POST-SECONDARY COUNSELORS TRAINING RECONNECTION CENTERS AND ATTENDANCE FOR CREDIT February 22, 2016 Presented by: Marcus Scott M. Erlene Williams Coordinators Districtwide Student Initiatives

Session Agenda Terminology Purpose of Reconnection Centers At-Risk Identification Enrollment form procedures Attendance for Credit Admissions into Reconnection Centers

Terminology Credit Restoration - A student that needs to complete the principal’s plan (for the current school year) via the Attendance for Credit Committee to restore credits due to excessive absences. Credit Recovery – A student that has lost credit due to academic failure or has exceeded the time (previous academic school year)to regain credit via principal’s plan.

Purpose of Reconnection Centers The purpose of the Reconnection Centers is to provide an opportunity for the campus student population to recover credits because the student has previously failed the six weeks, semester, or entire course. In addition, Reconnection Centers provide an opportunity for a student to receive original credit for a selected course, and support the campus instructional initiatives concerning EOC remediation. The Reconnection Centers shall not be used for students to make up academic seat time via the principal’s plan to regain credit for six weeks, semester, or entire course.

At-Risk Identification EHBC (LEGAL) A district is entitled to an annual compensatory education allotment for each student: Who is educationally disadvantaged; or Who does not have a disability and resides in a residential placement facility in a district in which the student’s parent or legal guardian does not reside. EHBC (LOCAL) The District shall provide to identified students remedial or compensatory instruction that focuses on areas of deficiency and provides additional time on task to enable the student to master the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for a course or subject area. The regular teacher and any special teacher providing remediation shall coordinate their delivery and assessment procedures. (SEE HANDOUTS)

Enrollment Form Procedures

Attendance for Credit Attendance for Credit 90 Percent Rule TEC 25.092 Minimum Attendance of Class Credit

Attendance for Credit FEC [LEGAL] A student from kindergarten through grade 12 shall not be given credit or a final grade for a class unless the student is in attendance 90 percent of the days the class is offered A student in attendance for at least 75 percent but less than 90 percent of the days a class is offered may be given credit if the student completes a plan approved by the principal An attendance committee is required to hear petitions for class credit Parents, students, and/or a representative may petition the denial of credit or final grade to the attendance committee Appeals will be made to the Board of Trustees

Absences Defined Absences that count towards the “90 Percent Rule” E – Excused Absence Exemption: Medical-based excused absences with valid documentation U – Unexcused Absence Truancy, non school activities and vacations O – Out-of-School Suspension

Principal’s Plan Eligibility Threshold values Student in attendance at least 75 percent but less than 90 percent of the days a class is offered Earns a passing grade Threshold values Elementary/Middle 18 to 44 absences per course (traditional) 9 to 22 absences per course (block) High Fall Semester = 78 days 8 to 20 absences per course (traditional) 4 to 10 absences per course (block) Spring Semester = 97 days 10 to 24 absences per course (traditional) 5 to 12 absences per course (block)

Completing The Principal’s Plan Academic Seat Time Students must complete prescribed assignments outside of regular school hours (Before School, After-School, Saturday School) Assignments must be course specific Students are not required to spend a certain amount of time equal to time missed during regular school hours Failure to participate in the principal’s plan is denial of final grade for elementary and middle school students and denial of credit for high school students Students who fail a course but have the potential to ‘average out’ may complete a Principal’s Plan with the Attendance Committee’s approval

Reconnection Admissions Scenarios (See Reconnection Centers Flow Chart)

Districtwide Student Initiatives Department Jacki McFarland Manager Districtwide Student Initiatives jmcfarland@dallasisd.org Cristal A. Pinnix Administrative Assistant IV cpinnix@dallasisd.org Sergio Tafolla stafolla@dallasisd.org Marcus Scott Coordinator Reconnection Centers marscott@dallasisd.org Jay Blackmon Specialist IV/Lead Facilitator jblackmon@dallasisd.org M. Erlene Williams Operations Coordinator High Schools marcwilliams@dallasisd.org Jennifer Span Middle Schools jspan@dallasisd.org Sheri Garrett Elementary Schools (Central) sherigarrett@dallasisd.org Isaac Gonzalez Elementary Schools (East) isaagonzalez@dallasisd.org Some’ McCowan Elementary Schools (West) smccowan@dallasisd.org