Education Law

As the school year winds down, many students and parents become anxious about the next school year.  Many worry about who their teachers will be and who will be in their classes.  However, some that are ending a rough academic year or a year with a lot of absences may be wondering if they will be promoted to the next grade level with the rest of their class.

If the school recommends that your child be held back and you are opposed to that recommendation then you should consider:

• The school’s appeal process.  Outline your case for why your child should be promoted and follow the school district’s appeal procedures;
• Offer to enroll your child in summer school. Ask the school if they will reevaluate the retention decision before the start of the next school year.
• If your child is on an IEP then immediately convene an IEP Team meeting.  Likely, your child should be promoted and the IEP should be amended to ensure that your child has access to the general curriculum.
• If your child is an English Language Learner and is new to the English speaking school then he or she should likely be promoted with additional langauge support.

The decision whether to promote or retain a child should be done on an individual basis.  A child’s grades, attitude, attendance, medical conditions and other important life events should be taken into account.

As with any educational decision, it is important that you listen and understand the school district’s professional opinion regarding your child and that you advocate effectively for what you feel is in your child’s best interest.

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