5120 - ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOLS, CLASSES, GRADES, AND PROGRAMS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Article 8, Section 1 of the Indiana Constitution establishes an Indiana student’s right to a tuition free education in an Indiana public school district. The Indiana Legal Settlement statute, I.C. 20-26-11, establishes which Indiana public school district(s) a student has a right to attend. Attendance at a particular school or program is established by Board Policy 5120 and this administrative guideline that implements that Board policy. All inquiries regarding student assignment shall initially be directed to the Principal of the school the student is assigned to attend.
School, Grade Level, and Program Assignment/Transfer
Student assignment to a school shall be determined by the attendance areas established by the Board. Changes in attendance areas may be made by the Board as needed.
Whenever possible, written commitments to a parent/guardian in earlier years will be given priority in the process of assigning students. Placement policies and procedures will be reviewed each school year by principals and recommendations for adjustments to these policies shall be submitted in writing to the Superintendent when necessary.
When a parent/guardian requests that their student attend a school other than the one their student is assigned to attend, they will be required to agree to the Student Transfer Agreement, Form 5120 F1, in which they agree that their student may have to be transferred back to his/her original attendance area school if class size, teacher-student ratio, or practical considerations make it impractical to continue the assignment of the student outside their designated attendance area. If the transfer is approved, the principal shall complete Form 5120 F2 – Transfer Notification, and send it to the parents with a copy to the Superintendent.
When a household relocates within the School District during the school year, the students from that household may continue their education at their original school for the balance of the school year in which they relocate if the parent/guardian provides transportation to/from school.
Such determinations will be made individually by the building principals of the schools.
Class and Grade Assignment/Transfer
Assignment of students to classes and grade level within a school or program shall be initiated by the principal after consultation with relevant staff.
Placement of a student will be based on factors including the academic, physical, social, and emotional development of the student as identified by the use of data and observations of the student by staff.
The Superintendent shall establish the criteria, including the academic, social, and emotional standards by which students are assigned to classes and/or teachers or are transferred after initial assignment. A copy of each principal’s proposed criteria shall be submitted to the Superintendent if a change is made.
The following procedures shall be followed in a transfer of a student between classes or programs within a school:
A written request shall be initiated by the principal, or submitted to the principal by the parent/guardian of the student, staff member, or by a student.
If a transfer between buildings or programs is initiated by a principal, the student’s parent/guardian or a student eighteen (18) years of age or older shall be advised of the proposed transfer and the reason for the proposed change.
A parent/guardian or a student eighteen (18) years of age or older may appeal a change to the Superintendent whose decision shall be final unless the Superintendent elects to submit the proposed change for consideration by the Board. Revised 7/10/12
© Neola 2012