HARRINGTON — Just how Lake Forest students will earn advancement to the next grade level was determined by the board of education Thursday in a meeting held at the new South Elementary following a dedication of the school.

The district policy details how students advance to the next grade and ultimatley — graduate.

Kindergarten students were once judged on objectives that were broken into five categories, language arts, emergent writing, letter knowledge, mathematics, and social studies.

"During the 2007-2008 school year, the Lake Forest kindergarten teachers piloted a new ‘skills-based’ report card." Glenn Davidson, Lake Forest administrative assistant for curriculum, said, "Minimum skills were identified for promotion, with alignment to state standards and grade level expectations. The promotion policy mirrors the report card as wording has been revised to be user or parent friendly. Parents will know exactly what has to be mastered in kindergarten in order for their child to be promoted to the next grade level. The report card moves out of the pilot stage and into full implementation this year."

Now the new all-day kindergarten students must meet 20 requirements, including matching shapes, letters and words that are the same; counting objects up to 20; and indentifying measurement concepts, according to the policy.

In cases where promotion to first grade is in questions, other skills like attending large group activities, completing tasks in the time allowed and working independently can be considered.

Promotion for students in grades 1-8 depends in large part on the Delaware Student Testing Program and meeting attendance requirements.

"With grade level reconfiguration in our schools, the promotion policy needed to align with those changes. Central Elementary is now a grade four and five school, so the promotion policy now reflects the Elementary Policy — that is, students must now pass Reading and Mathematics with an overall average of 70 percent or higher. Science and Social Studies will not be tied to promotion and retention at that level," Mr. Davidson said.

Those in the sixth and eighth grades must also pass all four of their core classes, English/language arts, Mathematics, science and social studies by 70 percent or greater and they must pass 10 exploratory courses that are offered annually.

High School students’ promotion requirements have changed too. Each student must accumulate credits throughout their high school career.

Students must pass six credit courses — one from each of the four core courses and two additional elective credits.

Sophomores making plans for their junior year must pass a total of 12 credits including one credit in English, social studies, math and science plus eight additional credits.

The previous policy did not include a science requirement.

The policy also details how students hoping to become members of the class of 2010 can meet their goals.

"The promotion policy has been revised for this year to reflect requirements for the Class of 2010. Students must pass four English courses, four social studies courses, three mathematics courses, and three science courses, in addition to electives for an end total of 25 credits to graduate from high school," Mr. Davidson said.

"Please be aware, that the promotion policy will need to be revised again for the class of 2011, as students will be required to pass everything that was required for the class of 2010 as well as a fourth math and fourth science credit," Mr. Davidson added.

The promotion guideline tries to meet all students’ needs.

Students in special education programs will be evaluated for promotion based on their individualized education plans, IEPs.

According to the approved plan, no student will be held back more than two times through sixth grade. Children who have problems meeting the new promotion requirements will be evaluated to meet their needs up to considering alternative school assignment.

Those students that excel in their current grades can advance prematurely based on their teacher’s observations and by passing appropriate tests.