Notification of Possible Failure

1. California Education Code, Section 49067, requires each pupil’s achievement to be evaluated for each marking period and requires a conference with, or written report to, the parent or guardian whenever it becomes evident that the pupil is in danger of failing a course. The refusal of the parent or guardian to attend the conference or respond to the written report shall not preclude failing the pupil at the end of the marking period.

2. Teachers have the responsibility to communicate with parents whenever student achievement is not commensurate with content standards identified for each course. Whenever a student is not meeting the standards of the course and/or there exists the possibility of failure, the parent or guardian must be notified in one or more of the following ways:

1. Marking a “Fail” in the subject area on the fifth or fifteenth week in traditional calendar schools, or the equivalent for year-round school, is considered sufficient notification for issuing a “Fail” on the midterm or final report. A mark of “D” on the fifth or fifteenth week marking report is not adequate warning of failure to the parent or guardian. However, a “D” on the report, with the written comment “In danger of failing” can be considered adequate notification to the parent or guardian.

2. A “Special Report to parents—Unsatisfactory” issued prior to the marking period as identified above is considered sufficient notification to the parent or guardian. It should be issued with sufficient time for the student to demonstrate improvement.

3. Work habits and cooperation marks are closely tied to the achievement

mark; therefore, teachers should notify the parent of a decline in these marks or the possibility of an unsatisfactory mark. The same procedures described above for notification of possible failure should be followed for a decline in work habits and/or cooperation marks.

4. Without assistance from the parent or guardian, it is often impossible to prevent failure. In addition to the above requirements of notification of possible failure, the teacher is encouraged to hold a conference with the parent or guardian as soon as possible as it becomes apparent that the student would benefit from additional help at home or intervention at the school site.