Regular school attendance is vital to a student's academic progress and spiritual growth. In accordance with Wisconsin law, attendance is monitored and categorized as follows:

• Habitual Truancy (Wis. Stat. § 118.16): A student accumulating 35 or more hours (5 days) of unexcused absences in any semester is considered habitually truant. Excusable absences supported by appropriate documentation, such as a doctor's note for illness exceeding three consecutive days, do not count toward habitual truancy hours under state statute. School administration reserves the right to refer habitual truancy concerns to local civil authorities.
• Excessive Absences & Grade Retention: While documented medical absences are excused and do not constitute truancy, the loss of direct classroom instruction significantly impacts student achievement and subject mastery. Therefore, any student who misses 25 or more total school days during a single school year, whether excused or unexcused, will be evaluated by the teacher and acting Principal for potential grade retention or non-promotion. All required subject material and course competencies must be completed before promotion to the next grade will be considered.

Trinity Lutheran School reserves the right to retain a student at his/her current grade level based on academic progress, developmental readiness, and classroom performance if administration and staff are convinced this is necessary for the student’s long-term success. Trinity pledges to involve parents in such discussions; however, the final determination whether to promote or retain a student rests with the school administration.

Policy Effective September 1, 2027

Trinity Lutheran School values the academic and spiritual growth of each student. Promotion from 3rd to 4th grade will follow a student-centered approach, using multiple measures of academic progress, and always in partnership with parents.

Forward Exam Participation
As a private school participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP), Trinity Lutheran School honors the statutory right of parents to opt their child out of the Wisconsin Forward Exam. This 3rd Grade Promotion Policy applies only to students whose parents choose to have them participate in the 3rd-grade reading assessment.

Promotion Process for Students Taking the Forward Exam
For students who take the Forward Exam:

• A score of “Meeting Expectations” or higher on the 3rd grade reading portion is one factor considered for promotion.
• Promotion decisions will not be based solely on this score. Other indicators - such as classroom performance, growth over time, and overall readiness - will be reviewed.
• Students who score below “Meeting Expectations” will receive targeted reading interventions, such as:
  • Daily small group instruction
  • Title I reading services (if eligible)
  • Support from the Guided Studies Director or assistant
  • Participation in an intensive summer reading program, particularly for students promoted under good cause exceptions or in need of further support

Good Cause Exceptions
A student who does not meet the test-based benchmark may still be promoted to 4th grade if one or more of the following apply:

• The student is identified as an English Learner
• The student has an IEP, Services Plan, or 504 Plan indicating intensive reading intervention for at least one year.
• The student demonstrates proficiency on a DPI-approved alternative standardized reading assessment.
• The student has been retained once in K–3 and continues to show a reading deficiency despite receiving intensive reading intervention.

Promotion Process for Students Not Taking the Forward Exam
If a student has opted out of the Forward Exam, promotion will be based on other valid measures of reading proficiency and overall academic progress, determined collaboratively by the teacher, support staff, acting Principal, and parents.

Family Communication
Parents will be involved throughout the decision-making process, with concerns communicated no later than the end of the 3rd quarter. Promotion decisions will be shared with families by the end of May. If parents disagree with the school’s decision, they may appeal in writing to the School Team, whose decision will be final.