Retention Policy

Draft Retention Policy

Policy statements

• Retention means a student will repeat his/her current year.
• Promotion to the next year at the end of the school year is not automatic.
• No student may be retained more than once in their tenure at AJA.
• If a student is recommended for retention for a second time in their tenure at the school, they will be asked not to enrol for the following year.
• Where a child for some reason is already older than age appropriate, for that year group, and they are recommended for retention, they will be asked not to enrol for the following year.
• Retention will be based on academic achievement, not behavior. The term reports will be the primary indicator of academic achievement.
• All achievement data and external bench mark tests, such as the ISA's, will be used to triangulate and validate the information synthesised in the report cards. Where triangulation does not validate the information, more evidence will be sought.
• In Years 7-13 (Grade 6-12), students should be present for at least 85% of the possible school days. In these year levels, attendance and punctuality are required by external organizations in order to successfully complete the course requirements. Absences beyond 15% may lead to retention.

Procedures
At the start of term two:

• Students will be considered for retention if in:
  Primary - a student has the majority of checks in the Level 1 and Level 2 columns in any two of the following subject areas: Literacy, Numeracy, Arabic (for first language learners), and Unit of Inquiry.
  Secondary - if a student is consistently under achieving
• Where a student has been identified the parents will be written to, met with and notified, that unless achievement improves retention will take place. At the conclusion of the meeting a standard form will be signed which outlines the process and confirms the meeting has taken place.

At the start of term three:

• Students will be considered for retention, who were identified at the first report card.
• Where there has been little or no improvement the student will be retained.
• Other atypical cases may be considered, in extenuating circumstances, who were not identified earlier in the year (this could be a child who joined AJA part way through the year).
• Where the above criteria are met the class teacher, team leader, appropriate coordinator and Head of School will meet to consider all the achievement data and will make the final decision. Formal notice in writing will be given to the parents.

In years 4, 6 or 9 (Grade 3, 5 or 8)

• Students, who perform at a level at or below the 15th Percentile for their grade level on the ISA test, may not be enrolled for the following year at AJA.
• Where the above criteria are met the class teacher, team leader, appropriate coordinator and Head of School will meet to consider all the achievement data and will make the final decision.