Information Packet: Students Entering from Non- Accredited Settings. Dropout Information

Transcription

1 Information Packet: Students Entering from Non- Accredited Settings Dropout Information Baldwin County Public Schools Division of Prevention and Support CF Taylor Administration Center Wilters Street Robertsdale, Alabama Phone: Fax:

2 Baldwin County Public Schools Division of Prevention and Support CF Taylor Administration Center Wilters Street Robertsdale, Alabama Phone: Fax: To Parent or Guardian: This information will familiarize you with policy and procedure regarding students who transfer into Baldwin County Public Schools from a church school, private school and/or home school setting. Additionally, this packet contains information on procedures that must be followed if a student drops out of high school. This document will assist you in complying with the law. Please contact the Division of Prevention and Support if you have questions.

3 Compulsory Attendance and Entrance Age All persons between the age of seven (7) and seventeen (17) years of age are required by state law to attend school for the minimum number of scholastic days prescribed by the State Board of Education unless the person holds a certificate of exemption issued by the Superintendent or is otherwise exempt under state law. Definitions Public School Private School Church School A free, tax support school administered by a local governing authority. Includes only such schools as hold a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education, showing that such schools conform to the following: a. The instruction in such schools shall be by persons holding certificates issued by the State Superintendent of Education b. Instruction shall be offered in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of the state. c. The English language shall be used in giving instruction. d. A register of attendance shall be kept which clearly indicates every absence of each child from such school for a half day or more during each school day of the school year. Includes only such schools as offer instruction in grades K-12, or any combination thereof, including kindergarten, elementary, or secondary level and are operated as a ministry of a local church, group of churches, denomination, and/or association of churches on a nonprofit basis which do not receive any state or federal funding. (School Code 1927, ;302; Code 1940, T. 52, ;299; Acts 1982, No , p. 260, ;1.)

4 Private Tutor Instruction by a private tutor means and includes only instruction by a person who holds a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education and who offers instruction in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of this state, for at least three (3) hours a day for 140 days each calendar year, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and who uses the English language in giving instruction. Such private tutor shall, prior to beginning instruction with any child, file with the county board of education, where his/her place of instruction is in the territory under control and supervision of the county board of education, or the city superintendent of schools, where his/her place of instruction is in the territory under the control and supervision of a city board of education, a statement showing the child or children to be instructed, the subjects to be taught and the period of time such instruction is proposed to be given. Such tutor shall keep a register of work, showing daily the hours used for instruction and the presence or absence of any child being instructed and shall make such reports as the State Board of Education may require. (Section ) (School Code 1927, 303; Code 1940, T:52, 300.) Admission and grade placement of students transferring to to schools within the Baldwin County Public School System shall be based on Alabama Accreditation Standards. Accreditation for Alabama Elementary and Secondary Schools, Bulletin Number 10, 1981, in reference to placement of students transferring from non-accredited or home school settings reads as follows: Admissions and classification of students transferring from non-accredited (defined as accreditation agency) elementary, junior/middle, and senior high schools should be on the basis of demonstrated ability and records of attendance and work done in schools previously attended. Credit for such courses pursued in a non-accredited school must be validated by the principal with an appropriate faculty committee.

5 Grade Placement Guidelines Elementary (Grades 1-6) Secondary (Grades 7-12) Students transferring to a school within the Baldwin County Public School System from a non-accredited or home school setting shall be placed in a grade based on demonstrated ability and record of attendance and work done in school(s) previously attended. In accordance with Alabama Accreditation Standards, credit for courses pursued in a nonaccredited or home school setting must be validated by the principal with an appropriate faculty committee. Students transferring from an accredited school must be placed in the grade assigned by the school previously attended. Students transferring from a non-accredited or home school setting may be placed in the grade assigned or the receiving school can administer a test in reading and/or mathematics and the results used to determine grade placement of students. The following procedure has been developed in an effort to establish a countywide, consistent process for awarding credit from non-sacs/casi accredited schools or home school settings. 1. An official or notarized transcript of course work attempted must be presented to the principal and his/her designee. 2. Credit for elective courses shall be transferred without validation. No credit will be given for electives that are not normally awarded. The school may acknowledge on records that the student took these courses, but the courses will not count toward graduation. 3. Validation of academic performance shall be accomplished on a courseby-course basis in grades Such validation shall be accomplished by administering the preceding year s semester examinations for each applicable course in which the person is seeking grade placement/course credit. The semester examinations shall be administered at the school in which the person is seeking to enroll/receive credit. A grade of 60 or better on each semester examination for each course shall be required for validation. For example, a person who seeks credit for Biology shall pass the first semester exam with a grade of 60 or better and the second semester exam with a grade of 60 or better.

6 4. In the case of English courses, a student who successfully completes the semester examinations for a higher English course will receive credit for preceding English courses. (Example: A student presents a transcript that shows completion of English 9, English 10, and English 11. The student will take the English 11 midterm and final examinations. If the student successfully completes the tests, credit will be awarded for all three English courses.) 5. In the case of a student who presents a transcript that shows completion of Algebra I and Algebra II/Trig: The student will take the Algebra II/Trig midterm and final examinations. If the student successfully completes the tests, credit will be awarded for Algebra I and Algebra II/Trig. In the event of the existence of controversial records/transcripts and/or the absence of any official or notarized records/transcripts, the student shall take examinations consisting of the school s previous midterm and final examinations for core courses. Placement decisions will be based on successful completion of examinations. All transfer students must pass all applicable parts of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam and meet all requirements for graduation before being awarded a high school diploma. Students who are transferring from a non-accredited or home school setting and who have been residents of Baldwin County must attend Baldwin County Public Schools for two (2) entire high school years immediately preceding the date of graduation. To be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian, out-of-system transfer students must be enrolled in the current high school for their last four terms (all of their junior and senior years). Reporting Grades Received from Non-Accredited or Home School Settings In instances where course grades from non-accredited or home school settings are not validated by school system personnel, there is no requirement on the part of school system personnel to attest to the validity of such grades to outside agencies or institutions. Further, there is no requirement for school system personnel to validate such course grades other than for one year and for grade placement/ enrollment purposes.

7 Drop-out Procedures Alabama legislative Act , implemented August 1, 2009, sets forth the following conditions: 1. A public school student aged 16 who dropped out prior to August 1, 2009, may attend an Adult Education Program if the student has presented to program officials a Certificate of Exemption signed by the local school superintendent (see Attachment A). If the student has not obtained the Certificate, the student should be allowed a grace period of ten (10) business days to obtain and present the document. To register for the GED Test, the student must provide a notarized Certificate of Exemption. 2. Public school students dropping out of school on or after August 1, 2009, must meet the age requirement of 17 years or above and must have participated in an Exit Interview (see Attachment B) with their high school administration. Should the Exit Interview conclude with the student s and parent s or legal guardian s decision to drop out, the Exit Interview should be notarized and referral made to an Adult Education Program. To register for the GED Test, the student must provide the notarized Exit Interview form. 3. Public school students who are over the age of 17 and have been classified as no shows or who have failed to return to school for the school year will be contacted by their school system to determine their status. If dropout is their chosen option, an Exit Interview will be scheduled. Should a student and his/her parent or legal guardian refuse to attend the conference, the refusal will be documented on the Exit Interview form. Refusal to attend the Exit Interview will not bar a student from enrolling in an Adult Education Program. To register for the GED Test, a student must provide a notarized letter from his/her parent or legal guardian stating the student has dropped out of the school and has permission to be administered the GED Test. 4. Students requesting enrollment in an Adult Education Program who have dropped out of private school, church school, or private tutor programs must present to the local Adult Education Program director a notarized letter

8 from his/her parent or legal guardian naming the school, providing the drop out date, and stating the student has dropped out of school and has permission to enroll in an Adult Education Program. To register for the GED Test, student must provide a notarized letter from his/her parent or legal guardian stating the student has dropped out of the school and has permission to be administered the GED Test. Please note that students who drop out of high school and subsequently re-enroll in Baldwin County Public Schools will likely be unable to graduate on time.

9 Certificate of Exemption Attachment A All persons between the ages of seven and seventeen years of age are required by state law to attend school for the minimum number of scholastic days prescribed by the State Board of Education. All laws regarding school attendance shall be strictly enforced by the Baldwin County Board of Education. All students must attend school or must be instructed privately unless the student holds a Certificate of Exemption. In accordance with state law, a student in the following categories may obtain a Certificate of Exemption by the Superintendent of the Baldwin County Board of Education (Page 8 Student Code of Conduct Handbook ). Indicate the reason for the Certificate of Exemption request: A person whose physical or mental condition prevents attendance or makes attendance inadvisable. Such physical or mental incapacities must be certified by the county health officer or a licensed, practicing physician. A person 17 years of age or older. A person who has completed the course of study of the public schools of Alabama. A student who lives more than two miles from a public school where lack of transportation would require that the student walk to school. A person who is legally and regularly employed under the provisions of child labor laws and who holds a permit to work under the terms of child labor laws. Any student not holding a Certificate of Exemption shall be required to attend public school. Name of Student: School: Certificate of Exemption Approved Certificate of Exemption Denied Superintendent, Baldwin County Schools Date

10 Alabama Department of Education Attachment B Prevention and Support Services Section School Year: July 2009 Student Exit Interview School System: Date: School: Student Name: First Middle Last Student Grade: Date of Birth: Student ID Number: Participants of the Student Exit Interview: Discussed the student s reason(s) for dropping out of school. Failed AHSGE Relationship With Fellow Students Student-Staff Relations Academic Difficulties/Credit Loss Dislike of School Experience Language Difficulty Behavior Problems Employment Entered Military Service Physical Illness Needed at Home Attendance Issues Marriage Parental Influence Other Discussed intervention strategies previously provided by school faculty/staff. (Describe strategies below.) Provided information regarding the negative impacts of not receiving a high school diploma, which seriously affects future employment and earning potential. Explained other negative consequences such as losing his/her driver s license. Discussed other options and opportunities provided through school programs or classes. (Describe options below.) Provided information for other available community programs. (Identify below.) Explained other possible educational opportunities for students such as private school, church school, private tutor, or community college. Explanations of intervention strategies, other options provided, and available community programs. GED/Community College information was provided to student. Yes No Will student take the GED? Yes No Uncertain If yes, where does he/she plan to attend? I acknowledge that I have been advised of the importance of staying in school and staying in school to receive my high school diploma. Student Signature: Address: Telephone: I acknowledge that I have been advised of the importance of staying in school and keeping my child in school to receive his/her high school diploma. Parent/Guardian Name: Signature: Telephone: Interview Participants: Name: Position: Signature: Name: Position: Signature: Name: Position: Signature: Name: Position: Signature: For a student who failed to return to school or did not officially withdraw, describe attempts to contact the student and his/her parent or guardian. Principal Name, Signature, Date I acknowledge that an exit interview was conducted and the student and the student s parent or legal guardian have been advised that withdrawal from school shall likely reduce the student s future earning potential and increase the student s likelihood of being unemployed in the future. Principal Name, Signature, Date

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