"Those days are over." Canton City Schools looks to toughen student retention policy
- Superintendent Jeff Talbert has introduced a revised student retention policy.
- Under the proposed policy, students who are chronically absent and failing at least two core classes will be required to enter an alternative learning program or must repeat the same grade level.
- School board members are expected to discuss and vote on the revised policy during their regular monthly meeting on Monday.
Too many Canton City Schools students are being promoted to the next grade level even though they are missing too much school and aren’t meeting academic expectations.
Superintendent Jeff Talbert has introduced a change to the district’s student retention policy that he hopes will stop the trend.
Under the proposed policy, students who are chronically absent and failing at least two core classes will be required to enter an alternative learning program or must repeat the same grade level.
“We have a lot of students not performing to our standards,” Talbert said. “And we need to draw a line in the sand.”
He said the recommended change is prompted by two startling numbers: 48.9% of Canton City Schools’ enrollment – more than 3,800 students – were considered chronically absent last school year because they missed 10% or more of the school year, and 40% of students in grades 4-12 have more than one failing grade on their report card this year. Ten percent of the school year is roughly 17 days.
More about chronic absenteeism:30% of Ohio students chronically absent from school in 2021-22 school year
School board members are expected to discuss and vote on the revised policy during their regular monthly meeting that begins at 6 p.m. Monday in the Commons of the Timken Career Campus. The meeting also can be viewed live at http://boelive.ccstv11.com/.
If approved, the policy would take effect in the 2024-2025 school year, which gives administrators time to design the alternative programs that can handle a higher number of students while still helping them get back on track academically.
What does Canton City Schools' existing retention policy say?
The district’s existing retention policy states that if a student is truant for 10% or more of the school year and has failed at least two courses, the student must be retained unless the principal and the teachers of the failed subjects determine the student is academically prepared to be promoted.
Talbert, who returned to the district as superintendent in 2020, said a review of school practices found the retention policy hasn’t been followed, possibly because too many students would have been held back.
Under the proposed new policy and the accompanying administrative rules, students’ academic progress will be reviewed during at least these three key junctions: When they finish sixth grade and are choosing where they want to attend for middle school, at the end of eighth grade when they choosing where they want to attend for high school and at the end of their sophomore year.
“If you’re not coming to school and you’re not progressing, we can’t just push you along,” Talbert said. “Those days are over.”
Talbert said students and their parents will be notified well in advance if the student is in danger of being retained or placed in an alternative program. He also said students will be given ample opportunities, through after-school programs and summer school classes, to get on track academically.
He said there will be an appeal process and exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances, where a student missed several days of school due to an injury, for example. He said those discussions would be handled during the placement discussions.
“We are no longer asking our students to perform at minimum standards,” Talbert said. “Our standards are college and career-ready standards.”
Talbert emphasized that the policy affects only those students who are missing too much school and failing academically. The students who attend classes regularly yet still struggle academically will continue to be given the additional support they need to progress, he said.
“If we don’t require students to come to school, then all the curriculum we’ve adopted, all the other things we have in place will be for nothing,” Talbert said.
When asked about the studies that show retaining students can harm them emotionally and socially, Talbert said not giving students the foundational skills they need to succeed will be far more hurtful.
“I guarantee there is more social and emotional damage done to a kid sitting in the 10th grade that can’t read,” Talbert said. “Or the kid sitting in the 10th grade that doesn’t know his math and is sitting in an algebra II or geometry class. That’s more of a problem than me telling you that you missed too much school and you missed the foundational skills you need to be successful, so I’m going to put you in another program that will help you do that.”
Talbert said administrators are assessing the district’s current alternative options and how to modify or create new programs to meet student needs.
Students in good academic standing but who want or need to learn in an environment that is different from a traditional school setting also will be able to choose to attend the alternative program, Talbert said.
What do school board members say?
School board members, who reviewed the revised policy last month, have indicated support for the change.
Member Eric Resnick said the new policy has the potential to be a game changer for the district and community as it raises expectations for students.
“This is consequential policy change, and I believe it is the right direction," he said.
Member Kim Brown said administrators need to make sure families are aware of the change so they can be fully prepared in 2024 when the consequences begin.
“I think it’s about time that we really push our students and our families,” she said.
Reach Kelli at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @kweirREP
