Verona Area School District 345.

STUDENT GRADE ADVANCEMENT

(K-8)

The promotion or retention of students in grades K-8 shall be based upon student achievement. In
particular, for 4th and 8th grade students, there is no social promotion permitted under state law.

To be promoted from one grade level to the next, students shall be expected to meet the following
District criteria.

• Academic Performance
Students in grades K-5 will achieve a “basic” or above in each of the core content
areas (mathematics, language arts, science and social studies) on the report card at the
end of the school year. Students in grades 6-8 will achieve a 1.0 grade point average in
three of the four core content areas at the end of the school year.

• Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE) [4th and 8th grade
students only]
In addition to the academic performance criteria above, students in grades 4 and 8 will
be expected to achieve a score of “basic” or above on each of the five subtests on the
Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (reading, language arts,
mathematics, science and social studies) or on alternative assessments as per
individual education/learner plan.

• Other Academic Criteria

If a student does not meet the above criteria, the student will be expected to
successfully complete an alternative instructional program as determined by the
District. Some examples of alternative instructional programs include: summer school,
independent study, portfolio/exhibitions, individual educational plans for students
with disabilities, English language learner plans, 504 plans and other health
impairment plans.

• Staff Recommendations
If a student does not meet the academic performance, WKCE or other academic
criteria described above, a staff committee will review the student’s situation and
make a decision regarding the student’s promotion or retention. The committee shall
consist of at least three of the following people: principal, guidance counselor, student
services personnel, teachers (at least one is required at the present grade level the
student is in). The committee may consider such criteria as staff and parent
recommendations, past retentions, reports from outside agencies and performance in
non-academic areas. Only academic-related information may, however, be considered
in making decisions regarding the promotion of students from 4th to 5th grade and from
8th to 9th grade.

Promotion or retention decisions shall be made prior to the conclusion of the school year whenever
possible, and prior to the commencement of the next school year if conditions so require.

LEGAL REF.: Sections 118.145 Wisconsin Statutes

 118.24(2)(a)
118.30
118.33
120.12(2)
120.13

CROSS REF.: 342.1, Programs for Students with Disabilities

342.4, Title I Programs for Disadvantaged Students
342.6, Program or Curriculum Modifications
342.61, Programs for English Language Learners
345.1, Grading Systems
345.2, Home-School Communications about Student Learning
345.6, Graduation Requirements
346, Assessment of Student Achievement
Special Education Policy and Procedure Handbook

APPROVED: April 7, 2003

345.4 Student Grade Advancement, page 2