While every effort has been made to make this on-line handbook
accurate, the "official" policy book shall be the print edition of the
current Parent/Student Handbook.
Last updated June 13, 2000.
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This handbook is an attempt to answer questions which arise regarding policies of the school. It has a multiple purpose:
Suprisingly YOU do. Your parents and all taxpayers are legally required to pay taxes that build and maintain the public school system. Everyone pays taxes in one form or another. Therefore, any damage done to this building, equipment, buses or books must be paid for with your own family's money. It is not enough that you should refrain from doing anything to increase this cost to your parents, neighbors and yourself, but you must help protect this school by discouraging or reporting such activity b y any others. REMEMBER, MOST TROUBLE STARTS AS FUN.
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MISSION AND PURPOSE
The Drew Central School District believes that all young people, without regard to race, sex, national origin, age or handicapping condition, have an equal right to a free and appropriate education and should be encouraged to developed their abilities to the highest extent possible. Students should be encouraged to believe that the habits and characteristics they develop while in school are determining factors in the way they will interact with society.
It is the obligation of the school to see that all students are provided with the opportunity to experience excellence in some realm of their education.
The Drew Central School District Educational Objectives are:
The school day at Drew Central consists of seven class periods. A regular day is six hours of instructional time.
Study halls are provided for study and preparation of school work. Students must use their study time wisely by bringing to the study hall some work to do and by conducting themselves in a manner conducive to creating an atmosphere of quietness.
Students may be exempted from the final examination if they have an "S" in conduct and meet at least one of the following requirements:
Only students who meet the above criteria will be exempt from the final exam. All other students will be expected to take the final exam.
90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 59 and below F
Students are placed on the honor roll provided they make an overall grade point of 3.0. A student may not be on the Honor Roll if he/she has a "U" or two "N's" in conduct even if he/she has a 3.0 grade point average. A student who has been suspended from school or assigned to Alternative School will not be eligible for the Honor Roll.
Normal Grade Point System
Conduct Grades:
Conduct grades are assigned by each teacher in the classroom.
Special Reports:
Four week progress reports will be sent home between the nine week grading period.
Student records cannot be released without a release form signed by the parent of students under 18 years of age. Students 18 years of age or older may sign for their records. One copy will be given free. All other copies will be $1.00 each.
As a parent or a student over 18 years of age, you have the right to inspect your educational records. You have the right to a hearing to insure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights o f students, and to provide an opportunity for the correction or deletion of such inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate data contained herein and to insert into such records a written explanation by the parents requesting the contents of such r ecords. Your request to inspect such records shall be complied with as soon as we can arrange it and in no case more than 45 days from the receipt of your request. The same time limits apply for a request for a hearing to challenge the content of such r ecords.
The principal in each building has a copy of the district's policy on student records which you may examine. You have the right to file a complaint with the Federal Office of Education concerning alleged failures of the district to comply with the req uirements of 93,380. We maintain three types of records: (1) those of academic progress; (2) discipline records, and (3) immunization. The principal is the person in charge of the records in each building.
Honor graduates are determined on the basis of accumulated grade point, which must be 3.50 to be computed at the end of the eight semesters of school. Honor graduates must take the Honors Diploma or Tech Prep course of study. No remedial courses will be accepted. Final academic grade point average must be 3.50 or higher. A student may receive an Honor Diploma with a 2.00 GPA in Honors courses. No correspondence courses, summer school courses or college courses will be accepted to meet the Honors graduate requi rements.
All students must carry a minimum of 5 academic courses per semester. For Drew Central class rank and GPA recognition purposes, grades received in activity courses will not be use in figuring GPA. Seniors who need fewer than five credits to graduate and do not need to take five classes will be counseled on an individual basis to determine appropriate class load.
A student has five school days to change from one class to another at the beginning of a semester. A student will have ten school days to drop a class without receiving a grade of "F".
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
These requirements apply to all students who will graduate before 2002.
Beginning in the 1996/97 school year, the following fifteen (15) units shall be required for all students for high school graduation. They are: English 4 units Oral Communications 1/2 unit Social Studies 3 units Mathematics 3 units Science 3 units Physical Education 1/2 unit Health & Safety Education 1/2 unit Fine Arts 1/2 unit Total credits specified 15 units Elective credits 9 units Total needed for graduation 24 units
Beginning the 1998/1999 school year, those students who will graduate in 2002 and following years (this year’s 9th grade class and below) must mee the following requirements for graduation from Drew Central High School: English 4 units Oral Communication 1/2 unit Social Studies 3 units (1 unit of world history, 1 unit of U.S. history, 1/2 unit of civics required) Mathematics 3 units (1 unit of algebra or equivalent, 1 unit of geometry or equivalent. 9th and 10th grade math together will meet the algebra requirement provided both 9th and tenth grade math are completed.) Science 3 units (1 unit of biology and 1 unit of a physical science are required) Health 1/2 unit PE 1/2 unit Fine Arts 1/2 unit Career Focus Electives 9 units Drew Central will offer two tracts of study to its students who will graduate before 2002. They are College Prep, and General. In order for students to be eligible for one of the following items, they must have completed the College Prep curriculum. 1. Academic Challenge Scholarship (requires a 2.50 GPA)* 2. Seal on graduation diploma (requires a 2.75 GPA) 3. Unconditional admission to an Arkansas higher institution of learning (2.0 GPA)* 4. Honor graduate status/member of National Honor Society (3.50 GPA) 5. Selection as Valedictorian or Salutatorian * The graduating class of 2002 will be required to meet the requirements of Acts 977 and 1115 of 1997 regarding the common core curriculum, Arkansas Challenge Scholarship, and unconditional admission to college, as detailed in the following section.
English 4 units Mathematics 3 units (Applied Math I, Applied Math II, Informal Geometry) Science 3 units (Physical Science, Biology, Principals of Technology I - must have one life and one physical science) Social Studies 3 units (Civics, American History, one additional unit) Fine Arts 1/2 unit (Art, Band, Choir, Drama) Oral Communications 1/2 unit (Speech) PE/Health & Safety 1 unit Electives 9 units Total 24 units
English 4 units Mathematics 3 units (Algebra I - may be taken in Jr. High, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry or Calculus, Advanced Mathematics) Science 3 units (General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Biology or Physics) Social Studies 3 units (Civics, American History, World History, Global Studies, Economics or Geography) Foreign Language 2 units Fine Arts 1 unit PE/Health 1 unit Electives 7 units Total 24 units Each student must have a 2.00 GPA after 8 semesters of high school work to receive the Honors Diploma, but the courses must come from the Honors tract. No correspondence courses, summer school courses, college courses or remedial courses will be accepted to meet the Honors Diploma.
Students who plan to graduate in 2002 and later must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship: 4 units of English 4 units of mathematics 3 units of science (Advanced Biology does not count toward this requirement) 3 units of Social Studies 2 units of a single foreign language ACT score and GPA requirements ACT Score GPA 15-16 3.25 17-18 3.00 19 2.50 20-24 2.25 25-36 2.00
Students who graduate from high school before 2004 must complete the following courses for unconditional admission to an Arkansas public college or university: 4 units of English 3 units of Natural Science 3 units of Mathematics 3 units of Social Studies Students who graduate from high school after 2004 must complete the following courses for unconditional admission to an Arkansas public college or university: 4 units of English 3 units of Natural Science 4 units of Mathematics 3 units of Social Studies
Correspondence Work - (General Diploma Only) Students may earn no more that two (2) units of credit through correspondence work. Final grade in a correspondence course must be received at Drew Central no later than the due date for senior grades in order for a senior to participate in graduation exercises. Correspondence courses will not be used in determining grade point and class rank.
Students who attended Drew Central High School prior to acceptance to the Arkansas School for Mathematics and Sciences may elect to participate in graduation activities the year they graduate, including class composite picture, prom, and graduation exercises.
Students who attend ASMS will be sent a questionnaire at the beginning of their fourth year of high school in which they will indicate the activities they plan to attend. The questionnaire will be sent to the last address of record in the school district records. Failure to return the form by October 1 will constitute a waiver of the election to participate. Students who will graduate early and who intend to participate in any activities must notify the high school principal in writing by October 1, that they will graduate early and plan to participate in graduation activities.
ASMS students will be responsible for the costs of these activities to the same extent that Drew Central High School students, and agree by participating to abide by the provisions of the Student Handbook at these functions. ASMS students who violate provisions of the handbook at senior activities may be barred from attending future events upon recommendation of the high school principal, subject to appeal to the superintendent, whose decision shall be final.
ASMS students who participate in graduation exercises will not be eligible to be recognized as valedictorian or salutatorian, but upon presentation of an official transcript from ASMS by April 15 will be recognized as an honor graduate if appropriate and based on criteria of the Drew Central School District for honor graduates. ASMS students who choose to participate in graduation ceremonies will not receive diplomas issued by the Drew Central School District, but instead will be presented with certificates of recognition.
Students are classified according to the number of units of credits they have:
Seventh Grade: Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, *P.E., *Health, *Music, *Art,
(*classes rotate each 9 weeks)
Electives: Band, Basketball, Study Hall, Choir
Eighth Grade: Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Practical Arts & Career Orientation
Electives: P.E., Choir, Band, Basketball, Study Hall
Seventh and Eighth Grade students must pass six semesters of academic classes per year to be promoted to the next grade.
Honors and tech-prep track, general track and remedial track will be computed for class rank in that order.
GRADE VALUE
GPA will be computed by dividing the number of grade points or quality points by the number of semesters of work.
A student may repeat a course and substitute the higher grade. Credit will be given only one time, however, the grade will be used to calculate Grade Point Average.
Criteria for Exceptional Senior Award should have outstanding academic ability, contribution to community, participation in extracurricular activities and rapport with group and staff. The student who receives the most votes from the faculty will be t he recipient of this award.
Any effort to give aid or receive aid during an assessment is considered cheating. Assessments may include tests, homework, lab work, skill evaluations, and other assignments. Teachers will post their own policy regarding cheating in their classrooms. Penalties may include loss of credit for the test or assignment as well as other punitive actions.
Purpose: The Drew Central School Council provides a system of recognizing students for academic accomplishment and to provide additional motivation for scholarly activity.
5. Points are given as follows:
Academic
A = 4 B = 3
Project 3-D is a positive motivational program for secondary students to attain and keep a 3.50+ average throughout the school year. Upon achieving this academic status the first time, students will receive tshirts with the program logo; for a second period of achievement, they will be treated to a Scholar's Day Out vacation day from school. For those who maintain this average for the first three consecutive nineweek periods, the culminating activity will be an overnight stay at a tourist area, wit h meals and entertainment partially funded. The junior high achievers will be given a daylong educational field trip.
All these students must maintain an S in citizenship in all classes, with no detention hall days, alternative school or suspensions, to be eligible for the rewards. At the beginning of the subsequent school year, award recipients will be publicly reco gnized during an assembly with individual trophies and school plaques. Those who maintain the average all four nineweek periods will have their names engraved on a Principal's Roll plaque; all 4.00 students will be listed on the Superintendent's Roll. Both plaques will be displayed in the high school hallway.
In order to motivate all students, an "early lunch" ticket and a free soft drink will be awarded to those who raise at least one academic grade one letter from the preceding grading period, without other grades dropping. A colored lunch ticket, called the Scholar's Lunch Express, will be given to these students for early entrance into the cafeteria for the subsequent grading period. Local press coverage by newspaper and radio will inform the community of these winners, as well as the highaveraged st udents, during the school year.
Beginning with the 1996/97 school term, all graduating seniors must have taken a proficiency examination before completion of high school. The examination may be taken during grades eleven (11) and/or twelve (12). Guidelines for the exam will be outlined specifically in the rules and regulations that will be developed by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Social Promotion:
A student in grades 7 and 8 may receive a social promotion from the principal if they are two (2) or more grades behind their age placement.
It is important that "every student" has plans and purpose for his life. The Guidance Staff of the Drew Central School wish to participate in helping each student reach the limits of his potential. None can be ignored because each student will grow a nd either become an asset or liability to the society. Any person who does not feel a part of his society, who is not accepted in it, is a source of danger to it and its members. Therefore, within the limitations of time, space and personnel, the counse lor and staff will strive to meet the needs of each student. Regardless of what your sex, color, race or creed might be, you are always welcomed in the Counselor's office. Your problems, regardless of size, whether they be educational, vocational or per sonal warrant our time.
Homework is a beneficial adjunct to the inschool instructional program. Students learn through homework, selfdiscipline and good study habits. Homework will be assigned in each class, for practice, for skills taught and as research using content ap propriate to the course.
It shall be the policy of the Drew Central School District to provide opportunities for communication personally with students' parent(s) or guardian(s) once each semester. The following procedure will be used each year in reporting student performanc e:
The Drew Central School District will strive to provide a quality education for every student. To ensure that conditions for quality education will remain constant the following procedures will be used for students transferring from another public or private school:
Students transferring into the Drew Central School District from a school system requiring less than 24 credits will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the school board to determine if state minimum requirements will be accepted for graduation. S tudents must have been enrolled at Drew Central for at least four semesters preceding graduation in order to be eligible for the top two honor positions.
Drew Central High School needs the support and resources of volunteers in the high school. People with diverse experiences are a valuable resource for motivating and educating students.
The service that a volunteer may render to the school depends upon the needs of the school and the teacher as well as the abilities and interest of the volunteer. General areas for volunteers assistance include: resource people, tutoring individual s tudents, general classroom assistance, library, health room and chaperoning offcampus trips and oncampus activities. The High School Principal is the coordinator for the volunteer program and may be contacted at 3676076.
Students who wish to enroll in college courses during the school day may do so if scheduling of the college course and high school courses can be worked out. Credit will not be used to determine GPA or class rank.
Students who wish to take a course that is not offered at Drew Central may take a correspondence course, if the course is in their specific area of interest when they enter college.
One of the goals of the Drew Central School is to provide educational programs for the gifted and talented. Selection of students for this program is based on Act 106 passed by the General Assembly of Arkansas and Public Law 91230 that generated the following definition:
Gifted and talented students are those of high potential or ability whose learning characteristics require qualitatively differentiated educational experience.
Possession of those talents will be evidenced through an interaction of above average intellectual ability, task commitment and creative ability.
Students may be nominated for screening for this program by teachers, parents, peers (secondary level), self and standardized test scores. Students nominated to the program may require further testing to determine qualifications for the program.
If you have any questions about this program or would like a nomination form, please contact Judy Bynum, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, or the principal of your school.
A student promoted from the sixth to the seventh grade automatically meets scholarship requirements for eligibility. A student promoted from the seventh grade to the eighth grade automatically meets scholarship requirements for the first semester. Second semester eighth grade students and first semester ninth grade students meet scholarship requirements for junior high if they successfully pass four academic courses the previous semester, three of which are in the core curriculum areas specified by the Department of Education’s Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools. Ninth grade students must meet requirements of the senior high scholarship rule, as defined below, by the end of the second semester in ninth grade in order to be eligible to participate in the fall semester of their tenth grade year. Student promotions at the seventh and eight grades meet scholarship requirements for participation in competitive interscholastic activities.
Have earned a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.0 from all academic courses the previous semester. or Have met the “proficiency standard” as defined by the State Board of Education on the state criterion-referenced tests, including both the mathematics and literacy tests , for twelfth-grade eligibility. or Have achieved at or above the 50th percentile on the Basic Battery on the norm referenced test administered by the state for tenth- and eleventh-grade eligibility.
Beginning the 199394 school year, school districts shall not schedule competitive interscholastic activities during the week semester tests are being given. Test week is defined as Sunday through scheduled classes on Friday.
** These regulations apply to competitive interscholastic activity participation only. Noncompetitive interscholastic activity and competitive intrascholastic activity participation are not affected by these regulations.