Academics at Jamesville-Dewitt
The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District academic program is designed to support the district’s mission. Throughout their academic careers, students experience a wide range of educational experiences designed to build creativity, critical thinking and communication and collaboration skills to prepare them for life after graduation.
The district leans heavily on the New York State Learning Standards to create coherence as a student moves from grade-to-grade. Teachers and department leaders take this set of knowledge and skills and pair it with engaging and developmentally appropriate materials. Jamesville-DeWitt continues to expand academic offerings to allow for students to pursue interests beyond these standards and requirements. This includes electives, dual enrollment, and advanced placement courses. The school district also relies on the principles of the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework to make learning accessible and meaningful for all students.
Grade Promotion and Placement Policy | New York State Seal of Biliteracy | New York State Seal of Civic Readiness
Grade Promotion and Placement Policy
Grade Promotion and Placement
Grade promotion and the placement of students within the District’s instructional system will be at the discretion of the school administration and will be subject to review at any time. In making these decisions, the administrator or building principal will be guided by: performance in class; past records, including various measures of student growth; recommendations from parents, persons in parental relation to District students, and teachers; and any other appropriate sources of information. With regard to student placement decisions, parents or persons in parental relation to District students may submit written requests for teacher attributes that would best serve their child’s learning needs; however, requests for specific teachers will not be honored. The final place decision shall rest with the school administration.
Testing Program
The District utilizes various ability, achievement, diagnostic, readiness, interest, and guidance tests for the purpose of complying with state and federal law and/or aiding the implementation of quality educational services. The District will not make any student promotion or placement decisions based solely or primarily on student performance on the state administered English language arts and mathematics assessments for grades 3 through 8. The District may, however, consider student performance on state assessments in making student promotion and placement decisions provided that multiple measures be used in addition to these assessments and that these assessments do not constitute the major factor in these determinations.
Alternative Testing Procedures
The use of alternative testing procedures will be limited to:
- Students identified by the Committee on Special Education and/or Section 504 Team as having a disability. Alternative testing procedures will be specified in a student’s Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Accommodation Plan; and
- Students whose native language is other than English (i.e., English language learners) in accordance with State Education Department (SED) Guidelines.
The alternative testing procedures employed will be based upon a student’s individual needs and the type of test administered.
The District will report the use of alternative testing procedures to the SED on a form and at a time prescribed by the Commissioner.
Reporting to Parents or Persons in Parental Relation to Students
Parents or persons in parental relation to District students will receive an appropriate report of student progress at regular intervals.
The District will not place or include on a student’s official transcript or maintain in a student’s permanent record any individual student score on a state administered standardized English language arts or mathematics assessment for grades 3 through 8. However, the District will comply with state and federal requirements regarding the maintenance and transfer of student test scores. Any test results on a state administered standardized English language arts or mathematics assessment for grades 3 through 8 sent to parents or persons in parental relation to a student will include a clear and conspicuous notice that these results will not be included on the student’s official transcript or in the student’s permanent record and are being provided to the student and parents for diagnostic purposes.
When necessary, attempts will be made to provide interpreters for non-English speaking parents or persons in parental relation to District students.
New York State Seal of Biliteracy Program
Jamesville-DeWitt High School participates in the New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) Program. The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages.
The intent of the program is to encourage the study of languages, to identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers, to provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission and placement, to prepare students with 21st century skills, to recognize the value of language instruction and to affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society. This award is denoted by a seal affixed to the student’s diploma and a notation on the student’s high school transcript.
Requirements
To earn the NYSSB, students must demonstrate Intermediate High proficiency in English and the required level of proficiency in one or more world languages set forth by the state Learning Standards for World Languages, adopted by the state Board of Regents in March 2021.
Students wishing to apply for the Seal of Biliteracy must meet the initial requirements listed below.
- Complete a World Languages course in grades 11 and 12 with an average of 85% or better
- Complete English language arts (ELA) in grades 11 and 12 with an average of 85 or higher
- Pass ELA Regents exam with 80 or better and/or attain a three or higher on the English AP Exam
Please note that there is individualized programming for English as a New Language Learners.
Students who meet the initial requirements and are interested in earning the seal will be allowed to start the application process and work with an advisor to complete a portfolio and culminating project that demonstrates fluency and excellence in English and another language.
New York State Seal of Civic Readiness
The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District offers students the opportunity to participate in the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness program. The program aligns with the district’s mission, core beliefs, strategic plan and work around Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education. The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindset and civic experiences.
The Seal of Civic Readiness is a distinction that will appear on a student’s high school transcript and diploma and recognizes a student’s understanding of a commitment to participatory government, civic responsibility and civic values; demonstrates to universities, colleges and future employers that the student has completed an action project in civics or social justice and that the student recognizes the value of civic engagement and scholarship.
Requirements
To obtain the Seal of Civic Readiness, a student must complete all requirements for a New York state local or Regents diploma and earn a total of six points with at least two points in civic knowledge and at least two points in civic participation. A full explanation of requirements is available online. Interested students should contact their school counselor.