Parents have the right under state law and our district policy to appeal the decision to retain their child. To appeal the school's decision you need to do the following:

1. After you have been notified by the school that your child is to be retained, you may request in writing that the principal review the teacher's decision. This written appeal must be given to the principal within five (5) working days after you have received the school's notification and must contain specific reasons as to why your child should not be retained.
2. The site administrator will contact you and respond to your appeal within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal. The administrator's response must also be in writing.
3. If the site administrator upholds the decision to retain or promote your child, you may request a second-level review of the site administrator's decision. You may forward your written appeal to the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services specifying why the site administrator's decision should be overturned. You must initiate this appeal within ten (10) working days of the site administrator's decision.
4. Within thirty (30) working days, the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services shall determine whether to uphold the site administrator's decision. The Assistant Superintendent or designee may meet with you and/or the site administrator to make the determination. The Assistant Superintendent may reverse the site administrator's decision to retain or promote if merit is found in your appeal.
5. You may also appeal the Assistant Superintendent's decision to the Board of Education by writing a letter to the Board of Education within fifteen (15) working days of the Assistant Superintendent's decision. Within thirty (30) working days of the receipt of your letter the Board will make a final determination regarding the decision to retain or promote your child. To make the determination, the Board may rely on written documentation prepared as part of the appeal process or, at the Board's discretion may meet with you, the principal and/or the Assistant Superintendent for further information.

The decision of the Board of Education shall be final. If the decision of the Board of Education is unfavorable, you may submit a written statement of objection that shall become a part of the student's permanent record.

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

We know from experience and research that parental involvement in their child's education is critical to their academic success. Children whose parents are involved in their education earn higher grades, have higher test scores, attend school more regularly, complete more homework, demonstrate a better attitude and better behavior, graduate from high school at higher rates and are more likely to go on to higher education than do children whose parents are less involved. Clearly, parents can help students learn so that they are prepared for the next grade and for school success. Below are suggested activities for parents to be involved with their child's education.

1. Explain to your child that he/she needs to work hard to be successful in school.
2. Monitor your child's progress in reading and math and supervise the completion of all homework.
3. Read at home together and encourage your child to read at least 30 minutes a day.
4. Attend back-to-school events and teacher conferences.
5. Participate in school decisions by attending meetings and serving on advisory councils.
6. Ask your child's teacher to explain math, reading and language arts grade-level standards and how you can help with skills your child has not yet achieved.
7. Explain to your child how you will help at home and how the school will help to support your child in attaining grade-level success.
8. Make arrangements for your child to attend programs, tutoring and summer school designed to help students at risk of being retained.
9. Keep “moves” to a minimum so that your child stays in the same school for the entire school year.
10. Make sure your child eats a nutritious breakfast every day and sleeps at least eight hours a night.
11. Make sure you send your child to school every day, on time and in a happy frame of mind.
12. Set regular times of the day and week to work with your child on the skills he/she needs to learn.

Be part of the solution. Help your child succeed.