Madera Unified School District’s policy on retaining poorly performing students is coupled with an attempt at making sure “direct, systematic and intensive supplemental instruction” is offered.
Students identified for being held back “shall be identified primarily on the basis of their level of proficiency in reading,” says a board policy manual.
Board policy is to use retention as a learning tool.
“If a student is identified as performing below the minimum standard for promotion,” the policy reads, “the student shall be retained in his/her current grade level unless the student’s regular classroom teacher determines in writing that retention is not the appropriate intervention for the student’s academic deficiencies.”...