USING THE SAT-9 ALONG AS JUSTIFICATION FOR HOLDING A CHILD BACK A YEAR

My daughters' teachers have told the kids that if they don't take or pass the SAT-9 test, that they won't go on to the next grade. Is it legal to obligate kids to take the test? And can they make a kid repeat the grade because she didn't pass or take the test?

The school cannot force students to take the test. Parents may, in fact, waive their children out of the testing program if they so choose. As a result, no child can be held back a year for not taking the test.

However, when a teacher recommends that a child be held back, the SAT-9 test must be at least one of the measures considered. But it should not be the only one. If a teacher identifies a child for retention, the parents are notified in the Fall, after all the spring testing is completed. The student would then have a year to improve her skills before the teacher decides whether to retain the student. By the way, the intent of the law is to get extra help to kids who are struggling. This could include after-school tutoring, Saturday school or summer school programs.

I suggest you ask the principal for a copy of the district's promotion/retention policy, including the notifications that should go to parents. If you were not notified in September that your child was at risk of retention, or if she did not have the chance to participate in the extra programs offered, she should not be retained next year.