Students will receive a District approved Certificate of Completion if they
meet minimum requirements for grades six through eight as indicated below
or utilize one of the options open to students who do not meet the minimum
requirements:
A. Passing all courses
B. Meeting Standards-Based Promotion criteria, BUL-721 (Rev.)
(See Attachment A)
CRITERIA FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PARTICIPATION IN THE
CULMINATION ACTIVITY
Participation in the eighth grade culmination activity includes:
A. Passing all courses in grades six through eight
B. Having no more than two U's in Cooperation during the eighth grade
year (the two U's must come from different teachers when the
student's schedule reflects multiple teachers)
C. Having no more than Two U's in Work Habits for the eighth grade
year (the two U's must come from different teachers)
D. Having an attendance rate of 95% for grades six through eight
excluding a serious, chronic, or major illness
E. Abiding by school and District policies with respect for student
conduct and school property
III. SUPPORT FOR ENSURING SUCCESS
In order to provide middle school students with the opportunity to meet
culmination activity and completion of certificate requirements, middle
schools will utilize the Individual Culmination Plan (see ICP: Attachment
B), and if available, have the following systems/programs in place beginning
in the sixth grade to:
A. Celebrate and reinforce student achievement
B. Identify at-risk students early and enroll in appropriate intervention
C. Provide academic intervention programs during the school day
D. Provide an attendance recovery program
E. Provide alternative instructional settings and option programs
F. Ensure frequent and consistent school to home communication
G. Initiate clubs and/or activities to motivate students to stay in school
H. Institute an adult mentoring program for at-risk students
IV. OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS NOT MEETING THE CULMINATION
ACTIVITY AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED
Policy Bulletin
BUL-3815.0
November 15, 2007
Students who do not initially meet requirements for participation in the
Culmination Activity and earning the Certificate of Completion during
grades six through eight may utilize the following options:
A. Earn a "C" or better in the second semester of the same course that
demonstrates significant improvement to counter-balance a first
semester "Fail"
B. Attend and pass intersession and/or summer school to offset a “Fail”
C. Engage in and successfully complete a pre-approved community
service to raise work habits and cooperation marks
D. Participate in a District provided attendance recovery program
E. Request review by the school site Culmination Appeals Committee
V. MONITORING AND APPEAL PROCESS
If a student does not meet minimum culmination or certificate of completion
requirements, an appeal request may be made in grades six through eight.
A. School Site Level
1. A Culmination Monitoring and Appeals Committee exists at
each school site to address the concerns brought forward by
parents and school staff as soon as a child becomes at-risk. At
a minimum, the committee must include a counselor, a school
site administrator, a teacher, and a community representative
2. The Committee response will be provided in writing and by
phone within three school days following the appeal
3. If parents/guardians do not agree with the Committee's
decision they may appeal to the school site principal within 3
days by phone or in writing.
4. A decision by the principal will to be made within three school
days following the appeal
B Suggested Monitoring and Appeal Committee Considerations
1. Demonstrating proficiency on CST in English/Language Arts
and Math
2. Extenuating circumstances that affect attendance and/or
academic achievement
3. Demonstrating significant improvement in sixth through
eighth grades
C. Local District Level
1. If parents/guardians do not agree with the school's decision
they may appeal to the local district
C. Local District Level
1. If parents/guardians do not agree with the school's decision
they may appeal to the local district
2. The local district decision is final and will be provided by
phone and in writing within one school day following the
appeal
AUTHORITY: This is a policy of the
The following documents help guide middle schools in establishing a climate for
student success.
Breaking Ranks In The Middle: Strategies for Leading Middle Level Reform.
National Association of Secondary School Principals,
Caught In the Middle; Educational Reform for Young Adolescents in
Public Schools. California Department of Education,
2001.
This We Believe; Successful Schools for Young Adolescents. National Middle
School Association,
Turning Points 2000; Educating Adolescents in the 21st Century. Anthony W.
Jackson and Gayle A. Davis.
2000.
Turning Points 2000; Educating Adolescents in the 21st Century, Study Guide.
Anthony W. Jackson and Gayle A. Davis.
ASSISTANCE: For assistance or further information, please contact the Middle School Programs
Director at (213) 241-6040.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED
Policy Bulletin
BUL-3815.0
Instructional Services Page 5 of 8 November 15, 2007
ATTACHMENT A
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED
Grade 8 Standards Based Promotion Policy
CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION
Mainstream Program: EO, IFEP, RFEP, and PRP
a Degrees of Reading Power unit score at or above 56 OR Spring Final Report Card English grade of D or above
AND
Mathematics: A score of “basic” or above on the California Standards Test in mathematics from the previous year OR
Spring Final Report Card Mathematics grade of D or above
All Programs: English Learners in ESL courses:
Overall CELDT score as follows:
Students Enrolled in Minimum CELDT score
ESL 1A/1B 1
ESL 2A 2
ESL 2B/ESL 3 3
ESL 4 4
AND
Pass Fall or Spring ESL Block
CRITERIA FOR RETENTION
Mainstream Program: EO, IFEP, RFEP, and PRP
a Degrees of Reading Power unit score at or below 55 AND Spring Final Report Card English grade of Fail
OR
Mathematics: A score of “far below basic” or “below basic” on the California Standards Test from the previous school year AND
Spring Report Card Mathematics grade of Fail
All Programs: English Learners in ESL courses:
Overall CELDT score as follows:
Students Enrolled in CELDT score or below
ESL 1A/1B N/A
ESL 2A 1
ESL 2B/ESL 3 2
ESL 4 3
AND
Fail on Fall and Spring ESL Block on Final Report Card
MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IN INTERVENTION
Mainstream Program: EO, IFEP, RFEP, and PRP
a Degrees of Reading Power unit score at or below 55 AND Spring Final Report Card English grade of Fail
AND/OR
Mathematics: A score of “far below basic” or “below basic” on the California Standards Test from the previous school year AND
Spring Report Card Mathematics grade of Fail
All Programs: English Learners in ESL courses:
Overall CELDT score as follows:
Students Enrolled in Minimum CELDT score
ESL 1A/1B N/A
ESL 2A 1
ESL 2B/ESL 3 2
ESL 4 3
AND
Fail on Fall and Spring ESL Block on Final Report Card
Students with disabilities qualify to participate in Standards-Based Promotion Mandatory and Voluntary Summer School/
Intersession Programs if they meet the eligibility criteria as indicated on their IEP’s. Attendance is in lieu of ESY.
