Adopted: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 623
Revised: Rev. 2022
623 MANDATORY
SUMMER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish program
parameters and student attendance guidelines and requirements for the school
district relating to the provision of mandatory summer school educational
services.
II. GENERAL
STATEMENT OF POLICY
Summer school educational services and instruction shall be
directed toward the fulfillment of the goals and objectives of the educational
program and graduation standards of the school district.
III. PROCEDURES
A. The school
district shall offer summer school instruction providing opportunities for: determined by District Administration.
[Note: The
following are for illustrative purposes.
Summer school instructional offerings are a policy decision to be
determined by the local school board.]
1. Remedial
instruction at the level(s);
2. Make-up
and review courses at the level(s);
3. Special
education instruction and services related to mandatory summer school
instruction consistent with applicable state and federal authority for all
qualified disabled children where appropriate to their educational needs;
4. Reading
intervention programs or instruction for students who are at risk of not
learning to read before the end of second grade; and
5. Other
mandatory summer school programs as determined by the school district.
B. All services
of the summer school program will be free to residents of the school district
whose need for a summer program has been identified by teachers or the school
principal and who are required to attend pursuant to established school
district criteria and the provisions of this policy.
C. The summer
school curriculum will be established in line with the needs of students and in
accordance with rules of the Minnesota Department of Education. Remedial, make-up, and review courses shall
provide opportunities for students to qualify for promotion and/or credit in
areas and subjects where previous work has not met promotion/credit
standards. It shall further be designed
to assist students who have not passed one or more basic requirements tests and
who are in need of remediation services relating to the school district’s
graduation standards or who have been identified as at risk of not learning to
read before the end of second grade.
D. Summer
school provides the opportunity for students to improve basic skills, further
their academic progress, and/or accelerate in designated academic areas. The intent of the school district is to
ensure that courses taught during the summer session are of the same level of
instructional breadth and difficulty as provided during the regular school
year.
IV. MANDATORY
SUMMER SCHOOL INSTRUCTION
[Note: The Compulsory
Instruction Law at Minnesota Statutes section 120A.22, subdivision 5,
specifically authorizes school districts to require children subject to
compulsory instruction to attend summer school.
Each school district that wishes to implement mandatory summer school
instruction must establish the criteria and standards for determining which
students will be required to receive such instruction. These criteria should be developed and
determined by the school board in consultation with appropriate educational
professionals. The final criteria and
standards should be provided with specificity in this section. These criteria are within the discretion of
the school board and may be tailored to a school district’s particular needs
and resources. They may be aimed at
certain grade levels, academic areas and programs, or at students in need of
remediation services relating to the school district’s graduation standards and
basic requirements testing.]
[ Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 120B.12,
school districts must identify, before the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and
grade 2, students who are not reading at grade level before the end of the
current school year. Such students must
be screened for characteristics of dyslexia.
Reading assessments in English and in the predominant languages of
district students, where practicable, must identify and evaluate students’
areas of academic need related to literacy.
School districts must also monitor the progress and provide reading
instruction appropriate to the specific needs of English learners. School districts must use a locally adopted,
developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive assessment. School districts are required to provide
reading intervention methods for such students, which may include requiring
student attendance in summer school.]
[Alternative]
The school board will direct the administration to identify
and develop specific criteria and standards for determining which students must
receive summer school instruction. These
will be provided to the school board for review and approval on no less than an
annual basis. Following school board
approval, the criteria and standards for mandatory summer school instruction
will be included in this policy as Attachment A and incorporated herein by
reference.
V. TRANSPORTATION
SERVICES
A. The school
district shall make available transportation services for all students required
to receive instruction in the school district’s summer school program in
accordance with Minnesota Statutes section 120A.22, subdivision 5(b). The school district recognizes that
transportation is an essential part of the school district services to students
and parents but further recognizes that transportation by school bus is a
privilege and not a right for an eligible student.
B. The school
board shall retain sole discretion, control, and management of scheduling
routes, establishment of the location of bus stops, manner and method of
transportation, control and discipline of school children, and any other matter
relating to the provision of transportation services.
VI. SCHOOL BOARD
REVIEW
The superintendent or designated representative shall report
at least annually to the school board regarding the status and utilization of
programs under this policy. All summer
school programs will be subject to annual review and approval by the school
board.
Legal References: Minn. Stat. § 120A.20 (Admission to Public
School)
Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 (Compulsory Instruction)
Minn. Stat. § 120B.12 (Reading Proficiently no Later than the
End of Grade 3)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.02 (General Powers of Independent School
Districts)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.09 (Boards of Independent School
Districts)
Minn. Stat. § 123B.88 (Independent School Districts;
Transportation)
Minn. Stat. § 125A.50 (Alternative Delivery of Specialized
Instructional Services)
Minn. Rules Chapter 3501 (Graduation Standards)
Cross References: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 603 (Curriculum
Development)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 604 (Instructional Curriculum)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 605 (Alternative Programs)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 707 (Transportation of Public School
Students)