AA402 – Advancement, Promotion, and Graduation of Students

Effective: 8/27/1969
Revision: 11/29/2022
Reviewed: 12/10/2013

Board Directive
Recognizing the need for an orderly transition of students between school levels, the Board authorizes the District Administration to conduct appropriate advancement, promotion, and graduation activities.
Administrative Policy
1. Authorization
  The advancement, promotion, and graduation of students is authorized by the Board upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the principal of the school involved.
2. Definitions
  1. Advancement: Movement of students within the three divisions or levels (elementary, middle, and high school) of instruction.
  2. Promotion: Movement of students from one grade level to another, from elementary to middle school, and from middle school to high school.
  3. Graduation: Completion of the high school program of studies specified by the State and local Boards of Education.
    NOTE: The following definitions relate directly to the mandate for optional configurations of the high school program as specified by Utah Code §53A-15-101.
  4. Advanced Placement (AP): The most rigorous credit courses in the high school curriculum in any discipline area. Sponsored by and controlled by the College Entrance Examination Board, AP courses each have associated tests that also grant college level credit upon successful completion of the examination designated for that course.
  5. Accelerated Vocational Programs: Vocational/technical education courses designed to provide college credit to students evidencing a high level of content master/skills in a specialized field.
  6. Early Graduation: Optional program governed by the creation of a specialized Student Educational Plan for College and Career Readiness and approved by the principal at the least one quarter prior to the date for early graduation; designed for the purpose of allowing a student to graduate after completion of the eleventh grade or at the end of any quarter of the twelfth grade year.
  7. Concurrent Enrollment: Optional program governed by the creation of a specialized Student Educational Plan for College and Career Readiness that allows a student to enroll in post secondary training/education while attending classes in the regular high school day. Courses completed in the Concurrent Enrollment program may be used as credit toward high school graduation and/or may be applied to fulfillment of post secondary educational requirements.
  8. Early Admissions: Optional program governed by the creation of a specialized Student Educational Plan for College and Career Readiness that allows a student to enter post secondary training/education in place of or as part of the normal senior year. Early Admissions does not preclude the student returning to graduate from high school with his/her class.
  9. International Baccalaureate: A rigorous program of studies emphasizing critical thinking while encouraging an international perspective. Students may earn a certificate in a specific course of study and a diploma recognizing completion of the entire program.
3. Promotion and Graduation Requirements
  Promotion from elementary school to middle school or from middle school to high school shall be authorized upon satisfactory fulfillment of the requirements specified by the State Board of Education and additional studies required by the Jordan School District Board of Education. Graduation from high school shall be authorized upon satisfactory completion of high school graduation requirements in the Utah educational code and stated in the Jordan School District Credit Guidelines for graduation from secondary schools. (State Board Rule R277-705-3)
4. Responsibility
  The Administration delegates responsibility for the general coordination of advancement, promotion, and graduation activities to the Administrators of Schools. Working cooperatively with the school principals, the Administrators of Schools shall make certain that Board and Administrative policies are understood and complied with in conducting school programs.
5. Advancement
  Teachers and principals shall consider the continuous progress and educational growth of students a major concern as students are advanced from one level to another in the elementary and middle school. Retentions and accelerations shall be considered on the basis of the best interest and welfare of the student based upon the professional determination of the local school educational team comprised of a school administrator, parent(s)/legal guardian(s), teacher(s) and guidance personnel. (See Policy AS64 Student Retention and Acceleration)
6. Promotion
  As students are promoted from one division or level to another, teachers and administrators shall stress the non-terminal nature of promotion and shall encourage students to continue their studies.
7. Graduation Programs
  Graduation programs shall be conducted according to the following guidelines:
  1. Commencement exercises shall be held to honor those students graduating from high school.
  2. They shall reflect the dignity of youth, the community, and the schools of Jordan School District.
  3. They shall emphasize conservatism in money expenditures required of students, parents, and schools in order not to embarrass the indigent.
  4. No formal programs or exercises shall be held for pupils being advanced from one grade to the next or for pupils being promoted from elementary to middle school or from middle school to high school.
  5. Middle school students shall not purchase class rings, yearbooks, or pins to signify the promotion occasion.
8. Scheduling
  The scheduling of graduation programs shall be coordinated by the Administrators of Schools. Selected program dates shall be cleared through the Superintendent's office and placed on the Activity Calendar.
9. Graduation Attire
  In order to maintain dignity and decorum at high school commencements, students participating in commencement exercises are subject to the graduation dress attire articulated in Policy AA419 Student Conduct and Dress, item D.