Promotion, grade-level advancement,  and course credit shall be based on mastery of the curriculum. Expectations and standards for promotion shall be established for each grade level, content area, and course and shall be coordinated with compensatory/accelerated services. [See EHBC]

Mastery shall be determined as follows:

1. Course assignments and unit evaluation shall be used to determine student grades in a subject. An average of 70 or higher shall be considered a passing grade.

2. Mastery of the skills necessary for success at the next level shall be validated by assessments that may either be incorporated into unit or final exams or may be administered separately. Mastery of at least 70 percent of the objectives shall be required

Promotion to the next grade level shall be based on an overall average of 70 on a scale of 100 based on course-level, grade-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) for all subject areas and a grade of 70 or above in  three of the following areas:  language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Promotion standards, as established by individualized education plan (IEP) or grade-level classification of students eligible for special education, shall be determined by the ARD committee.

In assessing students of limited English proficiency for mastery of the essential knowledge and skills, the District shall be flexible in determining methods to allow the students to demonstrate knowledge or competency independent of their English language skills in the following ways:

1. Assessment in the primary language.

2. Assessment using ESL methodologies.

3. Assessment with multiple varied instruments. [See EHBE]

The District recognizes that the retaining of students is not an effective strategy. Therefore, the District shall establish procedures designed to reduce retaining students at a grade level, with the ultimate goal being elimination of the practice of retaining students. [See EHBC]