Tannehill Public School

The school year shall consist of not less than one thousand eighty (1,080) hours of classroom instruction.  Not more than thirty (30) of these hours shall be used for professional meetings.  In addition, parent-teacher conferences may be held during the school day and counted as classroom instruction for no more than six (6) hours per semester, for a total of twelve (12) hours per school year. 

 

Notification of this policy shall be provided to the State Board of Education prior to October 15 of the applicable school year.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §1-109

The normal school day for the instruction of students in the Tannehill  Public Schools shall be in accordance with the Oklahoma Statutes and the regulations of the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

 

The regular school session may be temporarily altered by the board upon recommendation by the superintendent when the best interests of the district and the students would be served.

 

The superintendent may close schools, delay the opening of schools, or dismiss school early for emergency reasons to protect the health and safety of students and staff.  However, any deviation that decreases the school day to less than six hours will be reported to the Department of Education, Accreditation Section within 72 hours.

 

The superintendent is directed to prepare a regulation that defines the school day for the various classes.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §§ 1-109, 1-111

                                Department of Education, Administrator's Handbook

                                Atty. Gen. Op. No. 81-152 (Aug. 10, 1983)

Students are required by law to complete core curriculum requirements that are outlined in 70 O.S. §11-103.  The district is responsible for providing each student with a free, appropriate, public education.  The district will offer all of the enumerated courses on a four-year rotation.

 

It is the policy of the Tannehill  Board of Education that any changes to class schedules for students must be made during the first week of school.  Class scheduling is an important and complex process.  Although every effort will be made to accommodate the student, changes in class schedules may not be possible because of class loads.

 

Students who desire a change in their class schedule must obtain teacher and parent/guardian approval.  If the change will eliminate a mandatory core curriculum class from the student’s schedule, the student and the parents of the student will be provided with a statement informing the student and parent that the class may not be offered again at a time that is convenient for the student.  If the student takes the class via concurrent enrollment after dropping the class at the local site, the student and the student’s parents shall be responsible for all costs associated with the class.

 

The request must then be submitted to the appropriate counselor for consideration.  The student will be informed if the change can be made but must adhere to the original schedule until notified.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §11-103.6

                                Atty. Gen. Op. 99-64 (1999)

The Tannehill  Board of Education recognizes that volunteers can make valuable contributions to students and the district edu­cational program.  A volunteer program subject to appropriate rules, safeguards, and regulations is approved by the board.

 

The superintendent will establish rules and regulations that support this policy.
SEE SCHOOL HANDBOOK

The board of education will institute and encourage a Parent Volunteer Program in the Tannehill  school system.

 

The primary purpose of the school volunteer program shall be to free the teachers from tasks that could be accomplished by others in order for the teachers to spend more time teaching.  Examples of activities that can be performed by volunteers are:

 

   1.       Making bulletin boards;

 

   2.       Clerical tasks, such as filing, typing, etc.;

 

   3.       Telling stories to children;

 

   4.       Listening to children read;

 

   5.       Conducting flash card drills;

 

   6.       Drilling spelling words;

 

   7.       Assisting the school nurse with visual and hearing screening;

 

   8.       Reinforcing math facts;

 

   9.       Gathering resource material;

 

10.       Making props and sets for plays;

 

11.       Teaching a foreign language;

 

12.       Tutoring;

 

13.       Anything else as deemed necessary by the cooperating teacher;

 

14.       Other activities too numerous to mention.

 

Volunteers will not be allowed to volunteer in their children's or grandchildren's rooms on a regular basis at the elementary level.

 

Volunteers will not be subjected to a dress code, as such, but will be expected to dress appropriately and be neat and clean in appearance.  No shorts (except in physical education classes) or shirts with inappropriate slogans will be permitted.

PARENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, REGULATIONS (Cont.)

 

Volunteers will not be asked to assume playground or lunchroom duties, nor will they be left alone with a classroom except in an emergency situation.

 

Volunteers are expected to be professional in their roles as volun­teers and to be positive about their jobs and the school system.  A friendly, courteous relationship is expected between teachers and volunteers.

 

Problems will be dealt with if and when they arise by the volun­teer coordinator, teacher, and volunteer.  If the situation cannot be resolved at this level, an administrator will be asked to evaluate the situation.

 

The program will be expanded as deemed necessary by the volunteer coordinator, administration, and teachers.

 

The volunteer coordinator is to be recommended by the administra­tion and approved by the board of education.

Objectives

The Public Library places major emphasis on informational, recreational and educational functions.  It recognizes the importance of basic materials of permanent value and timely materials on current issues. Materials will be purchased in the format that best suits patron needs.

Guidelines

The Tannehill  Media Center support the Library Bill of Rights promulgated by the American Library Association and it serves as the basis for this policy and other lending policies of this library.  Choice of materials will result from a variety of professional activities on the part of the Library Media Specialist.  Reviews of new books from both professional journals and popular reviewing media form an important tool in the selection process.  Recommendations from the staff and the public are also welcome and evaluated within the framework of the acquisition process.

Responsibility

The Library Media Specialist has the final responsibility for the selection of all materials to be incorporated into the library's collection, regardless of the mode of acquisition.  It is the Library Media Specialist's responsibility to provide materials that are of both current interest and permanent value, that are up-to-date, that are responsive to the interests and needs of every segment of the community and that do not discriminate against any political, religious, economic, or social view or group through deliberate exclusion of their views.  The Library Media Specialist shall try to provide for a diversity of materials without exercising either direct of implied censorship.  The Director shall be responsible for expending available funds in an equitable manner so that all divisions of the collection receive a just proportion of said funds.

Selection Criteria

1. General

   All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, are considered in terms of the standards listed below.  However, an item need not meet all of the criteria in order to be acceptable.  Materials are evaluated on the significance of the entire work rather than individual parts.  When judging the quality of materials several standards and combinations of standards may be used. The following principals will guide selection:

• Contemporary significance or permanent value
• Community interest
• Accuracy of content
• Reputation and/or authority of the author, editor or illustrator
• Literary merit
• Relation to existing collection and to other materials on the subject
• Price, availability, and demand
• Format and ease of use
• Scarcity of information in the subject area
• Availability of material in other area libraries
• Attention of critics, reviewers, media and public
• Reviews from professional Library Media Magazines

 

1. Material Specific

• Periodicals are purchased to supplement the book collection, provide recreational and professional reading, and/or provide material not yet available in book form.  Selection of periodicals will be based upon their consideration as authoritative, objective, of local interest and demand, and indexed in standard periodical indexes.

   

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

• Gifts of books and other items will be accepted on the condition that the Director has the authority to make whatever disposition he or she deems advisable.  Gifts will be judged upon the same basis as purchased materials.

  Collection Maintenance

  To maintain the effectiveness of the library's total collection, the library will attempt to systematically remove materials no longer useful.  The library does not automatically replace all materials withdrawn because of loss, damage or wear.  Need for replacement is weighed with regard to several factors: number of duplicate copies, existence of adequate coverage of a field, similar material in the collection, later or more authoritative materials as well as current demand for the particular subject or title.

  Reconsideration

  Patrons requesting that material in the collection be reconsidered may complete a "Material Selection Inquiry.  A committee consisting of Library Media Specialist, two classroom teachers, and a principal will meet.  Their decision will be based upon this selection policy after due consideration of the report of the Library Media Specialist and the patron's inquiry.  The library recognizes that some materials may be controversial and that any given item may offend some patron.  Selection or retention of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval of any group of patrons, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.  Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered, except to protect it from theft.  Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians.

 

It is the policy of the Tannehill Board of Education that efforts be made to staff and maintain a school library media center adequate for the needs of students and teachers.

 

The superintendent is directed to develop regulations governing the selection of materials for and the use of the library media center.

Name ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Telephone _________________________________________________________________________________

 

Type of material ____________________________________________________________________________

 

Title ______________________________________________________________________________________

 

Author ____________________________________________________________________________________

 

State specific objections.  (Please cite pages or portions)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

State any merits noted in the material

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

What do you believe might result from using this material?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

What do you believe is the theme or purpose of this material?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Have you reviewed the entire material? ___________________________________________________________

 

Have you reviewed other material by this person? ___________________________________________________

 

If yes, please list the material ___________________________________________________________________

 

What material dealing with same subject would you recommend as replacement? __________________________

 

 

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

                          Date                                                                                                               Signature

Author:                                                                                                             Type of Resource: ______________________

 

Title: _____________________________________________________________________________________

 

This decision was made on the ___________________ day of _____________________________, ___________

 

____________________________________________________________________  Minority report is attached.

 

FINDINGS OF FACT: ________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

DECISION:________________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

The following committee members are in agreement with the above decision:

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

 

The following committee members are not in agreement with the above decision:

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________________________

The responsibility for the selection of library media center materials rests with the Tannehill  Board of Education.  Authority for the selection of proper materials shall be delegated to the library media center staff.  Materials shall be selected in ac­cordance with the principles established by the School Library Bill of Rights as approved by the American Association of School Librarians.  Final selection will be made by the media specialist subject to approval by the board.  Suggestions from the administration, the faculty, and from the students are encouraged.

 

The superintendent shall prepare regulations that support this policy.

 

The board of education and the media staff of the Tannehill  Public Schools subscribe in principle to the following statement of policy expressed by the American Association of School Librarians:

 

BILL OF RIGHTS FOR LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER PROGRAMS

 

The professional staff of school media centers is concerned with the development of informed and responsible citizens.  To this end, the American Association of School Librarians reaffirms the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association and asserts that the responsibility of the school media center is:

 

              To provide materials that will enrich the student as an indi­vidual and support the curriculum, taking into con­sideration individual needs, and the varied interests, abilities, socio­economic backgrounds, and maturity levels of the student served.

 

              To provide materials that will stimulate growth in knowledge and develop literary, cultural, and aesthetic appreciations and ethical standards.

 

              To provide materials on all sides of issues, beliefs, and ideas so that young citizens may develop the habit of critical thinking, reading, listening, and viewing, thereby enabling them to develop an intellectual integrity in forming judgments.

 

              To provide materials which accurately reflect all religious, social, political, and ethnic groups, and their contributions to our American heritage as well as knowledge and appreciation of world history and culture.

 

              To provide a comprehensive collection of instructional materials which, when selected in compliance with basic selection principles, can be defended on the basis of their appropriateness for the users of the media center.

 

Responsibility for Selection

 

The board of education, the governing body of the school district, is legally responsible for the selection of instruc­tional materials.  This authority is delegated to the professional personnel of the district for the selection of these materials.

 

Materials for the library media center are selected primarily by the librarian with input from the Review Committee.

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, SELECTION

OF MATERIALS, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

                                          Review Committee

 

                                          Library Media Specialist

                                          Principal

                                          Counselor

                                          Classroom Teacher

 

This committee must be approved by the superintendent.

 

Types of Material for Purchase

 

   1.       Instructional materials are chosen because they are of interest and have learning value for the student in the community.  Materials are not excluded because of race, nationality, religion, or political views of the writer.

 

   2.       Insofar as it is practical, materials are provided which pre­sent all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our time:  international, national, and local.  Books and materials of sound factual authority are not removed or banned from library media center shelves because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

 

   3.       Periodicals and newspapers that supplement the curriculum needs shall be chosen for accuracy, objectivity, accessibility, demand, and prices.

 

   4.       Multiple items of outstanding quality and much in demand media are purchased as needed.

 

   5.       Nonfiction subjects that are topics of criticism are carefully considered before selection.  Among these are:

 

             A.   Religion -- Factual unbiased material that represents all major religions may be included in the library media center collection.  Bibles and other sacred writings are acceptable.  Publications from religious bodies may be selected if they have general value or appear in magazine indexes.

 

             B.   Ideologies -- The library media center should, with­out making any effort to sway the reader's judg­ment, make available basic factual information on the maturity level of its reading public of ideologies or philoso­phies that are of current or continuing interest.

 

             C.   Science -- Medical and scientific knowledge suitable to the development stage of the student should be made available without any biased selection of facts.

 

Criteria for Selection

 

   1.       Selections are made for, and in accordance with, the different maturity levels of the students.

 

   2.       Materials are selected which fill a need related to the curriculum and/or contribute to the development and enrichment of the student.

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, SELECTION

OF MATERIALS, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

   3.       Interests, needs, abilities of the students, and correlation of materials with the curriculum are dominating factors in the selection of materials.

 

Criteria for Evaluation

 

   1.       The author or producer should be qualified as a subject specialist.

 

   2.       Concepts, content, and vocabulary should be appropriate for the potential user.

 

   3.       Facts presented should be accurate and up-to-date.

 

   4.       Information should be logically arranged.

 

   5.       Subject matter should hold the attention of the student.

 

   6.       Format of the material should be attractive and durable.

 

   7.       Illustrations should be pertinent and well executed.

 

   8.       Each medium should meet a real or potential need.

 

   9.       Evaluation from standard selection aids should be given consideration.

 

Selection Tools

 

In selecting materials for purchase, the media specialist evalu­ates the existing collection and consults reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aids, such as:

 

              Booklist

              Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

              Children's Catalog

              The Elementary School Library Collection

              Hornbook

              Oklahoma Department of Libraries Book

              School Library Journal

              Junior High & Senior High School Catalog

              Fiction Catalog

 

When possible, audiovisual materials shall be previewed before purchase or ordered with return privilege guaranteed.

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, SELECTION

OF MATERIALS, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

Gift Books and Materials

 

   1.       Gift books and materials are accepted with the understanding that they must meet the same selection criteria as materials purchased with board of education funds.  The practice of a donor's purchasing new books or materi­als as library media center gifts is discouraged.  It is preferable that donors make monetary gifts for the pur­chase of books and materials because the school receives a discount and can purchase more books for the same amount of money.

 

   2.       Gift books and other materials, once accepted by the Tannehill  Public Schools, become the property of the Tannehill  Public Schools.

 

Procedures for Reconsideration of Materials

 

It is recommended that a student or the student's parent should have this right to reject the use of library media center materials which seem incompatible with the student's values or beliefs.  It is further recommended that class­room assignments involving library media center materials provide for alterna­tive choices.  This procedure is con­sistent with the National Council of Teachers of English Statement on Students' Right to Read, which is en­dorsed in its en­tirety.  However, no parent has the right to determine the reading matter for students other than his/her own children.  Books and other materials shall not be removed or banned solely because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

 

If an objection to a selection is made by the public, the procedures are as follows:

 

              Be courteous and inform the patron of the process of media review.  Make no commitments.

 

              Invite the complainant to file his/her objections in writing on forms provided through the principal's office.

 

              Completed forms are to be returned to the principal.

 

              An informal conference with the principal will be held.

 

              If unable to satisfy the complainant, refer the complaint to the Review Committee.

 

              Material is not to be withdrawn without referring to the Review Committee, which determines whether the material should be withdrawn.

 

              Material is reviewed and judged by this committee as to conformity with selection criteria and instructional goals.

 

              The decision of the committee is submitted to the complainant and a file of the objection and decision is kept by the library media specialist and the principal.

 

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, SELECTION

OF MATERIALS, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

              In the event that the complainant does not accept the decision of the Review Committee, he/she may appeal to the board of education through the superintendent.

 

              Final decision rests with the board of education.

 

Weeding and Discarding

 

Worn or missing standard items will be replaced periodically.

 

Out-of-date or no longer useful media are withdrawn from the collection.

 

Definition of Critical Terms

 

Selection -- the act or process of selecting materials.

 

Instructional Materials -- materials that fill a need related to the curriculum or contribute to the development and enrichment of the student. 

 

Evaluation -- to examine and judge the quality of materials.

 

Inquiry -- an information request, usually informal, that seeks to determine the rationale behind the presence of a particular item in a collection.

 

Expression of Concern -- an inquiry that has judgmental overtones.  The inquirer has already made a value judgment on the material in question.

 

Complaint -- an oral charge against the presence and/or appropriateness of the material in question.

 

Challenge -- a formal written complaint filed with the library media center questioning the presence and/or appropriateness of specific material.

 

Attack -- a publicly worded statement questioning the value of the material, presented to the media and/or others outside the library media center organization, in order to gain public support for further action.

 

Censorship -- the removal of material from open access by any governing authority or its representative (boards of education/trustees, principals/library media center directors, etc.).

In accordance with the policy of the board of education, the following regulation shall govern the use of the school library media center and materials.

 

   1.       Borrowed books are due two weeks from the date they are checked out.

 

   2.       Students may check out a maximum of two books from the library media center at one time.  Permission may be obtained from the librarian to borrow additional books if needed for reference or a special project.

 

   3.       Books may be borrowed for two additional weeks unless someone is on a "request list" for the book.

 

   4.       Students with overdue books will not be allowed to check out additional materials.  Notice of overdue books shall be posted and passed to classroom teachers.

 

   5.       Borrowers will be charged replacement costs for all books or materials that are lost or destroyed.

 

   6.       Encyclopedias and other reference books or materials may not be removed from school premises.  A photocopy of a specific article may be obtained from the librarian.

 

   7.       Magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals may not be removed from the library media center and must be returned to the proper rack, shelf, or table.

 

   8.       Students will not be admitted to the library media center while classes are in session without a hall pass signed by their teacher.

 

   9.       Quiet and orderly conduct in the library media center will be enforced by the library media center staff.

 

10.       Audiovisual equipment and materials may be checked out by teachers only.  Teachers may request equipment for student use.

 

11.       The use of library media center equipment and materials shall be pre-arranged with the librarian including any after school hour uses.

 

12.       Students and their parents/guardians shall be informed that it is a misdemeanor under Oklahoma law to re­move or attempt to remove any library media center material from the premises of a library media center facility without authority; or to mutilate, destroy, alter or otherwise damage, in whole or in part, any library media center materials, or to fail to return any library media center materials which have been lent to said person by the library media center facility, within seven days after demand has been made for the return of the library media center materials.

 

USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

13.       The librarian or any person on the library media center staff will not disclose or permit the revealing of any records or materials which disclose which of its documents or other materials have been loaned to or is being used by any student or group ex­cept such information may be disclosed to (a) persons acting within the scope of their duties within the school district, (b) persons authorized to inspect such records, in writing, by the student or group, or (c) by order of court.

 

REFERENCE:    21 O.S. §1739

                                65 O.S. §1-105

The Tannehill  Public Schools district is pleased to make available to students and staff access to interconnected com­puter systems within the district and to the Internet, the worldwide network that provides access to significant educational materials and opportunities.

 

In order for the school district to ensure the continued accessibility of its computer network and the Internet, all students and staff must take responsibility for appropriate and lawful use of this access.  Students and staff must understand that one person’s misuse of the network and Internet access may jeopardize the ability of all students and staff to enjoy such access.  While the school’s teachers and other staff will make reasonable efforts to supervise student use of network and Internet access, they must have student cooperation in exercising and promoting responsible use of this access.

 

Below is the Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy (“policy”) of the school district and the Data Acquisition Site that provides Internet access to the school district.  Upon reviewing, signing, and returning this policy as directed, each student and staff member agrees to follow the policy and will be given the opportunity to enjoy Internet access at school.  If a student is under 18 years of age, he or she must have his or her parent or guardian read and sign the policy.  The school district shall not provide access to any student who, if 18 or older, fails to sign and submit the policy to the school as directed or, if under 18, does not return the policy as directed with the signatures of the student and his/her parent or guardian.

 

Listed below are the provisions of the agreement regarding computer network and Internet use.  The district has designated a staff member to whom users may direct questions.  If any user violates this policy, the user’s access will be denied or withdrawn, and the user may be subject to additional disciplinary action.

 

Personal Responsibility

 

By signing this policy, the user agrees not only to follow the rules in this policy, but also to report any misuse of the network to the person designated by the school for such reporting.  Misuse means any violations of this policy or any other use that is not authorized under this policy, and having the effect of harming another or his or her property.

 

Term of the Permitted Use

 

A student or staff member who submits to the school, as directed, a properly signed policy and follows the policy to which she or he has agreed will have computer network and Internet access during the course of the school year only.  Students and staff will be asked to sign a new policy each year during which they are students or staff members in the school district before they are given an access account.

 

Acceptable Uses

 

   1.       Educational Purposes Only.  The school district is providing access to its computer networks and the Internet for educational purposes only.  If the user has any doubt about whether a contemplated activity is educational, the user may consult with the person(s) designated by the school to help decide if a use is appropriate.

 

   2.       Unacceptable Uses of Network.  Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy are the following:

 

 

INTERNET AND OTHER COMPUTER NETWORKS ACCEPTABLE USE AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICY (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

             A.   Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law.  Do not transmit offensive or harassing messages; offer for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by the school district’s student discipline policy; view, transmit or download pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law; intrude into the networks or computers of others; and download or transmit confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials.  Even if materials on the net­works are not marked with the copyright symbol, the user should assume that all materials are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.

 

             B.   Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property.  For example, do not engage in defamation (harm­ing another's reputation by lies); employ another’s password or some other user identifier that mis­leads message recipients into believing that someone other than the user is communicating or otherwise using his/her access to the network or the Internet; upload a worm, virus, “Trojan horse,” “time bomb,” or other harmful form of programming or vandalism; participate in “hacking” activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.

 

             C.   Uses that jeopardize the security of student and staff access and of the computer network or other networks on the Internet.  For example, do not disclose or share your password with others; do not impersonate another user.

 

             D.   Uses that are commercial transactions.  Students, staff, and other users may not sell or buy anything over the Internet.  The user should not give others private information about the user or others, including credit card numbers and social security numbers.

 

   3.       Netiquette.  All users must abide by rules of network etiquette, which include the following:

 

             A.   Be polite.  Use appropriate language.  No swearing, vulgarities, suggestive, obscene, belligerent, or threatening language.

 

             B.   Avoid language and uses that may be offensive to other users.  Do not use access to make, distribute, or redistribute jokes, stories, or other material that is based upon slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.

 

             C.   Do not assume that a sender of e-mail is giving his or her permission for the user to forward or redistrib­ute the message to third parties or to give his/her e-mail address to third parties.  This should be done only with permission or when the user knows that the individual would have no objection.

 

             D.   Be considerate when sending attachments with e-mail (where this is permitted).  Be sure that the file is not too large to be accommodated by the recipient’s system and is in a format that the recipient can open.

 

4.     Cyber Bullying - Cyber bullying is when one or more people intentionally harm, harass, intimidate, or reject another person using technology.  This includes but is not limited to the following:

 

• Sending mean or threatening messages via email, IM (instant messaging), or text messages.
• Spreading rumors about others through email, IM, or text messages.

 

INTERNET AND OTHER COMPUTER NETWORKS ACCEPTABLE USE AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICY (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

• Creating a Web site or MySpace (or other social-networking) account that targets another student or other person(s).
• Sharing fake or embarrassing photos or videos of someone with others via a cell phone or the Web.
• Stealing another person’s login and password to send mean or embarrassing messages from his or her account.

 

It shall be the policy of Tannehill  Public Schools that cyber bullying will not be tolerated under any circumstances.   A student caught violating this policy will lose computer privileges and these actions may result in further disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion from school of the student(s) involved.   In addition, violators and their parents/guardians may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties as specified by Oklahoma and/or federal law.

 

Internet Safety

 

   1.       General Warning; Individual Responsibility of Parents and Users.  All student users and their parents/guardians are advised that access to the electronic network may include the potential for access to materials inappropriate for school-aged students.  Every user must take responsibility for his or her use of the computer network and Internet and stay away from these sites.  Parents of minors are the best guides to mate­rials to shun.  If a student or staff member finds that other users are visiting offensive or harmful sites, he or she should report such use to the appropriate school designee.

 

   2.       Personal Safety.  Be safe.  In using the computer network and Internet, the user should not reveal personal information such as the user’s home address or telephone number.  The user should not use his/her real last name or any other information which might allow a person to locate the user without first obtaining the per­mission of a supervising teacher.  Do not arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone “met” on the computer network or Internet without a parent’s permission (if the user is under 18).  Regardless of the user’s age, the user should never agree to meet a person the user has only communicated with on the Internet in a secluded place or in a private setting.

 

   3.       “Hacking” and Other Illegal Activities.  It is a violation of this policy to use the school’s computer network or the Internet to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems, or to attempt to gain such unauthorized access.  Any use which violates state or federal law relating to copyright, trade secrets, the dis­tribution of obscene or pornographic materials, or which violates any other applicable law or municipal ordinance, is strictly prohibited.

 

   4.       Confidentiality of Student Information.  Personally identifiable information concerning students may not be disclosed or used in any way on the Internet without the permission of a parent or guardian or, if the student is 18 or over, the permission of the student.  Users should never give out private or confidential information about themselves or others on the Internet, particularly credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.  A

 

              supervising teacher or administrator may authorize the release of directory information, as defined by law, for internal administrative purposes or approved educational projects and activities.

 

   5.       Active Restriction Measures.  The school, either by itself or in combination with the Data Acquisition Site pro­viding Internet access, will utilize filtering software or other technologies to prevent users from access­ing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) pornographic, or (3) harmful to minors.  We are using for our

INTERNET AND OTHER COMPUTER NETWORKS ACCEPTABLE USE AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICY (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

              technology protection measure internet filtering software to ensure that users are not accessing such depictions or any other material that is inappropriate for minors.

 

              Internet filtering software or other technology-based protection systems may be disabled by a supervising teacher or school administrator, as necessary, for purposes of bona fide research or other educational projects being conducted by students age 17 and older.

 

 

              The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254 [h] [7]), as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that

 

              - taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

 

              - depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;

 

              - taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

 

   6.       All students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response.

 

Privacy

 

Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for the user’s education.  The school district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store at any time and without prior notice any and all usage of the computer net­work and Internet access and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such usage.  All such infor­mation files shall be and remain the property of the school district and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding such materials.

 

Failure To Follow Policy

 

The user’s use of the computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right.  A user who violates this policy, shall at a minimum, have his or her access to the computer network and Internet terminated, which the school district may refuse to reinstate for the remainder of the student’s enrollment or the staff member’s employment in the school dis­trict.  A user violates this policy by his or her own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user.  Further, a user violates this policy if he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the computer net­work and Internet, including any user whose access has been denied or terminated.  The school district may also take other disciplinary action in such circumstances.

 

Warranties/Indemnification

 

The school district makes no warranties of any kind, either express or implied, in connection with its provision of access to and use of its computer networks and the Internet provided under this policy.  It shall not be responsible for any claims, losses, damages, or costs (including attorney's fees) of any kind suffered, directly or indirectly, by any

INTERNET AND OTHER COMPUTER NETWORKS ACCEPTABLE USE AND INTERNET SAFETY POLICY (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

user (or his or her parents or guardian) arising out of the user’s use of its computer networks or the Internet under this policy.  By signing this policy, users are taking full responsibility for their own use, and the user who is 18 or older or the parent(s) or guardian(s) of a minor student are agreeing to indemnify and hold the school, the school district, the Data Acquisition Site that provides the computer and Internet access opportunity to the school district and all of their administrators, teachers, and staff harmless from any and all loss, costs, claims, or damages resulting from the user’s access to its computer network and the Internet, including but not limited to any fees or charges incurred through pur­chases of goods or services by the user.  The user or the parent(s) or guard­ian(s) of a minor student agree to cooperate with the school in the event of the school’s initiating an investigation of a user’s use of his or her access to its

com­puter network and the Internet, whether that use is on a school computer or on another computer outside the school district's network.

 

Updates

 

Users, and if appropriate, their parents/guardians, may be asked from time to time to provide new or additional regis­tration and account information or to sign a new policy reflecting developments in the law or tech­nology or changes in district policy.  Such information must be provided by the user (or his/her parents or guardian) or such new policy must be signed if the user wishes to continue to receive service.  If after account information is provided, some or all of the information changes, the user must notify the person designated by the school to receive such information.

 

 

 

 

REFERENCE:    21 O.S. §1040.75, §1040.76

                                Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000 (HR 4577, P.L. 106-554)

                                Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. 254[h], [l])

                                Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 6801 et seq., Part F)

 

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY LAW.

Every student, regardless of age, must read and sign below:

 

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the terms of the foregoing Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy.  Should I commit any violation or in any way misuse my access to the school district's computer network and the Internet, I understand and agree that my access privilege may be revoked and school disciplinary action may be taken against me.  I understand I have no expectation of privacy with regard to my use of the school district’s technology.

 

User's Name (print clearly)                                                                                                  Home Phone:                                      

 

 

 

User's Signature:                                                                                                                    Date:                                                     

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Status:  Student _____     Staff _____     Patron _____     I am 18 or older _____     I am under 18 _____

 

If I am signing this policy when I am under 18, I understand that when I turn 18, I will have to sign another policy.

 

 

Parent or Guardian:  (If applicant is under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must also read and sign this agree­ment.)  As the parent or legal guardian of the above student, I have read, understand, and agree that my child or ward shall comply with the terms of the school district's Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy for the student’s access to the school district's computer network and the Internet.  I understand that access is being provided to the students for educational purposes only.  However, I also understand that it is impossible for the school to restrict access to all offensive and controversial materials and understand my child’s or ward’s responsibility for abiding by the policy.  I am, therefore, signing this policy and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the school, the school district, and the Data Acquisition Site that provides the opportunity to the school district for computer network and Internet access against all claims, damages, losses, and costs, of whatever kind that may result from my child’s or ward’s use of his or her access to such networks and/or his or her violation of the foregoing policy.  Further, I accept full responsibility for super­vision of my child’s or ward’s use of his or her access account if and when such access is not in the school setting.  I hereby give permission for my child or ward to use the building-approved account to access the school district's computer network and the Internet.

 

Parent or Guardian (please print):                                                                                      Home Phone:                                      

 

 

 

Signature:                                                                                                                               Date:                                                     

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

This agreement is valid for the _______________ school year only.

The purpose of providing Internet and other computer network access in this district is to promote the exchange of information and ideas with the global community.  The following represents a guide to the acceptable use of the tech­nology provided by this district.  All network use must be consistent with the policies and goals of this school district.  Inappropriate use of district technology will result in the loss of technology use, disciplinary action, and/or referral to legal authorities.  The district may monitor use of district technology at any time.  All Internet and computer network users are hereby informed that there shall be no expectations of privacy in that school officials may monitor users at any time.

 

All Internet and other computer network users will be expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette.  These include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   1.       Be polite.  Messages should not be abusive to others.

 

   2.       Take pride in communications.  Check spelling and grammar.

 

   3.       Use appropriate language.  Do not swear or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate language, symbols, or pictures.  Bear in mind that the use of “ALL CAPITAL” letters is considered an indication of anger in email and internet communication and is not polite.

 

   4.       Protect password confidentiality.  Passwords are not to be shared with others.  Using another user’s account or password or allowing such access by another may be permitted only with the approval of the supervising teacher or system administrator.

 

1. Do not reveal your personal address or telephone number or those of other persons.  No student information protected by FERPA should be electronically transmitted or otherwise disseminated through the network.

    

      6.       Do not disguise the point of origin or transmission of electronic mail.

    

      7.       Do not send messages that contain false, malicious, or misleading information that may be injurious to a person or a person's property.

    

      8.       Illegal activities are strictly prohibited:  transferring offensive or harassing messages; offering for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by the school district’s staff and student policies; viewing, transmitting, or downloading pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law; intruding into the networks or computers of others; and downloading or transmitting confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials.

    

      9.       The district technology is not to be used for playing multi-user or other network intensive games, commercial ventures, Internet relay chat lines, or downloading excessively large files.

    

   10.       No charges for services, products, or information are to be incurred without appropriate permission.

    

   11.       Do not use the network in such a way that you would disrupt the use of the network by other users.

    

   12.       Users shall respect the privacy of others and not read the mail or files of others without their permission.  Copyright and licensing laws will not be intentionally violated.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR INTERNET AND OTHER

COMPUTER NETWORK ACCESS (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

13.       Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges.  Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy hardware, data of another user, Internet, or any other agencies or other networks that may be accessed.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

 

14.       Report security problems to the supervising teacher or system administrator.

 

15.       Violators of this policy shall hold the district, including its employees and agents, harmless against any and all causes of action, damages, or other liability resulting from the willful or negligent violation of this policy.

The Tannehill  Board of Education will provide reasonable educational opportunities to enable all children to succeed, both personally and as citizens.

 

Instructional programs will be developed with the view toward maintaining a balanced curriculum which will serve the general academic needs of all school-aged children and provide opportu­nities for individual children to develop specific talents and interests.

 

The board will encourage and support the professional staff in its efforts to investigate new curricular ideas, develop and improve programs, and evaluate results.

 

The board will appoint a committee composed of administrators, teachers, and parents to annually evaluate the curriculum to determine whether each child in the school system is receiving basic skill instructions.

 

The committee shall have access to all materials pertaining to the school curriculum, class schedules, and other infor­mation as long as the materials are not confidential or personal information.  Members of the committee may visit with other staff members, students, former graduates, parents, and business people in the community for input into their evaluation.

 

The committee chairperson shall prepare a written report of the findings of the committee to the superintendent prior to the first day of February each year.  This report should list the strengths and recommendations for each basic skill area.

 

The superintendent shall present the report to the board of educa­tion at a regular or special meeting.  The board will consider each recommendation made by the committee.  Any changes in methods of instruction, scheduling, or curriculum changes will be left entirely up to the superintendent and the board of education.

 

This committee shall be appointed to serve for a one-year term.  However, individual members may be appointed to succeed themselves if the board so desires.

 

At all levels, provisions will be made for a wide range of indivi­dual differences through use of a variety of materials, adjustment in studies, and modified courses.

 

In all instances, the curriculum will meet the educational requirements established by state law.

 

The goals of the evaluation committee will be to permit and assist every child to acquire the following:

 

   1.       An understanding of himself and of his worth as an individual and a member of society.

 

   2.       A mastery of the basic skills in the use of the language arts -- listening, speaking, writing, reading, spelling, and grammar.

 

   3.       A mastery of mathematics for obtaining information, com­municating effectively, thinking critically, reasoning logically, and solving problems.

 

BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

   4.       Basic understanding of the principles of the natural, physical, biological, and social sciences and current events.

 

   5.       The desire and the ability to express himself creatively in one or more of the fine and creative arts and to appreciate the aesthetic expressions found in the art of others.

 

   6.       The attitudes associated with responsible citizenship for effective participation in the community, the state, the nation, and the world.

 

   7.       An understanding of career roles and how to relate learning experiences to real life.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §11-103

In accordance with the policy of the board of education, the following regulation shall govern the curriculum development committee:

 

   1.       Selection of chairperson:

 

             A.   An administrator, usually a principal, will be chosen by other principals in the district to serve as chairperson.

 

   2.       Selection of members:

 

             A.   Principals of each building will suggest teachers from their building to serve as potential members.

 

             B.   If the curriculum study is confined to secondary grades (7-12), only junior and senior high teachers will be selected.  If the study is limited to elementary grades (K-6), only elementary teachers will be se­lected.  Studies that encompass grades K-12 will have teacher memberships that represent all grades and buildings involved.

 

             C.   Individual teachers will be confirmed by the appropriate building principal for serving on the committee after a review of the teacher's educational background, length of service in the district, and potential for worthwhile contributions.

 

             D.   The number of teachers to be selected from each building will depend upon the size of the faculty in each school.  The total committee size will vary depending on the size of the district.

 

   3.       Responsibilities of chairperson:

 

             A.   To keep the superintendent informed concerning progress and direction of the committee.

 

             B.   To set meeting times and places with members of the committee.

 

             C.   To help determine appropriate outside consultation services, if deemed necessary by the committee membership.

 

             D.   To help determine parent and student membership on the committee.  At least three parents should be involved with the committee.

 

             E.   To keep an accurate record of individual committee members' attendance at all meetings.

 

              F.   To report to the superintendent and the board of education the results of the curriculum study.

 

BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

   4.       Responsibilities of committee members:

 

             A.   To participate actively in the committee's study.

 

             B.   To attend all meetings and report back to building faculties on the progress of the committee at appro­priate times.  Ideas and suggestions from teachers not on the committee will be sought by the committee members to create total faculty involvement in the study.

Health and Fitness Curriculum

 

The superintendent shall adopt and implement a comprehensive health and fitness curriculum, which will provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate instruction for grades K-8.  Evaluation procedures will utilize classroom-based assessments or other strategies and will be in place by the end of each school year.

 

The specific objectives and goals the district intends to accomplish through the physical education curriculum are to teach self-management and movement skills as well as cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation in physical activity.  The goal of the school district is to promote student participation in physical activity for a healthier lifestyle. 

 

All students in grades kindergarten through five are required to complete an average of sixty (60) instructional minutes per week of physical education and sixty (60) minutes of physical activity.  The time students participate in recess shall not be counted toward the sixty minutes per week physical education requirement.  The sixty (60) minutes of physical activity may include, but is not limited to, physical education, exercise programs, fitness breaks, recess, classroom activities, and wellness and nutrition education.  All high school students are strongly encouraged to complete two units or sets of competencies of physical and health education as part of the core curriculum.  District high schools are encouraged to offer a variety of health and fitness classes for each grade in the high school. 

 

Suitable adapted physical education shall be included as part of individual education plans for students with chronic health problems, other disabling conditions, or other special needs that preclude such students’ participation in regular physical education instruction or activities.

 

In addition to required physical education, students at the elementary level should have the opportunity to participate in daily recess and physical activity.  The district shall provide daily recess period(s) for elementary school students, featuring time for unstructured but supervised active play.  The district is encouraged to provide adequate co-curricular physical activity programs, including fully inclusive intramural programs and physical activity clubs; and to promote the use of school facilities for physical activity programs offered by the school and/or community-based organizations outside of school hours

 

The school district may exclude from the participation in physical education or exercise programs those students who have been placed into an in-house suspension or determination class or placement or those students who are under an in-school restriction or are subject to an administrative disciplinary action. 

 

Oklahoma Kids Fitness Challenge Act

 

This district will implement the physical activity program for public school students in the fifth grade as established by the State Board of Education.  Fitness challenges adopted by the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports will be incorporated into the program and may include the following activities:

 

   1.       Twenty-five sit-ups in two minutes a minimum of three times per week every week during the school year; or

 

   2.       Walk a minimum of twenty-five miles per week every week during the school year.

 

   3.       Participation in “Walk Across Oklahoma.”

 

 

 

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §1-107

                                70 O.S. §11-103, §11-103.9

                                70 O.S. §1210.199

                                7 CFR, Parts 210 and 220

                                7 CFR, Part 245.5

 

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY

PUBLIC LAW 108-265, SECTION 204.

It is the policy of the Tannehill  Board of Education that the right of a student to participate fully in classroom instruction shall not be abridged or impaired because of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, handicap, pregnancy, parenthood, marriage, or for any other reason not related to individual capability.

 

Student participation in extracurricular activities shall be dependent upon the maintenance of minimum academic standards established by the board, the student's individual ability in the extracurricular activity, and such other factors as may be determined by the administration.

 

The administration shall insure that no student suffer discrimination by any school employee or any other student in curricular, cocurricular, or extracurricular activities of the school district.

 

The requirements not to discriminate in educational programs and activities extend to employment in the school district.

 

REFERENCE:    Title 6, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title 7, Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972:  Executive Order 11246, as amended by Executive Order 11375:  Title 9, Education Amendments of 1972 (Public Laws 92-318)

The Tannehill  Board of Education recognizes that educational programs are necessary for gifted children as defined in Oklahoma Statutes Section 1210.307 of Title 70.

 

Therefore, it is the policy of the board of education to cooperate fully with the State Department of Education in identifying gifted and talented children and in developing appropriate educational programs.

 

Children in this district will be considered for placement in the program in accordance with scores on standardized achievement and intelligence tests, records, and recommendations of teachers and parents.

 

Children identified as gifted and talented will be offered gifted and talented educational programs directly through the facilities of this district.

 

Student participation in extracurricular activities shall be dependent upon the maintenance of minimum academic standards established by the board, the student's individual ability in the extracurricular activity, and such other factors as may be determined by the administration.

 

The superintendent is directed to develop and implement regula­tions that support this policy.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §1210.307, et seq.

                                70 O.S. §5-135

In accordance with the policy of the board of education, a local advisory committee (which may or may not be com­prised of the curricu­lum advisory committee) shall be established.  The committee will consist of administrators, teachers, and parents with no fewer than 3 and no more than 11 members, at least one third (1/3) of whom shall be selected from a list of nominations submitted by associations whose purpose is advocacy for gifted and talented children. 

 

The purpose of the committee is to assist in the development of the district plan for gifted child educational pro­grams, to assist in preparation of the district report on gifted child educational programs, and to perform other ad­visory duties as may be requested by the board of education.  A chair and vice-chair will be elected, and written records and reports shall be made by the committee.  The committee will establish a regular meeting schedule sufficient to implement the program. 

 

The committee will make available to the board of education copies of their agendas, minutes, and evaluations of the program.  The committee will reorganize biennially prior to September 15.  A meeting will be called by the superin­tendent not later than October 1 of each school year.  All meetings of the committee shall be subject to the provisions of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act (70 O.S. §1210.308).

 

The committee will advise and assist district professional staff with the development of a plan which will include a description of the curriculum for the gifted child educational program, the criteria for evaluation of the this pro­gram, the competencies and duties of the program’s staff, number and percentage of students identified by the district as gifted children, and a budget for the district gifted child educational program.

 

Definition

 

Gifted and talented students are those students at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels having demon­strated potential abilities of high performance capability and needing differentiated or accelerated education or services.

 

Identification of gifted and talented students will be identified as follows:

 

   1.       Students scoring at or above the 97th percentile on the composite score of a nationally recognized achievement test;

 

   2.       An Intelligence Quotient (IQ = Mental Age/Chronological Age) at or above 125 as determined by a standardized intelligence test such as the Otis-Lennin, WISC-R, or the Stanford Binet;

 

   3.       Through the recommendation of a teacher or counselor who has taught the student, and/or;

 

   4.       Students who have demonstrated:

 

             A.   Creative thinking ability

 

             B.   Leadership ability

 

             C.   Visual performing arts ability, and/or

GIFTED CHILD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, REGULATIONS (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

             D.   Specific academic ability.

 

To insure due process rights for all potentially identifiable and identified gifted students, multicriteria assessments shall be used and a student will not be denied needed programming on the basis of one assessment criterion. 

 

Procedural safeguards will include:

 

   1.       Written parental consent is required for individual evaluation.

 

   2.       Records will be kept confidential and will comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

 

   3.       Parents may request additional evaluation of their child for placement purposes.  Tests must be approved by school officials and must have been administered by a psychometrist or other approved professional licensed by the state of Oklahoma.

 

   4.       Students transferring into the district will be screened when records of the student have been received from the sending school.  The student will be subject to the local procedures and criteria regardless of past placement. 

 

   5.       Placement will be reviewed annually by teachers, counselors, and administrators.

 

   6.       Removing a student from the gifted child educational program will be by request of the parents, student, or student’s teacher(s) after an appropriate review process is completed.

 

The committee will use discretion in notifying the students and parents regarding placement in the program.  The regular avenues of appeal provided by school board policy will be available to parents if they choose to use them.

 

Some of the desired goals of this program are:

 

   1.       To develop critical thinking skills;

 

   2.       To develop problem-solving skills;

 

   3.       To develop oral and written communication skills;

 

   4.       To encourage and recognize creativity;

 

   5.       To encourage and provide opportunities for leadership development;

 

   6.       To develop and reinforce positive self concepts;

 

   7.       To provide enrichment activities to enhance the cultural and educational experiences; and

 

   8.       To encourage individuals to become life-long learners.

It is the policy of this school district to provide special education to all exceptional children who reside in the school district.  Exception children shall include all children from age birth through two years (0-24 months) of age who meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section 3 of the Oklahoma Early Intervention Act, shall be served pursuant to the pro­visions of the Oklahoma Early Intervention Act; further provided that any children served shall be bona fide residents of this state, whose conditions are such that it is impractical or impossible for them to benefit from or participate in the regular classroom program of the public schools in the district in which they reside and whose education requires a modification of the classroom program.  Provided, that the attendance of said children in special education classes shall be included in the average daily attendance computations for State Aid purposes.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §1-107

                                70 O.S. §13-101 through §13-113

                                70 O.S. §18-109.5

                                Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC §1400, et seq.

The school district shall provide special education services for district resident children enrolled in private schools located within the school district in accordance with state and federal law requirements.  To ensure timely and meaningful consultation, the superintendent or designee shall consult with private school officials to design and develop educational programs and services.  Consultation shall include:

 

1. How the children’s needs will be identified;
2. What services will be offered;
3. How, where and by whom the services will be provided;
4. How the services will be academically assessed and how the results of that assessment will be used to improve those services;
5. The size and scope of the equitable services to be provided to the eligible private school children, the proportion of funds that are allocated under federal law for the services;
6. The method and sources of data that are utilized to determine the number of children from low-income families in participating school attendance areas who attend private schools;
7. How and when the school will make decisions about the delivery of services to such children, including a thorough consideration and analysis of the views of the private school officials on the provision of services through a contract with potential third-party providers;
8. How, if the school and the private school officials disagree on the provision of services through a contract, the school will provide in writing to the private school officials an analysis of the reasons why a contractor was not utilized;
9. Whether the school will provide services directly or through a separate government agency, consortium, entity, or third-party contractor;
10. Whether to provide equitable services to eligible private school children:
    1. By creating a pool or pools of funds with all of the funds allocated by federal law based upon all the children from low-income families in a participating school attendance area who attend private schools; or
    2. By using a proportion of funds allocated under federal law based upon the number of children from low-income families in the school district’s participating school attendance area who attend private schools.
11. When, including the approximate time of day, services will be provided; and
12. Whether to consolidate and use funds provided under federal law in coordination with eligible funds available for services to private school children under applicable programs defined in federal law to provide services to eligible private school children participating in programs.

     

    If the school district disagrees with the private school regarding an issue addressed above, the school district shall provide in writing to private school officials the reasons why the school district disagrees.  The school district will maintain written documentation which includes a written affirmation signed by private school officials that consultation has occurred.  The written affirmation shall also include an option for private school officials to provide that the private school officials do not believe that timely and meaningful consultation has occurred and that the program design is not equitable with regard to private school students. 

     

    LEGAL REFERENCE:             ESSA Section 1117

In recognition that some children need educational services in excess of the 180 days provided during the traditional school year, the Tannehill  Public Schools has developed an extended school year program in order to provide students with a free, appropriate, public education.  Whether a student is entitled to extended year services will be determined on a case-by-case basis.  Once a student is deemed to require additional educational services, the student’s IEP team will determine what areas of the curriculum will be included in each individual student's extended school year program.  This program and its attendant procedures do not supersede or preempt the prerogative of the indi­vidualized education planning team.  The intent is to assure thorough review and careful consideration of the individual needs of our student population who will benefit from extended school year services.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §13-101

                                300.320 IDEA Regulations

In order to achieve the level of Title I parent involvement desired by the board of education policy on this topic, these regulations guide the development of each school’s annual plan designed to foster a cooperative effort among the parents, school, and community.

 

Guidelines

 

Parent involvement activities developed at each school will include opportunities for:

 

          volunteering;

          parent education;

          home support for child’s education;

          parent participation in school decision-making.

 

The school system will provide opportunities for professional development and resources for staff and parents/community regarding effective parent involvement practices.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 

   1.       Parents

 

              It is the responsibility of the parent to:

 

                    actively communicate with school staff;

                    be aware of rules and regulations of the school;

                    take an active role in the child’s education by reinforcing, at home, the skills and knowledge the student has learned in school;

                    utilize opportunities for participation in school activities.

 

   2.       Staff

 

              It is the responsibility of the staff to:

 

                    develop and implement a school plan for parent involvement;

                    promote and encourage parent involvement activities;

                    effectively and actively communicate with all parents about skills, knowledge, and attributes students are learning in school and suggestions for reinforcement;

                    send information to parents of Title I children in a format, and to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand.

     

   3.       Community

 

              Community members who volunteer in the schools have the responsibility to:

 

                    be aware of rules and regulations of the school;

TITLE I PARENT INVOLVEMENT, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

 

 

 

                          utilize opportunities for participation in school activities.

 

   4.       Administration

 

              It is the responsibility of the administration to:

 

                    facilitate and implement the Title I Parent Involvement policy and plan;

                    provide training and space for parent involvement activities;

                    provide resources to support successful parent involvement practices;

                    provide in-service education to staff regarding the value and use of contributions of parents and how to communicate with and work with parents as equal partners;

                    send information to parents of Title I children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand.

The Tannehill  Board of Education endorses the parent involvement goals of Title I and encourages the regular participation by parents of Title I eligible children in all aspects of the program.  The education of children is viewed as a cooperative effort among the parents, school, and community.  In this policy, the word “parent” also includes guardians and other family members involved in supervising the child’s education.

 

Pursuant to federal law, the district will develop jointly with, agree on with, and distribute to parents of children participating in the Title I program a written parent involvement policy.

 

A meeting of the parents of participating Title I students will be held annually to explain the goals and purposes of the Title I program.

 

Parents will be given the opportunity to participate in the design, development, operation, and evaluation of the program for the next school year and to participate in planning activities, to offer suggestions, and to ask questions regarding policies and programs.  Parents will be encouraged to attend the meeting and to become involved.

 

In addition to the required annual meeting, at least three (3) additional parent meetings shall be held, at various times of the day and/or evenings, for parents of children participating in the Title I program.  Notices will be sent to the parents and articles will appear in the local newspaper advising parents and interested persons of the meetings.  These meetings shall be used to provide parents with:

 

   1.       Information about programs provided under Title I;

 

   2.       A description and explanation of the curriculum in use, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet;

 

   3.       Opportunities to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children; and

 

   4.       The opportunity to bring parent comments, if they are dissatisfied with the school’s Title I program, to the district level.

 

Title I funding, if sufficient, may be used to facilitate parent attendance at meetings through payment of transportation and childcare costs.

 

The parents of children identified to participate in Title I programs shall receive from the school principal and Title I staff an explanation of the reasons supporting each child’s selection for the program, a set of objectives to be addressed, and a description of the services to be provided.  Parents will be advised of their children's progress on a regular basis.  Opportunities will be provided for the parents to meet with the classroom and Title I teachers to discuss their children’s progress.  Parents will also receive information and training that will assist them in helping their children at home and at school.

 

Each school in the district receiving Title I funds shall jointly develop with parents of children served in the program a “School-Parent Compact” outlining the manner in which parents, school staff and students share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement in meeting state standards.  The compact shall:

TITLE I PARENT INVOLVEMENT (Cont.)

 

   1.       Describe the school’s responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment enabling children in the Title I program to meet the state’s academic achievement standards;

 

   2.       Indicate the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their children’s learning, such as monitoring attendance, homework completion, monitoring television watching, volunteering in the classroom, and participating, as appropriate, in decisions related to their child’s education and positive use of extracurricular time; and

 

   3.       Address the importance of parent-teacher communication on an on-going basis, with at a minimum, parent-teacher conferences, frequent reports to parents, and reasonable access to staff.

 

REFERENCE:    P. L. 103-382, Improving America’s Schools Act

                                P. L. 107-110, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

 

 

NOTE:                  Districts with more than one school participating in a title I program may wish to consider the establishment of a district-wide parent advisory council.

 

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT.

The board of education, in consultation with parents, teachers, and administrators, has developed and adopted this policy to promote and encourage the involvement of parents and guardians of children within the school district. 

 

1. Parent participation in the schools is encouraged to improve parent and teacher cooperation in such areas as homework, attendance and discipline.  At the beginning of each school year each teacher shall provide parents with contact information so that a parent has the opportunity to contact the teacher or administration to address concerns related to homework, attendance and discipline. 

    

2. Parents may request additional information from the administration to learn about the course of study for their children and review learning materials, including the source of any supplemental educational materials. 

    

3. Parents who object to any learning material or activity on the basis that it is harmful may withdraw their children from the activity or from the class or program in which the material is used.  Objection to a learning material or activity on the basis that it is harmful includes objection to a material or activity because it questions beliefs or practices in sex, morality or religion.  Parents are hereby informed that the withdrawal of a child from any state mandated courses could prevent their child from being eligible to receive a high school diploma. 

    

4. If the school district offers any sex education curricula pursuant to Section 11-105.1 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes or pursuant to any rules adopted by the State Board of Education, parents may opt their child out of sex education instruction if the child's parent provides written objection to the child's participation in the sex education curricula. 

    

5. Parents are hereby notified and given the opportunity to withdraw their children from any instruction or presentations regarding sexuality in courses other than formal sex education curricula pursuant to Section 11-105.1 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

    

6. Parents may learn about the nature and purpose of clubs and activities that are part of the school curriculum, as well as extracurricular clubs and activities that have been approved by the school. A list of school clubs that have been approved by the board of education is available from the administration upon request. 

    

7. Specific parent rights and responsibilities provided under the laws of this state, include the following:

1. the right to opt out of a sex education curriculum if one is provided by the school district. 

    

2. open enrollment rights. 

    

3. the right to opt out of assignments.

    

4. the right to be exempt from the immunization laws of the state pursuant to Section 1210.192 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

    

5. the promotion requirements prescribed in Section 1210.508E of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statues,

    

6.  the minimum course of study and competency requirements for graduation from high school prescribed in Section 11-103.6 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

    

7. the right to opt out of instruction on the acquired immune deficiency syndrome pursuant to Section 11-103.3 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

   PARENT PARTICIPATION (Cont.)

    

    

    

    

8. the right to review test results,

    

9. the right to participate in gifted programs pursuant to Sections 1210.301 through 1210.308 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

    

10. the right to inspect instructional materials used in connection with any research or experimentation program or project pursuant to Section 11-106 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

     

11. the right to receive a school report card,

     

12. the attendance requirements prescribed in Section 10-106 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

     

13. the right to public review of courses of study and textbooks,

     

14. the right to be excused from school attendance for religious purposes,

     

15. policies related to parental involvement pursuant to this section,

     

16. the right to participate in parent-teacher associations and organizations that are sanctioned by the board of education of a school district, and

     

17. the right to opt out of any data collection instrument at the district level that would capture data for inclusion in the state longitudinal student data system except what is necessary and essential for establishing a student's public school record.

     

    Parents may submit a written request for information during regular business hours to either the school principal at the school site or the superintendent at the office of the school district.  Within ten (10) days of receiving the request for information, the school principal or superintendent, shall deliver the requested information to the parent or provide a written explanation of the reasons for the denial of the requested information.  If the request is denied or the parent does not receive the requested information within fifteen (15) days after submitting the request, the parent may submit a written request for the information to the board of education.  The board of education shall formally consider the request at the next scheduled public meeting if the request can be properly noticed on the agenda.  If the request cannot be properly noticed on the agenda, the board of education shall formally consider the request at the next subsequent meeting of the board of education. 

 

Legal References:        70 O.S. § 10-106

70 O.S. § 11-103.3

70 O.S. § 11-103.6

70 O.S. § 11-105.1

                                          70 O.S. § 11-106

                                          70 O.S. § 1210.192

                                          70 O.S. § 1210.301 through § 1210.308

                                          70 O.S. § 1210.508E

Part I               General Expectations

 

The school district will have programs, activities and procedures for the involvement of parents (Section 1118 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ESEA)

 

The school district will work to ensure that the parental involvement policies meet the requirements of the ESEA and include a school-parent compact.

 

The school district will provide full opportunities for the participation of all parents and provide information and reports in an understandable and uniform format and alternative formats upon request.

 

The school district will submit any and all parent comments with the plan when the school district submits the plan to the State Department of Education.

 

The school district will involve parents of children served in Title I Part A schools in decisions about how the Title I parent involvement funds are spent.

 

The school district will be governed by the following definition of parental involvement:

 

Parental Involvement means the participation of parents in meaningful, ongoing communication involving student learning and other school activities.

 

A written Title I parent involvement plan will be developed at the district level through consultation of parents and teachers.

 

All Title I parents, administrators and teachers will have an opportunity to give input regarding school and parent programs through an annual needs assessment/program evaluation survey.  The survey will reflect the varying needs at each school site and will become a priority consideration for Title I district and school plan revisions.

 

Professional development activities will be provided and monthly staff meetings conducted.  Title I will work with other disciplines to develop parental involvement activities across the curriculum.

 

Each Title I school site will provide the results of an annual parent involvement  survey to the district.  The results of this survey may require that information be provided to parents in their native language.

 

Tannehill Public School District will develop and support a partnership among the school, parents and the community to improve student academic achievement, through the following activities specifically described below:

 

• Provide assistance and understanding of Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS), district required standards and assessments, and the district Parent Portal

   

• Provide district and school site training for parents, administrators and teachers

   

• Provide district parent conference days to monitor students' progress

   

• Provide a Title I website link which will inform parents of Title I programs, a calendar and other services, district and site parent meetings, links to additional parent resources, and state standards

 

PARENT INVOLVEMENT POLICY (Cont.)

 

• Conduct an annual parent advisory council meeting

   

• Strive to provide information in the parents' primary language

   

• Provide parent resources

   

  To support this partnership, activities such as workshops and conferences may include:

   

• Title I page on the district website

   

• Author visits and guest speakers

   

• Content based parent meetings relating reading to other subjects

   

• State Department activities

   

• Providing take home materials for parents

   

• Professional development to educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals and other staff, on how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners

   

  Part II             Adoption

   

  This district-wide Parental Involvement Policy has been developed jointly with, and agreed on with, parents of children participating in Title I, Part A programs, as evidence by Superintendent John Wilcox.

   

  This policy was adopted by Tannehill Public School District on September 22^, 2016 and will be in effect for the 2016-2017 school year.  The school district will distribute this policy to all parents of participating Title I, Part A children on or before October 1^st.

The Board of Education will provide a program of language instruction to students who have limited English proficiency.  Student partici­pation in any language instruction program or instruction in English as a second language is voluntary and requires written parental permission.

 

Students who meet any one or more of the following criteria shall be identified as being limited in English proficiency:

 

A student who:

 

   1.       Was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English and comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant;

 

              or

 

   2.       Is a Native American or Alaskan Native or who is a native resident of the outlying areas and comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the student’s level of English language proficiency;

 

              or

 

   3.       Is migratory and whose native language is other than English and comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant;

 

              and

 

   4.       Who has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language and whose difficulties may deny such individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in our society.

 

Tutorial Programs

 

Students who are certified to receive educational services through the State Migrant Education Department in cooperation with the State Department of Education are offered 30-minute tutorial help during the school day in the areas of reading, math, and language arts.  Criteria for eligibility include students who have moved into a district within the last six years from another district or state and whose parents seek either seasonal or temporary employment in agriculture.

 

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

 

If this district receives federal funding for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Programs, the following will be provided:

 

   1.       Parents will be notified of their student’s placement in a language program and their options associated with that placement.  Notification will include the reasons for identifying the child as LEP and the reasons for placing the child in the specified program.

 

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY INSTRUCTION (Cont.)

 

   2.       Students will participate in regular assessments in a manner that will yield an accurate assessment.  (See also policy EK.)  Test waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis for LEP students who demonstrate unusual and unique circumstances; however, students who have been educated in the United States for three years are required to participate in reading/language arts assessment in English.

 

   3.       Certification that teachers in the program are fluent in English as well as other languages used in instruction (if the district receives subgrants).

 

   4.       Evaluation of the program and the academic success and language achievement of the students in the program.  Parents will be notified of:

 

             A.   Their child’s level of English proficiency and how such a level was assessed.

 

             B.   The status of their child’s academic achievement.

 

             C.   The method of instruction used in the program in which the child is placed, and the methods of instruction used in other available programs.

 

             D.   Information as to how the program will meet their child’s educational strengths, assist him/her to learn English, and meet age-appropriate academic achievement standards.

 

             E.   Exit requirements for the program.

 

              F.   If the child has a disability, a statement as to how the LEP will meet the objectives of the child’s IEP.

 

Consequences of inadequate yearly progress include notification of parents, development of improvement plans, and restructuring of programs or the district will lose federal funds.

 

For non-English speaking parents, the district will arrange to provide translations of this information in their native language.

 

 

REFERENCE:    ESSA Sections 3111-3116

 

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY ESSA

Online instructional programs offered for instructional purposes and/or high school credit shall be approved by and under the supervision of the Tannehill Board of Education.  The proposed course(s) may be evaluated by the State Department of Education.

 

Definitions

 

Synchronous instruction occurs when the instructor and student's primary interactions are in real-time.  Regular classroom instruction is synchronous instruction, as well as two-way interactive video.  Web-based instruction that requires real-time interaction between student(s) and instructor as the primary format of instruction is also synchronous instruction.

 

Asynchronous instruction is not dependent on instructor and student interaction in real time.  Asynchronous instruction allows the student to engage in learning activities anywhere at any time.  For instruction to be considered asynchronous, the primary format of instruction does not depend on real-time interaction of the participants.

 

Supplemental online course is an online program that allows students who are enrolled in a public school to supplement their education by enrolling part time in online courses that are educationally appropriate for the student, which are equal to the equivalent of classroom instruction time required by student attendance and participation in the district.

 

Educationally appropriate means any instruction that is not substantially a repeat of a course or portion of a course that the student has successfully completed, regardless of the grade of the student, and regardless of whether a course is similar to or identical to the instruction that is currently offered in the school district.  The determination of educationally appropriate will be made at the local school district level. 

 

Web-based instruction uses the World Wide Web as the primary medium of instruction, with a computer serving as the primary tool of instruction.  Web-based instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous.

 

Two-way interactive video instruction provides for real-time (synchronous) interaction between student(s) and instructor by means of an electronic medium that provides for both audio (sound) and video (sight) signal.  Students and instructors participating in two-way interactive video instruction may both see and hear each other in an approximation of real-time.

 

Guidelines

 

Prior to offering an online instructional course, the board of education shall comply with the following guidelines recommend by the State Department of Education:

 

   1.       Web-based and two-way interactive video instruction shall be viewed as methods by which the school district can expand the course offerings and access to instructional resources.  These technologies should not be viewed solely as substitutes for direct, face-to-face student and teacher interactions, but as a means of expanding the ability of the district to bring the world of knowledge to the students.

 

   2.       The board of education will grant students credit for completion of courses offered by means of online instruction.  School district policies governing grading scales and credits earned shall be applied to Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program courses under the same criteria as courses offered by the school district.  A grade assigned for course credit that was completed through the supplemental online program shall be treated the same as any other course offered by the district.

ONLINE INSTRUCTION (Cont.)

 

   3.       Only students who are enrolled in this district will be granted access to supplemental online courses.

 

   4.       Requests for enrollment in supplemental online courses shall be as follows:

                          a. Interested students shall be required to fill out a request for enrollment in supplemental online course(s) form.

                          b. The principal or designee shall evaluate the application and determine whether the supplemental online course is educationally appropriate for the student.   

                          c.  If the supplemental online course is not deemed to be educationally appropriate, notification shall be provided to the student in writing as to the reasons in support of the principal’s recommendation and the student shall be afforded the opportunity to appeal the principal’s decision to the local school board.  The decision of the local board with regard to whether a course is educationally appropriate is final and nonappealable.  A copy of the notification shall be provided to the Director of Instructional Technology at the State Department of Education. 

 

   5.       If enrollment in the supplemental online course is allowed, the principal shall appoint a certified staff member to serve as the building level contact person to assist students enrolling in on-line courses and to serve as a liaison to the on-line teachers and provider(s).  Students shall have a grace period for withdrawal from a supplemental online course of fifteen (15) calendar days from the first day of a supplemental online course enrollment without academic penalty.  A written request for withdrawal should be provided to the principal from the student prior to the expiration of the fifteen (15) day period. 

 

   6.       Students earning credit by means of online instruction shall participate in all require state-level academic assessments in the same manner as other regularly enrolled students within the district.  No student shall be allowed to participate in these assessments at a place other than the school site at which the student is enrolled.

 

   7.       Courses offered for credit by means of online instruction shall be aligned with the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS).

 

   8.       Student progress shall be monitored on a weekly basis by the supplemental online course provider.  Attendance/participation in a supplemental online course shall be monitored in accordance with local district policy and determined by documented student/teacher/course interaction that may include, but is not limited to, online chats, emails, posting/submission of lessons.  The student may be counted “present” or “in attendance” when the supplemental online course provider provides evidence of student/teacher/ course interaction that demonstrates student progress toward learning objectives and demonstrates regular student engagement in course activity.  Supplemental online course providers shall make available to students, parents, and the school district reports that reflect daily attendance/participation, progress reports, and grades.  Such attendance/participation reports, progress reports, and grades shall be provided on a regular weekly basis to parents and the school district via electronic format.  The district will review progress reports and grades twice per month.

 

  9.        The security of individual student data and records shall be maintained and receive the same protection afforded students under state and federal laws.  No individual student data obtained through participation in online instruction courses shall be used for any purposes other than those that support the instruction of the individual student.

 

ONLINE INSTRUCTION (Cont.)

 

10.       District level aggregated data obtained through participation in online instruction courses shall be utilized for education purposes only and shall not be provided to commercial entities.

 

11.       All federal and state statutes pertaining to student privacy, the posting of images on the World Wide Web, copyright of materials, Federal Communications Commission rules pertaining to the public broadcasting of audio and video, and other such issues shall be adhered to by the district.  (See cross-referenced policies concerning these issues.)

 

12.       Prior to the beginning of instruction, cooperating school districts sharing courses by means of two-way interactive video technology shall, by means of contractual agreement, address such issues as the instruction costs, bell schedules, school calendars, student behavior, teacher evaluation, textbooks, class periods, student grades and grading policies, teacher load, and instructor employment.

 

13.       Contractual agreements shall be established between the school district and parent(s), or legal guardian, of students participating in alternative instructional delivery system courses prior to the beginning of instruction.  These contracts may address such issues as grading criteria, time allotted for course completion, student attendance, and the responsibility for course costs and equipment.

 

14.       Instructors of online courses shall be:  (a) certified in Oklahoma or another state to teach in the content area of the course offered, or (b) a faculty member at an accredited institution of higher education, possessing the specific content expertise necessary to teach the course.

 

15.       Students at remote sites who participate in the online courses offered by the district will be responsible for providing their own equipment and Internet access.

 

16.       Annually, the board of education shall establish fees or charges for the provision of alternative instructional delivery system courses.  The district shall not be liable for payment of any fees or charges for any online course for a student who has not complied with district policies and procedures.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §1-111

 

A POLICY ON THIS SUBJECT IS REQUIRED BY LAW.

The Tannehill Board of Education believes the primary goal of the educa­tional process is to educate.  The board also believes that since each child develops physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially at an individual rate, not all children will complete twelve grade levels of work at the same rate.  Therefore, for some children, more than twelve years of public education are necessary to achieve the minimal standards of an appropriate education.

 

Students in special education are excluded from this policy and will be advanced or retained in accordance with their Individual Educational Program as created by their IEP team.

 

Grade level placement in the elementary and in the junior high school will be based upon the child's maturity (emo­tional, social, mental, and physical), chronological age, school attendance, effort, and marks achieved.  Standardized test results can be used as one means of judging progress.  The grade marks earned by the child throughout the year shall reflect the probable assignment for the coming year.  Assignment of grade marks will not be used as a means of discipline or reward under any circumstances.

 

Whenever a teacher or a placement committee recommends that a student be retained at the present grade level or not receive a passing grade in a course; the parent(s) or guardian, if dissatisfied with the recommendation, may appeal the decision by com­plying with the district’s appeal process.  The decision of the board of education shall be final.  The parent(s) or guardian may pre­pare a written statement to be placed in and become a part of the permanent record of the student stating the parent(s)’s or guardian’s reason(s) for disagreeing with the decision of the board.

 

A grade mark on a report card at the end of the grading period shall not fulfill the teacher's responsibility in report­ing a child's progress to the child’s parent(s) or guardian.  Informal notes and personal conferences are necessary to help the teacher and the parent(s) or guardian understand the child's development and progress.  The parent(s) or guardian shall be informed, and a conference scheduled if the parent(s) or guardian desire, when it becomes apparent that a child may need to remain at a grade level.

 

Upon request of the student, or the student’s parent(s) or guardian, a student who has been recommended for retention, is failing a grade, or seeks advancement will be given the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) for the applicable grade level or course.  Proficiency will be demonstrated by some means of assessment or evalua­tion appropriate to the curriculum area, for example:  semester test, portfolio, criterion-referenced test, thesis, project, product, or performance.  (See also policy EIAE.)

 

Students demonstrating proficiency in a set of competencies at the 60% level shall be advanced to the next level of study in the ap­propriate curriculum area(s).  This decision will take into con­sideration such factors as social, emo­tional, physical, and mental growth.  The school will confer with parents or guardians in making such promotion/acceleration decisions.

 

Elementary, middle level, or high school students may demonstrate proficiency in the PASS Outcomes for grades 9-12 high school curriculum areas.  Appropriate notation will be placed on the high school transcript.  The unit(s) shall count toward meet­ing the requirements for the high school diploma.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §24-114.1

                                70 O.S. §11-103.6

In accordance with the policy of the board of education the following grading system will be used for all subjects, including special education:  

 

          100 - 90         =              A

          89 - 80           =              B

          79 - 70           =              C

          69 - 60           =              D

          59 - Below     =              F

 

A grade mark of 'I' is an incomplete and will be changed when the course is completed within the time limit set by the teacher.

 

Grades for students transferring from schools that use the letter system will be recorded as follows:

 

90 = A

80 = B

70 = C

60 = D

59 = F

 

Exemption Policy

 

Students are exempt from taking the semester tests for individual classes by maintaining an "A" average with no more than three absences.  All other students will be taking the test. Students taking semester exams must stay in the class during the entire testing period.  

NOTE:  Any student who is more than 15 minutes late will receive a zero for the semester test.  Exceptions will be dealt with on an individual basis . The individual teacher will determine semester test weight with no test counting no more than 1/5 of the semester grade.  Teachers of upper level classes may choose to require all students to take the test.

 

In considering days missed, all absences, excused and unexcused will be counted except absences because of school-sponsored activities.  An exempted student has the option to take the semester tests.  However, the grade mark earned on the test will be included in the overall grade average.

   1.       All teachers’ names are to be written on the permanent record cards and folders above or beside the grade.

 

   2.       No grades are to be given for Science or Social Studies in grades K, 1, and 2.

 

   3.       All third grade classes will teach Social Studies during the first semester and Science during the second semester.

 

   4.       Science and Social Studies in the fourth grade will be taught the entire year.

 

   5.       Handwriting grades will follow the same scale as other academic subjects.

 

   6.       All grades in Kindergarten and Developmental First Grade will be recorded on permanent records with an evaluation letter.

 

   7.       All grades in the first and second grade will be recorded as a letter grade.

 

   8.       All grades in the third and fourth grade will be recorded as a numerical grade.

In accordance with the policy of the board of education, the fol­lowing criteria for the selection of students to be retained in their current grade, or denied course credit, will be used in this school district.

 

Students shall be promoted or receive credit for a course of study if a grade average of 60% has been achieved for an entire course of study as determined by the teacher.

 

Students in grades one through eight must achieve a grade average of 60% or higher in at least three major courses of study to be promoted to the next higher grade.  The major courses of study are math, language arts, science, reading, and social studies.

 

1. Any first-grade, second-grade, or third-grade student who demonstrates proficiency in reading at the third-grade level through a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria shall not be subject to retention. Upon demonstrating proficiency through screening, the district shall provide notification to the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of the student that they have satisfied the requirements of the Reading Sufficiency Act and will not be subject to retention pursuant to this section.

    

2. If a third-grade student is identified at any point of the academic year as having a significant reading deficiency, which shall be defined as scoring below proficient on a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria, the district shall immediately begin a student reading portfolio and shall provide notice to the parent of the deficiency.

    

3. If a student has not yet satisfied the proficiency requirements of this section prior to the completion of third grade and still has a significant reading deficiency, as identified based on assessments administered as required by law, has not accumulated evidence of third-grade proficiency through a student portfolio, or is not subject to a good cause exemption, then the student shall not be eligible for automatic promotion to fourth grade.

    

4. For the 2015-2016 school year, a student not eligible for automatic promotion under paragraph 3 of this subsection and who scores at the unsatisfactory level on the reading portion of the third-grade statewide criterion-referenced test, may be evaluated for "probationary promotion" by the Student Reading Proficiency Team.  For the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years, a student not eligible for automatic promotion as provided for under paragraph 3 of this subsection and who scores at the unsatisfactory or limited knowledge levels on the reading portion of the third-grade statewide criterion-referenced test may be evaluated for “probationary promotion” by the student Reading Proficiency Team.  The Student Reading Proficiency Team shall be composed of:

    

   (1) the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) of the student,

    

   (2) the teacher assigned to the student who had responsibility for reading instruction in that academic year,

    

   (3) a teacher in reading who teaches in the subsequent grade level, and

    

   (4) a certified reading specialist.

    

   The student shall be promoted to the fourth grade if the team members unanimously recommend "probationary promotion" to the school principal and the school district superintendent and the principal and the

    

   STUDENT RETENTION (Cont.)

 

superintendent approve the recommendation that promotion is the best option for the student.  If a student is allowed a "probationary

 

promotion," the team shall continue to review the reading performance of the student and repeat the requirements of this paragraph each academic year until the student demonstrates grade-level reading proficiency, as identified through a screening instrument which meets the acquisition of reading skills criteria, for the corresponding grade level in which the student is enrolled or transitions to the requirements set forth by the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act.

 

1. Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, students who score below the proficient level on the reading portion of the statewide third-grade assessment and who are not subject to a good cause exemption as provided in subsection K of this section, and who do not qualify for promotion or “probationary promotion” shall be retained in the third grade and provided intensive instructional services and supports. 

    

2. The school district shall annually report to the State Department of Education the number of students promoted to the fourth grade as required by law. 

 

A third grade student may be promoted for “good cause” if the student meets one of the following statutory exemptions:

 

(1) Limited-English-proficient students who have had less than two years of instruction in an English language learner program;

 

(2) Students with disabilities whose individualized education plans, consistent with state law, indicates that the student is to be assessed with alternative achievement standards through the Oklahoma Alternate Assessment Program (OAAP);

 

(3) Students who demonstrate an acceptable level of performance on an alternative standardized reading assessment approved by the State Board of Education; 

 

(4) Students who demonstrate through a student portfolio, that the student is reading on grade level as evidenced by demonstration of mastery of the state standards beyond the retention level;

 

(5) Students with disabilities who participate in the statewide assessments and who have an individualized education plan that reflects that the student has received intensive remediation for reading for more than two years but still demonstrates a deficiency in reading and was previously retained in prekindergarten for academic reasons, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or third grade; and

 

(6) Students who have received intensive remediation in reading through a program of reading instruction for two or more years but still demonstrate a deficiency in reading and who were previously retained in prekindergarten for academic reasons, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or third grade for a total of two years. 

 

(7) Students who have been granted an exception for medical emergencies by the State Department of Education. 

STUDENT RETENTION (Cont.)

 

Requests to exempt students from the mandatory retention requirements based on one of the good-cause exemptions shall be made using the following process:

 

1.  Documentation submitted from the teacher of the student to the school principal that indicates the student meets one of the good-cause exemptions and promotion of the student is appropriate.  Documentation shall be limited to the alternative assessment results or student portfolio work and the individual education plan (IEP), as applicable;

    

2. The principal of the school shall review and discuss the documentation with the teacher.  If the principal determines that the student meets one of the good-cause exemptions and should be promoted based on the documentation provided, the principal shall make a recommendation in writing to the school district superintendent; and

 

1. After review, the school district superintendent shall accept or reject the recommendation of the principal in writing. 

    

   In the elementary and middle schools, a placement committee con­sisting of the principal, counselor, and teacher(s) shall deter­mine if a student is to be assigned to the next higher grade.  The committee shall consider standardized test scores and the student's age.

    

   Whenever a teacher or a placement committee recommends that a student be retained at the present grade level or not passed in a course, the parent(s) or guardian, if dissatisfied with the recommendation, may appeal the decision by com­plying with the district’s appeal process.  The decision of the board of education shall be final.  The parent(s) or guardian may pre­pare a written statement to be placed in and become a part of the permanent record of the student stating the parent(s)’s or guardian’s reason(s) for disagreeing with the decision of the board.

    

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §24-114.1

                                70 O.S. §1210.508C

A student retained in third grade in accordance with the Reading Sufficiency Act may be eligible for a midyear promotion to fourth grade.  The midyear promotion of a retained student will be considered if the student can demonstrate that the student is a successful and independent reader, is reading at or above grade level, and is ready to be promoted to the fourth grade.  Tools that may be utilized to reevaluate any retained student may include subsequent assessments, alternative assessments, and portfolio reviews, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.  Retained students may only be promoted midyear prior to November 1 and only upon demonstrating a level of proficiency required to score at the proficient level on the third-grade statewide criterion-referenced test, or upon demonstrating proficiency in reading at the third-grade level through a screening instrument administered in accordance with law, and upon showing progress sufficient to master appropriate fourth-grade-level skills, as determined by the school district.  A midyear promotion shall be made only upon the agreement of the parent or guardian of the student and the school principal. 

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §1210.508C

The Tannehill  Board of Education believes that students and parents should be informed periodically of the student's progress in school work. Therefore, report cards may be picked up at parent/teacher conferences or will be sent to parents or guardians following the end of each nine-week period, adding up to four times during the school year. Grades 1-6 use a yearly card. The parent or guardian shall be requested to acknowledge receipt by signature and return the card. The only grades that will be recorded on your permanent records are your semester grades.

Progress reports shall be distributed at mid nine-weeks and additional reports, telephone calls, or personal visits may be scheduled if in the best interest of the student. If, by the fourth week of every nine-week period, you are not progressing well, your teacher will mail an unsatisfactory progress report to the parent.

 

Report cards are distributed every nine weeks.  A child is graded against grade level objectives.  Letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F reflect the child’s performance against grade level requirements.  Students may be retained if they do not pass basic skill objectives at their grade level.  If there are any questions about your child’s report card, please contact his/her teacher immediately.

 

Students will receive progress reports the fifth (5^th) week of each nine (9) week period.

The following information is one indication of your child's progress during the last _____ weeks of classroom instruc­tion.  Written notification is only a secondary means of communication.  Therefore, we encourage you to contact your child's teacher if additional information is needed.

 

Student's Name ______________________________ Teacher ________________________________________

 

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

Grade _____________________________________ Date___________________________________________

 

 

___________         Does not follow directions                         __________         Follows directions

 

___________         Does not stay in assigned areas                __________         Stays in assigned areas

 

___________         Misuses Equipment                                     __________         Proper use of equipment

 

___________         Late to class often                                       __________         Punctual

 

___________         Forgets instructional materials                  __________         Comes prepared to class

 

___________         Other (See below)                                        __________         Other (See below)

 

 

Other:

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

                          Teacher                                                 Principal                                                                Counselor

In accordance with the policy of the board of education, the following regulation shall govern the reporting of student progress.

 

   1.       Report cards or progress reports will be issued to students following the end of each grading period.

 

   2.       Students are expected to share the reports with their parents or guardian.

 

   3.       The semester grade is recorded on each student's permanent school record.

 

   4.       The school staff and teachers will work with any student receiving a failing grade and will assist the student in determining and solving problems with the particular subject area.

 

   5.       The following letter grades will appear on report cards and in the student's permanent record:

 

              100 - 90                             A                             Excellent

                89 - 80                             B                             Above Average

                79 - 70                             C                             Average

                69 - 60                             D                             Below Average

                59 and below                  F                              Failing

 

In addition to the above reports, progress reports will be mailed to parents or guardians of students who are failing or at near failure each grading period.  Reports may also be mailed (at teacher's discre­tion) reflecting satisfactory progress.  Parents and guardians should feel free to discuss their child's progress with teachers and staff by appointment at any time.

It is the policy of the Tannehill  Board of Education that parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled as required by the teacher, or when requested by the parent.  However, parent-teacher conference days will normally be limited to one for each semester.

 

REFERENCE:    70 O.S. §10-105.2

                                Department of Education, Administrator's Handbook

The school counselor is a member of the teaching team.  The coun­selor is concerned for the welfare of the child, instructional goals of the teachers, and communication between home, school, and the community.

 

Student referrals to the school counselor are made by the princi­pal and teachers.  Parents wishing a conference may contact the counselor from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each school day.  Students may make arrangements to visit the counselor through their homeroom teachers.

It is the policy of the Tannehill  Board of Education to take part in testing programs with the aim of providing information designed to help all students recognize their abilities and to help in planning their school work.  A well-rounded testing program has been devel­oped that can be very valuable to each student.  The board recog­nizes that informa­tion relative to the personality, environment, home life, parental or family relationships, economic status, religious beliefs, patriotism, sexual behavior or attitudes, or sociological problems of a student is privileged and confiden­tial.  Such information shall not be tested for and if revealed shall be discarded. 

 

The following guidelines exist for the participation of children with disabilities in district-wide assessments:  Each student's IEP shall address guidelines for participation in district assessments, with appropriate modifications and accommodations.  The IEP team may determine that the student is unable to participate in standard district assessments.  Such a determination will be noted in the child's IEP.

 

Annually, on a date to be determined by the superintendent, the district will provide information to the district's stu­dents, parents of students, and the public at large about the proper meaning and use of tests administered pursuant to the Oklahoma School Testing Program Act.  Additionally, each school site within this district shall notify each stu­dent’s parents of the school’s performance levels in the Oklahoma School Testing Program at the end of each school year.

 

The superintendent is directed to establish a regulation governing the use of testing programs.  Such regulation, when approved by the board, shall be incorporated into this policy and shall be made a part thereof.

 

REFERENCE:    20 U.S.C. §1232h (a)

                                70 O.S. §11-107

                                70 O.S. §1210.507

The board of education recognizes surveys can be a valuable resource for schools and communities in determining student needs for educational services.  Such collection of input from students and parents may be used to assist school staff in decision-making related to curriculum and instruction and in program development and operations.  To this end, the board supports the use of appropriate surveys in accordance with the guidelines contained in these regulations.

 

Administrators, teachers, other staff members, and the board of education may use surveys for many purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, the need for student services, the determination of prevailing views pertaining to proposed policies and/or practices, or the determination of student knowledge and/or attitudes related to a specific subject or unit.  These are examples of surveys and not intended to be an all-inclusive listing.  Administrative approval is required for surveys.  Responses will not be used in any identifying manner.

 

Surveys used in any experimental program or research project will be subject to the requirements outlined in policy found elsewhere in this manual.  (See GVA-P.)  Parents shall have the right to inspect all instructional material that will be used for a survey, analysis, or evaluation as part of a federal program.

 

Prior to administering a survey, the board of education must approve all those that are received by the superintendent that include reference to any of the factors listed below.  No student may, without prior parental consent, take part in a survey, analysis, or evaluation in which the primary purpose is to reveal information concerning:

 

   1.       Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent;

 

   2.       Mental and psychological problems of the student or the student's family;

 

   3.       Sex behavior and attitudes;

 

   4.       Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, and demeaning behavior;

 

   5.       Critical appraisals of other individuals with whom students have close family relationships;

 

   6.       Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as f lawyers, physicians, or ministers; or

 

   7.       Income (other than that required by law to determine eligibility for participation in a program or for receiving financial assistance under such program); or

 

   8.       Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.

 

Prior consent to any such survey, analysis, or evaluation means the prior written consent of the student's parent or guardian or, if the student is emancipated, of the student.

 

Surveys conducted for other agencies, organizations, or individuals must have the recommendation of the superintend­ent of schools and the approval of the board of education as to content and purpose.  The results of such approved surveys must be shared with the board of education.

TESTING PROGRAM, STUDENT SURVEYS, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

Parents/guardians shall have the right to inspect, upon their request, a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed by a school to a student.  Such requests shall be made in writing with a response to be at least two weeks in advance of any survey to be given.

 

Overall survey results following decisions must be shared with all parties who request such information.

 

Parents/guardians shall be notified at least annually, at the beginning of the school year, of this policy and when enrolling students for the first time in district schools.  This notification must explain that parent/guardians, or students 18 or older, have the right to “opt the student out of participation,” in writing, in the following activities:

 

   1.       The collection, disclosure, and use of personal information gathered from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information.  This does not apply to the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing educational products or services for, or to students, such as:

 

             A.   College or other postsecondary education recruitment, or military recruitment;

 

             B.   Book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products;

 

             C.   Curriculum and instructional materials used in schools;

 

             D.   Tests and assessments;

 

             E.   Student recognition programs; and

 

              F.   The sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related activities.

 

   2.       The administration of any survey that delves into the restricted sensitive subject areas identified and listed above; or

 

   3.       The administration of any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening that is required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school not necessary to protect the immediate health or safety of the student or other students and not otherwise permitted or required by state law.

 

Parents/guardians of a student shall also have the right to inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.

 

Definitions

 

The term “survey” includes an evaluation.

 

The term “invasive physical examination” means any medical examination that involves the exposure of private body parts, or any act during such examination that includes incision, insertion, or injection into the body, but does not include a hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening.

 

TESTING PROGRAM, STUDENT SURVEYS, REGULATION (Cont.)

 

The term “personal information” means individually identifiable information, include a student’s or parent’s name, address, telephone number, or social security number.

 

The term “instructional material” means instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of format.  It does not include tests or academic assessments.

 

These terms do not include ordinary classroom activities or teaching techniques.

 

These rights transfer from the parent to a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or an emancipated minor.

 

Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington D.C.  20202-8520,

 

THIS POLICY REQUIRED BY THE EVERY CHILD SUCCEEDS ACT OF 2016.