (1) or more of the followingprograms:

DeaforHard‐of‐Hearing SpeechImpairment VisualImpairment LanguageImpairment DevelopmentalDelay PhysicallyImpairedwithOrthopedicImpairment PhysicallyImpairedwithOtherHealthImpairment PhysicallyImpairedwithTraumaticBrainInjury AutismSpectrumDisorder SpecificLearningDisability Dual‐SensoryImpairment HomeboundorHospitalized IntellectualDisabilities Emotional/BehavioralDisabilities


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B. DocumentationforAdmissionThe parents of students seeking admission to St. Lucie Public Schoolsmust provide thefollowingdocumentation:

Evidenceofbirthdate;oneofthefollowing:• birthcertificate• baptismalcertificateshowingthedateofbirth• aninsurancepolicyonthechild'slife,whichhasbeeninforcefortwoormoreyears• abonafidecontemporaryBiblerecordofthechild'sbirthaccompaniedbyanaffidavit

sworntobytheparent• apassportorcertificateofarrivalintheUnitedStatesshowingtheageofthechild• atranscriptofrecordofageshowninthechild'sschoolrecordofatleastfour(4)years

priortoapplicationstatingdateofbirth• orfailinganyoftheabove,anaffidavitofagesworntobytheparentaccompaniedbya

certificateofagesignedbyapublichealthofficerorotherdesignatedlicensedpracticingphysicianthatstatesthatthechildhasbeenexaminedbythesameandthisindividualbelievesthattheageasstatedintheaffidavitissubstantiallycorrect.(F.S.1003.21)

Evidenceofarecentphysicalexamination,withinoneyearofenrollmentinschool:Certification of required immunization for poliomyelitis, diphtheria, rubella rubeola,pertussis,mumps,tetanus,andothercommunicablediseases,asdeterminedbyrulesoftheDepartmentofHealthandRehabilitativeServices.(F.S.1003.22)

CertificateofImmunizationasdescribedin(F.S.1003.22)andSchoolBoardPolicy5.04. Evidence of recent physical examination as described in (F.S.1003.22) and SchoolBoardPolicy5.04.

(F.S.232).Statesthatstudentmustreporttothedistrictatthetimeofinitialregistrationanypreviousexpulsions,arrest resulting inachargeorany juvenile justiceaction takenagainstthestudent.

C. PlacementofStudents

Achildwhohasattainedtheageofsix(6)yearsonorbeforeSeptember1oftheschoolyearshallbeadmittedtothefirstgradeuponsatisfactorycompletionofakindergartenprograminapublicornon‐publicschool.Nochildshallbeadmittedorpromotedtofirstgradeuntilsuchchildhassatisfactorilycompletedkindergartenorotherwisesatisfiesthecriteriaforadmission.

StudentsenteringSt.LuciePublicSchoolsfromschoolsinotherFloridadistrictsorfromout‐of‐stateschoolsshallbeadmittedtothegradeleveldesignatedbytheeducationalinstitutionfromwhichthestudentistransferringinaccordancewithareciprocalagreement.Ifofficialrecordsarenotimmediatelyavailable,theprincipalofthereceivingschoolshalltemporarilyplacethestudentaccordingtotheinformationavailable.


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InterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildren‐S.1000.36,F.S.ThepurposeoftheInterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildrenistoremove barriers to educational success imposed on children ofmilitary families because offrequentmovesanddeploymentoftheirparents. ExceptasotherwiseprovidedinSectionC,thiscompactappliestothechildrenof:

• Active‐dutymembers of the uniformed services, includingmembers of the NationalGuardandReserveonactive‐dutyorderspursuantto10U.S.C.ss.1209and1211;

• Membersorveteransoftheuniformedserviceswhoareseverelyinjuredandmedicallydischargedorretiredforaperiodof1yearaftermedicaldischargeorretirement;and

• Membersof theuniformed serviceswhodieonactivedutyor asa result of injuriessustainedonactivedutyforaperiodof1yearafterdeath.� Specifythatthisinterstatecompactappliestolocaleducationagencies.

Thiscompactdoesnotapplytothechildrenof:

• InactivemembersoftheNationalGuardandmilitaryreserves;• Membersoftheuniformedservicesnowretired,exceptasprovidedinSectionA;• Veteransoftheuniformedservices,exceptasprovidedinSectionA;and• OtherUnitedStatesDepartmentofDefensepersonnelandotherfederalagencycivilian

andcontractemployeesnotdefinedasactive‐dutymembersoftheuniformedservices.ClassroomTeacherTransferRequestProcess:AparentrequestingthathisorherchildbetransferredtoanotherclassroomteachermustputtherequestinwritingtothePrincipal.Therequestshouldincludethereasonforthetransfer.Thispolicydoesnotgiveaparenttherighttochooseaspecificclassroomteacher.Suchrequestswillbeconsideredandtheparentwillreceivenotificationofapprovalordenialwithin2weeksofreceivingthewrittenrequest.Iftherequestfortransferisdenied,theparentwillbenotifiedofthereasonforthedenial.Teacherteachingout‐of‐fieldStudentTransferRequestProcess:Aparentwhose child is assignedanout‐of‐field teachermay request thathisorher childbetransferredtoan in‐fieldclassroomteacherwithintheschoolandgrade inwhich thechild iscurrently enrolled. The school must approve or deny the parent’s request and transfer thestudent to a different classroom teacherwithin a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 2weeks, if an in‐field teacher for that courseorgrade level is employedby the school and thetransferdoesnotviolatemaximumclasssizepursuanttos.1003.03ands.1,Art.IXoftheStateConstitution.Iftherequestfortransferisdenied,theschoolwillnotifytheparentandspecifythereasonsforthedenial.Thisprovisiondoesnotprovidetheparenttherighttochooseaspecificteacher. EducationalRecordsandEnrollmentAchild’sofficialeducationrecordscannotbereleasedtotheparentsforthepurposeoftransfer,thecustodianoftherecordsinthesendingstateshallprepareandfurnishtotheparentacompletesetofunofficialrecordscontaininguniforminformationasdeterminedbytheInterstateCommission.Uponreceiptoftheunofficialeducationrecordsbyaschoolinthe


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receivingstate,thatschoolshallenrollandappropriatelyplacethestudentbasedontheinformationprovidedintheunofficialrecordspendingverificationbytheofficialrecords,asquicklyaspossible. When thestudentenrolls, the receivingschool shall request thestudent’sofficialeducationrecord from the school in the sending state. Upon receipt of the request, the school in thesending state shall process and furnish theofficial educational records to the school in thereceivingstatewithin10daysorwithinsuchtimeasisreasonablydeterminedundertherulesadoptedbytheInterstateCommission. WhentransferringfromothercountieswithinFloridatheparentwillberequestedtosigna30‐dayexemptionformattheschoolsiteinorderforthestudenttobeadmittedtoclassuntiltheCertificateofImmunizationissenttotheschoolfromthepreviousschooldistrictorpresentedtotheschoolbytheparent.Studentswhoareexperiencinghomelessnessandstudentswhoareknowntothedepartment,asdefinedins.39.0016,shallalsobegivenatemporaryexemptionfor30daysschooldays.MandatoryexclusionfromschoolisrequiredbyFloridalawaftertheexpirationofthe30‐dayexemptionand/ortheimmunizationrecordisreceivedandthestudentisnotincompliancewiththeFloridastaterequiredgrade/ageappropriateimmunizations.A30dayimmunizationexemptionforimmunizationscannotbegiventostudentsiftheyare: 1)enrollinginschoolforthefirsttime(initialenterer). 2)transferringinfromanotherstate. 3)transferringinfromanothercountry.ThesestudentsmustprovidetheschoolwithanupdatedImmunizationRecord(DH680form)certifyingcompliancewiththeFloridaCompulsorySchoolImmunizationLawinordertobeadmittedorallowedtoattendschool.StudentsshallbeexemptfromtheimmunizationrequirementiftheypresenttotheschoolavalidDHForm681forreligiousexemptionfromimmunizations.Studentswillbeallowedtocontinuetheirenrollmentatgradelevelinthereceivingstatecommensuratewiththeirgradelevel,includingkindergarten,fromalocaleducationagencyinthesendingstateatthetimeoftransition,regardlessofage.Astudentwhohassatisfactorilycompletedtheprerequisitegradelevelinthelocaleducationagencyinthesendingstateiseligibleforenrollmentinthenexthighestgradelevelinthereceivingstate,regardlessofage.Astudenttransferringafterthestartoftheschoolyearinthereceivingstateshallentertheschoolinthereceivingstateontheirvalidatedlevelfromanaccreditedschoolinthesendingstate. AssistancetoTransitioningStudentsfromMilitaryFamilies‐1003.05,F.S.Dependentchildrenofactivedutymilitarypersonnelwhootherwisemeettheeligibilitycriteriaforspecialacademicprogramsofferedthroughpublicschoolsshallbegivenfirstpreferenceforadmissiontosuchprogramseveniftheprogramisbeingofferedthroughapublicschoolotherthantheschooltowhichthestudentwouldgenerallybeassigned.Ifsuchaprogramisoffered


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throughapublicschoolotherthantheschooltowhichthestudentwouldgenerallybeassigned,theparentorguardianofthestudentmustassumeresponsibilityfortransportingthestudentto that school. For purposes of this subsection, special academic programs includemagnetschools,advancedstudiesprograms,AdvancedPlacement,dualenrollment,AdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducation,andInternationalBaccalaureate. D. Attendance

CompulsorySchoolAttendance&DeclarationofIntenttoTerminateSchoolEnrollment(F.S.1003.21)PursuanttoSection(F.S.1003.21),allchildrenwhoareeithersixyearsofageorwhowillbesixyearsoldbyFebruary1,orwhoareolderthansixyearsofagebutwhohavenotattainedtheageof18years,mustattendschoolregularlyduringtheentireschoolterm.Astudentwhoattainstheageof16yearsduringtheschoolyearisnotsubjecttocompulsoryschoolattendancebeyondthedateuponwhichheorsheattainsthatageifthestudentfilesaformaldeclarationofintenttoterminateschoolenrollmentwiththedistrictschoolboard.Publicschoolstudentswhohaveattainedtheageof16yearsandwhohavenotgraduatedaresubjecttocompulsoryschoolattendanceuntiltheformaldeclarationofintentisfiledwiththedistrictschoolboard.Thedeclarationmustacknowledgethatterminatingschoolenrollmentislikelytoreducethestudent’searningpotentialandmustbesignedbythestudentandthestudent’sparent.Theschooldistrictmustnotifythestudent’sparentofreceiptofthestudent’sdeclarationofintenttoterminateschoolenrollment.Thestudent’sguidancecounselororotherschoolpersonnelmustconductanexitinterviewwiththestudenttodeterminethereasonsforthestudent’sdecisiontoterminateschoolenrollmentandactionsthatcouldbetakentokeepthestudentinschool.Thestudentmustbeinformedofopportunitiestocontinuehisorhereducationinadifferentenvironment,including,butnotlimitedto,adulteducationandGEDtestpreparation.Additionally,thestudentmustcompleteasurveyinaformatprescribedbytheDepartmentofEducationtoprovidedataonstudentreasonsforterminatingenrollmentandactionstakenbyschoolstokeepstudentsenrolled.

OfficialAttendanceWhenDailyAttendanceproceduresarebeingused,attendancewillbetakenatthebeginningoftheschoolday.EnforcementofAttendance(F.S.1003.26)ParentisrequiredtobeContacted

• Aftereachunexcusedabsenceorabsenceforwhichthereasonisunknown. MeansofParentContact

• Contactcanbebyphone,autocallsystem,mail,in‐personbyschoolrepresentative. RequiredDocumentation

• Phone log noting date and time of call, official making call, family membercontacted,andoutcomeofconversation.


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• Mail–copyofdatednoticeorpostalservicereturn‐receipt.� PersonalContact–parent’ssignatureonform(s)/letter.

ReferralstoStudentServices

• Referpriortooruponthe10thunexcusedabsenceinany90‐dayperiodandafterschool efforts to resolve have not been successful. Schoolswill provide StudentServiceswithdocumentationofeffortstoresolvethetruancy.

Parent/GuardianResponsibilityEachparentandguardianofachildwithincompulsoryattendanceageisresponsibleforthechild‘sattendanceasrequiredbylaw(F.S.1003.24).Theonlyconditionsunderwhichtheparentorguardianisnotresponsibleare:

• Thestudentmissedschoolwiththepermissionoftheprincipal.• Thestudentcannotattenddue tothe financial inabilityof theparent toprovide

necessary clothes for the child and this inability is reported in writing to theDepartment of Student Services or as soon as the inability is determined. NotreportingthefinancialinabilitytotheDepartmentofStudentServicesdoesenabletheschooldistricttopursueallinterventions,includingfilingatruancypetitioninthe Circuit Court. The inability to provide clothesmust be substantiated by theDepartmentofStudentServices.

• The student does not attend due to sickness, injury, or other insurmountablecondition,whichmakesattendanceinadvisable,andthestudentisnoteligibleforHomebound/Hospitalizedservices.

ProjectROCKStudentssuspendedout‐of‐schoolwhoattendProjectROCKcanbecodedasR(ProjectROCK)forthedatesthattheschoolconfirmsthatthestudentattendedtheprogram.AdayofattendanceatProjectRockwillnotcountasout‐of‐schoolsuspension.

AttendanceCodes,ExcusedAbsences,UnexcusedAbsences(F.S.1003.26)AttendanceCodesC–ClinicE–ExcusedG–GuidanceO–OutofSchoolSuspensionR–ProjectROCK(notanabsence)StudentssuspendedoutofschoolwhoattendProjectROCKcanbecodedasRforthedatestheprogramverifies.S‐SchoolActivity/FieldTrip(notanabsence)Incaseswherethereisaquestionaboutthevalidityoftheactivity,theZoneAssistantSuperintendentshallmakethedetermination.T–ExcusedTardyU‐UnexcusedTardy1 –UnexcusedTardy2 –Absenceduetoexcessivetardies(K‐5only)


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ExcusedAbsences‐Absencesareexcusedwhenanappropriateexplanationisprovidedbytheparentwithin3‐daysofthestudent‘sreturnorbytheparent‘sphysician,whenthephysicianauthorizationthresholdhasbeenreached.Thewrittenexplanationmustincludethedatesoftheabsenceswhicharesoughttobeexcusedandthereasonfortheabsence.(F.S.1003.26)

• Illnessofthestudent• Majorillnessinthestudent‘simmediatefamily• Medicalappointmentofthestudent• Deathoffamilymemberorfriend• RequiredCourtAppearance• Religiousholidayofthestudentorstudent‘sfamily‘sfaith• Subpoenaorforcedabsencebyanylawenforcementagencytofulfillcivicduties;acopy

ofthesubpoenaorcourtsummonsisrequired• Majordisasterthatjustifiestheabsencethathasbeenapprovedbytheprincipal• Headlice:maximumof2daysperincidentandamaximumof2incidentspersemester• Missingtheschoolbusifthebusismorethan5minutesearlyormorethan15minutes

lateorisnotabletomaketheroute• Otherplannedabsencesapprovedinadvancebytheprincipal• Vacationtravelorfamilyouting/activitywherethestudenthasaccumulatedfewerthan

10 excused or 5 unexcused absences. The principal can excuse vacation travel thatexceeds the threshold after considering the student‘s attendance history, academicperformance,mastery of the curriculum, and reason for the travel. Absences for thisreasoncannotexceed5‐daysannually.Schoolshavetheauthoritytowithdrawstudentswhose absences for this reason exceed this provision using withdrawal for non‐attendanceproceduresdescribedherein.

• PhysicianReferralforHospital/HomeboundServicesabsencesshouldbeexcusedfromthedatethephysician‘sreferralforHospital/Homeboundisreceived.Shouldthestudentnot be found eligible forHospital/Homebound services, absences occurring after thedeterminationwillbeexcusedorunexcusedbasedontheabovepolicies.

• AstudentofanactivedutymilitarymembermaybeexcusedfromabsencesrelatedtodeploymentactivitiesasapprovedbythePrincipal.

UnexcusedAbsences–Unexcusedabsencesareallfailurestoattendschoolotherthanthosespecificallyexcusedbytheprincipalordesignees.(F.S.1003.26)

• Truancy• Vacationtravelwherethestudenthasaccumulatedmorethan10excusedor5unexcused

absenceswithin a semester and the travel has not been approved in advance by theprincipal.Absencesforthisreasoncannotexceed5‐daysannuallyandcannotbeexcusedwithout advance written approval of the principal. Schools have the authority towithdraw students whose absences for this reason exceed this provision usingwithdrawalfornon‐attendanceproceduresdescribedherein.

• TakeYourSonorDaughtertoWorkDay• Failuretoprovideanexplanation• of the absence to the schoolwithin 3 days of the student‘s return to school. Student

Servicesstaffcan,afterinvestigationadvisetheschooltoexcuseabsencedocumentation


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receivedaftertheexpirationofthe3‐dayperiod.Physicianexplanationsreceivedafterthe3‐dayperiodwillalsoauthorizetheschooltoexcusetheabsence(s).

• FailuretoprovideaPhysician‘sAuthorizationwhenrequiredmissingtheschoolbusifthebusislessthan5minutesearlyorlessthan15minuteslate

• Immunizationnon‐compliance• Non‐Attendanceduetoheadlicethatexceedstwodaysperincidentand/orexceeds2‐

dayspersemester;studentswhoreturntoschoolwithliceornitsandwhoaresenthomethesamedayorwhoremainintheoffice/clinicwillnotbecountedasin‐attendanceandwillhavetheabsenceunexcused.

• Outofschoolsuspensions. ReportingAttendanceCasestoProblemSolvingTeam(PST)/AttendanceCommittee(F.S.1003.26)When:Studenthasaccumulatedatleast5unexcusedabsences,orabsencesforwhichthereasonsareunknown,withinacalendarmonthor10unexcusedabsencesorabsencesforwhichthereasonsareunknown,within90calendardays

ByWhom:Teacheroranyschoolstaffwithknowledgeofthestudent’sattendanceRequiredParticipants:SchoolSocialWorkerorcontractedcaseworker;`schoolattendanceofficer;parentshallbeinvitedandencouragedtoattend PurposeofMeeting:Todetermineifapatternofnon‐attendanceisdevelopingorexistsandtodevelopinterventionsthatshallbeimplemented

Interventions:Interventionsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

• frequentcommunicationbetweenschoolandfamily• mentoring• counseling• evaluationforalternativeeducationprogram• attendancecontracts• agencyreferral(s)• other interventions, including but not limited to a Truancy Petition pursuant to (F.S.

984.151) TruancyPetitionTheSuperintendentmayfileatruancypetitionpursuanttoproceduresinF.S.984.151when:

• Astudenthas5unexcusedabsencesinacalendarmonthor10unexcusedabsencesina90calendar‐day‐period

• ThePST/SSThasmetandeffortstocorrecttheattendancehasbeenunsuccessful• Theparenthasbeennotifiedastotheunexcusedabsencesorabsencesforwhichreasons

areunknownandthataTruancyPetitionisbeingfiled.

School’sResponsibility:• PartnerwithStudentServicestopreparethePetition


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• ProvideStudentServiceswillallverificationsofnotificationtoandconferenceswiththeparenttoinformanddiscussattendance

• Copiesofallparentandphysicianexcusesandphonelogs• VerificationthattherecordedattendanceistrueandcorrectaccordingtoSchoolBoard

policy FilingofTruancyPetitions:

• FiledinCircuitCourtinthe19thJudicialCircuit• AllsupportivedocumentationbecomespartoftheCourtfile

Parent(s)namedinthePetitionwillreceiveacopyofthePetitionwhenthePetitionisserved

HabitualTruants(F.S.1003.27)Eachpublicschoolprincipalortheprincipal’sdesigneeshallnotifythedistrictschoolboardofeachminorstudentunderitsjurisdictionwhoaccumulates15unexcusedabsencesinaperiodof90calendardays.Eachdesigneeofthegoverningbodyofeachprivateschool,andeachparentwhosechildisenrolledinahomeeducationprogram,mayprovidetheDepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotorVehicleswiththelegalname,sex,dateofbirth,andsocialsecuritynumberofeachminorstudentunderhisorherjurisdictionwhofailstosatisfyrelevantattendancerequirementsandwhofailstootherwisesatisfytherequirementsofs.322.091.ThedistrictschoolsuperintendentmustprovidetheDepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotorVehiclesthelegalname,sex,dateofbirth,andsocialsecuritynumberofeachminorstudentwhohasbeenreportedunderthisparagraphandwhofailstootherwisesatisfytherequirementsofs.322.091.TheDepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotorVehiclesmaynotissueadriver’slicenseorlearner’sdriver’slicenseto,andshallsuspendanypreviouslyissueddriver’slicenseorlearner’sdriver’slicenseof,anysuchminorstudent,pursuanttotheprovisionsofs.322.091.

Homebound/HospitalizedStudentsintheHomebound/HospitalizedProgramarerequiredtofollowthesameattendancepoliciescontainedherein:

• Parents of students who are confined to the home will provide the homeboundteacherwithawrittenexplanationofthereasonforabsencewithinthree(3)daysoftheabsence.

• TheteacherwillforwardthewrittenexplanationtotheESEDistrictOffice• Parentsofstudents,whoarereceivingservicesinthe

Homebound/HospitalizedProgramduetoanintermittentillness,willprovidewrittenexplanationofthereasonforabsencedirectlytotheschoolofenrollment.

PhysicianAuthorizationRequirement(F.S.1003.24)SICKNESS,INJURY,OROTHERINSURMOUNTABLECONDITION.Attendancewasimpracticableorinadvisableonaccountofsicknessorinjury,attestedtobyawrittenstatementofalicensedpracticingphysician,orwasimpracticablebecauseofsome


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otherstatedinsurmountableconditionasdefinedbyrulesoftheStateBoardofEducation.Ifastudentiscontinuallysickandrepeatedlyabsentfromschool,heorshemustbeunderthesupervisionofaphysicianinordertoreceiveanexcusefromattendance.Suchexcuseprovidesthatastudent’sconditionjustifiesabsenceformorethanthenumberofdayspermittedbythedistrictschoolboard. Eachdistrictschoolboardshallestablishanattendancepolicythatincludes,butisnotlimitedto,therequirednumberofdayseachschoolyearthatastudentmustbeinattendanceandthenumberofabsencesandtardinessesafterwhichastatementexplainingsuchabsencesandtardinessesmustbeonfileattheschool.Eachschoolinthedistrictmustdetermineifanabsenceortardinessisexcusedorunexcusedaccordingtocriteriaestablishedbythedistrictschoolboard. WhenRequiredStudenthasaccumulatedatotalof10excusedor5unexcusedabsenceswithinasemester,subsequentabsencesof3ormoreconsecutivedaysmaynotbeexcusedunlessdocumentationis received demonstrating that attendancewas impracticable or inadvisable on account ofsicknessorinjury,attestedtobyawrittenstatementofaphysician Studenthasaccumulatedatotalof15excusedabsencesor8unexcusedabsenceswithintheschoolyear,subsequentabsencesof2ormoreconsecutivedayswillnotbeexcusedunless:(a)theparenthasonfilewiththeschoolastatementfromalicensedphysiciandocumentingthestudent‘schronicmedicalconditionandavalidreleaseallowingtheschooltocommunicatewiththephysician,and/or(b)documentationisreceiveddemonstratingthatattendancewasimpracticableorinadvisableonaccountofsicknessorinjury,attestedtobyawrittenstatementofaphysician. MustContain

• Datesoftheabsencesforwhichexcuseissought• Reasonfortheabsence

ExceptionsStudentswithcertaincommunicableillnessesandchronicmedicalconditionsthatdonotrequirephysiciantreatmentsuchaschickenpoxandinfluenza,inwhichthestudentisstillcontagiousandcannotreturntoschool.Considerationwillalsobegivenforinsurmountablecircumstancesthatdirectlyinvolvethestudent‘sprimaryfamily,suchasafamilydeaththatrequiresthemstudenttoaccompanytheparentorguardianoutoftownforabriefperiodoftime. Physician(Defined)ApersonpracticingasaphysicianlicensedunderChapter458(medicalpractice),459(osteopathicmedicine),Chapter460(chiropracticmedicine),orChapter461(podiatricmedicine,FloridaStatutes.


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Non‐enrollmentForstudentswhoareexpectedtoenrollatthebeginningoftheyearbutdonotreturntobegintheyear,thedistrictshouldcarrythestudentontheclassrosterfor10schooldays.Ifthestudenthasnotenrolledandhasmadenocontactwiththeschooltoexplainwhythestudentdidorwillnotenter,thedistrictmustremovethestudentfromtherollasofthefirstdayofschoolbyenteringthewithdrawalcodeDNE(didnotenter),recordingthewithdrawaldateasofthefirstdayofschoolandbydeletinganyattendancerecordsassociatedwiththestudent.Ifaparentcontactstheschooltostatethatthestudentwillnotenter,theschoolistoobtain the reason fromtheparent, log thecall, andenter thecorrectwithdrawal codeinsteadoftheDNEcode.Incaseswheretherewasnocontactfromtheparent(s),theschoolistodothefollowing:

• Contact theparentorpersons listedas contacts forall studentswithaDNEandobtainthereasonforthestudentnotentering.ThesecallsaretobeloggedandtheDNEcodeupdatedtothepropercode.

• ProvidealistofstudentswiththeircumulativerecordtotheDepartmentofStudentServicesnolaterthanthethirdworkingdayafterthe10thday.Thelistshallcontainthestudent‘sfullname,nameoftheparentorguardian,andanaccountofeffortstocontacttheparent,includingphonenumberscalled.

• TheDepartmentofStudentServiceswillattempttocontacttheparentorguardianandwillprovidetheschoolwiththeupdatedwithdrawalcode.

• Theschoolmustupdatethewithdrawalcodeatanytimeduringtheschoolyearthatnewinformationisobtainedastothereasonthestudentdidnotenter.

TardyAstudentisconsideredtardyiftheyareabsentatthetimeattendanceistakenprovidedthestudentisinattendancebeforethecloseoftheday.Tardieswilleitherbeexcusedorunexcused.AcceptabledocumentationtoexcuseatardyisthesameasthoseundertheEarlyPick‐UpPolicy(seebelow)andforexcusedabsences.Schoolshavetheauthoritytodevelopaschool‐specifictardyresponsesystem,asapprovedbyanadministrativebodycomprisedofrepresentativesfromvaryingdistrictdepartments. Every5thunexcusedtardyforstudentsingradesK‐5willconverttoanunexcusedabsenceandcanbeusedtomeetthecriteriatofileatruancypetitionincircuitcourt.

EarlyPick‐UpStudentsingradesK–5whoarepickedupfromschoolpriortotheendofthedaywillbemarkedastardyfortheday.Thetardywilleitherbeexcusedorunexcused.Thetardywillbeexcusediftheparentprovideswrittendocumentationthattheneedtoleaveschoolearlywasforthesamereasonsthatanabsencefromschoolwouldbeexcused.Theparent‘snotationintheschool‘searlypick‐uplogmaysufficeasmeetingtherequirementtoprovidewrittendocumentationifthenotationissufficient.Every5thunexcusedtardyforstudentsingradesK‐5willconverttoanunexcusedabsenceandcanbeusedtomeetthecriteriatofileatruancypetitionincircuitcourt. ForallstudentsingradesK‐12,oncethestudenthasaccumulated3excusedtardiesorabsencesduetoleavingschoolearlyformedical/dentalreasonswithinasemester,the


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parentmustprovidedocumentationfromaphysicianthatthestudenthadamedical/dentalappointmentforsubsequentclassabsencesortardiestobeexcused. Theschoolprincipalordesigneecanapproveanearlypick‐uporreleasebeyondtheselimitsaftertakingintoconsiderationthereasonaswellasthestudent‘sattendancehistory,bothdailyandbyperiod,andthenumberofearlyreleases. StudentswithDocumentedChronic/SeriousMedicalConditionsStudentswhohavedocumentedchronic/seriousmedicalconditionscanbeexpectedtohavemultipleabsencesduringtheschoolyear.Theseabsences,whenrelatedtotheircondition,maybeconsideredexcuseduponverbalcontactwiththeparentforverificationofreasonfortheabsence.Tobeeligible for thewrittendocumentationwaiver, theschoolmusthaveavalidreleasetocommunicatewithalltreatingphysiciansothatthestudent‘shealthandreasonfortheabsencecanbeverified.Studentswithdocumentedchronic/seriousmedicalconditionsmustfollowthePhysicianAuthorizationRequirementcontainedhereininorderforabsencesformedical reasonsof three consecutivedaysormore tobeexcusedonce the studenthasaccumulated10excusedor5unexcusedabsencesorisundercourtjurisdictionfortruancy.Examplesofsuchconditionsinclude:

• cerebralpalsy• cancer• conditionsthatrequiresuctioning• conditionsthatrequireoxygen• conditionsthatrequiregastrictubes• conditionsthatrequireshunts• insulindependentdiabetes• seizuredisorderswithrecentseizureactivity• severeasthmawithrecentasthmaticepisodes• sicklecelldisease• chronicconditionsthatcauseseverepain• juvenilerheumatoidarthritiswithlimitedmobility• studentsdeemedmedicallyfragileormedicallycomplex

StudentsCoveredUndertheRilyaWilsonActStudentscoveredundertheRilyaWilsonAct,afternotificationofsuchcoveragebyUnitedforFamilies(UFF)atthetimeofenrollment,willbereportedtoUFFattheendofthebusinessdayondates of school absences and/orupon the seventh (7th) excused absence from school. Inaddition,studentscoveredundertheRilyaWilsonActwillnotbewithdrawnfromschoolwithoutthewrittenpermissionofUFF.StudentWithdrawalsPriortotheEndoftheYearStudentswholeaveschoolpriortothelasttwoweeksofschoolmustenrollinanotherschoolandcompletethecourserequirements,includingexaminationsifappropriate.


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Studentswhoarerequiredtoleaveschoolduringthelasttwoweeksoftheyearmustshowevidence that the withdrawal is mandatory and must complete final examinations, ifappropriate, inordertocompletetheyear,havefinalgrades,andforadeterminationofpromotion. If examinations are given, principals are authorized to make appropriatearrangementsfortheadministrationoftheexaminations. Principalsmaywaivetherequirementsforearlywithdrawalwhenunusual/extenuatingcircumstancesprecludefullcompliancebythestudents.Approvalpriortothestudent'sleavingismandatory. CompulsoryAttendanceandHomeEducationProgramsPursuantto(F.S.1002.41)and(F.S.1003.26),studentswhoenterahomeeducationprogramandhaveexhibitedapatternofnonattendancewillbesubject toaportfolioreviewby thehomeeducationreviewcommittee.Thecommitteewillverifyifthehomeeducationprogramisincompliancewith(F.S.1002.41.)

Oncethecommitteedeterminesthatthehomeeducationprogramisincompliance,theparentwillnolongerberequiredtosubmitaportfoliotothehomeeducationreviewcommittee.Theparentwillberequiredtocomplywiththerequirementsofahomeeducationprogrampursuantto(F.S.1002.41),asisanyparentinvolvedinahomeeducationprogram.Iftheparentofachildwhohasbeenfoundtohaveexhibitedapatternofnon‐attendanceandwho has been enrolled in home education fails to provide a portfolio for review by thecommittee,thecommitteeshallnotifythesuperintendentofschoolsandStudentAssignment.Thesuperintendentshallterminatethehomeeducationprogramandrequiretheparenttoenrollthechildinanattendanceoptionprovidedunder(F.S.1003.01),within3days.Failureofaparentorguardiantoenrollachildinanattendanceoptionafterterminationofahomeeducationprogramshallconstitutenon‐compliancewiththecompulsoryattendancerequirementandmayresultincriminalprosecutionoftheparentunder(F.S.1003.27).StudentAssignmentwillcoordinatetheprogrammaticelementsofthispolicy.Whenthesuperintendenthasterminatedhomeeducation,theparentorguardianshallnotbeeligibletore‐enrollthechildinthehomeeducationprogramfor180calendardays. Perfect/CommendableAttendanceRecognitionSchoolsareauthorizedtodevelopperfect/commendableattendancepolicies.

WithdrawalofStudentsforNon‐AttendancePursuanttoF.S.1003.26andF.S.1003.27,aschoolisnotauthorizedtowithdrawastudent,ages6‐18,fornon‐attendanceunlessthefollowingcriteriahavebeenmet:

• Student meets the legal criteria by the State of Florida to be classified as anhabitualtruant

• Schoolhasnotifiedtheparentofeachunexcusedabsenceaccordingtopolicyandthechildcontinuestonotattend.

• School has notified the parent in writing of the total number of unexcusedabsencesandthatthestudentisindangerofbeingwithdrawnfornon‐attendance.


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This notification will also inform the parent that the student will lose theirpendingorcurrentdrivingprivilegeasaresultofthewithdrawal.

• TheProblemSolvingTeamorAttendanceCommitteehasmadeeffortstoresolvethestudent‘snon‐attendance.

• Forelementarycases,atruancypetitionhasbeenfiledintheCircuitCourtandthestudentcontinuestonotattend.

II. SPECIALPROGRAMS

A. Homebound/HospitalizedDefinitionofHomebound/HospitalizedStudent:AHomebound/Hospitalizedstudentisastudentwhohasbeenmedicallydiagnosedwithaphysicalorpsychiatricconditionwhichisacuteorcatastrophicinnature,orachronicillness,orarepeatedintermittentillnessduetoapersistingmedicalproblem(s)andwhichconfinesthestudenttothehomeorhospital,andrestrictsactivitiesforanextendedperiodoftime.AphysicianlicensedinFloridainaccordancewithChapter458or459,F.S.,unlessareportofmedicalexaminationfromaphysicianlicensedinanotherstateispermittedinaccordancewithparagraph6A6.0331(3),F.A.C.,mustcertifythatthestudent:• Isexpectedtobeabsentfromschoolduetoaphysicalorpsychiatricconditionforat

leastfifteen(15)consecutiveschooldaysortheequivalentonablockschedule,orduetoachroniccondition,foratleastfifteen(15)schooldaysortheequivalentonablockschedule,whichneednotrunconsecutivelyand;

• Isconfinedtothehomeorhospitaland;• Willbeabletoparticipateinandbenefitfromaninstructionalprogramand;• Isundermedicalcareforillnessorinjurywhichisacute,catastrophic,orchronicin

natureand;• Canreceiveinstructionalserviceswithoutendangeringthehealthandsafetyofthe

instructororotherstudentswithwhomtheinstructormaycomeincontactand;• Thestudentisenrolledinapublicschoolinkindergartenthroughtwelfthgrade(K‐

12)oraPre‐Kexceptionalstudent,priortothereferralforHomebound/Hospitalizedservices.ThesereferralformsareavailablethroughtheDistrict Exceptional Student Education Office or the guidance counselor at thestudent‘sassignedschooland;

• A parent/guardian or primary care giver signs parental agreement concerningHomebound/Hospitalizedpoliciesandparentalcooperation.

ProceduresforStudentEvaluationTheminimumproceduresforevaluationshallincludethefollowing: (a).Acurrentmedicalreportfromalicensedphysician,asdefinedinparagraph(2)(a)of thisrule,describingthefollowing:

• Thedisablingconditionordiagnosiswithanymedicalimplicationsforinstruction,• Astatementthatthestudentisunabletoattendschool,• Theplanoftreatment,


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• Recommendationsregardingschoolre‐entryandotherschool‐relatedactivities;and,• Anestimateddurationoftheconditionorprognosis

(b).Theteamdeterminingeligibilitymayrequireadditionalevaluationdata.This additionalevaluationdatamustbeobtainedatnocosttotheparent. (c).Aphysicalreexaminationandmedicalreportbyalicensedphysicianorphysicians, whichmayberequestedbytheadministratorofexceptionalstudenteducationorthe administrator’sdesigneeonamorefrequentbasisthanannually,mayberequiredifthe studentisscheduledtoattendschoolpartofthedayduringarecuperativeperiodof readjustmenttoafullschoolschedule.Thisphysicalreexaminationandmedicalreport shallbeobtainedatnocosttotheparent.ThecompletedHomebound/HospitalizedreferralmustbesenttotheESEDistrictOffice.

Aneligibilitymeetingisscheduledatthestudent’sassignedschool.

Proceduresforprovidinganindividualeducationalplan(IEP)orindividualizedfamilysupportplan(IFSP).IEPorIFSPshallbedevelopedorerevisedfollowingdeterminationofeligibilityinaccordancewiththisrule. Astudentmaybeassignedtobothahomeboundorhospitalizedprogramandtoaschool‐basedprogramduetoanacute,chronic,orintermittentconditionascertifiedbyalicensedphysician,asspecifiedinsubparagraph(2)(a)1.ofthisrule.ThisdecisionshallbemadebytheIEPorIFSPteaminaccordancewiththerequirementsofRule6A‐6.03028or6A‐6.03029,F.A.C.Instructionalservices.Thefollowingsettingsandinstructionalmodes,oracombinationthereof,areappropriatemethodsforprovidinginstructiontostudentsdeterminedeligiblefortheseservices:

(a)Instructioninahome.Theparent,guardianorprimarycaregivershallprovideaquiet,cleanandwell‐ventilatedsettingwheretheteacherandstudentwillwork;ensurethataresponsibleadultispresent;andestablishascheduleforstudentstudybetweenteachervisitsthattakesintoaccountthestudent’smedicalconditionandtherequirementsofthestudent’scoursework.

(b)Instructioninahospital.Thehospitaladministratorordesigneeshallprovideappropriatespacefortheteacherandstudenttoworkandallowfortheestablishmentofascheduleforstudentstudybetweenteachervisits.

(c)Instructionthroughtelecommunicationsorelectronicdevices.WhentheIEPorIFSPteamdeterminesthatinstructionisbytelecommunicationsorelectronicdevices,anopen,uninterruptedtelecommunicationlinkshallbeprovidedatnoadditionalcosttotheparent,duringtheinstructionalperiod.Theparentshallensurethatthestudentispreparedtoactivelyparticipateinlearning.

(d)Instructioninotherspecifiedsettings.TheIEPorIFSPteammaydeterminethatinstructionwouldbebestdeliveredinamutuallyagreeduponalternatesettingotherthanthehome,hospitalorthroughtelecommunicationsorelectronicdevices.

(e)Instructioninaschoolsettingonapart‐timebasismaybeappropriateasthestudenttransitionsbacktothestudent’sregularclassschedule,iftheIEPorIFSPteamdeterminesthismeetsthestudent’sneeds.


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DismissalfromHomebound/HospitalizedPriortoreturningtoschoolthefollowingmustoccur:

• Adoctor‘spermissiontoreturntoschool(Doctor‘sReleaseForm)mustbecompletedbythedoctor.ThisformisavailablefromtheDistrictESEOfficeorschoolguidancecounselor.

• Parents/Guardiansshouldcalltheirchild’sassignedschooltorequestadismissalstaffingfive(5)dayspriortothestudent‘sreturntoschool.

• ParentsmustfaxacopyoftheDoctor‘sReleaseFormtotheDistrictESEOffice;Fax772‐429‐3979.

• Adismissalordiscontinuationstaffingwillbescheduledwiththestudent‘sassignedschool.

AstudentmayalsobedismissedfromtheHomebound/HospitalizedProgramforanyofthefollowingreasons:

• Medicaleligibilityexpires.• Thestudentisnolongerconfinedtothehospitalorhome.• Failure to keep scheduled appointments in which case an IEP meeting will be

scheduled to include anESEDistrict Specialist from theHomebound/HospitalizedProgram, teachers, parents, and student to discuss excessive absences or othermattersthatoccur.

• Students enrolled in the Homebound/Hospitalized Program will be dismissedeffectivethelastdayofschool.

GeneralResponsibilitiesTheparent/guardianorprimarycaregivershallcommittothefollowing:

• Ensurethestudent‘sactivitiesarerestrictedtothehomeorhospital.• Provide a quiet, clean, well ventilated settingwhere the teacher and studentwill

work.• Ensurethataresponsibleadultispresentwheneverateacherisprovidingin‐home

instruction.• Establishascheduleforstudentstudybetweenteachervisits.• Havethestudentreadyforhomeboundservicesatthescheduledtime.• Notifythehomeboundteacherimmediately,butnolaterthantwo(2)hourspriorto

ascheduledinstructionalsession,ifthestudentisunabletokeepthescheduledtime. TheHomebound/Hospitalizedstaffstrivestoworkcloselywithfamilies,aswellastheadministrativeandinstructionalstaffateachstudent‘sassignedschool.Thegoalistoprovideneededserviceswhilethestudentiseligibleandfacilitateasmoothtransitionforeachstudentashe/shereturnstotheassignedcampus.B. DigitalLearning/VirtualEducationDigitalLearnings.1002.321St.LucieSchoolDistrictprovidesmultipleopportunitiesforstudentparticipationinfull‐timeandpart‐timekindergartenthroughgrade12virtualinstruction.


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Part‐timeVirtualInstructionStudentsmayrequestpart‐timeinstructionthroughon‐linelearningthroughFLVS.ApprovalforcoursesisgrantedthroughtheschoolguidancecounselorifthecourseisanappropriatecourseforthestudentandthecourseenrollmentisincompliancewiththeSt.LuciePublicSchoolsStudentProgressionPlan.Inordertoreceiveparttimevirtualinstruction,astudentingradesK‐5mustmeetatleastoneoftheeligibilitycriteriains.1002.455(2).Gradesthatareinprogressdonottransferbetweentraditionalschoolandvirtualschools;therefore,studentsprogressingthroughatraditionalclassoravirtualclassareencouragedtocompletethecourseinordertoearnthecredit.Thedistrictwillnotbeheldaccountablefordroppedorfailedclassesthatinterferewithatimelypromotion. Publicschoolstudentsreceivingpart‐timeinstructionbytheFloridaVirtualSchoolincoursesrequiringstatewideend‐of‐courseassessmentsmusttakeallstatewideassessmentsrequiredpursuanttos.1008.22(3)(c)2.Allstatewideassessmentsmustbetakenattheschoolthatthestudentattends.Additionalparttimevirtualinstructionisprovidedthroughcoursesdeliveredinthetraditionalsettingthroughdirectinstructionthroughvirtualinstructionorthroughblendedcoursesconsistingofbothtraditionalclassroomandonlineinstructionaltechniquespursuittos.1003.498. Studentsenrolled in traditional schools requesting to takeallof their classeson‐linewillbereferredtodetermineeligibilityforoneofouravailablefull‐timevirtualoptions.

Full‐timeVirtualInstructionSt.LuciePublicSchoolsalsooperatesadistrictoperatedvirtualschool,MosaicDigitalAcademy,MDA,unders.1002.45(1)(b).MDAoffersfull‐timeinstructiontoeligiblestudentsingradesK‐12.Theschoolisstaffedwithlocal,highlyqualifiedteachersprovidingapersonalizedlearningenvironment.

Inaddition,therearetwoVirtualInstructionProvidersavailableforfulltimevirtualinstructionforeligiblestudents.StudentsmayalsoenrollinTheFloridaVirtualSchoolforfulltimeinstruction.

Parentswillbeprovidedwithnotificationoftheopenenrollmentperiodsforfull‐timevirtualinstructionwhichwillbeaminimumof90daysandwillend30daysbeforethefirstdayofschool.

StudentEligibilityforK‐12VirtualInstruction:S.1002.455,FS.Studentsareeligibletoparticipateinvirtualinstructionif:

• Thestudentspentthepriorschoolyearinattendanceatapublicschoolinthestateandwasenrolledand reportedby the schooldistrict for fundingduring theOctober andFebruaryforpurposesoftheFloridaEducationFinanceProgramsurveys.

• ThestudentisadependentchildofamemberoftheUnitedStatesArmedForceswhowastransferredwithinthe last12monthsto thisstate fromanotherstateor foreigncountrypursuanttothepermanentchangeofstationorder.


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• Thestudentwasenrolledduringthepriorschoolyearinavirtualinstructionprogramunders.1002.415.orafull‐timeFloridaVirtualSchoolprogramunders.1002.37(8)(a).

• Thestudentisasiblingwhoiscurrentlyenrolledinavirtualinstructionprogramandthesiblingwasenrolledinthatprogramattheendofthepriorschoolyear.

• Thestudentiseligibletoenterkindergartenorfirstgradeorthestudentiseligibletoentergrades2‐5andisenrolledfull‐timeinaschooldistrictvirtualinstructionprogram,virtualcharterschool,ortheFloridaVirtualSchool.

III. CURRICULUMANDINSTRUCTION

GeneralProgramRequirements(F.S.1003.42)(1) Eachdistrictschoolboardshallprovideallcoursesrequiredformiddlegradespromotion,highschoolgraduation,andappropriateinstructiondesignedtoensurethatstudentsmeetStateBoardofEducationadoptedstandardsinthefollowingsubjectareas:readingandotherlanguagearts,mathematics,science,socialstudies,foreignlanguages,healthandphysicaleducation,andthearts.(2) Membersoftheinstructionalstaffofthepublicschools,subjecttotherulesoftheStateBoardofEducationandthedistrictschoolboard,shallteachefficientlyandfaithfully,usingthebooksandmaterialsrequiredthatmeetthehigheststandardsforprofessionalismandhistoricaccuracy,followingtheprescribedcoursesofstudy,andemployingapprovedmethodsofinstruction,thefollowing:(a) ThehistoryandcontentoftheDeclarationofIndependence,includingnationalsovereignty,naturallaw,self‐evidenttruth,equalityofallpersons,limitedgovernment,popularsovereignty,andinalienablerightsoflife,liberty,andproperty,andhowtheyformthephilosophicalfoundationofourgovernment.(b) Thehistory,meaning,significance,andeffectoftheprovisionsoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesandamendmentsthereto,withemphasisoneachofthe10amendmentsthatmakeuptheBillofRightsandhowtheconstitutionprovidesthestructureofourgovernment.(c) Theargumentsinsupportofadoptingourrepublicanformofgovernment,astheyareembodiedinthemostimportantoftheFederalistPapers.(d) Flageducation,includingproperflagdisplayandflagsalute.(e) Theelementsofcivilgovernment,includingtheprimaryfunctionsofandinterrelationshipsbetweentheFederalGovernment,thestate,anditscounties,municipalities,schooldistricts,andspecialdistricts.(f) ThehistoryoftheUnitedStates,includingtheperiodofdiscovery,earlycolonies,theWarforIndependence,theCivilWar,theexpansionoftheUnitedStatestoitspresentboundaries,theworldwars,andthecivilrightsmovementtothepresent.Americanhistoryshallbeviewedasfactual,notasconstructed,shallbeviewedasknowable,teachable,andtestable,andshallbedefinedasthecreationofanewnationbasedlargelyontheuniversalprinciplesstatedintheDeclarationofIndependence.(g) ThehistoryoftheHolocaust(1933‐1945),thesystematic,plannedannihilationofEuropeanJewsandothergroupsbyNaziGermany,awatershedeventinthehistoryofhumanity,tobetaughtinamannerthatleadstoaninvestigationofhumanbehavior,anunderstandingoftheramificationsofprejudice,racism,andstereotyping,andanexaminationofwhatitmeanstobearesponsibleandrespectfulperson,forthe


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purposesofencouragingtoleranceofdiversityinapluralisticsocietyandfornurturingandprotectingdemocraticvaluesandinstitutions.(h) ThehistoryofAfricanAmericans,includingthehistoryofAfricanpeoplesbeforethepoliticalconflictsthatledtothedevelopmentofslavery,thepassagetoAmerica,theenslavementexperience,abolition,andthecontributionsofAfricanAmericanstosociety.InstructionalmaterialsshallincludethecontributionsofAfricanAmericanstoAmericansociety.(i) Theelementaryprinciplesofagriculture.(j) Thetrueeffectsofallalcoholicandintoxicatingliquorsandbeveragesandnarcoticsuponthehumanbodyandmind.(k) Kindnesstoanimals.(l) Thehistoryofthestate.(m) Theconservationofnaturalresources.(n) Comprehensivehealtheducationthataddressesconceptsofcommunityhealth;consumerhealth;environmentalhealth;familylife,includinganawarenessofthebenefitsofsexualabstinenceastheexpectedstandardandtheconsequencesofteenagepregnancy;mentalandemotionalhealth;injurypreventionandsafety;Internetsafety;nutrition;personalhealth;preventionandcontrolofdisease;andsubstanceuseandabuse.Thehealtheducationcurriculumforstudentsingrades7through12shallincludeateendatingviolenceandabusecomponentthatincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thedefinitionofdatingviolenceandabuse,thewarningsignsofdatingviolenceandabusivebehavior,thecharacteristicsofhealthyrelationships,measurestopreventandstopdatingviolenceandabuse,andcommunityresourcesavailabletovictimsofdatingviolenceandabuse.(o) Suchadditionalmaterials,subjects,courses,orfieldsinsuchgradesasareprescribedbylaworbyrulesoftheStateBoardofEducationandthedistrictschoolboardinfulfillingtherequirementsoflaw.(p) ThestudyofHispaniccontributionstotheUnitedStates.(q) Thestudyofwomen’scontributionstotheUnitedStates.(r) ThenatureandimportanceoffreeenterprisetotheUnitedStateseconomy.(s) Acharacter‐developmentprogramintheelementaryschools,similartoCharacterFirstorCharacterCounts,whichissecularinnature.Beginninginschoolyear2004‐2005,thecharacter‐developmentprogramshallberequiredinkindergartenthroughgrade12.Eachdistrictschoolboardshalldeveloporadoptacurriculumforthecharacterdevelopmentprogramthatshallbesubmittedtothedepartmentforapproval.Thecharacter‐developmentcurriculumshallstressthequalitiesofpatriotism;responsibility;citizenship;kindness;respectforauthority,life,liberty,andpersonalproperty;honesty;charity;self‐control;racial,ethnic,andreligioustolerance;andcooperation.(t) Inordertoencouragepatriotism,thesacrificesthatveteranshavemadeinservingourcountryandprotectingdemocraticvaluesworldwide.SuchinstructionmustoccuronorbeforeVeterans’DayandMemorialDay.Membersoftheinstructionalstaffareencouragedtousetheassistanceoflocalveteranswhenpracticable.

DisabilityHistoryandAwarenessWeeksThefirsttwoweeksofOctoberareDisabilityHistoryandAwarenessWeeks.Section1003.4205,FloridaStatutes,entitledDisabilityHistoryandAwarenessInstruction,wassigned


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intolawin2008.ItrequiresschooldistrictstodesignatethefirsttwoweeksofOctoberasDisabilityHistoryandAwarenessWeeksandalsopromotesprovidinginstructionforstudentsinallpublicschoolstoexpandstudentknowledge,understanding,andawarenessofindividualswithdisabilities,disabilityhistory,andthedisabilityrightsmovement. PledgeofAllegianceInorderforastudenttobeexcusedfromparticipationinrecitingthepledgeawrittenrequestfromaparentmustsubmittedtothePrincipal.Uponreceiptofthisrequest,thestudentwillbeexcusedfromrecitingthepledge,includingstandingandplacingtherighthandoverhisorherheart.Whenthepledgeisgiven,unexcusedstudentsmustshowfullrespecttotheflagbystandingatattention,menremovingtheheaddress,exceptwhensuchheaddressiswornforreligiouspurposes.S.1003.44HomeworkHomeworkAssignments‐(F.S.1001.41;F.S.1001.42,)Eachschoolshallhaveawrittenhomeworkpolicy.

• Emphasizeshomeworkasanintegralpartofthestudent‘stotalinstructionalprogram;

• Requiresthathomeworkassignmentsreinforcelearningskillsintroducedduringclassroominstruction;and� Assuresthathomeworkisnotgiveninexcessiveamountsorfordisciplinaryreasons.

IV. GradingandReportingProceduresGradingandReportCardsReportcardswillbeissuedquarterly.Itistheteacher‘sresponsibilitytodeterminegradesbasedonthefollowingcriteria:

• Aminimumofnine(9)academicgradesshouldbepostedeachnineweeksonateacher‘sgradebooktoapplytowardastudent‘sgradesingrades1‐12.Resourceteachersingrades1‐5shouldpostaminimumof5gradesper9weeks.Ifateacherisusingweightedgrades,thenthereshouldbeatleast3gradesineachweightedcategory.Thesegradesshouldincludehomework,assessments,reports,laboratoryactivities,researchpapers,notebooks,portfolios,specialprojectsandanyspecialactivitiesthatrelatetoacontentarea.Thiswouldnotincludenon‐academicgradesforexampleagradeforfollowingdresscode,returningasignedCodeofConductandsoforth.Allgradesshouldbedeterminedonstudentacademicachievementonly.

NOTE: For students who transfer from outside the district the quarter grades will bedeterminedbythetransfergradeandprocessoutlinedinthesectionontransferstudentsinthisdocument.

• Masteryofthecourseobjectivesthathavebeenidentifiedforeachcourseinthe

statecoursedescriptionandarecompatibletotheFloridaStandardsandtheNextGenerationSunshineStateStandardswhereapplicable.

• Teacherevaluationbasedonmasteryofperformancestandardsandexitcriteria.UniformGradingSystemIngradesK‐2,theindicatorsare:

• 4(AboveStandard)


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• 3(AtStandard)• 2(ApproachingStandard)• 1(BelowStandard)• 0(NotAttempted)Studentsingrades3‐12willbeawardedlettergradestoindicatestudentprogress.

Grade Percent GradePointAverage

Definition

A 90‐100 4 outstandingprogressB 80‐89 3 aboveaverageprogressC 70‐79 2 averageprogressD 60‐69 1 lowestacceptableprogressF 0‐59 0 failureI 0 0 Incomplete*W N/A N/A withdrawnDualEnrollment

*Astudentwhoreceivesanincompletehastocompletetheworkwithintheguidelinesofthemake‐upworkpolicycontainedherein.(SeeMake‐upWorkSection)IfthestudentdoesnotmakeupallworkbythedesignatedperiodoftimethenforanymissingworkagradeofZerowillbeenteredbytheteacherandthefinalgradewillbecalculated.NOTE:The “I“ willcalculateasaZeroonthereportcarduntilthe“I”isreplacedwithagrade.Atthattime,anadjustedGPAwillbecalculatedforthestudent.

GradingESOLStudentsAllstudentsmustbegradedaccordingtogradelevelappropriateandequaltotheirpeers.ESOLstudentsshouldnotberetainedsolelyonthebasisoftheirlimitedEnglishproficiency.Make‐UpWorkK‐ 12

• Allowedforallabsences,excusedorunexcused.• Studenthas1day tomakeup thework foreachdayabsent,not including thedayof

return,unlesstheprincipalapprovesanextensionduetounusualcircumstances.Previouslyassignedworkisdueonthedaythestudentreturnstoschool.

• Allwork,regardlessofthenumberofdaysabsent,mustbemadeuponorbeforegradesaredueinthefinalquarteroftheschoolyear.

• Studentswhoseworkisturnedinaftertheendofthegradingperiodforquartersonethrough three,will receive an “I”or incomplete. If thework is turned inon‐time, thestudentwillreceivethegradeforthework.

• Incompletegradesbecome“F”or“0”ifnotreplacedwiththegradeforthemakeupworkthatwasturnedinontime.

• Students will take announced tests on first day of return to school. Student will beallowed2‐daystopreparefortestsassignedduringtheabsence.

K‐5 Provisions• Teacherwillinformstudent/parentofworktobemadeupasspecificallyasplanswill

allow,butisnotexpectedtodevelopspecialassignments.• Gradedatfullcredit.


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IV. PROMOTION,ACCELERATIONANDRETENTIONGeneralRequirementsThepurposeoftheinstructionalprogramintheschoolsofSt.LucieCountyistoprovideappropriateinstructionalandselectedservicestoenablestudentstoperformatorabovetheirgradelevelacademically.Promotion,however,isbasedprimarilyonstudentachievementandisnotautomatic.Astudentmaynotbepromotedbasedonageorotherfactorsthatconstitutesocialpromotion.(F.S.1008.25)Whenastudentisretained,heorshemustreceiveanintensiveprogramthatisdifferentfromthepreviousyear‘sprogram.Aschooldistrictmustconsideranalternativeplacement*forastudentwhohasbeenretainedfor2ormoreyears.TheStateBoardofEducationmustadoptrulestoaddressthepromotionofLimitedEnglishProficient(LEP)andExceptionalStudentEducation(ESE).TheDOEmuststudytheeffectofmobilityontheperformanceofhighlymobilestudents.

*AlternativePlacementcouldbe,butnotlimitedtothefollowing:

• SummerSchool• ExtendedDayor

YearDecisionsregardingstudentpromotion,retentionandgoodcauseplacementareprimarilytheresponsibilityoftheindividualschool‘sprofessionalstaff.Thefinaldecisioninregardtogradeplacementistheresponsibilityoftheprincipal.

MandatoryretentionisnecessaryforthirdgradestudentswhoscoreLevelIonthestateELAassessmentunlesstheyqualifyforGoodCauseexemptionorscoreatorabovetheidentifiedpercentileontheSAT10.*For retained third grade students transferring into the District, anindividualrecordsreviewwillbeconductedifsufficientevidenceexiststosupportanassessmentformid‐yearpromotion.

PromotionRequirementsK‐8Thedistricthasdefinedspecificlevelsofperformanceinreading,writing,scienceandmathematicsforeachgradelevel.Theselevelsofperformancewillbeusedtoidentifystudentswhomustreceiveremediationandmayberetained.(F.S.1008.25(2)(a)

PromotionalRequirementsGradesK‐5StudentpromotioninSt.LucieCountyisbaseduponevaluationofeachstudent‘sachievementintermsofappropriateinstructionalgoals.Thedeterminationshouldreflectteacherjudgmentbaseduponthefollowing:

• successfulprogressinthecountyadoptedcurriculum,• progressmonitoring,• classroomassignments,• dailyobservation,• standardizedtests,and• otherobjectivedata.


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IncompliancewiththeSchoolBoardsGoal1:StudentPerformanceandFloridaStatute(F.S.1008.25(2)(a)),providestandardsforevaluatingeachstudent’sperformance,includinghowwellheorshemasterstheperformancestandardsapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducation. Performancelevelsaredeterminedbyvariousindicatorsthatwillinclude,butarenotlimitedto,multiplemeasuresusingappropriatescales,grade‐levelassessments,andteacherjudgment.

PhysicalEducationStudentsingradesK‐5arerequired150minutesofweeklyPhysicalEducation(PE). PEWaiver StudentsingradeK‐8areeligibletowaivethephysicaleducationrequirementifthey meetanyofthefollowingcriteria:

‐ ThestudentisenrolledorrequiredtoenrollinaremedialcourseThestudent‘sparentindicatesinwritingtotheschoolthattheparentrequeststhestudentbeenrolledinanothercoursefromamongthecoursesofferedasoptionsbytheschooldistrict;or

‐ Thestudentisparticipatinginphysicalactivitiesoutsidetheschooldaywhichareequaltoorinexcessofthemandatedrequirement

GradeK–3READInitiativeBeginningwiththe2004‐2005schoolyear,eachschooldistrictshall:ConductareviewofstudentprogressmonitoringplansforallstudentswhodidnotscoreaboveLevel1ortheidentifiedstatelevelontheELAportionofthestateassessmentanddidnotmeetthecriteriaforoneofthegoodcauseexemptionsinparagraph(6)(b).Thereviewshalladdressadditionalsupportsandservices,asdescribedinthissubsection,neededtoremediatetheidentifiedareasofreadingdeficiency.Theschooldistrictshallrequireastudentportfoliotobecompletedforeachsuchstudent.

• Providestudentswhoareretainedundertheprovisionsofparagraph(5)(b)withintensiveinstructionalservicesandsupportstoremediatetheidentifiedareasofreadingdeficiency,includingaminimumof90minutesofdaily,uninterrupted,scientificallyresearch‐basedreadinginstructionandotherstrategiesprescribedbytheschooldistrict.

• Providewrittennotificationtotheparentofanystudentwhoisretainedunderthe

provisionsofparagraph(5)(b)thathisorherchildhasnotmettheproficiencylevelrequiredforpromotionandthereasonsthechildisnoteligibleforagoodcauseexemptionasprovidedinparagraph(6)(b).

• Implementapolicyforthemidyearpromotionofanystudentretainedunderthe

provisionsofparagraph(5)(b)whocandemonstratethatheorsheisasuccessfulandindependentreader,readingatorabovegradelevel,andreadytobepromotedtograde4.


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• Statelawrequiresthatstudentswhoareretainedundertheprovisionsofparagraph(5)(b)withateacherwhomeets“highlyeffective”criteria.TheBoardwillmakeeveryattempttocomplywithStatestatuteintheemploymentofinstructionalpersonnelfortheretainedthirdgradestudents.

• Inadditiontorequiredreadingenhancementandaccelerationstrategies,provide

parentsofstudentsinstructionaloptions: Supplementaltutoring inscientificallyresearch‐basedreadingservices intobe

retainedwithatleastoneofthefollowingadditiontotheregularreadingblock,includingtutoringbeforeand/orafterschool.

A“ReadatHome”planoutlinedinaparentalcontract,includingparticipationin“FamiliesBuildingBetterReadersWorkshops”andregularparent‐guidedhomereading.

Amentorortutorwithspecializedreadingtraining.

• EstablishaReadingEnhancementandAccelerationDevelopment(READ)Initiative.ThefocusoftheREADInitiativeshallbetopreventtheretentionofgrade3studentsandtoofferintensiveacceleratedreadinginstructiontograde3studentswhofailedtomeetstandardsforpromotiontograde4andtoeachK‐3studentwhoisassessedasexhibitingareadingdeficiency.

• Establishateachschool,whereapplicable,anIntensiveAccelerationClassforretained

grade3studentswhosubsequentlyscoreatLevel1ortheidentifiedstatelevelontheELAportionofthestateassessment.

• ReporttotheStateBoardofEducation,asrequested,onthespecificintensivereading

interventionsandsupportsimplementedattheschooldistrictlevel. GoodCauseExemptions

ThestudentisaLimitedProficient(LEP)studentwhohaslessthantwoyearsofinstructioninanEnglishforSpeakersofOtherLanguages(ESOL)program.

The IndividualEducationPlan(IEP) indicates thatparticipation in thestatewideassessmentprogramisnotappropriateforthestudent.

The student has demonstrated an acceptable level of performance on an alternativestandardizedreadingassessmentapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducation(SAT‐9orSAT‐10) Thestudentdemonstratesthroughportfolio,thatheorsheisreadingongradelevelasevidencedbydemonstrationofmasteryoftheELAFloridaStandardsequaltoatleastaLevel2ortheidentifiedstatelevelforperformanceonthestateELAassessment. ThestudentparticipatedinthestateassessmentandhasanIEPorSection504planthatreflectsthestudenthasreceivedintensiveremediationasrequiredbyFloridalawformore


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thantwoyearsbutstilldemonstratesadeficiencyinreadingandhasbeenretainedonceineitherkindergarten,first,secondorthirdgrade.

ThestudenthasreceivedintensiveremediationinreadingasrequiredbyFloridaLawfortwoormore years, but still demonstrates adeficiency in reading andhasbeenpreviouslyretainedineitherkindergarten,first,secondorthirdgradeforatotaloftwoyears. Topromoteastudentusingaportfolioasagoodcauseexemption,theremustbeevidencethatdemonstratesthestudent‘smasteryoftheELAFloridaStandardsequaltoatleastaLevel2ortheidentifiedstatelevelforperformanceontheGrade3ELAstateassessment.Suchevidencemustbeanorganizedcollectionofthestudent‘smasteryoftheELAStandardsthatareassessedbytheGrade3ELAstateassessment. SuccessfulProgressionofRetainedThirdGradersRetainedstudentsmustbeprovidedintensiveinterventionsinreadingtoamelioratethestudent‘s specific reading deficiency, as identified by a valid and reliable diagnosticassessment. The intensive intervention must include effective instructional strategies,participationinsummerreadingcamp,appropriateteachingmethodologiesnecessarytoassistthosestudentsinbecomingsuccessfulreaders,abletoreadatorabovegradelevelasindicatedbythescoreonthestateELAassessmentorSAT‐10andabletobepromotedtothenextgrade. IntensiveInterventionsmayinclude:

• aminimumof90minutesofdaily,uninterrupted,scientificallybasedreadinginstruction

• smallgroupinstruction• reducedteacher‐studentratio• morefrequentprogressmonitoring• tutoringormentoring• extendedschoolday,weekoryear• summerreadingcamps• State law requires that teachers of retained third grade students meet “highly effective”

criteria.TheBoardwillmakeeveryattempttocomplywithStatestatuteintheemploymentofinstructionalpersonnelfortheretainedthirdgradestudents.Additionally,studentsmustbeprovided atleastoneofthefollowing:

• supplementaltutoringinadditiontotheregularreadingblockwhichcouldbebeforeand/orafterschool

• read‐at‐homeplan• amentorortutorwithspecializedreadingtraining

IntensiveAccelerationClassforRetainedThirdGrader:Eachdistrictmustestablishateachschool,whereapplicable,anIntensiveAccelerationClassforRetainedgrade3studentswhosubsequentlyscoreatLevelIonthestateELAassessment.ThefocusoftheIntensiveInterventionClassistoincreaseachild‘sreadinglevelatleast2gradelevelsintheschoolyear.


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TheIntensiveAccelerationClassmust:• Beprovidedtoanystudentingrade3whoscoresatLevel1ortheidentifiedstate

levelonthestateELAassessmentandwhowasretainedingrade3theprioryearbecauseofscoringatLevel1ortheidentifiedstatelevelonthestateELAassessment

• Haveareducedteacher‐studentratio• Provideuninterruptedreading instructionforthemajorityofstudentcontacttime

eachday• IncorporateopportunitiestomastertheStandardsinothercoresubjectareasusing

reading• Provideintensivelanguageandvocabularyinstruction• Includeweeklyprogressmonitoringmeasurestoensureprogressismade.

PerformanceIndicatorsTheteachermustprovidecompelling,verifiableevidencewhenstudentperformanceonappropriategrade‐levelassessmentsisnotbelievedtobeindicativeofdailyclassroomperformance.

DocumentationofEvidenceTeachers will assess student performance based on assignments and classroomparticipation. A variety of assessment procedures will be used to determine masterystandardsforpromotionalpurposes.Teachersshallmaintainadequatedocumentationandevidenceofstudentwork. Teachers are encouraged to maintain a portfolio of students’ daily assignments, writingjournals,readingsamples,classroomobservation,etc.,todocumentstudentperformance. Astudentportfoliocontainsasystematiccollectionofevidenceusedbytheteachertomonitorthestudent‘sacademicgrowthoveraperiodoftime. Portfolioassessmentshallbedefinedintermsofthefollowingcharacteristics:

• ongoing;• multidimensional,providingavarietyofmeasures;• student‐centered;and• authentic,requiringstudentstoapplywhattheyhavelearned.

DeficiencyReportingtoParents/GuardiansorAdultStudentsInaddition to interimprogress reportsandreport cards,parentsmustbenotified inwritingorbydocumentedphonecallsatanytimeduringagradingperiodwhen it isapparentthatthestudentmayfailorisdoingunsatisfactoryworkinanycourseorgradeassignments.Theteachermustmaintainalldocumentationoftheparentcontactforoneyear.Theopportunityforaconferencewiththeteacherorprincipalmustbeprovidedfor theparentsorguardiansofanychildoranadultstudentwhomay failand/orberetained.Forstudentswithdisabilities,parentswillbenotifiedofstudent‘sprogressonIndividualEducationalPlan (IEP) annualgoals aswell as receive reportsofprogressaccordingtothesamefrequencyasparentsofnon‐disabledstudents.


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Parentsaretobenotifiedannuallyinwritingastotheprogressofstudentstowardachievingstateanddistrictexpectationsforproficiencyinreading,writing,mathematicsandscienceincludingtheresultsonstateassessmenttest.(F.S.1008.25) ItisarightoftheparentandstudenttobenotifiedimmediatelyofaK‐3studentwhoexhibitsareadingdeficiencywithadescription,understandabletotheparent,oftheexactnatureofthedifficulty.Theparentthenmustbeinformedthatthestudentwillbegivenintensivereadinginstructionuntilthedeficiencyiscorrected.Theparentmustalsobetoldthatifthechild‘sreadingdeficiencyisnotremediatedbytheendofgrade3,thechildmustberetainedunlessheorsheisexemptfrommandatoryretentionforGoodCause. Parentsmustbeinformedthattheidentifiedstateassessmentisnotthesoledeterminerofpromotionandthatthefollowingareconsideredasadditionalevaluationstodetermineifthechildisreadingatorabovegradelevel:additionalevaluations,portfolioreviewsandotherassessments.

Astudent‘sfinalreportcardforaschoolyearshallcontainastatementindicatingend‐of‐the‐yearstatusregardingperformanceornonperformanceatgradelevel,acceptableorunacceptablebehaviorandattendance,andpromotionornon‐promotion.

Eachdistrictschoolboardmustannuallypublishinthelocalnewspaper,andreportinwritingtotheStateBoardofEducationbySeptember1ofeachyear,thefollowinginformationonthepriorschoolyear:

• Theprovisionsofthissectionrelatingtopublicschoolstudentprogressionandthedistrictschoolboard‘spoliciesandproceduresonstudentretentionandpromotion.

• Bygrade,thenumberandpercentageofallstudentsingrades3‐10performingatbelowproficiencyonthestateELAassessment.

• Bygrade,thenumberandpercentageofallstudentsretainedingrades3‐10.• Informationonthetotalnumberofstudentswhowerepromotedforgoodcause.• Any revisions to the district school board‘s policy on student retention and

promotionfromtheprioryear. RetentionParentNotificationTheprincipalwillestablishproceduresfornotifyingparentsofastudentwhoisnotmeetingpromotionrequirements. Parentsofastudentnotmakingsatisfactoryprogressshouldbenotifiedthroughouttheyear.Ifastudentisbeingconsideredforretention,theparentsmustbenotifiedbytheclassroomteachernolaterthantheendofthethirdnineweekperiod. A student who is not meeting promotion requirements must be identified by theclassroomteacherandbeprovidedtargetedinterventionsasdeterminedjointlybytheProblem‐SolvingTeamandparents.


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AlternativestoRetentionAstudentnotmeetingpromotionrequirementsmayhaveseveralalternatives.Thestudentmay:

• Be retained at the same grade level. The school‘s ProblemSolvingTeam shouldreviewthestudent‘srecordsandrecommendaprogramofremediation.

• Receive intensive remediation in a summer school program (if available). Thestudentwillbere‐evaluatedattheendoftheprogramtodetermineplacement.Theschool‘s Problem Solving Team should review the student‘s records andrecommendaprogramofremediation.

• Referred for further evaluation if the student is not responding to targetedinterventions.

RetentionandPromotionofESOLStudentsESOLstudentsshouldnotberetainedsolelyonthebasisoftheirlimitedEnglishproficiency.

LimitedEnglishProficient(LEP)studentswithlessthantwoyearsofEnglishforSpeakersofotherLanguages(ESOL)instructioncanbepromotedinthirdgradeiftheyfailthestateassessmentforGoodCauseExemption.

Acceleration/ACCELTheSt.LuciePublicSchoolDistrictoffersmanyopportunitiestoourstudentsincludingacademicallyChallengingCurriculumtoEnhanceLearning(ACCEL)options.(F.S.1002.3105)Weofferwhole‐gradeandmidyearpromotion;subject‐matteracceleration;virtualinstructioninhighergrade‐levelsubjects;andtheCreditAccelerationProgram.ACCELoptionsareeducationaloptionsthatprovideacademicallychallengingcurriculumoracceleratedinstructiontoeligiblepublicschoolstudentsinkindergartenthroughgrade12.

EligibilityCriteriaforACCELOptionsInordertoparticipateinwhole‐gradepromotion,mid‐yearpromotion,subject‐matter‐acceleration;virtualinstructionathighergradelevels,elementaryagestudentsmustmeetthehighestlevelsofachievementintheappropriategradelevel.Studentseligibleforwholegradeand/ormid‐yearpromotionmustscoreinthetop1%onallavailablestandardizedtestsfortheirgradelevelandifthereisastateassessmentadministeredintheirgradelevel,thestudentmustscorelevelfivesinallareas.Studentsmustalsomeetagerequirementsforkindergartenandgradeone.

Insecondarygrades,studentsmayaccelerateingradelevelonlybysubjectareaaccelerationofferedattheschoolsiteorthroughvirtualeducation.Studentsmustdemonstrateexcellenceinrequestedsubjectsthroughgrades,standardizedtestsandteacherrecommendations.Thestudentmustalsodemonstratetheabilitytobalancetheadditionalloadandmaintainaminimumofa3.0gradepointaveragewithnogradeslowerthanaB.

AllstudentsrequestingACCELoptionsmustalsodemonstratesatisfactoryschoolattendancewithnomorethanfiveunexcusedabsencesperyear.Teacherrecommendationsandcounselorapprovalmustconsidergrades,attendance,socialmaturityandbehavior.


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AparentseekinganACCELoptionfortheirchildshouldcontacttheschoolprincipalIfastudentiseligibletoparticipate,theparentwillsignaperformancecontract,relatedtotherequestedACCELoption,executedbythestudent,theparentandtheprincipal(excludessubjectareaaccelerationingrades9‐12.).Iftheprincipalinitiatesthestudent’sparticipationintheACCELoption,thecontractisnotrequiredbutmaybeusedatthediscretionoftheprincipal.Ifastudentfailstomeettheconditionsoftheperformancecontract,theywillbedismissedfromtheACCELoption.

Notes:Mid‐yearandWholegradepromotionoptionswillonlybeconsideredforthebeginningofeachsemesterandwillnotbeapprovedoncethesemesterofinstructionhasstarted.

V. ProvisionsforExceptionalEducationStudents

PromotionStudents with disabilities who are following the Florida Standards/ Next GenerationSunshineStateStandardsareexpectedtomeetthesamepromotionrequirementsastheirnon‐disabledpeersattheappropriategradelevels(seeGeneralEducationRequirementsforPromotion).

Studentswithdisabilities,whofollowamodifiedcurriculum,asdeterminedbytheIEP,mustmastertheappropriateFloridaStandards/NextGenerationSunshineStateStandardsAccessPointsforStandardDiploma.Theteacher(s)ofrecordisresponsiblefortheassessment,remediation,anddocumentationofmasteryofStandardsforAccessPoints.StudentswithdisabilitieswillparticipateintheFloridaStandardsAlternateAssessment(FSAA)ingrades3‐5.

Studentprogressfromgradetogradewillbebasedonachievement.Astudentmaynotbepromotedbasedonageorotherfactorsthatconstitutesocialpromotion.

Ifthestudenthasadisability,theIEPteammustconvenetoreviewthefollowingfactorswhendeterminingwhetherpromotionorretentionisappropriate.

• successfulcompletionofIEPgoalsandobjectives• chronologicalage• gradesearnedinallcourses• attendance• physicalandsocialmaturity• alternateassessment• needforextendedschoolyear

Theschoolprincipalmustconferwiththestudent‘sIEPteam,whichmustincludetheparent,toconsiderallofthefactorsabovewhendeterminingwhetherpromotionorretentionisappropriate.


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Studentsenrolledinoneormoreofthefollowingprogramsastheironlyexceptionality(ies)mustfollowgeneraleducationcurriculum,withorwithoutaccommodations,andshallmeetallofthepromotionalrequirementsforbasiceducation.• Gifted• SpeechImpairment• Homebound/Hospitalized• VisuallyImpaired

RetentionTheprincipalwillestablishproceduresfornotifyingparentsofastudentwhoisnotmeetingpromotionrequirements.Parentsofastudentwithdisabilities,whoisnotmakingsatisfactoryprogressthroughouttheyear,shouldbenotifiedbyconveningtheIEPteam.TheIEPshouldbereviewedtoensurethatappropriategoals,specialeducationservices,andprovisionsforprogressmonitoringareinplacetoaddressthelackofexpectedprogress.Ifastudentisbeingconsideredforretention,theparentsmustbenotifiedbytheclassroomteachernolaterthantheendofthethirdnineweekperiod.

ProgressMonitoringAssessmentsFor students with disabilities, the following applies as it relates to progress monitoringassessments:Anystudentwithadisabilityscheduledwithageneraleducationcoursecodewillparticipateingeneraleducationprogressmonitoring.Anystudentwithadisability scheduledwithanAccessPoint coursecodewillparticipate inalternateprogressmonitoring.ExtendedSchoolYearExtendedschoolyearisbasedonrequirementsoftheIndividualswithDisabilitiesAct(IDEA)andimplementingregulationsat34CFR‐300.309.Extendedschoolyear(ESY)servicesmustbeconsideredby the individual educationalplan (IEP)or family supportplan (FSP) teams (forchildrenagesthreethroughfiveyears)aspartoftheprovisionofafreeandappropriatepubliceducation (FAPE) for students with disabilities. Extended school year services have beenidentifiedincaselawasindividualizedinstructionalservicesbeyondtheregular180‐dayschoolyearforstudentswithdisabilitiesreceivingspecialeducationservices.ESYisdefinedinmoredetailat34‐CFR300.309(b)as―specialeducationandrelatedservicesthat(1)areprovidedtoa child with a disability; (i) beyond the normal school year of the public agency; (ii) inaccordancewiththechild‘sIEP;and(iii)atnocosttotheparentofthechild;and(2)meetthestandardsoftheStateEducationAgency(SEA).

Parental requests for ESY servicesmust be considered. However, if the ESY services arerequestedbytheparentbuttheIEPorFSPteamdoesnotseetheprovisionoftherequestedESYservicesasnecessaryforprovisionofFAPE,thenawritteninformednoticeofrefusalmustbeprovided.


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DeterminationofESYServicesDeterminationoftheneedforESYservicesisanIEPorFSPteamdecision(forchildrenagesthreethroughfiveyears)designedtoensuretheprovisionofFAPE.TheneedforESYservicesmustbedeterminedforeverystudentwithadisability(Pre‐K–12),everyyear.Ifneedisdemonstrated in theareaof academic skills (or for Pre‐K students, developmentallyappropriate pre‐ academic skills), communication, independent functioning, and self‐sufficiency,and/orsocial/emotionalorbehavioralskills,astheyrelatetocriticallifefunctions,specialeducationorrelatedservicesmayberequired.ESYisnotintendedtoprovideeducationbeyondthatwhichhasbeendeterminednecessarybytheIEPorfamilysupportplanteamtoensureFAPE.Inmanycases,notalloftheservicesspecifiedinanindividualstudent‘sIEPorFSPforthe180‐dayschoolyearneedtobeprovidedaspartofESYservices.TheIEPteamwilldeterminetheservicesneededduringESYandthegoalsandobjectivesthataretobeaddressed.Theteamwillreviewtheworksheetentitled:CriteriathatcanbeusedtodeterminewhetherastudentiseligibleforESYservicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

• Regression/recoupment• Criticalpointofinstruction• Emergingskills• Natureorseverityofdisability• Interferingbehaviors• Rateofprogress• Specialcircumstances(e.g.,transitionfromschooltowork)

ItisimportantthatavarietyofcriteriaorfactorsbeconsideredinordertoensureprovisionofFAPE.Forexample,itwouldbeinappropriatetorelyonregression/recoupmentdatatomakeadeterminationofneedforaPre‐Kstudent,whilediscussionofinterferingbehaviorsoremergingskillsmightbesignificantforthatchild. Theconsiderationofprogressmonitoringdata,bothformalandinformalevaluations,aswellasdocumentationofindividualstudentperformance,arevaluableinassistinganIEPorfamilysupportplanteamindeterminingneedandextentofESYservicesforastudent. EligibilityforESYservicesand/orthedurationofservicescannotbelimitedbasedonthetypeordegreeofdisability.Thefactthatastudenthasmadeprogresstowardannualgoalsor has met annual goals during the school year also does not exclude a student fromreceivingESYservices.

WhatCriteriaareINAPPROPRIATEforDeterminingESYServices?ESYservicesarerequiredforthosestudentswithdisabilitieswhorequiretheseservicesinorderforFAPEtobeprovided.ESYisNOT:

• Childcare• Respitecare• Intendedtomaximizeeducationalopportunityorpotentialgrowth• Basedonspecificareaofdisability,levelofservice,ortypeofclassroomplacement• Onesizefitsall• Alongerschoolday


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IEPAnnualGoalProgressReportsforStudentsinESEProgramsAnnualGoalProgressReportsforindividualeducationplan(IEP)annualgoalsandeducationplan(EP)goalsmustbeprovidedtoparentstocommunicatestudentprogresstowardannualgoals. IEPprogress reportsmust be provided at least as often as that of general educationstudentsintheirassignedschoolormorefrequentlyasidentifiedbytheIEP.Thisrequirementis in addition to the academic progress reports and report cards (Rule 6A‐ 6.03028). Theminimumfrequencyforreportingprogressforstudentswithdisabilitiesisevery9weeks.Theminimumfrequencyofreportingprogressforstudentsinthegiftedprogramisevery9weeksforgradesK–5. PlacementofTransferESEStudentsIndividual education plans (IEPs) and educational plans (EPs) for transferring exceptionalstudents(StateBoardofEducationRule6A‐6.0334) AstudentinanESEprogram,whohadanIEPorEPineffectinapreviousFloridaschooldistrictandtransferstoSt.LucieCounty,will,inconsultationwiththeparents,beprovidedafreeandappropriatepubliceducation(FAPE).Serviceswillbecomparabletothosedescribedinthestudent‘sIEPorEPfromthepreviousFloridaschooldistrictuntilSt.LuciePublicSchoolseither:

• Adoptsthestudent‘sIEPorEPfromthepreviousdistrict;or• Develops, adopts, and implements a new IEP or EP that meets the applicable

requirementsofRules6A‐6.03011through6A‐6.0361,F.A.C. IfastudentinexceptionaleducationwithadisabilityandhasanIEPthatwasineffectinapreviousschooldistrict,inanotherstateorUnitedStatesTerritory,transferstoSt.LucieCountywithinthesameschoolyear,St.LuciePublicSchoolswill,inconsultationwiththeparents,providethestudentwithFAPE(includingservicescomparabletothosedescribedinthestudent‘sIEPfromthepreviousschooldistrict),untilSt.LuciePublicSchools:

• Conductsaninitialevaluationpursuanttosubsections6A‐6.0331(4)and(5),F.A.C.,ifdeterminednecessary;and

• Develops,adopts,andimplementsanewIEPthatmeetstheapplicablerequirementsofRules6A‐6.03011through6A‐6.0361,F.A.C.

• St.LuciePublicSchoolsisnotrequiredtoobtainparentalconsentfortheinitialprovisionofservicesfortransferringstudentsinexceptionalprogramsdeterminedeligibleforservicesinFloridaunderthisrule.

IfastudentinexceptionaleducationhasanEPthatwasineffectinapreviousschooldistrict,inanotherstateorUnitedStatesTerritory,transferstoSt.LucieCountywithinthesameschoolyear,St.LuciePublicSchoolswill,inconsultationwiththeparents,providethestudentwithFAPE(includingservicescomparabletothosedescribedinthestudent‘sEPfromthepreviousschooldistrict),untilSt.LuciePublicSchoolsadoptsandimplementsaFloridaEPthatmeetstherequirementofRule6A‐030191,F.A.C.


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StudentswhotransferwithgiftedeligibilityfromanotherstateareeligibletocontinuetoreceivegiftedservicesinFloridapublicschoolsandmaynotberequiredtomeetFloridagiftedeligibilitycriteria.TheSt.LuciePublicSchooldistrictisnotrequiredtoobtainparentalconsentfortheinitialprovisionofservicesforatransferringgiftedstudentdeterminedeligibleunderthisrule.Agiftedplancouldincludedocumentationfromthepreviousschooldistrictinanotherstatethatthestudentwasdeterminedeligibleforgiftedservicesinaccordancewiththeapplicablerequirementsofthatstateandwasreceivinggiftedservices.

Tofacilitatethetransitionofatransferexceptionaleducationstudent,St.LuciePublicSchoolswilltakereasonablestepstopromptlyobtainthestudent‘srecords,includingtheIEPorEPandsupportingdocumentsandanyotherrecordsrelatingtotheprovisionofspecialeducationorrelatedservicestothestudent,fromthepreviousschooldistrictinwhichthestudentwasenrolled.

student progression plan - st lucie public schools

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