Students will receive a progress report at the end of each nine-week grading period.  Students who are doing poorly, and the parents or guardians of those students, 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 in the fall and in the spring at all grade levels in the school to keep the parents informed.

Parents, teachers, or principals may request a conference for students in grades pre-school 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.

 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 256E.1(1)(b)(1), 280 (2007).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), .3(7), .5(16).

Cross Reference:  505       Student Scholastic Achievement
                                       506       Student Records

Approved    2-15-2010                          
Reviewed    7-20-2015                                                                     
Revised                  

 

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 retention of a student will be determined based upon the judgment of the licensed employee and the principal.  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.  It is within the sole discretion of the board to establish policy regarding the
retention of students.

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 board to establish policy
regarding retention of students in their current grade level and to deny promotion to a student.

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.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3 (2007).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.3(7); 12.5(16).

Cross Reference:  501       Student Attendance
                                       505       Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved    2-15-2010                          
Reviewed    7-20-2015                                                                     
Revised                   

 

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. 

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

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code § 279.8 (2007).

Cross Reference:  504       Student Activities
                                       505       Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved    2-15-2010                          
Reviewed    7-20-2015                                                                     
Revised                   

 

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, 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 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

                     income,(other than that 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.

 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and reflects federal law.

 

 

Legal Reference:  No Child Left Behind, Title II, Sec. 1061, P.L. 107-110 (2002).
                                       Goals 2000:  Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).
                                       20 U.S.C. § 1232h (2004).
                                       Iowa Code §§ 280.3; 256B; 282.1, .3, .6 (2007).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.5(13), .5(21).

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

Approved    2-15-2010                    
Reviewed    7-20-2015                                                              
Revised                   

 

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 forty eight (48) credits prior to
graduation.  The following credits will be required:

                  Language Arts                            8     credits

                  Science                                          6     credits

                  Mathematics                               6     credits

                  Social Studies                             6     credits

                  Computer Applications         1     credit

                  Physical Education                 2     credits, unless excused for cause

                  Electives                                 19     credits

 

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

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. 

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 256.11, .11A; 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2007).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5; 41.12(6)(e); 67 (8).

Cross Reference:  505       Student Scholastic Achievement
                                       603.3    Special Education

Approved     2-15-2010                         
Reviewed    7-20-2015                      
Revised                      

 

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 and prom activities, but not the senior class trip or other school activities.

 

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy.  School districts do not have the authority to limit when a student may graduate early.  Students can graduate early whenever they meet the
school district's graduation requirements.  It is recommended that when a student graduates early, the student either gets the diploma or a notice from the school district that the
student has graduated.  The board should determine in policy how an early graduate will be treated after the student graduates.  The board should determine whether the early
graduate will be allowed to participate in activities and, if so, which activities.

 

 

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.3, .14 (2007).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:  505       Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved     2-15-2010                         
Reviewed    7-20-2015                                                                      
Revised                   

 

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. Home school students (enrolled in the senior class) who have attended a full academic standing may participate in the graduation ceremony at the discretion
of the administration. Home school students who have not met the graduation requirements may receive an attendance certificate. Foreign exchange students who are in good
standing may participate in the graduation ceremony at the discretion of administration. Foreign exchange students who have met the graduation requirements may receive an
attendance certificate. It is the responsibility of the principal to solicit input from each graduating class regarding the proceedings for their commencement.  The Board of
Education may exclude students from participation for violation of rules established for the orderly governance of schools.

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, .14 (2007).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.2; .3(7); .5.

Cross Reference:  505       Student Scholastic Achievement

Approved     2-15-2010                         
Reviewed     7-20-2015                                                                      
Revised   03-19-18      

 

Parental involvement is an important component in a student’s success in school.  The board encourages parents to become involved in their child’s education to ensure
the child’s academic success

It is the policy of North Mahaska Community Schools that parents of participating children shall have the opportunity to be involved jointly in the development of the
district plan and in the district’s review process for the purpose of school improvement. Recognizing that parental involvement is the key to academic achievement, we
seek to involve parents in an effective home-school partnership that will provide the best possible education for our students. The district provides coordination, technical
assistance and other supports necessary to aid in the planning and implementation of parent involvement activities. The district encourages parent involvement and
supports this partnership through providing information about standards and assessments; providing training and materials for parents to help their children; educating
school personnel about involving parents and the value of parent contributions; and developing roles for community organizations and businesses to work with parents |
and schools.

1.          This jointly developed and agreed upon written policy is distributed to parents of participating Title I children and all parents through the Parent Handbook
which is distributed to every family at the beginning of each school year.

2.          An annual meeting is held, for all parents of participating children.  Additional meetings with flexible times shall be held throughout the year as determined by
parents and/or teachers. Notification for these meetings will be sent in the district newsletter or set up via phone conversation.

3.          Parents are given assistance in understanding the Title I requirements, standards, and assessments through the annual meetings and parent-teacher conferences.

4.          Parents receive an explanation of the school’s performance profile, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the expected
proficiency levels in the annual progress report distributed to all box holders in the spring of the year, through individual reports given to parents at conference
time, and through report cards.

5.          In targeted assistance buildings parents are informed of and involved with their child’s participation in the Title I program. They also are informed about the
curriculum, instructional objectives, and methods used in the program. This information is delivered through newsletters, conferences and the annual meetings.

6.          Parent recommendations are encouraged and responded to in a timely manner. Verbal or written responses will be given for all recommendations.

7.          Parents will be involved with the planning, review, and improvement of the school wide programs. The vehicle used will be the School Improvement Citizens
Advisory Committee. If the school wide program is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, they may submit comments to the School
Improvement Citizens Advisory Committee.

8.          A jointly developed school/parent compact outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students all share responsibility for improved student achievement.
The compact also describes the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve our local high standards. It
is distributed in the parent handbook and is reviewed at the annual meetings.

9.          The Title I program provides opportunities for parents to become partners with the school in promoting the education of their children both at home and at
               school. Parents are given help monitoring their student’s progress and provided assistance on how to participate in decisions related to their student’s education.
               The school also provides other reasonable support for parental involvement activities as requested by parents. Parents are encouraged to participate as
               volunteers in the school setting. Individual conferences will also be held upon request. A reading library, which contains reports on educational issues, books,
               and videos, are available to parents for check out at the North Mahaska Elementary building.

10.        The school continues to coordinate and integrate, to the extent feasible and appropriate, the parent involvement policy and other programs and activities within
the district. Transitional information for students moving from sixth grade to seventh grade will be provided to parents at North Mahaska Elementary at the
annual spring meeting.

11.        An annual evaluation of this parental involvement policy shall be conducted to determine its effectiveness. Findings will be used to design strategies for school
improvement and revision of policies. The annual spring meetings will serve as the site for the discussions of program adjustments.

Providing all North Mahaska Community School District’s children with equal access to quality education is of primary purpose. It is crucial that all partners (students,
parents, educators, and communities) have the opportunity to provide input and offer resources to meet this purpose. As these partnerships are mutually beneficial,
developing cooperative efforts will ensure improved academic achievement for all students.

The board will review this policy annually.  The superintendent is responsible for notifying parents of this policy annually or within a reasonable time after it has been
amended during the school year.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy

 

 

Legal References:  No Child Left Behind, Title I, Sec. 1118, P.L. 107-110. (2002)

Cross References:  903.2    Community Resource Persons and Volunteers

Approved     2-15-2010                         
Reviewed   _7-20-2015_                       
Revised