College and Career/CTE Programs
Enrollment Criteria
Admissions and Program Continuation Criteria:
These procedures and criteria apply to admissions to all incoming 9th, 10th and 11th grade students (depending upon transcript analysis).
Age and Grade Criteria:
Students entering into grades nine, ten, or eleven may apply for enrollment in Ponaganset High School’s College & Career/CTE Programs. Students residing in Foster and Glocester will be considered first when assigning students to courses. Preference will also be given to students in their first or second year of high school, followed by students in their third year of high school who have completed courses within a program.
Academic Enrollment Criteria:
All students interested in participating in a College & Career/CTE Program who did not meet or exceed the standard on a recent Rhode Island State Assessment or comparable standardized diagnostic assessment must be diagnostically assessed to determine their level of proficiency as it relates to established program criteria. Ponaganset High School may select an alternative diagnostic assessment to determine students’ mathematics and reading grade-level ability. Students who do not meet the established level of proficiency in Reading and Mathematics (as outlined below) on the state or comparable standardized diagnostic assessments and who do not take these diagnostic exams, may not be considered for admission to Ponaganset High School’s CTE Programs. This assessment requirement does not apply to students who are enrolled in a Program at Ponaganset High School and who are interested in continuing a sequence of program courses in their home school.
All students, in order to be considered for general admission to a Ponaganset College & Career/CTE Program, must meet the established level of proficiency in Reading and Mathematics as follows:
Reading Comprehension within two years of grade level at the time of assessment -
(Ex. Current 9th Grade student in their fifth month of school is required to achieve a Grade Equivalent (GE) score of 6.5 or greater).
Mathematics within two years of grade level at the time of assessment -
(Ex. Current 9th Grade student in their fifth month of school is required to achieve a Grade Equivalent (GE) score of 6.5 or greater).
As an alternative, the sending high school may provide documentation (i.e., transcripts, portfolio of work, alternate assessments) that demonstrates achievement at these levels of proficiency. Students must earn a passing grade in their chosen CTE program in order to proceed to the next level of that program.
For students with disabilities, either under IDEA or Section 504, a portfolio of his/her work in Mathematics and/or Language Arts may be submitted. For students who do not meet the established criteria under the general admissions process, an additional review may be undertaken of his/her portfolio materials and additional testing.
Specific College & Career/CTE Program Admission Criteria:
In addition to the general admissions criteria previously noted, students interested in pursuing a Ponaganset College & Career/CTE Program may need to meet specific program admissions criteria where indicated. Ponaganset High School will establish general admission guidelines for College & Career/CTE Programs based on district guidelines and may develop and implement admissions policy/criteria for specific programs. Program admission criteria shall be formally adopted and made publicly available. Program admission criteria developed by the school will include the following: 1) criteria used in the selection process; 2) the application process and continuing enrollment conditions; and 3) a review and appeal process for any student denied admission to a career preparation program.
Enrollment criteria shall not unfairly target students on the basis of color, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, or disability. The enrollment policy shall be published in the student handbook. Career preparation program policies shall include a review and appeals process for students denied access to a preparation program due to admissions criteria or whose enrollment has been suspended and/or terminated. A copy of program policies shall be provided to each student and family upon enrollment in the career preparation program.
Notification of Right to Appeal:
Every student who is qualified and accepted for admission into a Ponaganset High School College & Career/CTE Program (college, career and technical education program) shall have access to such programs, enrollment permitting, and shall be provided free attendance by their local school committee, i.e., tuition and transportation, when appropriate.
If a student is not accepted for enrollment in the Ponaganset College & Career/CTE Program the parent/student will receive a denial letter and be informed of the appeal process. The parent/student will also be informed about the procedures for reapplication, steps the student can take to increase the likelihood of later acceptance, and the appeal process.
Appeals Process:
Any student denied placement in a College & Career/CTE Program at Ponaganset High School shall have the right to appeal that decision. The parent/student may appeal the decision directly to the Principal, then to the Superintendent, then to the Foster-Glocester Regional School Committee with a right of further appeal to the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner's hearing should be conducted and decision rendered within 15 days of receipt of the appeal. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to deny students with disabilities or their parents from availing themselves of Due Process rights under state special education regulations.
Removal from Programs:
In programs that require safety standards (OSHA, etc.), students must consistently meet those expectations. In the event that a student fails to consistently meet safety standards, a retraining opportunity will be provided and documented. Subsequently, if a student continues to not meet safety standards, the Superintendent may remove the student from his/her College & Career/CTE Program, with notification to the sending district, when appropriate. Students may also be removed from programs for not meeting continued enrollment criteria or for not following the Code of Conduct for Ponaganset High School and the policies of the Foster-Glocester Regional School District. Excessive unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, or serious and/or excessive discipline referrals may impact the student’s enrollment in the College & Career/CTE Program.
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