School District News

Each year the Student Progression Plan and the Code of Conduct are revised to reflect mandates by the legislature and to incorporate changes recommended by the student progression/code of conduct committee.  The school board has approved the following revisions for both plans:

Student Progression: 1) Students suspended out of school will receive assignments and may earn a grade up to 59.  The student will be given the number of days suspended plus one to complete the assignments.

2) Students may enroll in the district’s virtual school, but must have been a public school student the prior year and must have the essential internet connections, hardware and software.

3) Elementary students in grades K-2 are expected to score 80 percent or higher on the District determined sight word list in order to be considered for promotion.  Students will be given multiple opportunities during the school year to master sight words.

4) The DIBELS test has been replaced with the Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading (FAIR)

5) The physical education waiver for middle school students needing remediation or by parent request for a student to participate in another course or the student is participating in physical activities outside the school day which is equal to or in excess of the mandated requirement has been extended to grades K-5.

6) High school students who have not passed the College Placement Test in math by the beginning of their senior year will be offered the Math for College Readiness course.

7) Omitted any reference to June retakes of the FCAT as the state stopped the retake option May 2009.

8) TV Productions cannot be used as credit toward meeting the Fine Arts requirement.

9) Students who take a course in community service may use the hours for Bright Futures eligibility.

10) Replaced the HSCT with FCAT for adult education students.

Code of Conduct: 1) Absences due to sickness or injury may be documented by a parent or a physician if the student is continually sick or repeatedly absent from school.

2) Upon return to school from an absence, the student must bring a note from parents explaining the absence or the parent must contact the school in person, by email or phone.  If the parent wishes to contact the school by telephone, email or in person, it must be done within three (3) days after the absence or the absence will be unexcused.

3) If a student has five unexcused absences within a calendar month, a parent conference will be held. If a pattern of non-attendance is established, the child study team will suggest options such as attendance contracts, alternative programs or other strategies which will encourage students to attend school.

4) Clarified the zero tolerance policy for students with disabilities and a 45 day placement in an alternative educational setting.

FCAT reading data for grades 3-10 is reported district-wide by number and percent for Levels 1 and 2:  Grade 3 Level 1-22 (14 percent), Level 2 -15 (10 percent); Grade 4 Level 1-20 (13 percent), Level 2 -21 (13 percent); Grade 5 Level 1-13 (9 percent), Level 2-18 (18 percent); Grade 6 Level 1-20 (12 percent), Level 2-26 (15 percent; Grade 7 Level 1-20 (14 percent), Level 2-27 (18 percent); Grade 8 Level 1-28 (18 percent), Level 2-45 (29 percent); Grade 9 Level 1-26 (15 percent), Level 2-62 (37 percent); Grade 10 Level1-43 (30 percent), Level 2-49 (32 percent).

Students retained grades 3-10 are also reported district-wide: Grade 3- 4 (2 percent); Grade 4- 3 (1 percent); Grade 5- 2 (1 percent); Grade 6- 1 (.005 percent); Grade 7- 6 (4 percent); Grade 8- 5 (3 percent); Grade 9-12 (7 percent); Grade 10- 3 (2 percent).

Third grade promotions for Good Cause: Portfolio Assessment – 14; ESE and previously retained – 1.

For more information about your child’s school including school grade, AYP, Parents Right to Know, Title I Parent Involvement Plan, School Improvement Plan and other facts, you may request a copy of the School Accountability Report from the school, access the district’s webpage or the school’s webpage via www.gulf.k12.fl.us