CHAPTER 9

INSTRUCTION

SECTION 9.1 – INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM

The instructional program of the York County School Division will emphasize the development, application and synthesis of knowledge, concepts, and skills as prescribed in the Virginia Standards of Learning. Students will be provided a challenging curriculum and will be engaged in diverse and research-based instructional programs. The instructional program will prepare all students for productive lives, future employment and post-secondary education of their choice.

More specifically, the program of instruction will focus on and make connections between reading; writing; oral skills; mathematical concepts and computations; scientific concepts and processes; essential skills and concepts of citizenship; history; economics; geography; government; foreign languages; international cultures; proficiency in the use of computers and related technology; health and physical education; fine and practical arts; and career and technical education.

The instructional program will emphasize developmentally appropriate learning and address the development of the individual to include a sense of responsibility, self-discipline, character and integrity.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.1 - CAREER/TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Competency-based career and technical education programs that integrate academic outcomes, career guidance and job seeking skills are made available to students in the schools of the county and at the New Horizons Regional Educational Center. The Career and Technical Education program follows local, state and federal guidelines.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.2 - MUSIC AND ART EDUCATION

Music and art instruction is offered in all schools.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.3 - DRUG EDUCATION

The York County School Division provides drug education programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Each individual school staff and the central office staff maintain close coordination with other public agencies in the prevention of drug abuse and in the rehabilitation of drug users.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.4 - FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION

In compliance with regulations and procedures of the Virginia Board of Education, Family Life Education is offered in all schools.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.5 - DRIVER EDUCATION

A program of driver education is offered in accordance with regulations of the State Board of Education.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.6 - PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The York County School Division ensures that appropriate services and programs are available to identified students with disabilities in compliance with state and federal regulations pursuant to IDEIA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

SUB-SECTION 9.1.7 - GIFTED EDUCATION

Appropriate instructional programs for identified gifted students in grades K-12 are provided. At the secondary level, Advanced Placement courses and other appropriate accelerated educational experiences are offered to eligible students.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.8 - HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION

Homebound Instruction is available to eligible students who are unable to attend school for extended periods of time.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.9 - SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

A program of instruction may be offered during the summer months if there is sufficient demand. Tuition is charged for academic programs offered during the summer, except for programs that receive special funding. Individualized programs may be required for certain students.

SUB-SECTION 9.1.10 – PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

The York County School Division identifies students with limited English proficiency and provides them with appropriate instructional programs..

SUB-SECTION 9.1.11 – ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS

The York County School Board recognizes the value of providing alternative methods of instructional delivery including online courses and supports the utilization of such resources. Currently enrolled, full-time students with prior administrative approval may complete course requirements via alternative instructional delivery models. All software associated with an alternative course must be approved following standard software adoption procedures and School Board Policy 9.7.2.

Courses taken for credit toward a diploma must be approved as a standard course in the Secondary Program of Studies according to all pertinent School Board policy. The Superintendent establishes regulations for the posting and teaching of all courses and expectations for students participating in alternate course work. Alternative instructional delivery models, such as the YCSD Virtual High School program, are not intended as a general replacement of the traditional school model.

SECTION 9.2 – ORGANIZATION

The York County School Division reflects the three-division structure of elementary, middle and high school. All instructional programs recognize and operate to support the continuous, developmental, and individualistic nature of learning.

SECTION 9.3 - CURRICULUM

The York County School Division provides and implements curriculum that meets the educational needs of all students. The curriculum complies with requirements of the Code of Virginia, policies and regulations of the State Board of Education, the prescribed Standards of Quality, and the Virginia Standards of Learning. Skill and concept development are emphasized throughout the curricula. Courses of sufficient instructional scope and depth promote the academic growth of the individual students. The curriculum is reviewed annually.

SUB-SECTION 9.3.1 - CURRICULUM CHANGE

Assessment of educational needs is the basis for proposed instructional programs. Requests for new courses and non-state adopted instructional materials are forwarded to the Superintendent who submits a recommendation to the School Board for appropriate action. The Division strives to equalize programming at all schools. Requests for new courses must support the Standards of Learning and School Board initiatives and be made through the Program of Studies Committee.

The Program of Studies is reviewed annually.

SUB-SECTION 9.3.2 - PARTICIPATION IN CURRICULUM PLANNING

To determine decisions relative to curriculum, the administrative staff should actively involve the principal parties (e.g., teachers, parents, students, administrators and/or various appropriate community groups) affected by the decision.

SECTION 9.4 – RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND RELEASED TIME

In accordance with the mandate of the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the establishment of religion it is the policy of this School Board that York County Schools shall be neutral in matters of religion. This means that York County Schools: assume no role or responsibility for the religious training of any student; and do not become involved in the religious belief, disbelief or doubt of any student.

This requirement of neutrality need not preclude nor hinder York County Schools in fulfilling their responsibility to educate students to be tolerant and respectful of religious diversity. The division also recognizes that one of its educational roles is to advance the students’ knowledge and appreciation of religious diversity.

Therefore, the division shall approach religion from an objective, curriculum-related perspective, encouraging all students and staff members to be aware of the diversity of beliefs and respectful of each other’s religious and/or non-religious views. In that spirit of respect, students and staff members may be excused from participating in activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs unless there are clear issues of compelling public interest that would prevent it.

No specific time is set aside in the schools for religious instruction. Pupils are not released during the instructional day for group or individual religious instruction.

This policy will not be interpreted or applied in such a manner as to inhibit or proscribe the traditional use of prayers, religious music, or religious objects or symbols in any secular program sponsored by the division, when such activity does not primarily involve the promotion of religion.

In planning school calendars, the possible effect of religious holidays on attendance will be taken into account. When possible, examinations and other major events, such as graduation, should not be scheduled on these holidays.

Students will not be penalized or deprived of make-up opportunities for absences due to religious observances.

The study of religion may be included in the curriculum of the York County School Division.

In accordance with state law, the York County School Board requires a daily observance of one minute of silence in each classroom of the Division.

The State Board of Education Guidelines Concerning Religious Activity in the Public Schools shall be used as the framework for developing Superintendent’s Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures in support of this policy.

SECTION 9.5 - CONTINUING EDUCATION

Adult and evening classes are operated to meet the needs of the community. Minimum enrollments and tuition are developed for recommendation to the Superintendent and the School Board.

SECTION 9.6 - EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

An extraordinary educational experience is an educational opportunity for students to be involved in a learning setting outside of the school division for an extenuated period of time. Students apply to participate in an extraordinary educational. While extraordinary educational experiences can have merit, the school division encourages students and parents to limit excessive, extended absences from school. Application for and approval of an extraordinary educational experience include consideration by the school principal, parent, student, and appropriate teachers. Guidelines and procedures for the extraordinary educational experience are established by the Superintendent.

SECTION 9.7 - SCHOOL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING

The York County School Board affirms that parents are a student’s first teachers and that the public schools should serve to strengthen family and parental support. Participation is not required by a student in any counseling program to which the student’s parent objects.

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions indicated below apply:

Academic Guidance: Guidance which assists students and their parents to acquire knowledge of the curricula choices available to students, to plan a program of studies, to arrange and interpret academic testing, and to seek post-secondary academic opportunities, including distance learning options;

Career Guidance: Guidance which helps students to acquire information and plan action about work, jobs, apprenticeships, and post-secondary educational and career opportunities, including distance learning options;

Personal/Social Counseling: Counseling which assists students in developing an understanding of: themselves and the rights and needs of others; how to resolve conflict; how to define individual goals, their interests, abilities and aptitudes. Such counseling may be provided either in groups in which generic issues of social development are addressed or through structured individual or small group multi-session counseling which focuses on the specific concerns of the participant(s).

At least annually, parents shall be notified in writing about the academic career guidance, and personal/social counseling programs available to students within the school division. Parents will be advised concerning the purpose, general description of the programs, how parents may review materials to be used in the programs, and procedures by which parents may limit the students’ participation in the program. Information and records of personal/social counseling are kept confidential and separate and not disclosed to third parties without prior parental consent or as otherwise provided by law.

It is the policy of the York County School Board with respect to personal/social counseling that parents notify the school division in writing if the student is not to participate in the personal/social-counseling program.

Counseling techniques which are beyond the scope of the professional certification or training of school counselors, including hypnosis, or other psychotherapeutic techniques that are normally employed in medical or clinical settings and focus on mental illness or psychopathology, are prohibited.

SUB-SECTION 9.7.1 – DUAL ENROLLMENT AND ADVANCED COURSEWORK

The York County School Division provides information to parents and students annually about advanced placement classes, the International Baccalaureate Program, dual enrollment and other educational opportunities.

SECTION 9.8 - CLASS SIZE

Class size, to the maximum extent possible, must meet the accreditation standards of the State Board of Education and the Standards of Quality. Class size may vary according to the instructional needs of the students and the methodologies employed.

SECTION 9.9 - EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Instructional materials and resources are materials and human resources used for teaching and learning purposes. Such materials and resources may be used to implement, enrich, and support the curricula developed in accordance with York County School Board policy, the Code of Virginia, State Board of Education policies and regulations, and the prescribed Virginia Standards of Learning.

The York County School Board is responsible for the selection, approval, and utilization of instructional materials in accordance with State Board of Education regulations. Responsibility for the recommendations to the Board is delegated to the Superintendent and his/her staff. The Superintendent will comply with State Board of Education regulations in this matter.

A copy of the approved procedures for handling controversial instructional materials is maintained in each school library and principal’s office and is available upon request.

SECTION 9.10 – PARA-EDUCATORS

Para-Educators are paraprofessional personnel who perform duties under the direction of teachers and principals in instructional activities.

Para-Educators function as supportive personnel for the instructional program and may enable the division to meet class size and other legal requirements.

SECTION 9.11 - FIELD TRIPS

Instructional field trips are extensions of classroom instruction and require adequate pre-trip preparation and follow-up instructional activities.

SECTION 9.12 - STUDENT EVALUATION

The achievement of pupils must be documented. A cumulative record of student performance for the entire time a student is enrolled in the York County School Division is maintained. Student performance is reported to parents at least every nine weeks.

Evaluation reflects the academic achievement and performance of students.

SUB-SECTION 9.12.1 - REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued no more than eight school days following the close of a grading period. Grading periods are approximately nine weeks in length. Teacher-parent conferences are encouraged at all levels to discuss student progress.

SUB-SECTION 9.12.2 - INTERIM PROGRESS REPORTS

Interim progress reports are issued for all students.

SECTION 9.13 - HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is an extension of the instruction that students receive in the classroom and is an integral part of the educational program. The purposes of homework are to strengthen skills, develop a better understanding of concepts, and provide practical applications. Homework builds a sense of responsibility and self-discipline as well as nurtures independent study habits.

SECTION 9.14 - CLASS RANKING OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

The class rank of each member of the twelfth grade is based on academic achievement in courses for which high school credit is awarded. The Superintendent specifies the formal procedure by which class rank is computed.

SECTION 9.15 - PROMOTION/RETENTION

Promotion is based upon achievement. High school students are promoted based only on credits earned. Elementary and middle school students may be placed in the next grade level without being promoted when factors other than academic achievement are considered.

Students are not retained in a grade level if they have met the requirements for promotion to the next grade level.

SUB-SECTION 9.15.1 - EFFECT OF ABSENCES ON PROMOTION

A student may not be granted credit or be promoted if absences are excessive.

SECTION 9.16 - GRADUATION

Students may be awarded a diploma or a certificate upon graduation from a Virginia high school. To receive a high school diploma or certificate, students must complete requirements that meet the regulations of the Code of Virginia and the State Board of Education. The requirements for a student to earn a diploma from a Virginia high school are the requirements that are in effect when that student enters the ninth grade for the first time. The following diplomas and certificates are awarded: 24-credit Advanced Studies Diploma, 22-credit Standard Diploma, 20-credit Modified Standard Diploma, General Achievement Diploma, Special Diploma, and Special Certificate.

SUB-SECTION 9.16.1 - COMMENCEMENT ATTENDANCE

Students must meet all state and local requirements for a graduation diploma or certificate in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. Foreign exchange students who have documentation indicating they have met graduation requirements in their home schools may participate in the commencement ceremony but will not receive a York County School Division Diploma. Students not fulfilling graduation requirements or who have been denied the privilege of attendance by the school administrator and/or the School Board are not allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.

SECTION 9.17 – FINAL EXAM EXEMPTIONS

Secondary students in credit-bearing courses may be exempted from their final examinations under either of the following conditions:

Any secondary student (grades 6-12) meeting prescribed performance criteria on state SOL end-of-course assessments in credit-bearing courses. This exam exemption applies only to spring testing year-long courses except for certain semester math courses in which an SOL end-of-course test is given.

Second-semester seniors meeting pre-determined criteria for good citizenship, regular attendance, and positive academic performance.

Students exempted from regular final examination(s) by this policy and accompanying regulations may elect to take the exams at their discretion. The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations to detail procedures for exemptions outlined by this policy.

SECTION 9.18 – TESTING

The mandated testing program prescribed by the Virginia Department of Education or the school division is administered in accordance with state and local regulations.

Other standardized and teacher-made tests may be used to measure achievement and potential for learning. The results of these tests are used for evaluation and improvement of the instructional program.

SUB-SECTION 9.18.1 – INSTRUCTIONAL DATA

York County School Division staff collects and analyzes data and uses the results to evaluate and make decisions about instructional programs.

SECTION 9.19– ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS

York County School Division students enrolled in Advanced Placement and IB courses are required to participate in their respective exams. The York County School Division reduces or waives the exam fee only to students who have a verified financial need.

SECTION 9.20 – REMEDIATION AND INTERVENTION

The York County School Division provides prevention, intervention and remediation programs to support students who are educationally at-risk for academic failure or dropping out of school. These programs are research-based and include a monitoring component.

SECTION 9.21 – ALTERNATIVE CREDIT

Students completing work in an alternative setting may earn credits towards a diploma with prior administrative approval. Courses taken for credit toward a diploma must be approved as a standard course in the Secondary Program of Studies according to all pertinent School Board policy.

Credit may be awarded based on achievement level of a student rather than on standard clock hours. Alternative credit is intended for exceptional circumstances, including but not limited to: alternative education programs, targeted remediation efforts, and homebound instruction. Alternative credit is not intended as a general replacement for the current clock hour standard.

SECTION 9.22 - ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS

Assembly programs are encouraged for the purpose of broadening the educational experience for large groups of pupils.

SECTION 9.23 - CITIZENSHIP AND CHARACTER EDUCATION

The instructional program is organized to support the tenets of good citizenship and character education.

SECTION 9.24 - ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL DISSECTION

The Virginia Board of Education requires that school divisions have in place a provision for offering students alternatives to animal dissection within the relevant public school curriculum or course. Local school divisions must establish guidelines that address, but are not limited to: the use of detailed models of animal anatomy and computer simulations as alternatives to dissection; notification of students and parents of the option to decline to participate in animal dissection; and such other issues as the Board deems appropriate.

The Superintendent will determine procedures for implementing alternatives to animal dissection.

SECTION 9.25 - PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT POLICY - TITLE I

The York County School Division shall:

• implement all statutory requirements related to Title I parental involvement mandated by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
• develop and carry out a detailed description of how it will implement the parental involvement requirements
• use the ESEA as the framework for developing the Superintendent’s Regulation that details this policy.

SECTION 9.26 - INSTRUCTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The School Board provides professional development opportunities for staff to improve and maintain instructional programs. YCSD staff may be required to participate in a variety of professional development activities.

SECTION 9.27 - LENGTH OF TERM

The minimum term of the school year is 180 teaching days or a total of at least 990 teaching hours. The York County School Board establishes a biennial calendar by May 1 of each year preceding the biennium specifying the exact number of teaching and professional days in accordance with state statute. The calendar is subject to change based on unexpected events during the course of any school year.

SECTION 9.28 - LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY, THE DURATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL BLOCKS OF TIME, AND AWARDING OF CREDIT

The time of school opening and closing is prescribed by the School Board upon recommendation of the Division Superintendent. The length of the school day, the duration of instructional blocks of time, and the awarding of credit for graduation is in accordance with state and regional accreditation standards. The requirement for a high school credit-bearing course is based on a) a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction or on an alternative basis such that the content of the course is comparable to 140 clock hours of instruction and b) that the student successfully completes the course. Requests for awarding credit on an alternative basis must be submitted to the Superintendent for approval.

SECTION 9.29 - ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

When a student is long-term suspended by the Superintendent or his/her designee or long-term suspended or expelled from school by the York County School Board, an alternative plan of education may be offered to the student at a time to be arranged by the school administration.

An alternative education program may be offered by the York County School Board to a student seeking admission to the York County School Division after being long-term suspended or expelled from another school division.

In accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 22.1-277 of the Code of Virginia, any student charged with an offense relating to the Commonwealth’s laws may be placed in an alternative education program.

SECTION 9.30 - EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Extracurricular activities supplement the instructional program and are the responsibility of the school principal. These activities are to be implemented in a manner that minimizes interruption of instructional time. Students are not permitted to engage in extracurricular activities that interfere with regular academic work. Extracurricular activities must be evaluated periodically.

A school’s extracurricular activities program is forwarded to the Superintendent for approval by the School Board.

SECTION 9.31 - INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The York County School Board extends to all eligible pupils the free use of specific required instructional materials.

All instructional materials within the schools are the property of the York County School Board. It is necessary that each principal keep an accurate inventory of all instructional materials and show additions and deletions as the school year progresses. If a student loses or damages a textbook or other instructional material, the student will be required to pay the replacement cost of the material. Students may be denied participation in extracurricular activities until the cost of lost materials has been paid in full.

A list of approved materials and their retail prices are available from the School Board Office.

Supplementary instructional materials may be purchased on an individual, class, or school basis with the approval of the principal. Consumable materials are not included in the free instructional materials plan.

SECTION 9.32 – REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENT TRIPS

The York County School Division encourages student participation in a broad range of educational activities. As a part of the instructional program, supplemental activities such as student competitions may occur. While such events are not mandatory, they enrich the standard instructional program. Based on available funds, the York County School Division may subsidize such activities that are beyond the budget of the individual school. The Superintendent provides regulations for application for financial assistance for such trips and procedures for reporting back to the Board the benefits of the trip.