Third Grade Retention Important Parent Information Brockington Elementary

Third Grade Retention: Important Parent Information Brockington Elementary Magnet School Principal: Stephanie Bridges December 12, 2017

Read to Succeed Legislation Background O Created in 2015 to address literacy performance in South Carolina. O Act 284, Read to Succeed legislation, puts in place a support system to ensure SC students graduate on time with the literacy skills they need to be successful in college, careers, and citizenship. O The goal of Act 284 is that all students become proficient readers by the end of third grade.

3 rd Grade Retention: 2017 -2018 Beginning this school year, a student must be retained in 3 rd grade if the student fails to demonstrate reading proficiency at the end of 3 rd grade. ○ ○ This means scoring at the Not Met 1 level on the end of the year state assessment which is equivalent to a Spring MAP Cut Score of 186 or below. An Approaches Expectations Spring MAP Cut Score is 187. A Meets Expectations Spring MAP Cut Score is 203. An Exceeds Expectations Spring MAP Cut Score is 215 or higher.

Good Cause Exemptions There are some exceptions to this called Good Cause Exemptions: ● Some students with disabilities (the disability must be in reading); ● Limited English proficiency; ● Some previously retained students; ● Students who scored poorly on the state summative assessment, but who have demonstrated grade-level reading proficiency on other tests or through a reading portfolio.

Student Portfolios ● Any third grade student that falls in the 25% percentile or below will be identified as a possible retention by the classroom teacher. ● The teacher will begin a portfolio on each individual student to collect evidence of gradelevel proficiency by other means than the state assessment. ● These portfolios, along with other data, will be discussed with parents four times a year in special parent-teacher conferences. One conference each nine weeks.

Summer Reading Camp ● ● Those students that score Not Met 1 on the state assessment and are in jeopardy of being retained will be given the opportunity to attend the Summer Reading Camp offered by the district. SRC will be at least 6 weeks with a minimum of 4 days of instruction per week and 4 hours per day. A parent/ guardian of the student will make the final decision regarding the student’s participation in SRC. At the conclusion of SRC, MAP will be administered. This data, along with the student portfolio, will be evidence provided to the principal for possible Good Cause Exemption.

Final Retention Decisions ■ The District Superintendent will make all final retention decisions based on recommendation by the School Principals. ■ School Principals will make their determinations by looking at the evidence that teachers have collected in the Student Portfolios. ■ Parents have the right to appeal the final retention decision within two week of the decision. This appeal must be in writing.

Questions or Concerns