Adopted:                              	MSBA/MASA Model Policy 623
Orig. 1999
Revised:                               	Rev. 2019

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:

[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 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 Minn. Stat. § 120A.22, Subd. 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.]

[Also, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 120B.12, as of the 2011-2012 school year, 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 Minn. Stat. § 120A.22, Subd. 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 Part 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)