IKE - Promotion, Retention, and Acceleration of Students
It is the Board’s intent to provide sequential instructional programming that provides equitable opportunity for students to acquire the knowledge and skills that will enable them to meet the content standards of the Maine Learning Results at each grade level. The Board recognizes that at every grade level, there are differences among students in their intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development, and that individual students may be more proficient in some content areas of the Learning Results than in others. Students may also differ in their progress toward achieving the cross-curricular skills identified in the Guiding Principles of the Learning Results.
While most students will advance from one grade to another at the end of the academic year, some students may benefit from retention or acceleration. Decisions concerning promotion, retention, or acceleration of a student should be consistent with the best educational interest of that student.
A. Criteria
The following criteria will be used in making decisions concerning promotion, retention and acceleration. Although all listed criteria may be considered in the decision-making process, because of the relationship between a student’s achievement of the content standards of the system of Learning Results and his/her future success in school, more consideration shall be given to the criterion articulated in Section 1 below than to any other factors.
1. Achievement of the content standards of the Learning Results as demonstrated through classroom assessments, common assessments, standardized tests, portfolios, performances, exhibitions, projects and other elements of the school unit’s local assessment system;
2. Achievement of cross-curricular skills associated with the Guiding Principles of the Learning Results.
3. Participation and success in remedial programs, tutoring, summer school, and/or other opportunities for success;
4. Potential benefit from repetition of a grade or learning experiences;
5. Potential for success if accelerated;
6. Attendance;
7. Social and emotional maturity;
8. Health;
9. Age in relation to grade placement;
10. Program options;
11. Student attitude; and
12. Parental/guardian concerns.
B. Retention
It is the policy of Falmouth Public Schools that retention for students in grades K-8 is a last resort process that will be utilized when other considerations/ interventions have proved unsuccessful. Decisions concerning retention of a student shall be consistent with the best educational interest of that student.
The Superintendent or their designee shall create a process for retention that includes parental/guardian communication and involvement. Parents/guardians should be notified as early as possible in the event that retention is being considered by the school for their child. Decisions concerning retention should involve the school-based team, parents/guardian and available data. Decisions concerning retention for students with Individual Education Plans (IEP) will be made in consultation with the IEP team process. The Superintendent, school administrators and teachers are responsible for ensuring that parents/guardians are kept informed of their child’s progress through progress reports, parent/guardian-teacher conferences and other appropriate means.
Effective communication with parents/guardians is critical to a student’s success in school as progress is carefully monitored. Parents/guardians will be informed of the remediation options available to students such as tutoring, online/Internet-based resources, after school programs, and summer school. Whenever possible, decisions concerning retention should be made through a conference involving parents/guardians , the student’s teacher, the building principal, and, as appropriate, the guidance counselor, other professional staff, and/or consultants. Advancement to the next grade may be made conditional on successful remediation or demonstrated proficiency within a specified period of time. Parents/guardians are encouraged to keep themselves informed regarding their child’s progress and to inform their child’s teacher(s) of any information that may impact the child’s school performance.
The principal shall be responsible for making the final decision regarding retention. A parents/guardian who is dissatisfied with the principal’s decision may appeal to the Superintendent. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final.
C. Acceleration
Decisions regarding acceleration shall be made by the principal in consultation with the student’s teacher(s), the Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator, and other professional staff or consultants, as appropriate.
The needs of students who meet grade level expectations at a faster rate than their peers may be met through a variety of means including enrichment activities, extra-curricular activities, curriculum compacting, differentiated assignments and independent study projects. Acceleration to a higher grade level may be appropriate when other options fail to meet the needs of highly able students.
A parent/guardian who is dissatisfied with the principal’s decision may appeal to the Superintendent. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final.
D. High School Grade Level Assignment
Demonstrated proficiency in the content standards of the system of Learning Results and in the cross-curricular standards skills identified in the Guiding Principles of the Learning Results, and successful completion of all other requirements specified in the Board’s policy IKF (Graduation Requirements), will be required for a high school diploma.
High school grade level assignment will be based on the number of learning experiences/courses completed prior to the beginning of the school year.
E. Transfer Students
For students who transfer into the school system from another state or educational program not required to meet the content standards of the system of Learning Results, the principal will determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience for the purpose of grade placement or the fulfillment of credits.
Legal Reference: Ch. 127 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule)
Cross Reference: IK – Academic Achievement
IKF – Graduation Requirements
Adopted: February 25, 2025