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Promotion, Retention, and Grading

Frequently asked questions from the field regarding the promotion, retention, and grading of students with disabilities.

Promotion and Retention of Students with Disabilities

  1. May students with disabilities be retained?
  2. Do local governing board-adopted standards for promotion apply to students with disabilities?
  3. Are individualized promotion standards determined by the location where services are provided to students with disabilities?
  4. What if a student with a disability fails to meet board-adopted or individualized promotion standards?
  5. What if the IEP was written to consider the student’s individualized needs, but the student still failed to meet the promotion standards?
  6. May students with disabilities participate in intensive supplemental instruction pursuant to Education Code 37252.2 – 37252.8 and Extended School Year (ESY) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) simultaneously?

Grades, Report Cards, and Transcripts for Students with Disabilities

  1. Should a student’s grade reflect that accommodations have been made for that student to access the general education curriculum?
  2. May a student’s grade reflect that modifications have been made for that student to access the general education curriculum?
  3. May some type of symbol or code be used on a student’s report card to indicate that the student has had a modified curriculum in the general education classroom?
  4. May pass/fail grades be used for students with disabilities in the general education classroom?
  5. May a report card for a student with a disability distinguish between special education programs and services and general education curriculum classes through specific notations or the use of asterisks or other symbols?
  6. May a report card for a student with a disability simply refer to another document that more fully describes the student’s progress?
  7. May report card grades for a student with a disability be based on grade level standards?
  8. May special notations, including asterisks or other symbols, appear on a transcript for a student with a disability who received accommodations in general education curriculum classes?
  9. May a transcript for a student with a disability indicate that a student received a certificate of attendance or similar document rather than a regular diploma?
  10. May a student’s transcript indicate that the student participated in a modified curriculum?

References

Anderson, Gabrielle E., Whipple, Angela D., & Jimerson, Shane R. (2002). Grade Retention – Achievement and Mental Health Outcomes. National Association of School Psychologists.

Eggert, Dean B. (2001). Grading Students with Educational Disabilities. New Hampshire: Wadleigh, Starr & Peters, P.L.L.C.

Freedman, Miriam Kurtzig, M.A., J. D. (2008). Grades, Report Cards, etc….and the Law. Boston: School Law 1 2 3.

Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Children, Family and Community Services (1999). Grades, Diplomas and Transcripts for Students with Disabilities.

Jimerson, Shane. R., and Kaufman, Amber M. 2007. “Grade retention and promotion: Information for parents.”School Psychology Review30: 420-437.

Salend, Spencer J. & Duhaney, Laurel M. Garrick (2002). Grading Students in Inclusive Settings. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 34(3) 8-15.

Great Schools.org. 2011. Repeating a grade: The pros and cons External link opens in new window or tab..

Thompson, Charles L. & Cunningham, Elizabeth K. (2000). Retention and Social Promotion: Research and Implications for Policy External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF). ERIC Digest.

Penna, Albert A., and Marilyn Tallerico. 2005. "Grade Retention and School Completion: Through Students' Eyes External link opens in new window or tab.."Journal of At-Risk Issues11.1: 13-17.

United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. 2008. Letter to the Field and Questions and Answers on Report Cards and Transcripts for Students with Disabilities Attending Public Elementary and Secondary Schools External link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Special Education Division | specedinfoshare@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-4613
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
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