Curriculum and Instruction
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Promotion and Retention
When children struggle in school, the topic of retaining a student can emerge. The emphasis on proficiency standards has resulted in a closer eye on children who may be under-performing. Over the years, differing views on “social promotion” and “holding students back” have been discussed and supported. Much research has been done on this topic and research is an important partner to opinions that people hold. Making a decision to promote or retain is very significant and can have ramifications for years. This packet of information highlights some of the key issues, as well as information on assessment which should guide decisions. Alternatives to retention are also noted. We have included Frequently Asked Questions on Promotion and Retention from the California Department of Education which has additional information available on their website at www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/pr/faqppr.asp
The National Association of School Psychologists has available on their website (www.nasponline.org) a number of helpful articles on this subject.
Matrix Packets
Matrix Help! Sheets (Downloads in English and in Spanish)
- Should my child repeat a grade?
- My child is Not Doing Well in school
- My child is struggling with reading; what do I do?
- How do I know what questions to ask?
- How do I evaluate treatments and interventions?
Materials from Other Organizations
Specific Academic Areas
- Considerations when Selecting a Reading Program
- Florida Center for Reading Research
- Science Education for Students with Disabilities
Common Core Standards: Career, College, Community Ready
Materials of Other Organizations
- California Department of Education Promotion Retention and Grading
- Common Core State Standards and Students with Disabilities
- Common Core State Standards Dialogue Guide
- Access to the Common Core for All
- Grade Retention and Promotion: Information for Parents, National Association of School Psychologists
Websites
- California Department of Education Common Core Standards
- Common Core Works
- Common Core State Standards Initiative
- Implementing the Common Core Standards for Students with Learning Disabilities
- Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
- Universal Design for Learning
Response to Intervention and Progress Monitoring
- Fact Sheet: Benefits of Curriculum Based Measurement
- National Center on Response to Intervention
- Parent Page: What is Responsiveness to Intervention? (pdf)
- Parent Page: How Can Early Intervening Services and Responsiveness to Intervention Work Together? (pdf)
- Parent Rights in the Era of RTI
- What is Curriculum-Based Measurement and What Does It Mean to My Child? (dead link)
- Progress Monitoring
Specific Academic Areas
- Considerations when Selecting a Reading Program
- Florida Center for Reading Research
- Science Education for Students with Disabilities