NOTICE TO PARENTS: Changes to the 2004-05 Student Progression Plan
Orange County Public Schools

GRADES 4 - 8 PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY

In this 2004-05 school year, new policies are in effect in Orange County Public Schools for student promotion to the next grade level. In order to be promoted to the next grade level, students in Grades 4-8 must show mastery of grade level work above an FCAT Reading score of Level 1. This policy has been approved by the Orange County School Board in order to reduce the promotions of students who are not ready for success with the academic work required at the next grade level.

Exemptions:
If a student scores a Level 1 in the FCAT Reading, the student must be retained unless he or she qualifies for an exemption. The exemption may be based on specific learner characteristics (such as a student new to the English language or a student with exceptional education needs), remediation, or proof of performance mastery in works other than the FCAT test. These exemptions include:
1. An LEP student with less than two years of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) services and with LEP committee recommendation;
2. An ESE student with an IEP (Individual Education Plan) for satisfactory completion of an alternate assessment other than FCAT and with an IEP team recommendation;
3. A student achieving a score of comparable proficiency above FCAT Reading Level 1 on an alternative test: the NRT (Norm Reference Test), the SAT-9 (Stanford Achievement Test), the DRP (Degrees of Reading Power) or reading program assessments used in the school-based reading program.

Additional Requirements for Middle School:
For middle school students, the passing of four academic courses (three of which include English, math, science or social studies) is also required. At the end of Grade 8, if a student has not met promotion requirements, a mandatory summer session must be attended. If the student makes sufficient progress in this session as documented by learning gains in reading, then the student will be promoted to Grade 9. If the student does not make sufficient progress as indicated by an alternate assessment measure, the student will be retained.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN YOUR CHILD'S SUCCESS
If your child is deficient in reading, please work closely with your child's teachers to establish the strongest program of support for increased skills in reading. The more time your child is involved with reading activities, the higher the reading achievement will be. Your support with reading activities at home will be a very important part of your child's progress and success.