FILE:  JBCCA

Cf:  IDDI, JBC

 

PLACEMENT

 

 

Student assignments in K through 8 will be made by the principal of the school with teacher input.  The placement of a student in a particular grade or class shall be determined by the School Building Level Committee (SBLC) and shall be based on grades, achievement test scores, and participation in special programs and be made in accordance with the Pupil Progression Plan.

 

Selection of courses of study in grades 9 through 12 shall be made by individual students. Assistance in planning course of study and selection of classes shall be provided by teachers, counselors, parents, and administrators.  Each student shall be furnished a schedule of classes offered and requirements for graduation.  Some classes may have prerequisites for enrollment. 

Students in grades 5 and 9 being admitted to the public school system from any in-state nonpublic school (state approved and unapproved), any out-of-state school or home schooling program shall be required to pass the English language arts and mathematics portions of state-developed LEAP 21 placement test.  After February 15, any 5th or 9th grader is not required to take these placement tests. Out-of-state residents do not have to take the placement test if they were promoted to the fifth or ninth grade.

 

PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS FROM APPROVED SCHOOLS

 

  1. From Within the State/Outside of East Baton Rouge Parish (Regular Education Students)

    Students enrolling from school systems within the state but outside the parish shall be subject to state requirements.  Students enrolling from other public schools shall present documentation of regular or remedial placement from the principal of the transferring school to the principal of the receiving school.  Such placement shall be maintained until complete documentation is obtained from the previously attended school or the SBLC determines other placement.  Documentation shall include a properly certified transcript showing the student's record of attendance, achievement, immunization records, and the units of credit earned.  

  2. From Approved Non-Public or Foreign School System

 

    1. Regular Education Students

      A student shall be received from a non-public or foreign school when the official transfer materials from the sending school are received from the sending school.  The transfer materials must include a statement of grade placement, a record of courses taken and currently scheduled, and a status of school obligations (textbooks, debts, etc.).  The transfer materials shall be used to determine initial placement of the student.  Members of SBLC may review available information to determine final placement after careful study of transcripts.

    2. Special Education Students

      The Special Education Office must be contacted when a student entering East Baton Rouge Parish from an approved non-public or foreign school system claims to be eligible for special education services.  (See Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual)

 

PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS FROM NON-APPROVED SCHOOLS

 

A high school student who has been attending a non-approved school shall be required to pass a proficiency examination on any academic subject for which credit is claimed. Proficiency exams for academic subjects shall be administered at the school where the student is applying.  A passing score of 70% is required for all tests.

 

An elementary or middle school student shall provide evidence of having mastered content standards in reading and mathematics for any grade placement which the student claims.  The evidence shall be provided by:

 

  1. Scoring at an acceptable level on tests appropriate for the grade level

  2. Documentation of successful classroom performance of academic work during the first four weeks the student is enrolled.

 

The student shall be placed no higher than one additional grade per year since the previous school placement of the student in a state approved school.

 

If the correctness of the student's placement (grades K-8) is in question, the classroom teacher or school counselor may administer tests and provide documentation for the SBLC to use in determining the student's placement.  The principal shall convene the SBLC to make a decision as soon as possible.

 

REVIEW OF PLACEMENT

 

Review of decisions on educational placement of an individual student within a school may be initiated at any time by the principal of the school which the student attends, a classroom teacher who teaches the student, parents or legal guardians of the student, or the student who is of legal age.  The SBLC shall be convened by the principal.

 

If current local data is not available, selection and administration of appropriate tests shall be determined by the SBLC.  Such tests shall be administered within five (5) school days to provide documentation of the student's current level of mastery of state grade appropriate standards.  The SBLC, using the SBLC Report to Parents form, shall communicate its determination of educational placement for the student in writing to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

 

If parents question the placement decision, the SBLC should refer to Guidelines for Review of Educational Placement found in the School Board's Pupil Progression Plan. 

 

Review of Placement of Non-English Speaking Students

 

When already enrolled in the school system, a non-English speaking student may be inappropriately placed below grade level because of a language barrier.  Placement of these students shall be reviewed by the principal in consultation with the English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and the classroom teacher who will recommend proper placement based on the Language Assessment Scales, classroom performance, and one of the following:  teacher-made test, transcripts, or teacher observation.

 

Procedures for Review of Educational Placements

 

A parent, teacher, or student of legal age who questions the SBLC determination of educational placement of the student shall contact the principal.  The person who questions the placement may request in writing a hearing to review the placement.  The hearing and any decisions to be rendered shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the School Board's Pupil Progression Plan.

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง9:951, 9:952, 9:953, 9:954, 17:81, 17:104.1, 17:221.2

 

East Baton Rouge Parish School Board