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

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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)

6. Enrollment Form Procedures

7. Attendance for Credit
Attendance for Credit 90 Percent Rule TEC Minimum Attendance of Class Credit

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. Reconnection Admissions Scenarios
(See Reconnection Centers Flow Chart)

13. Districtwide Student Initiatives Department
Jacki McFarland
Manager
Districtwide Student Initiatives
Cristal A. Pinnix
Administrative Assistant IV
Sergio Tafolla
Marcus Scott
Coordinator
Reconnection Centers
Jay Blackmon
Specialist IV/Lead Facilitator
M. Erlene Williams
Operations Coordinator
High Schools
Jennifer Span
Middle Schools
Sheri Garrett
Elementary Schools (Central)
Isaac Gonzalez
Elementary Schools (East)
Some’ McCowan
Elementary Schools (West)