Students will receive a progress report at the end of each grading period.  Students, who are doing poorly, and their parents, are notified prior to the end of the semester in order to have an opportunity to improve their grade.  The board encourages the notification of students who have made marked improvement prior to the end of the semester.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held at least twice a year at all grade levels to keep parents informed. 

Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in grades kindergarten through twelve in addition to the scheduled conference time.  Parents and students are encouraged to discuss the student's progress or other matters with the student's teacher.

 

 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, 41; .280, 284.12
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(4), 12.3(6), .5(16).

Cross Reference: 505      Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      506      Student Records

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                    
Last Reviewed  01-27-2021            
Last Revision   01-27-2021

 

Students will be promoted to the next grade level at the end of each school year based on the student's achievement, age, maturity, emotional stability, and social adjustment.

The district shall adhere to the following:

• Retention/Promotion in kindergarten – eighth grade: The retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the district’s professional staff. When it becomes evident a student in grades kindergarten through eight may be retained in a grade level for an additional year, the parents will be informed prior to making the retention decision. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
• Retention/Promotion in ninth – twelfth grade: Students in grades nine through twelve will be informed of the required course work necessary to be promoted each year. When it becomes evident a student in these grades will be unable to meet the minimum credit requirements for the year, the student and parents will be informed. It is within the sole discretion of the district to retain students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.
• Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade: Students in grades kindergarten through twelve with exceptional talents may, with the permission of the principal and parents, take classes beyond their current grade level. Enrichment opportunities outside the school district may be allowed when they do not conflict with the school district's graduation requirements.
• Retention or Acceleration in kindergarten – twelfth grade may also occur in additional instances as provided by law.

For students in grades kindergarten through sixth, if a student is not reading at a proficient level, the district will notify a student’s parent or guardian of the student’s reading level, and the option for parents to request that the student be retained in the student’s current grade level for the subsequent school year.  The district is prohibited from promoting a student to the next grade level if the student is not reading proficiently, and the student’s parent or guardian requests the student be retained at their current grade level for the next year.

Any student or parent who is not satisfied with the decision of the district’s professional staff may seek recourse through policy 502.4 – Student Complaints and Grievances.

 

 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.11, 279.8.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.5(16).

Cross Reference: 501      Student Attendance
                                      505      Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      603.2   Summer School Instruction

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                    
Last Reviewed  08-14-2024             
Last Revision 08-14-2024

 

The school district will provide a program that establishes honors and awards including, but not limited to, academic letters, scholarships and good citizenship awards for students to assist students in setting goals.  Students are made aware of honors and awards and the action necessary on the part of the student to achieve them.  Students who have not attended an accredited public or private school for their entire high school education, will not be eligible for honors and awards. 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the administrative regulations regarding this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8.

Cross Reference: 504      Student Activities
                                      505      Student Scholastic Achievement

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                    
Last Reviewed  01-27-2021             
Last Revision 03-23-2009

 

A comprehensive testing program is established and maintained to evaluate the education program of the school district and to assist in providing guidance or counseling services to students and their families.

No student is required, as part of any applicable program, funded by the Unites State Department of Education, to submit to a survey, analysis or evaluation that reveals information concerning:

• political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent or guardian:
• mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
• sex behavior or attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating or demeaning behavior;
• critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;
• legally recognized, privileged and analogous relationships, such as those of lawyers, physicians and ministers;
• religious practices, affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent or guardian; or
• income,(other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program);

without the prior consent of the student (if the student is an adult or emancipated minor), or in the case of an unemancipated minor, without the prior written consent of the parent.

Prior to an employee or contractor of the district providing information on a student enrolled in the district on any survey related to the social or emotional abilities, competencies or characteristics of the student; the district will provide the parent/guardian of the student detailed information related to the survey and obtain written consent of the parent/guardian of the student. This includes the person who created the survey, the person who sponsors the survey, how the information generated by the survey is used and how information generated by the survey is stored. This requirement will not prohibit a district employee from answering questions related to a student enrolled in the district as part of developing or implementing an individualized education program for the student.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

It is the responsibility of the board to review and approve the evaluation and testing program.

 

 

Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. § 1232h
                                       Iowa Code §§ 280.3

Cross Reference: 505      Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      506      Student Records
                                      607.2   Student Health Services

Initially Approved  02-14-2000                     
Last Reviewed   08-23-2023           
Last Revision   08-23-2023

 

Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate. 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete 52 credits prior to graduation.  The following credits will be required:

                                                           

                  World History                          2 credits
                  American History                  2 credits
                  American Government      1 credit 
                  Social Studies Elective      1 credit
                  Language Arts                       8 credits
                  Mathematics                          6 credits
                  Science                                    6 credits 
                  Health                                       1 credit 
                  Physical Ed.                           4 credit 
                  Elective Course                   21 credits
                 TOTAL CREDITS                 52 CREDITS
                

 

The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually.

Prior to graduation, the district will advise students on how to successfully complete the free application for federal student aid.

Graduation requirements for special education students include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.

Students who complete a regular session in the Legislative Page Program of the general assembly at the state capitol will be credited ½ credit of social studies.

Students enrolled in a junior officers’ training corp will receive 1/8th physical education credit for each semester the student is enrolled in the program. 

 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 256.7, 11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3, .14
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.2, .5; 12.3(5).

Cross Reference: 505      Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      603.3   Special Education

 

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                    
Last Reviewed 08-23-2023            
Last Revision 08-23-2023

 

Generally, students will be required to complete the necessary course work and graduate from high school at the end of grade twelve.  Students may graduate prior to this time if they meet the minimum graduation requirements stated in board policy.

A student who graduates early will no longer be considered a student and will become an alumnus of the school district.  However, the student who graduates early may participate in prom activities and commencement exercises.

 

 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.2;  .5.

Cross Reference: 505      Student Scholastic Achievement

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                    
Last Reviewed  01-27-2021            
Last Revision 03-23-2009

 

Students who have met the Clarinda Community School District requirements for graduation per policy 505.5 - Graduation Requirements, and are a full-time Clarinda Community School District student will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  It is the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.

Failure of a student to participate in commencement will not be a reason for withholding the student's final progress report or diploma certifying the student's completion of high school.

 

 

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3.
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.5.

Cross Reference: 505      Student Scholastic Achievement

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                     
Last Reviewed  04-26-2023             
Last Revision   04-26-2023 

 

Parent and family engagement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents and families to become involved in their child’s education to ensure the child’s academic success.  In order to facilitate parent and family involvement, it is the goal of the district to conduct outreach and implement programs, activities and procedures to further involve parents and families with the academic success of their students. The board will:

1. Involve parents and families in the development of the Title I plan, the process for school review of the plan and the process for improvement;
    
2. Provide the coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist and build the capacity of all participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent and family involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance;
    
3. To the extent feasible, coordinate and integrate parent and family engagement strategies under Title I with parent and family engagement strategies outlined in other relevant Federal, State, and local laws and programs;
    
4. Conduct with the involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent and family engagement policy in improving the academic quality of the school served including identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in Title I activities (with particular attention to low-income parents, Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents, parents of any racial or ethnic minority, parents with disabilities and parents with limited literacy);
    
5. Use the findings of the annual evaluation to design strategies for more effective parent and family involvement and to revise, as necessary, the parent and family involvement policies; and;
    
6. Involve parents and families in Title I activities.

The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents and families of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been amended during the school year.  The superintendent may develop an administrative process or procedures to implement this policy. 

 

 

 

Legal References: 20 U.S.C. §6318

Cross References: 903.2   Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

Initially Approved 02-14-2000                    
Last Reviewed  04-10-2024                                    
Last Revision 01-27-2021