Students will receive a progress report at the middle and end of each grading period. Students who are doing poorly, and their parents, shall be notified. 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 twice a year at the elementary, middle school, and high school to keep the parents informed. An individual parent-teacher conference will be scheduled biannually for families with students in grades K-4.

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.

Individual Student’s Progress

In addition to classroom work samples and alternative assessments, teachers may use the results of district-wide standardized tests as progress indicators.  The following assessments may be shared as indicators of progress at each of the indicated grade levels:

KG                          Marie Clay Observation Survey

                                  FAST assessment

1-4 8                       FAST

                                  Jerry L. Johns Basic Reading Inventory (BRI)

2                               Otis Lennon Scholastic Ability Test (OLSAT)

3-11                        ISASP

Pre-K                     IGDI Assessment

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 284.12 (2013).
                                      Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 280 (2013).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), .3(7); .5(16).

Cross Reference:  505 Student Scholastic Achievement
                                      506 Student Records

Approved:  March. 10, 1997, Dec 16, 2013, Aug. 20, 2018, April 12, 2021    
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Nov 1, 2013, July 16, 2018, March 15, 2021        
Revised:   Nov 1, 2013, July 16, 2018, March 15, 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.

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

 

NOTE: School districts that use specific steps or processes for determining retention or acceleration should reference the applicable criteria or where to locate the criteria in the bulleted information above.

 

 

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

Approved:  March. 10, 1997, March 19, 2018, August 20, 2018       
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Oct 28, 2013, February 19, 2018, July 16, 2018         
Revised:  February 19, 2018, March 19, 2018, July 16, 2018              

 

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 will 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.  To be eligible for honors and awards at Fairfield High School, students must meet the Fairfield High School standards for that award/honor.

Students who transfer to Fairfield High School their senior year must be enrolled long enough to establish their G.P.A. and class rank for at least one school year in order to be able to receive honors recognition at the time of graduation.

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

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 279.8 (1993).

Cross Reference:  504 Student Activities
                                      505 Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985, Aug. 20, 2018     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Oct 28, 2013, July 16, 2018      
Revised:  March 10, 1997, July 16, 2018      

 

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 an applicable program funded by the United States 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;
• mental or psychological problems of the student or the student's family;
• sex behavior and attitudes;
• illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating and 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
• income, but not including income required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program.

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.

 

 

 

Code No. 505.4a      

ACCOUNTABILITY TEST INTEGRITY/TEST PREPARATION

 

The Fairfield Community School District is committed to ensuring the integrity of the information obtained from the use of educational assessments.  This policy is intended to apply to two assessments in particular; the assessment used to meet the reporting requirement under the ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) and the assessment used to meet the reporting requirements for the Annual Progress Report to the Iowa Department of Education.

The purpose of this policy is to identify procedures that can ensure assessment results are truly representative of the achievement of students in our district.  It is also our intent to create awareness of the potential negative impact that inappropriate assessment practices might produce, to outline processes to be followed, and to identify the potential consequences of violating the policy.  If test scores become questionable because of inappropriate practices in either preparing student or in administering tests, the meaning of the scores will be distorted and their value for their original purpose will be diminished or lost.

 

APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT TEST COORDINATOR

The district shall appoint a District Test Coordinator, who may in turn delegate responsibility for testing-related functions to one or more Building Test Coordinators.  The District Test Coordina-tor is the curriculum director.  The District Test Coordinator is responsible for storing materials from Iowa Testing Programs in a secure area with restricted access both prior to and after the testing period.

 

TEST PREPARATION

As a function of educating students, staff may prepare students for assessments by providing instruction in the content areas to be assessed.  Staff may also prepare students for assessments by teaching general test-taking skills that are applicable to any test or test format.

Staff will not conduct reviews or drills that use actual test items or identical format items of the accountability assessments, use copies of tests from previous years, or review test-specific curriculum content with students at any time.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF TESTS

In the administration of standardized tests, it is a violation of test security to do any of the following:

1. Provide inappropriate test preparation such as any of the following;
   
   1. Copy, reproduce, or use in any manner any portion of any secure test booklet, for any reason.
   2. Share an actual test instrument in any form.
   3. Use test preparation materials or strategies developed specifically for Annual Progress Reporting or the Annual Yearly Progress Report.
2. Deviate from the test administration procedures specified in the test examiner’s manual.
3. Provide inappropriate assistance to students during the test administration.
4. Make test answers available to students.
5. Change or fill in answers on student answer documents.
6. Provide inaccurate data on student answer documents.
7. Engage in any practice to artificially raise student scores without actually improving underlying student achievement.
8. Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist, encourage, or fail to report any of the acts prohibited in this policy.

After testing is completed, test booklets are to be returned according to procedures established by the District Test Coordinator.

 

CONSEQUENCES OF POLICY VIOLATIONS

If a violation of this policy occurs, as determined by the superintendent following an investigation of allegations of irregularities, the superintendent will determine whether the integrity of the testing program has been jeopardized, whether some or all of the test results are invalidated, and whether a teacher or administrator has violated the Code of Ethics of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners as found at 282-Iowa Administrative Code chapter 25.

Reports of students cheating on assessments will be submitted to the building principal for investigation and disciplinary procedures.

A staff member found to have committed testing irregularities will be subject to discipline in accordance with law and board policy.  If the staff member is a licensee of the Board of Educational Examiners, the superintendent will make a timely report to that board.

If the superintendent believes that assessment results are invalid, the superintendent will make a timely report to the Iowa Department of Education.

 

Legal Reference:  20 U.S.C. § 1232h
                                      Iowa Code §§ 280.3
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.5(13), .5(21).

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

Approved:  Mar. 10, 1997, Aug. 20, 2018     
Reviewed:  Sep. 28, 2005, Oct 28, 2013, July 16, 2018            
Revised:   Oct. 10, 2005, July 16, 2018      

 

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 that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete 52 credits prior to graduation. The following credits will be required for graduation:

1. A minimum number of credits must be earned within certain disciplines as follows:

                  English/Language Arts              8 credits

                  Science                                               6 credits

                  Mathematics                                    6 credits

                  Social Studies                                 6 credits

                  Physical Education                      4 credits

                  Financial Literacy                        1 credits

 

2. Band, Choir and Physical Education are to receive 1 credit per term.

Graduation requirements for special education students will be in accordance with the prescribed course of study as described in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each student’s IEP will include a statement of the projected date of graduation at least 18 months in advance of the projected date and the criteria to be used in determining whether graduation will occur. Prior to the special education student’s graduation, the IEP team will determine whether the graduation criteria have been met.

Beginning with the class of 2022, requirements for students in special education to earn a regular high school diploma will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, three years of science and the completion of the district’s physical education requirements.

In addition, students are required to complete 10 hours of community service.

The remaining credits come from electives or additional credits within the core areas.

In order to graduate early, students must have the approval of the Counselor, Principal and Superintendent. Code No. 505.6

 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, 279.8; 280.3, .14. (2013)
                                        281 I.A.C. 12.2.5

Cross Reference:  505       Student Scholastic Achievement
                                        603.3    Special Education

Approved:  March. 10, 1997, Aug. 9, 2010, Jun 18, 2012, Aug. 20, 2018, April 12, 2021
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, June 14, 2010, Oct. 11, 2010, Jun 18, 2012, Oct 28, 2013, July 16, 2018, March 15, 2021    
Revised:  Apr. 14, 1997, July 12, 2010, Nov. 8, 2010, July 16, 2018, March 15, 2021       

 

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 commencement exercises.

Students who decide to graduate early must notify school officials of their decision to do so by no later than the end of the 1^st grading period of their early graduation year.

In order to graduate early, students must have the approval of the counselor, principal, Superintendent and the School Board prior to the end of the first grading period.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2013).
                                      281 I.A.C. 12.2; .5, 12.3(5)

Cross Reference:  505 Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved: April 14, 1997, Aug. 20, 2018, April 12, 2021     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Oct 28, 2013, July 16, 2018, March 15, 2021              
Revised:  July 16, 2018, March 15, 2021              

 

Students who have met the requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the commencement proceedings provided they abide by the proceedings organized by the school district.  The Board of Directors may exclude students from participation for violation of rules established for the orderly governance of the school.   Attendance at commencement exercises is optional.   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, (2013).
                                      281 I.A.C.12.5.

Cross Reference:  505 Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985, Aug. 20, 2018     
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Oct 28, 2013, July 16, 2018.      
Revised:  March 10, 1997, July 16, 2018.      

 

1. 1. Parents are given assistance in understanding the requirements of the Title I law, content standards, performance standards and assessments. This information is provided through the school improvement advisory committee/vertical team, annual meetings, publications, the district's Title Informational  Brochure, parent/teacher conferences,  and open houses.
2. 2. An annual meeting is held for all parents of participating children within the school   year. Notice of this meeting will be made through the district curriculum office through mailings and building newsletters.

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  by:
   
   1.    A school/parent compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students share responsibility for improved student achievement and the means by which the school and parents continue to build and develop partnerships to help children    achieve local high standards. This agreement is developed by the Title I advisory committee and described in the Title I Informational Brochure. The school provides support for parental involvement activities and assistance to parents on how they can participate in decisions related to their student's education.
   2.    Parents are given assistance in understanding the requirements of the Title I law, content standards, performance standards and assessments. This information is provided through the school improvement advisory committee/vertical team, annual meetings, publications, the district's Title I Informational Brochure, parent/teacher conferences, and open houses.

6. Involve parents and families in Title I activities by:© IASB POLICY REFERENCE MANUAL

An annual evaluation of the parental involvement policy shall be conducted to determine its effectiveness and its effect on parent involvement. The evaluation may be conducted through parent surveys and Title I Advisory Committee feedback. The evaluation findings will be used in designing strategies for school improvement and reported to the public through building newsletters, Board reports, and other District annual reports.

The district shall involve parents in determining how to allocate reserved Title I funds in accordance with applicable laws.

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.

 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.

 

 

Legal References:  20 U.S.C. §6318

Cross References:  903.2 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers Approved

Approved: August 20, 2018, May 18, 2020  
Reviewed: July 16, 2018, April 13, 2020
Revised: July 16, 2018

 

Each student must select at least 5 credits per grading period, including physical education for a minimum of one grading period each year for one credit. Seniors who are on track to graduate will be considered full-time students at four credits per grading period. Make sure to check the Curriculum Guide for course prerequisites.

Scheduling changes will be completed within the first 3 days of the start of the grading period. The deadline for dropping sixth subject is the end of the sixth week of each grading period. A student cannot drop a class with enrollment of 10 or less students.

Dropping a year long class will not be allowed unless the teacher and administration feel the student has demonstrated the appropriate effort during the semester and is still struggling (earning a "D" grade or below). Student and teacher must agree the course work will be too difficult for the student to continue. Parent permission needed for these schedule changes.

Teacher preference requests will not be granted.

Students will sign a statement that they have read the information and understand the procedures to be followed.

 

 

Approved:  March 11, 2002, Sept 26, 2016, Aug. 20, 2018, April 12, 2021    
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Oct. 11, 2010, Jul 25, 2016, July 16, 2018, March 15, 2021
Revised:  Nov. 8, 2010, Jul 25, 2016, July 16, 2018 March 15, 2021