Welcome to school year 2006–2007! For this new year to be successful for your child, we must all work together: students, parents, teachers, and other school staff members.

The Detroit Middle/High School Student Handbook is designed to provide a resource for some of the basic information that you and your child will need during the school year. In an effort to make it easier to use, the handbook is divided into three sections:

Section I—IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS—with information all parents will need about assisting their child and responding to school-related issues;

Section II—CURRICULUM-RELATED INFORMATION—to provide information to students and their parents about graduation programs, required courses, class rank, and extracurricular and other activities; and

Section III—GENERAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS—describing school operations and requirements such as safety procedures, the dress code, and fees that may be charged.

Each section has a Quick Reference component to serve as a guide for day-to-day questions that may arise.

Please be aware that the term “the student’s parent” is used to refer to the parent, legal guardian, or other person who has agreed to assume school-related responsibility for a student.

Both students and parents must be familiar with the Detroit ISD Student Code of Conduct, required by state law and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning. That document may be found as a separate document sent home to parents and available in the principal’s office.

The student handbook is designed to be in harmony with Board policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Please be aware that the handbook is updated yearly, while policy adoption and revision may occur throughout the year. Changes in policy that affect student handbook provisions will be made available to students and parents through newsletters and other communications.

In case of conflict between Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct and any provisions of student handbooks, the provisions of Board policy or the Student Code of Conduct that were most recently adopted by the Board are to be followed.

We strongly recommend that parents review the entire handbook with their children and keep it as a reference during this school year. If you or your child have questions about any of the material in this handbook, please contact a teacher, the counselor, or the principal. Also, please complete and return the parental acknowledgment and consent/opt-out forms so that we have a record of your choices.

Please note that references to alphabetical policy codes are included so that parents can refer to current District policy. A copy of the District’s policy manual is available in the school office.

SECTION I
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

This section of the Detroit Middle/High School Student Handbook includes information on topics of particular interest to you as a parent.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Working Together

Both experience and research tell us that a child’s education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership between home and school, a partnership that thrives on communication. Your involvement in this partnership may include:

· Encouraging your child to put a high priority on education and working with your child on a daily basis to make the most of the educational opportunities the school provides. Ensure that your child completes all homework assignments and special projects. Be sure your child comes to school each day prepared, rested, and ready to learn.

· Becoming familiar with all of your child’s school activities and with the academic programs, including special programs, offered in the District. Discuss with the counselor or principal any questions you may have about the options and opportunities available to your child. If your child is entering ninth grade, review the requirements of the graduation programs with your child. Monitor your child’s academic progress and contact teachers as needed.

· Attending scheduled conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed. To schedule a telephone or in-person conference with a teacher, counselor, or principal, please call the school 903-674-2646 for an appointment. The teacher will usually return your call or meet with you during his or her conference period or before or after school.

· Becoming a school volunteer. [For further information, see policy GKG and contact the campus principal.

· Participating in campus parent organizations. Parent organizations include: PTO, Crisis Intervention, and Booster Club.

· Offering to serve as a parent representative on the District-level or campus-level planning committees assisting in the development of educational goals and plans to improve student achievement. For further information, see policies at BQA and BQB, and contact the campus administrator.

· Offering to serve on the School Health Advisory Council, assisting the District in ensuring local community values are reflected in health education instruction.

· Attending Board meetings to learn more about District operations. [See policies BE and BED for more information.]

Obtaining Information and Protecting Student Rights

Your child will not be required to participate without parental consent in any survey, analysis, or evaluation—funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education—that concerns:

· Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent.

· Mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family.

· Sexual behavior or attitudes.

· Illegal, antisocial, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior.

· Critical appraisals of individuals with whom the student has a close family relationship.

· Relationships privileged under law, such as relationships with lawyers, physicians, and ministers.

· Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents.

· Income, except when the information is required by law and will be used to determine the student’s eligibility to participate in a special program or to receive financial assistance under such a program.

You will be able to inspect the survey or other instrument and any instructional materials used in connection with such a survey, analysis, or evaluation. [For further information, see policy EF.]

“Opting Out” of Surveys and Activities

As a parent, you also have a right to receive notice and opt your child out of participating in:

· Any survey concerning the private information listed above, regardless of funding.

· School activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information gathered from your child for the purpose of marketing or selling that information.

· Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered and scheduled by the school in advance and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of the student. Exceptions are hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state law. See policies EF and FFAA.

Display of your child’s artwork, projects, and other special work products:

As a parent, if you choose that your child’s artwork, special projects, photographs and the like not be displayed to the community on the District’s Web site, in printed material, by video, or any other method of communication, you must notify the principal in writing.

As a parent, you also have a right:

· To request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s teachers, including whether the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; whether the teacher has an emergency permit or other provisional status for which state requirements have been waived; and undergraduate and graduate degree majors, graduate certifications, and the field of study of the certification or degree. You also have the right to request information about the qualifications of any paraprofessional who may provide services to your child.

· To review teaching materials, textbooks, and other teaching aids and instructional materials used in the curriculum and to examine tests that have been administered to your child.

· To inspect a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed to your child.

· To review your child’s student records when needed. These records include:

· Attendance records,

· Test scores,

· Grades,

· Disciplinary records,

· Counseling records,

· Psychological records,

· Applications for admission,

· Health and immunization information,

· Other medical records,

· Teacher and counselor evaluations,

· Reports of behavioral patterns, and

· State assessment instruments that have been administered to your child.

· To grant or deny any written request from the District to make a videotape or voice recording of your child. State law, however, permits the school to make a videotape or voice recording without parental permission for the following circumstances:

· When it is to be used for school safety;

· When it relates to classroom instruction or a co-curricular or extracurricular activity; or

· When it relates to media coverage of the school.

· To remove your child temporarily from the classroom, if an instructional activity in which your child is scheduled to participate conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs. The removal cannot be for the purpose of avoiding a test and may not extend for an entire semester. Further, your child must satisfy grade-level and graduation requirements as determined by the school and by the Texas Education Agency.

· To request that your child be excused from participation in the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. The request must be in writing. State law does not allow your child to be excused from participation in the required moment of silence or silent activity that follows.

· To request that your child be excused from recitation of a portion of the Declaration of Independence. State law requires students in social studies classes in grades 3–12 to recite a portion of the text of the Declaration of Independence during Celebrate Freedom Week unless (1) you provide a written statement requesting that your child be excused, (2) the District determines that your child has a conscientious objection to the recitation, or (3) you are a representative of a foreign government to whom the United States government extends diplomatic immunity. [See policy EHBK]

· To request in writing, if you are a non-custodial parent, that you be provided for the remainder of the school year a copy of any written notice usually provided to a parent related to misconduct that may involve placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or expulsion. See policies FL(LEGAL) and (LOCAL), FO(LEGAL) and the Student Code of Conduct.

GRADING GUIDELINES

All students in grades 6-12 are required to take semester exams. Exam schedules are subject to change. Exams will ordinarily be administered on the last three days of each semester according to the following schedule:

Day One: Exam 7, 8

Day Two: Exam 1,3,5

Day Three: Exam 2,4,6

***Six Week Grades (teacher must have a minimum of ten grades.)

40% Test (Research Papers, Presentation, Chapter, Six Week, Pop, Unit)

60% Daily (Worksheets, Homework, Participation, Group, Notebook [optional], Projects)

Teachers need to clarify their expectations to each class.

***Semester Exam grade weight will be ¼.

REPORT CARDS / PROGRESS REPORTS AND CONFERENCES

Report cards with each student’s grades or performance and absences in each class or subject are issued to parents at least once every six (6) weeks.

At the end of the first three weeks of a grading period, parents will be given a written unsatisfactory progress report if their child’s performance in any course (in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies) is near or below 75, or is below the expected level of performance. If the student receives a grade lower than 70 in any class or subject during a grading period, the parent will be requested to schedule a conference with the teacher of that class or subject.

Teachers follow grading guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees that have been designed to reflect each student’s academic achievement for the grading period, semester, or course. State law provides that a test or course grade issued by a teacher cannot be changed unless the Board determines that the grade was arbitrary or contains an error, or that the teacher did not follow the District’s grading policy. [See policy EIA.]

Questions about grade calculation should first be discussed with the teacher; if the question is not resolved, the student or parent may request a conference with the principal in accordance with FNG(LOCAL).

The report card or unsatisfactory progress report will state whether tutorials are required for a student who receives a grade lower than 70 in a class or subject.

Report cards and unsatisfactory progress reports must be signed by the parent and should be returned to the school within 5 days.

STATE-MANDATED ASSESSMENT TESTS

Students at certain grade levels will take state assessment tests (such as TAKS: the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) in the following subjects, as well as routine testing and other measures of achievement:

· Mathematics, annually in grades 3–8 without the aid of calculators and, in grades 9–11, with the aid of calculators on any assessment test that includes algebra

· Reading, annually in grades 3–9

· Writing, including spelling and grammar, in grades 4 and 7

· English language arts in grade 10,11

· Social studies in grades 8,10,11

· Science in grades 5, 8, and 10

Note: The science assessment test in grade 8 will be administered beginning in the 2006–2007 school year. [See policy EKB.]

GRADE PLACEMENT COMMITTEE

After a student fails to perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument a second time, a GPC shall be established to prescribe the accelerated instruction the student is to receive before the assessment instrument is administered the third time. Decisions by the GPC shall be made on an individual student bases to ensure the most effective way to support the student’s academic achievement on grade level.

The GPC shall be composed of the principal or the principal’s designee, the student’s parent or guardian, and the student’s teacher of the subject of the grade advancement test on which the student failed to perform satisfactorily. If this teacher is unavailable, the principal shall designate to serve on the committee a certified professional educator who is most familiar with the student in the subject area.

If more than one parent or guardian has the authority to make educational decision regarding the student, a good faith effort must be made to notify both parents, but participation of any one parent or guardian is sufficient. Either parent or only one guardian may initiate an appeal. If parents or guardians serve on the GPC but do not agree, either may agree to promote the student (if the remaining members of the GPC agree to the promotion). The District may accept a parent’s or guardian’s written designation of another person to serve on the GPC for all purposes. The District may accept a parent’s or guardian’s written and signed waiver of participation in the GPC and designation of the remaining members of the GPC as the decision-making entity for all purposes.

If a parent or guardian or designee is unable to attend a meeting, the District may use other methods to ensure parent participation, including individual or conference telephone calls. The District may designate another person to act on behalf of the student in place of a parent, guardian, or designee if no such person can be located. A surrogate parent named to act on behalf of a student with a disability shall be considered a parent for this purpose. If the parent or guardian is unavailable, the remaining members of the GPC must convene as required by law and take any actions required.

OTHER STANDARDIZED TESTING: COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS

Most colleges require either the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission. Students are encouraged to talk with the counselor early during their junior year to determine the appropriate exam to take; entrance exams are usually taken at the end of the junior year. (Prior to enrollment in a Texas public college or university, most students must take an assessment test, such as the Texas Higher Education Assessment [THEA] test.)

MEDICINE AT SCHOOL

District employees will not give a student prescription medication, nonprescription medication, herbal substances, anabolic steroids, or dietary supplements, with the following exceptions:

Authorized employees, in accordance with policy FFAC, may administer:

· Prescription medication provided by the parent, along with a written request, and in the original, properly labeled container.

· Medication from a properly labeled unit dosage container filled by a registered nurse or another qualified District employee from the original, properly labeled container.

· Nonprescription medication provided by the parent along with a written request, and in the original, properly labeled container.

· Herbal or dietary supplements provided by the parent if required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan for a student with disabilities.

In certain emergency situations, the District will maintain and administer to a student nonprescription medication, but only:

· In accordance with the guidelines developed with the District’s medical advisor and

· When the parent has previously provided written consent to emergency treatment on the District’s form.

A student with asthma who has written authorization from his or her parent and physician or other licensed health-care provider may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma medication at school or school-related events. The student and parents should see the school nurse or principal if the student has been prescribed asthma medication for use during the school day.

A student with serve allergies who has authorization from his or her parents and physician or other health-care provider may be permitted to possess and use prescribed medication for anaphylaxis. The medication and self-administration must be authorized by a physician or other health-care provider. The student must demonstrate to the physician or other health-care provider and to the school nurse, if available, the skill level necessary to self-administer the medication.

STEROIDS

Parents and students should be aware that state law prohibits students from possessing, dispensing, delivering, or administering an anabolic steroid. Anabolic steroids are for medical use only, and only a physician can prescribe use.

Under state law, body building, muscle enhancement, or the increase of muscle bulk or strength through the use of an anabolic steroid or human growth hormone by a healthy student is not a valid medical use and is a criminal offense.

PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS

Teachers and other District employees may discuss a student’s academic progress or behavior with the student’s parents or another employee as appropriate; however, they will not recommend use of psychotropic drugs. A District employee who is a registered nurse, an advanced nurse practitioner, a physician, or a certified or credentialed mental health professional can recommend that a student be evaluated by an appropriate medical practitioner, if appropriate.

“Psychotropic drug” means a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication and intended to have an altering effect on perception, emotion, or behavior. It is commonly described as a mood- or behavior-altering substance.

[For further information, see policies at FFAC.]

Diabetes Management and Treatment Plan

A diabetes management and treatment plan must be developed and implemented for each student with diabetes who will seek care for the student's diabetes while at school or while participating in a school activity. The plan shall be developed by:

1. the student's parent or guardian; and

2. the physician responsible for the student's diabetes treatment.

A diabetes management and treatment plan must:

1. identify the health care services the student may receive at school

2. evaluate the student's ability to manage and level of understanding of the student's diabetes and;

3. be signed by the student's parent or guardian and the physician responsible for the student's diabetes treatment.

The parent or guardian of a student with diabetes who seeks care for the student's diabetes while the student is at school shall submit to the school a copy of the student's diabetes management and treatment plan. The plan must be submitted to and reviewed by the school:

1. before or at the beginning of the school year

2. on enrollment of the student, if the student enrolls in the school after the beginning of the school year; or

3. as soon as practicable following a diagnosis of diabetes for the student.

STUDENT RECORDS

Both federal and state law safeguard student records from unauthorized inspection or use and provide parents and “eligible” students certain rights. For purposes of student records, an “eligible” student is one who is 18 or older OR who is attending an institution of postsecondary education.

The law specifies that certain general information about Detroit ISD students is considered “directory information” and will be released to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it. That information includes:

· A student’s name, address, telephone number, and date and place of birth.

· The student’s photograph, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams.

· The student’s dates of attendance, grade level, enrollment status, honors and awards received in school, and most recent school previously attended.

· The student’s e-mail address.

Release of any or all directory information regarding a student may be prevented by the parent or an eligible student. This objection must be made in writing to the principal within ten school days of the child’s first day of this school year. [See the acknowledgment form attached to this handbook.]

Virtually all information pertaining to student performance, including grades, test results, and disciplinary records, is considered confidential educational records. Release is restricted to:

· The parents—whether married, separated, or divorced—unless parental rights have been legally terminated and if the school is given a copy of the court order terminating these rights. Federal law requires that, as soon as the student becomes 18 or is emancipated by a court, control of the records goes to the student. However, the parents may continue to have access to the records if the student is a dependent for tax purposes.

· District staff members who have what federal law defines as a “legitimate educational interest” in a student’s records. Such persons would include school officials (such as Board members, the Superintendent, and principals), school staff members (such as teachers, counselors, and diagnosticians), or an agent of the District (such as a medical consultant).

· Various governmental agencies or in response to a subpoena or court order.

· A school to which a student transfers or in which he or she subsequently enrolls.

Release to any other person or agency—such as a prospective employer or for a scholarship application—will occur only with parental or student permission as appropriate.

The District must comply with a request by a military recruiter or an institution of higher education for students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings, unless parents have advised the District not to release their child’s information without prior written consent.

The campus principal is custodian of all records for currently enrolled students at the assigned school. The campus principal is the custodian of all records for students who have withdrawn or graduated.

Records may be inspected by a parent or eligible student during regular school hours. If circumstances prevent inspection during these hours, the District will either provide a copy of the requested records, or make other arrangements for the parent or student to review the requested records. The records custodian or designee will respond to reasonable requests for explanation and interpretation of the records. The address of the Detroit ISD is 110 E. Garner St., Detroit, TX 75436.

A parent (or the student if he or she is 18 or older or is attending an institution of postsecondary education) may inspect the student’s records and request a correction if the records are considered inaccurate or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights. If the District refuses the request to amend the records, the requestor has the right to request a hearing. If the records are not amended as a result of the hearing, the requestor has 30 school days to exercise the right to place a statement commenting on the information in the student’s record. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, contesting a student’s grade in a course is handled through the general complaint process defined by policy FNG.

Copies of student records are available at a cost of ten cents per page, payable in advance. If the student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunches and the parents are unable to view the records during regular school hours, one copy of the record will be provided at no charge upon written request of the parent.

Please note:

Parents or eligible students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if they believe the District is not in compliance with federal law regarding student records. The District’s policy regarding student records is available from the principal’s or Superintendent’s office.

The parent’s or eligible student’s right of access to and copies of student records does not extend to all records. Materials that are not considered educational records—such as teachers’ personal notes about a student that are shared only with a substitute teacher—do not have to be made available to the parents or student.

STUDENT OR PARENT COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS

Usually student or parent complaints or concerns can be addressed simply—by a phone call or a conference with the teacher. For those complaints and concerns that cannot be handled so easily, the District has adopted a standard complaint policy at FNG(LOCAL) in the District’s policy manual. A copy of this policy may be obtained in the principal’s or Superintendent’s office.

In general, the student or parent should first discuss the complaint with the campus principal. If unresolved, a written complaint and a request for a conference should be sent to the Superintendent. If still unresolved, the District provides for the complaint to be presented to the Board of Trustees.

RELEASE OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL

Because class time is important, doctor’s appointments should be scheduled, if possible, at times when the student will not miss instructional time.

A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from his or her parent that morning. A student who becomes ill during the school day should, with the teacher’s permission, report to the school nurse. The nurse will decide whether or not the student should be sent home and will notify the student’s parent.

A student will not be released from school at times other than at the end of the school day except with permission from the principal or designee and according to the campus sign-out procedures. Unless the Superintendent has granted approval because of extenuating circumstances, a student will not regularly be released before the end of the instructional day.

Withdrawing from School

A student under 18 may be withdrawn from school only by a parent. The school requests notice from the parent at least three days in advance so that records and documents may be prepared. A withdrawal form may be obtained by the parent from the principal’s office.

On the student’s last day, the withdrawal form must be presented to each teacher for current grade averages and book clearance; to the librarian to ensure a clear library record; to the clinic for health records; to the counselor for the last report card and course clearance; and finally, to the principal. A copy of the withdrawal form will be given to the student and a copy placed in the student’s permanent record.

A student who is 18 or older, who is married, or who has been declared by a court to be an emancipated minor, may withdraw without parental signature.

SECTION II
CURRICULUM-RELATED INFORMATION

This section of the handbook contains pertinent requirements for academics and activities. Much of this information will also be of interest to your parents and should be reviewed with them—especially if you are entering 9th grade or are a transfer student. The section includes information on graduation programs and requirements; options for earning course credit; extracurricular activities and other school-related organizations; and awards, honors, and scholarships.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

The school counselor provides students and their parents information regarding academic programs to prepare for higher education and career choices

TEXAS SCHOLAR PROGRAM

Texas Scholar is not a graduation program. It was implemented by the Red River County Coalition to motivate High School students to take courses designated to better prepare them to compete in a high tech, global economy.

Texas Scholars must complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program with the addition of a fourth (4^th) year upper level math and science course.

CLASS RANK / TOP TEN / HIGHEST RANKING STUDENT

Recognition for academic honors will be given to the following seniors:

Valedictorian Highest ranking student

Salutatorian Second highest ranking student

Honor Students: For the graduating class, students with an overall G.P.A in the top 10 will be recognized as honor students. The determination of the class rank will be as follows:

Final Senior Ranking will be determined at the end of the fifth six weeks. Fifth year students, homebound students, and students from non-accredited schools will not be ranked.
Students will be ranked by weighted Grade Point Averages. A scale giving higher points for advanced classes will be used.
Grades from all four years of an accredited high school will be applicable.
In order to be eligible for the Valedictorian/Salutatorian recognition, a student must attend Detroit High School the last two years of his or her high school career.
All classes will be used in calculation class rank EXCEPT the following: correspondence courses, credit by exam, summer school courses, office aide, concurrent enrollment, athletics, and physical education.
Points will be assigned for a class once, regardless of the number of hours the class meets or the number of credits assigned for a class.
Students will receive grade points according to the table below plus 1/10 of the grade point that will equal the last digit of the actual grade earned. These points will be given upon completion of each year long course.

QUALITY OF WORK DISTINGUISHED RECOMMENDED MINIMUM BASIC

Superior 100 16 13 10 7

Excellent 90-100 15 12 9 6

Good 80-89 14 11 8 5

Fair 70-79 13 10 7 4

Failing 0-69 0 0 0 0

Example A: Student A receives a grade of 87 in Algebra I, a minimum course. According to the table, the student will be awarded 8 grade points plus 1/10 of the grade point that represents the last digit of the actual grade earned which is .7. Therefore, student A will receive 8.7 grade points for the grade of 87 in Algebra I.

Distinguished courses include the following (if offered): AP (Advanced Placement) Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP U.S. History, AP Geography, AP English IV, College Algebra D/C, College English D/C, Spanish III, and College Trigonometry.

Recommended courses include the following (if offered): Pre-Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Recommended (honors) English I, II, III, & IV, Advanced Accounting, Computer Science I, Business Computer Programming I, and Computer Science II.

For two school years following their graduation, District graduates who ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class are eligible for admission into four-year public universities and colleges in Texas. Students and parents should contact the counselor or principal for further information about how to apply and the deadline for application.

[For further information, see policies at EIC.]

STATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

· Under the Texas Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program, students who complete the Recommended or Advanced (Distinguished Achievement) High School Program may earn financial credits in varying amounts to apply toward college tuition. The amounts depend on the number of consecutive months in which the student completed graduation requirements and the number of early college credits earned and may be used at public or private Texas higher education institutions within the state. The counselor can provide additional information about meeting the program’s eligibility requirements.

· Students who have a financial need according to federal criteria and who complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program may be eligible under the TEXAS Grant Program for tuition and fees to Texas public universities, community colleges, and technical schools, as well as to private institutions. [For further information, see the principal or counselor and policy EJ.]

COMPUTER RESOURCES

To prepare students for an increasingly computerized society, the District has made a substantial investment in computer technology for instructional purposes. Use of these resources is restricted to students working under a teacher’s supervision and for approved purposes only. Students and their parents will be asked to sign a user agreement (separate from this handbook) regarding use of these resources; violations of this agreement may result in withdrawal of privileges and other disciplinary action.

Students and their parents should be aware that e-mail using District computers is not private and may be monitored by District staff.

[For additional information, see policy CQ.]

CORRESPONDENCE COURSES

The District permits high school students to take correspondence courses—courses by mail or via the Internet—for credit toward high school graduation.

A maximum of 2 credits may be earned through correspondence courses.

[For further information, see policy EEJC.]

COUNSELING

Academic Counseling

Students and their parents are encouraged to talk with a school counselor, teacher, or principal to learn about course offerings, the graduation requirements of various programs, and early graduation procedures. Each spring, students in grades 8 through 11 will be provided information on anticipated course offerings for the next year and other information that will help to make the most of academic and vocational opportunities.

To plan for the future, including attendance at a college, university, or training school, or pursuit of some other type of advanced education, students should work closely with the counselor in order to take the high school courses that best prepare them. The counselor can also provide information about entrance exams and deadlines for application, as well as information about automatic admission to state colleges and universities, financial aid, housing, and scholarships.

Personal Counseling

The school counselor is available to assist students with a wide range of personal concerns, including such areas as social, family, or emotional issues, or substance abuse. The counselor may also make available information about community resources to address these concerns. A student who wishes to meet with the counselor should speak with the counselor and set up a meeting.

Please note: The school will not conduct a psychological examination, test, or treatment without first obtaining the parent’s written consent, unless required by state or federal law for special education purposes or by the Texas Education Agency for child abuse investigations and reports.

[For more information, refer to policy FFE and FFG(EXHIBIT).]

CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Taken the Course

A student who has received prior instruction in a course or subject—but did not receive credit for it—may, in circumstances determined by the teacher, counselor, principal, or attendance committee, be permitted to earn credit by passing an exam on the essential knowledge and skills defined for the course or subject. To receive credit, a student must score at least 70 on the exam. In other instances, the District administration will determine whether any opportunity for credit by exam will be offered.

The attendance review committee may offer a student with excessive absences an opportunity to earn credit for a course by passing an exam. A student may not use this exam, however, to regain eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities. [For further information, see the counselor and policy EEJA.]

CREDIT BY EXAM—If a Student Has Not Taken the Course

A student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the student has no prior instruction. The dates on which exams are scheduled during the 2006–2007 school year will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The passing score required to earn credit on an exam is 90.

If a student plans to take an exam, the student (or parent) must register with the principal no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled testing date. The parent will be responsible for purchasing the test from a university approved by the State Board of Education. [For further information, see EEJB.]

DISTANCE LEARNING

Distance Education learning may be taught on a need only basis for students. The class will be monitored by a staff member.

CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

The District offers career and technology programs in Home Economics, Diversified Careers, Vocational Agriculture, Principles of Technology, and Business Education.

Detroit ISD will take steps to ensure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.

EXEMPTIONS

Detroit ISD will offer exemptions of Semester Exams. The following criteria will be met:

1. 85 overall average of the 3 six week classes/per class/per semester

2. No more than 3 absences per class per semester

3. No discipline referrals to ISS, DAEP, or suspension per semester

4. Juniors and Seniors may be exempt from all classes.

5. Freshmen and Sophomores (1^st Sem. History/Math) (2^nd Sem. English/Science)

* The principal will make the decision for extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basic

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, AND ORGANIZATIONS

Participation in school and school-related activities is an excellent way for a student to develop talents, receive individual recognition, and build strong friendships with other students; participation, however, is a privilege, not a right.

Eligibility for participation in many of these activities is governed by state law as well as rules of the University Interscholastic League (UIL)—a statewide association overseeing inter-district competition. The following requirements apply to all extracurricular activities:

· A student who receives at the end of a grading period a grade below 70 in any academic class—other than a class identified as honors or advanced by either the State Board of Education or by the local Board of Trustees—may not participate in extracurricular activities for at least three school weeks.

· A student with disabilities who fails to meet the standards in the individualized education program (IEP) may not participate for at least three school weeks.

· An ineligible student may practice or rehearse.

· A student is allowed in a school year up to ten absences not related to post-district competition, a maximum of five absences for post-district competition prior to state, and a maximum of two absences for state competition. All extracurricular activities and public performances, whether UIL activities or other activities approved by the Board, are subject to these restrictions unless approved by the campus principal. Student grades will be considered

· A student who misses a class because of participation in an activity that has not been approved will receive an unexcused absence.

Please note: Sponsors of student clubs and performing groups such as the band, choir, and drill and athletic teams may establish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by the Student Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the organization.

[For further information, see policies FM and FO.]

DRUG POLICY

All students, grades 7-12, wishing to participate in extra-curricular activities are mandated by board policy to undergo drug testing. The parent and/or guardian and the student will be required to sign a written approval form for the test or be excluded from the program.

Why Drug and/or Alcohol testing?

Use of drugs and/or alcohol was voiced concern of school board.
Efforts of drugs and/or alcohol contribute to safe, secure learning climate.
Effects of drugs and/or alcohol contribute to a greater risk of injury while participating in competition.
District’s obligation to ensure, to the extent possible, for the safety and well being of all students.
Encourage students to choose not to use drugs and/or alcohol.
To provide students who use drugs and/or alcohol, but are not chemical dependent, a reason to stop.
To allow students to take a stand against drugs.

Listed below are the drugs that may be detected by the test:

Amphetamines Methaqualone

Barbiturates Morphine

Cannabinoid (marijuana) Percodan

Cocaine Pentazocine

Codeine Ph