Promotion Policy 2006-2007
of the Baltimore City Public School System (01/04)

I. Grades 1-5 Promotion Standards
School Year 2006-2007

Subject to any special provisions that might apply, the following are the standards for promotion:

To be promoted in grades one and two, students must:

• earn a passing grade of 60 or above in reading/language arts; and
• earn a passing grade of 60 or above in mathematics; and
• score at the 23rd percentile or higher on the Stanford 10 Reading Assessment.
• [Students will take the Stanford 10 Mathematics Assessment ; however, the results will not be used as promotion standards.]

II. Grades 6-8 Promotion Standards
School Year 2006-2007

Subject to any special provisions that might apply, the following are the standards for promotion:

To be promoted in grades six and seven, students must:

• earn a passing grade of 60 or above in mathematics; and
• earn a passing grade of 60 or above in English; and
• earn a passing grade of 60 or above in science; and
• earn a passing grade of 60 or above in social studies.
• [Students will take the Maryland School Assessment (MSA); however, the results will not be used as promotion standards.]

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Special Requirements for English to Speakers of Other Languages

Limited English Proficient (LEP) elementary and secondary students receiving English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction must meet the promotion standards; however, retention decisions must be based on multiple measures, not only assessments in English. Appropriate strategies, accommodations, and/or exemptions identified by the LEP Committee must be documented in the student's records. The LEP student's English language proficiency must be considered when recommendation for retention is made in order to ensure that the proposed retention is not due to the student's limited English proficiency. Promotion/retention decisions are made in collaboration with the Student Support Team (SST) and the LEP Committee.

Special Requirements for Students With Disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that states and school districts include students with disabilities in their assessment system, with accommodations where appropriate. As the BCPSS develops and implements the curriculum assessments, the needs of students with disabilities who are working toward Maryland State Standards must be considered. While there is a need to promote high expectations for all students in meeting the standards that have been established, the rights of students with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to access these standards must be protected. The Child Study Team (CST) is a legally mandated Individual Education Program (IEP) team.
In making decisions regarding promoting or retaining students with disabilities who are working toward Maryland State diplomas, the IEP/CST must ensure that:

Students have access to the standard curriculum;

Students have had the opportunity to learn the material covered in the curriculum;

The IEP was developed and implemented to provide for reasonable success in the standard curriculum, including appropriate program accommodations if needed;

Unless otherwise stated on the IEP, students have had an opportunity to participate in state and districtwide assessments with appropriate use of accommodations or modifications;

Any decision that will have a major impact on the student will be based on the IEP; and,

The SST, after a review of the documentation received from the IEP/CST, which must have evidence of consideration of the above factors, will make a promotion/retention recommendation to the principal based on the IEP/CST placement requirements.

The principal (or designee) is included on the IEP/CST when making recommendations regarding promotion of students with disabilities.

Special Requirements for the Appeal Process

The BCPSS Promotion Policy contains guidelines that standardize promotion and retention decisions. Appeals can be made when parents request promotion and retention decisions that would be exceptions to the BCPSS promotion standards.

Parent Appeal Process

• The parent makes a written appeal of the promotion decision to the principal no later than three business days after the last day of school.
• The principal submits documentation and written recommendation to the Area Promotion Committee (APC) within six days after the last day of school. The APC convenes and submits the recommendation to the Area Academic Officer (AAO). (The APC shall consist of at least two administrators, two special educators, an executive assistant, and two teachers.)
• The APC informs the AAO of its decision, and the AAO notifies the parent of the decision within nine days after the close of school.
• The Chief Academic officer (CAO) receives a list of all appeal decisions made by the AAO.
• The CAO reserves the right to support or overrule appeal decisions rendered by the AAO.

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