Board Policy JECC - The Board believes that a student should be placed in the grade level and classes that best meet the student's academic needs, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian. A student's social and emotional needs will also be considered, to the extent that they affect academic progress. Although the district will first consider placing students in grade levels or classes with students of similar age, age will not necessarily be the determining factor. Further, any student's placement may be adjusted by the principal or designee as needed, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian. The district's administrative staff will make the final decision regarding assignment of students to grade levels or classes. Students receiving special education services will be placed in accordance with law.
Transfers from Accredited Schools
For the purposes of this policy, an "accredited school" is the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MoVIP); a private agency where students with disabilities are placed by a public school; or any school or school district accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) or the University of Missouri Committee on Accredited Schools Non-Public (CAS). If a school or school district is located in another state or country, that school or school district must be accredited by that state's or country's department of education, NCA, ISACS or the equivalent agencies.
In general, if a student transfers to the St. Joseph School District from an accredited school, this district will accept the units of credit completed in the previous school or school district and rely on the grade-level placement in the previous school to the extent that it coincides with the district's program. However, the district may adjust the student's placement as needed to meet his or her educational needs, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian.
All credits must be equated to the Carnegie Unit as defined in Missouri. Only credits that correspond to course offerings accepted by the Missouri State Board of Education or by the St. Joseph School District may be accepted to meet graduation requirements.
Transfers from Unaccredited Schools
For the purposes of this policy an "unaccredited school" is any public or private school or school district or home school that does not meet the definition of "accredited" above.
In general, if a student transfers to the St. Joseph School District from an unaccredited school, the principal or designee will examine a number of criteria to determine grade-level or class placement including age, achievement tests or other performance data, transcripts, course descriptions, textbooks used and home-schooling logs. If necessary, the district will administer additional tests to aid placement decisions. Once placed, the district may further adjust the student's placement to meet his or her educational needs, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian.
The district will attempt to award credit for classes completed in previous schools if there is sufficient evidence of achievement. All credits must be equated to the Carnegie Unit as defined in Missouri. Only credits that correspond to course offerings accepted by the Missouri State Board of Education or by the St. Joseph School District may be accepted to meet graduation requirements.
Transfers of Students of Military Families
If a transfer student is in the household of an active duty member of the military, including some veterans who are deceased or injured as defined by law, the district will initially place the student in the same courses and programs the student was in while attending the previous district, to the extent the district offers such courses and programs. Such placements may include, but are not limited to: honors classes, vocational, technical and career pathway courses, and International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, English Language Learner and gifted programs. After placement, the district may perform additional evaluations to ensure that the student has been placed appropriately and may change the student's placement after consultation with the student's parent/guardian.
Transfers of Students in Foster Care
Students in foster care will be placed in courses and programs pursuant to law and the district's policy on foster care students.
