Promotion shall be considered on the basis of what is best for the child in terms of school success. Special consideration for promotion and/or retention shall be given to students with special academic, social, and emotional needs. In the case of failing work being done by the child, the parents shall be informed early so that the school and home may cooperate in helping him/her improve.

Retention is used to help students improve their knowledge base by providing an additional year of instruction thus addressing the frustration and failure often associated with inadequate skills mastery.

Retention will be considered on an individual basis. Assessment of the student in the context of the total learning situation and its attendant circumstances should be used to determine what is best for the student. If a student's ability to succeed at the next grade level is highly questionable, consideration shall be given to conditional promotion and/or assignment to transitional classes if such classes exist.

Factors to be considered in deciding what is best for the student should include:

1. current skill level;
2. the student's age;
3. achievement potential;
4. previous potential;
5. evaluative data;
6. chances for success with more difficult material when current skills are inadequate;
7. number of absences;
8. maturity level and most importantly;
9. what benefits can be accomplished by retention;
10. previous retention.

A student in the third grade shall not be promoted to the next grade level unless the student has shown a basic understanding of curriculum and ability to perform the skills required in the subject of reading as demonstrated by the student's grades or standardized test results. However, such student may be promoted if the student participates in a Shelby County Board of Education approved research-based intervention prior to the beginning of the next school year. This provision shall not apply to students who have IEPs pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.

A collectively developed educational plan which suggests different strategies and materials should be considered for every student to be retained. Central office personnel shall monitor the progress of the retained students.

Deficiencies in several of the above areas indicate that retention shall be considered. Retention, however, should not be used as a punitive measure or as a way to hold a student back because of parental wishes when a student's performance does not warrant it or when the school feels retention is inappropriate.

Parents who disagree with the decision of the teacher(s) and principal regarding the promotion or retention of a student may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or his designee. The decision of the Superintendent or his designee shall be final.


Tennessee State Board of Education Policy No. 3.300
Tennessee State Board of Education Rule § 0520-01-03
Tennessee State Board of Education Rule § 0520-01-03-.05