1	Middle School Promotion Requirements Fall, 2008 House Bill 7087
2	Background… The 2006 Legislature passed House Bill 7087 (A++) which, in part, revised Florida Statutes related to middle grades promotion requirements S. 1003.4156, F.S. Beginning with students entering grade 6 in 2006-2007 school year, promotion from a school composed of middle grades 6, 7, and 8 requires that the student must successfully complete core academic courses in order to be promoted to 9^th grade.
3	Core Academic Courses… 3 middle school or higher courses in English, emphasizing literature, composition, and technical text
4	Core Academic Courses… 3 middle school or higher courses in mathematics. Each middle school must offer at least 1 high school level mathematics course for which students may earn high school credit. Middle school students will earn one full high school credit for the successful completion of Algebra I.
5	Earning High School Credit Continued Students must be in attendance in each course for 67.5 hours each semester to be eligible to earn credit. Although the length of the semester exceeds the required number of hours, any student whose absences, excused or unexcused, reduces his/her instructional time below the 67.5 required hours for credit must demonstrate mastery to earn that credit.
6	Earning High School Credit Continued A student who has not attended the required number of hours must demonstrate mastery in one of the following methods: earn a passing grade on the semester exam that when averaged with the two grading periods is 60 percent or higher for the course earn a course average of 70 percent or higher.
7	Earning High School Credit Continued Because the length of the semesters varies, the number of days of absence permitted before the comprehensive exam demonstration of the mastery is required may change. For the 2008-2009 school year, a student who misses three (3) days during the first semester must demonstrate mastery to be eligible to earn credit.
8	Earning High School Credit Continued During the second semester, a student who misses thirteen (13) days must demonstrate mastery to earn credit. The difference in the number of days results from the difference in the instructional time each semester--84 days first semester and 96 days second semester.
9	Earning High School Credit Continued A student who has not been in attendance for the required number of hours and does not demonstrate mastery by one of these two methods will have a maximum of a 59 recorded in academic history for that course. Florida Statutes 1003.428 (4), 1003.436
10	Earning High School Credit “Grade Forgiveness” Middle school students taking Algebra I on the middle school campus who receive a “C”, “D”, or “F”, will be allowed the replacement of the grade with a grade of “C” or higher, or the equivalent of a grade of “C” or higher, earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. In all cases of grade forgiveness, only the new grade shall be used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average.
11	Core Academic Courses… The Algebra I course takes the place of the eighth grade core mathematics course requirement. Therefore, a final passing grade (60 or above) must be achieved to fulfill this requirement for promotion.
12	Core Academic Courses… Pupil Progression Language to be approved by the School Board in January, 2009. A student who is not performing in Algebra I may be moved back to 8th grade math during the first nine weeks. The decision should be made with the teacher, the parent, the student, and the school administration.
13	Core Academic Courses… Pupil Progression Language to be approved by the School Board in January, 2009. If the student remains in Algebra I past the first nine week grading period, the student must complete the first semester. If the student is moved back to 8th grade math at the end of the first semester, his/her third and fourth nine weeks grades will be averaged together to calculate the final grade.
14	Core Academic Courses… 3 middle school or higher courses in science
15	Core Academic Courses… 3 middle school or higher courses in social studies; one semester of which must include the study of state/federal government and civics education
16	Core Academic Courses… 1 semester course in career and education planning to be completed in 7th or 8th grade. This course must include career exploration using CHOICES for 21st Century or comparable program; must include educational planning using FACTS.org; and must result in completion of a personalized academic and career plan signed by the student, guidance counselor, and parent.
17	Course Acceleration Middle school students may progress in high school level science, foreign language, computer science, and mathematics (with the exception of Algebra 1A and 1B) only.
18	Course Acceleration Pupil Progression Language to be approved by the School Board in January, 2009. A middle school student who takes one or more science courses for high school credit during the middle grades will still be required to take a minimum of two additional science credits while in high school. The required high school course sequence must be followed. Additional science coursework may be required based on a student’s performance on the Science FCAT test taken in grade eleven.
19	Core Academic Courses… To Summarize - 3 English 3 Math 3 Science 3 Social Studies 1 Semester – Career & Education Planning Required to be promoted to 9^th grade!
20	District Grading Scale Grade “A” equals 90% through 100%, and is defined as “outstanding progress.” Grade “B” equals 80% through 89%, and is defined as “above average progress.” Grade “C” equals 70% through 79%, and is defined as “average progress.” Grade “D” equals 60% through 69%, and is defined as “lowest acceptable progress.” Grade “F” equals 0% through 59%, and is defined as “failure.”
21	Middle School Promotion Students who entered middle school prior to the 2006-2007 school year who successfully complete a minimum of 4 out of 5 core courses each year are promoted to the next grade. The core courses are language arts, mathematics, social studies, reading, and science. Students do not retake courses in which a passing grade (60 or above) is earned.
22	Middle School Promotion Students who entered middle school prior to the 2006-2007 school year who fail two or more core courses and do not successfully make up all but one of the failed core courses over the summer through Florida Virtual School or another district approved course recovery program shall be retained. The core courses are language arts, mathematics, social studies, reading, and science. Students do not retake courses in which a passing grade (60 or above) is earned.
23	Middle School Promotion 8th grade students must complete an Electronic Personal Education Plan (EPEP) in order to be promoted to 9th grade.
24	Middle School Promotion Students who entered grade 6 for the first time in 2006-2007, and thereafter who fail one or two required core course are promoted to the next grade. Students must recover all failed core courses prior to exiting middle school and entering 9th grade. Students do not retake courses where a passing grade (60 or above) was earned.
25	Middle School Promotion Students who entered grade 6 for the first time in 2006-2007, and thereafter who fail three or more required core courses are retained in the current grade. Students must recover all failed core courses prior to exiting middle school and entering 9th grade. Students do not retake courses where a passing grade (60 or above) was earned.
26	Course Recovery Students and parents shall be notified of options available for course recovery. Options include district course recovery programs as well as successful completion of courses through Florida Virtual School. Website for Florida Virtual School: www.flvs.net
27	Success is Achieved When Students… Respect the authority and directions of the teacher and contribute toward the development of a positive climate that is conducive to wholesome learning in the school.
28	Success is Achieved When Students… Are prepared for class, take part in classroom activities, and complete assignments given by their teachers.
29	Success is Achieved When Students… Make efficient use of class time to enhance the educational process and adjust appropriately to any necessary interruptions of regularly scheduled classes.
30	Success is Achieved When Students… Involve themselves in the student government committee process as well as other clubs, organizations, and athletic activities that are available at their school.
31	Success is Achieved When Students… Show respect for personal and public property. Students are expected to help keep their school campus free of all litter. Report all criminal or other unlawful acts to school personnel, the appropriate law enforcement agency, or the District administration.
32	Success is Achieved When… We all work together. Your student’s teachers and your school’s administration look forward to working with you to do what is in the best interest of your child and all students!
33	Parents… Please share and discuss this information with your middle school student. When children know that the parent(s) and/or guardian and their school are working together the student is likely to be more successful in school.