Couch R-I Student Handbook

Academic Activities/Remediation Policy

Participation in all extra-curricular activities to include; clubs, groups, athletics, dances, prom, etc.… will be required to maintain a passing accumulative semester grade of 60% and above in all classes. Students must also maintain 95% attendance to participate in activities, including athletics.

The office will require two-week grade checks, which will be maintained on a two week grading cycle. If the student has a grade(s) that falls below the 60% requirement, or does not meet the 95% attendance requirement, he/she will be placed on a two week probation period. During the two week probation period, the teacher will make contact with the student’s parent/guardian and a tutoring option will be made available. If the student’s grade remains below the 60% academic requirement or below 95% attendance at the end of the two week probationary period, he/she will not be eligible to participate in club, group, athletic, dances, prom, etc.… activities for the following two weeks. This is to include any trips or weekend activities during the two-week deficiency. The probationary period will be used as it occurs and will not be saved to be used at a later date.

The grade will continue to be reviewed at the end of the two-week grading cycle to see if improvement has been made. If so, the student may resume activity. Students are given one, two week probation period each semester. If a student goes over the probationary period, he/she automatically becomes ineligible to participate until 60% academically and/or 95% attendance is received on a two week grade check for the remainder of the semester. The student may also be pulled from an elective class and placed within a remediation class for the duration of the semester and/or year.

Students who fall below 95% attendance may resume activity as soon as they make up their attendance; they do not have to wait the two-week time period.

Teachers are to report all accumulative semester grades of 69% and below on two week grade checks, so parents and administration can be made aware of a student’s problem in a class before it proceeds further.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Last Updated Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Academic Letter

In order to earn a letter at Couch High School, a student must accumulate 40 points by participating in the following activities:

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

At-Risk

At-Risk classes are designed for students who have failed or are academically unsuccessful and are in danger of quitting or falling behind their cohort class. Students may not use At-Risk to graduate early or to obtain additional weighted classes. Students must take classes offered on campus with teachers hired by the Couch School Administration before being placed in At-Risk. Students must complete the scheduled series offered by the Couch School District prior to enrolling in an upper level course through At-Risk.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Attendance Requirements for Course Credit

Punctual attendance is both a sign of respect toward both the teacher and the other students in the classroom; it is also part of a student’s accountability toward his/her studies. Punctual attendance is important – and not attending punctually (or being tardy) is not only discouraged, it is a violation of school policy that can’t be ignored nor tolerated. When a student is tardy to class he/she will be sent to the principal to obtain a slip to be admitted to class. Students who arrive at school any time after the first period begins, including between periods, shall report to the principal’s office and obtain an admit slip.

For attendance purposes, 4 tardies per quarter equal 1 absence.

Students who have more than four unexcused absences in any given semester must make up the time during After School tutoring. Absences will be made up on an hourly basis; if a student has five absences in one or more periods, he/she will spend one hour per period in After School Tutoring. Attendance make-up hours will not accumulate and cannot be made up in advance of the absence. (Principal may allow for extenuating circumstances.) Attendance hours must be made up outside the regular school hours.

Excused absences will be granted for:

• Personal illnesses or injury of a student with written confirmation by the medical provider. (A doctor’s statement, specifying the dates and times excused from school. Physician’s notes must be received by the principal or the high school office within two days of being absent. If notes are not turned in during this time frame, absences will be considered unexcused.)
• Medical and dental appointments with written confirmation from the medical provider. (A doctor’s statement, specifying the dates and times excused from school. Physician’s notes must be received by the principal or the high school office within two days of being absent. If notes are not turned in during this time frame, absences will be considered unexcused.)
• Death and/or funeral of family members with written confirmation by the parent. Each student will receive 3 bereavement days. (Written documentation must be provided to the high school office within two days of the absence. If notes are not turned in during this time frame, absences will be considered unexcused.)
• Verified court appointments or related court-ordered activity. (Written documentation must be provided to the high school office within two days of the absent. If notes are not turned in during this time frame, absences will be considered unexcused.)
• The school nurse may excuse a student for the remainder of the school day.

Perfect attendance shall be awarded to students missing no more than a total of three hours of school for the entire school year.

A student is responsible for homework and tests assigned prior to a planned absence or school trip. A student is responsible for taking the test and having this homework completed the first day returning to school. On unplanned absences, students have one day for each day missed plus two additional days to turn in homework. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for the homework missed and to complete it and turn it back in to the teacher within the required time frame.

This policy shall be in effect so that Couch High School can best educate the student. There is a high correlation between attendance and success in school. Parents have the responsibility to decide times and reasons a student should not come to school, but it is the school’s responsibility to set limits on these times so that the student will receive a quality education.

Perfect attendance will be awarded to those students missing no more than three total hours for the entire school year. Students with make-up hours will not be able to attend trips or participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, until make up hours are completed.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certificate

Students entering high school in 2017-2018 or thereafter will be eligible to earn a CTE certificate by meeting the following criteria:

• Meet all graduation requirements
• Qualify as a CTE concentrator
• Maintain a 3.0 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the CTE area of concentration
• Pass an approved Technical Skills Assessment and/or earn an approved industry Recognized Credential or Certificate
• Complete at least 50 hours of work-based learning aligned with the CTE area of concentration
• Maintain at least a 95 percent attendance record overall for grades 9-12
• Demonstrate soft skills/business skills
• Achieve a score at or above the state standard on any DESE-approved measure of college and career readiness

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Classification of Students

The Board believes that a student should be placed in the grade level and classes that best meet the student's academic needs, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian. A student's social and emotional needs will also be considered, to the extent that they affect academic progress. Although the district will first consider placing students in grade levels or classes with students of similar age, age will not necessarily be the determining factor. Further, any student's placement may be adjusted by the principal or designee as needed, after consultation with the student's parent/guardian. The district's administrative staff will make the final decision regarding assignment of students to grade levels or classes. Students receiving special education services will be placed in accordance with law.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

College Preparatory Studies Certificate

Requirements & Guidelines

The Missouri State Board of Education awards the College Preparatory Studies Certificate (CPSC) to Missouri students who successfully complete a rigorous academic program in high school. The certificate is awarded in addition to the regular high school diploma granted by local school districts. Created by the Board in 1985, the certificate is designed to provide incentive and recognition for public and non-public high school students who exceed the state’s minimum graduation requirements. Because the certificate is awarded by the state, local schools may not add additional requirements for students to qualify.

In 1994, the State Board of Education revised its requirements for the CPSC in order to align with the “Core Curriculum” standards recommended by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education as a basis for college admissions in Missouri. These guidelines will be used in awarding certificates to qualified high school students, beginning in 1996.

Awarding the College Preparatory Studies Certificate is voluntary on the part of school districts, and meeting the requirements is voluntary on the part of the students. While the certificate is primarily intended as an incentive for college-bound students, those who are not planning to enter college also may wish to work toward earning the award. School officials are encouraged to use the program to encourage ALL students to pursue excellence in their high school studies.

To be eligible for the certificate, a student must meet these requirements:

1. Complete a rigorous high school program cooperatively planned by the school, the student and the student’s parents. The program must include at least these units of credit:
   
   

   Subject Units

   Communication Arts	4
   Mathematics	4
   Science	3
   Social Studies	3
   Fine Arts	1
   Practical Arts	1
   Personal Finance	½
   Health	½
   Physical Education	1
   Electives (see Guidelines)	7
   Total	25

2. Earn at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA), on a 4.0 scale, in the combined subject areas of English/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The school may calculate GPAs for its students at the end of the seventh or eighth semester of high school.
3. Score at or above the prior year’s national composite average mean on the American College Test (ACT) or on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This criterion is revised annually to reflect the latest national averages from the ACT and SAT. Check the current year’s certification forms for the required minimum scores.
4. Maintain a 9-12 attendance rate of at least 95 percent.
5. Complete a strong academic program, as specifically outlined in the section that follows: Dual-credit courses taken in high school for both high school and college credit may be counted toward satisfying the core curriculum requirements.

Courses taken by middle/junior high school students may be counted as satisfying the high school core curriculum requirement if the content is equivalent to high school courses and if subsequent courses in the subject are shown on the high school transcript.

Communication Arts

At least four units, one of which may be speech or debate, and two units of which must be in courses emphasizing composition or writing skills. Interpretive Notes: Courses in foreign language, school publications, yearbook, media, photography, and radio and television may not be counted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Speech and debate courses are counted for communication arts credit. Scholastic journalism may be counted for communication arts credit, but only if it is taught by a certificated English teacher.

Mathematics

At least four units from the following: algebra I, plane geometry, algebra II, precalculus, trigonometry, analytic geometry, calculus, math analysis, and statistics. Interpretive Notes: Applied Mathematics may be counted only if the student successfully completes a standard algebra II course. Standard algebra courses that have been subdivided, e.g., algebra I is divided into algebra IA and IB, may be counted only as one course unit. Algebra I taken in the seventh or eighth grade may be counted toward meeting requirement.

Science

At least three units (not including general science) selected from biology, chemistry, or physics, one of which is a laboratory course. Interpretive Notes: Examples of courses acceptable toward the three units: botany, zoology, anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and physics. Application in Biology/Chemistry and Principles of Technology may be counted. Life science, physical science and earth science may be counted only if it can be demonstrated that they are taught at the high school level with a rigor comparable to biology, chemistry or physics.

Social Studies

Least three units, including American history, world history, and at least one semester of government. Interpretive Notes: Examples of courses acceptable toward the three units: World history, American history, American government, civics, principles of democracy, economics, psychology, sociology, political science and geography.

Fine Arts

At least one unit of fine arts courses including the visual arts, music, dance and theater. Interpretive Notes: Examples of courses acceptable toward the one unit: Art I, II, III and IV, sculpture, design, drawing, painting, theater, oral interpretation, dance, dramatics, band and any other instrumental music, chorus, and any other vocal music courses and art, music or theater appreciation courses.

Electives

Specified Core Electives

At least three core electives from foreign language (two units of one foreign language are strongly recommended) and/or combinations from two or more of the following course areas: English, mathematics, social studies, science and fine arts. Interpretive Notes: A computer-science course with a prerequisite of at least algebra I is permissible as mathematics elective. State and/or international history courses are permissible as social studies electives.

General Electives

At least four units sufficient to meet state and local graduation requirements, including physical education, health and personal finance. The courses should be selected and planned by the school, the student, and the student’s parents to develop the student’s aptitude and skills. Advanced career and technical courses that have been selected to support and strengthen the student’s personal plan of study may be used to fulfill this general elective requirement.

Each year, the Department of elementary and Secondary Education provides forms to all high school principals so they can certify the number of prospective graduates who have qualified for the College Preparatory Studies Certificate. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides the appropriate number of certificates at no cost to each school or school district.

For more information, contact:

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

College Visitations (Seniors Only)

We recognize that it is necessary for students to visit college from time to time as they prepare to continue their education. Students who wish to be excused to visit colleges should apply for college days before making the college visit. A form for requesting college days may be obtained from the counselor. It must be signed by the parent, approved by the principal, and recorded in the high school office prior to taking the visit. Days approved for college visitation will be exempt from the four day absence limit.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Dual Enrollment Class

Any 11th – 12th grade student in good standing to graduate in May of their graduation year, with the endorsement of his/her counselor and the consent of his/her parents, can seek dual enrollment at school and with cooperating college. This program allows the student to attend college classes for a portion of the day. Courses acceptable for dual enrollment may be counted as credit by both the high school and the college. Students must meet the academic enrollment requirements set by the University for Admittance. The guidelines for dual enrollment are as follows:

1. In order to qualify as a dual enrollment course, the college class must be a course that is not currently offered at Couch High School, and must be taken during the normal school day during the time that the student is at the high school.
2. Courses taken at the college level will count toward the total twenty-four units required for graduation.
3. Courses taken at the college level will be recorded on the high school transcript and will be counted in high school grade point average computations.
4. It is the responsibility of the student to request his/her college transcript to be sent to other colleges in order to receive credit for the college course.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

End of Course Exams

End of Course (EOC) tests may equal 10% of the final grade earned in the classes where the EOC is required by federal and state statutes.

• Algebra I *
• Algebra II
• Geometry
• Biology *
• English I
• English II *
• Government *
• American History

* Required

These tests will be given in the spring of each year. Students scoring at the top two levels will receive one “FREE DAY” excused absence for every subject in which this is achieved. Students scoring at or above the state average on the ACT test will receive one "FREE DAY" excused absence.

Students passing the Technical Skills Assessments for vocational courses will receive one "FREE DAY" excused absence.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Last Updated Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Finals

Finals will be given in every class at the end of each semester. However, if a student meets the following requirements they will not have to take finals: A student who has missed no more than three (3) hours in that class during the semester will be exempt from the semester exam unless they have been assigned an Out-of-School-Suspension or In-School-Suspension during the semester.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for the Couch R-I School District shall be a minimum of twenty-four (24) units of credit completed during grades nine and above. The school district will participate in the College Preparatory Studies Certificate Program sponsored by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In addition to the program of study for graduation, a student must pass proficiency exams concerning American History, American Institutions, and the Missouri and the United States Constitutions to qualify for graduation from the district. No student shall graduate on or after January 1, 1994, without having successfully completed a course of instruction of at least one semester in length on the institutions, branches and functions of the government of the state of Missouri, including local governments; the United States government; and the state of Missouri, including local governments; the United States government; and the electoral process. No student shall graduate prior to the end of the first semester of his/her senior year, regardless of the number of credits he/she has accumulated.

Students must have taken all required end-of-course (EOC) exams in order to graduate. Students must have received 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction and training in the proper performance of the Heimlich maneuver or other first aid for choking in order to graduate.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Homework Policy

Homework will be assigned in most classes on a regular basis. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all daily assignments are successfully completed and submitted by the due date. Assignments not turned in on time will be accepted for a minimum score of fifty percent of the original grade. The exact percentage is at the discretion of the teacher. Students will have through the next Progress Report cycle to turn in late work. Students not completing homework will be assigned a detention for that day, whether the homework is completed or not.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness, Student Policies

Honor Graduate Requirements

Minimum requirement: 26 credits

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian must meet Honor Graduate requirements.

To be an Honor Graduate a student must:

1. Meet all general graduation requirements as outlined beginning with the graduation class of 2010
2. Students must have total of two units above the general graduation requirement in the core areas. Students can pick from classes in English, Social Studies, Math and Science curriculum.
3. Complete a total of seven units of Math and Science (excluding General Math and Consumer Math, and Environmental Science)
4. Have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and have an attendance percentage of greater than 90%.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Honor Roll

Students who have maintained a "B" average or above will be recognized.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Junior High Retention

In order to be promoted to the next grade 7th and 8th grade students must pass any three (3) of the four (4) core curriculum classes and at least two (2) of the three remaining non-core classes. Summer School classes will be an administrative decision. The core curriculum classes are English, Social Studies, Math, and Science. Non-core classes are all other classes not mentioned above. Administration will ultimately decide retention of Middle School students.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Make-up Assignments and Tests

Make-up work will be accepted for all allowable absences as specified below:

1. One day for each day missed plus two additional days for make-up work will be allowed for absences (i.e. for 3 consecutive days of absence, the student will have 5 days to make up the work, for 1 day of absence the student will have 3 days to make up the work.)
2. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain and return all make-up work to each teacher.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Missouri Assessment Program

Seventh Grade: Communication Arts, Math
Eighth Grade: Communication Arts, Math, Science

These tests will be given in the spring of each year. Students scoring at the top two levels or moving from Below Basic to Basic will receive one "FREE DAY" excused absence for every subject in which this is achieved.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

Missouri Virtual School Classes and Summer School Courses

Virtual Instruction

Eligible students may enroll in virtual courses offered through the Missouri Course Access Program (MOCAP). The district will accept all grades and credits earned through district sponsored virtual instruction and MOCAP. The district will pay the costs of a virtual course only if the district has first approved the student's enrollment in the course as described in this policy. Even if a student or his or her parents/guardians pay the costs for a virtual course, the student or parents/guardians should meet with the principal or designee prior to enrollment to ensure that the course is consistent with the student's academic and personal goals. The district is not required to provide students access to or pay for courses beyond the equivalent of fulltime enrollment. The district will provide supervision for students who take virtual courses in district facilities but will not provide supervision for students taking virtual courses offsite. Students taking courses virtually are subject to district policies, procedures and rules applicable to students enrolled in traditional courses including, but not limited to, the district's discipline code and prohibitions on academic dishonesty, discrimination, harassment, bullying and cyberbullying.

Enrollment in Virtual Courses

The superintendent or designee will establish open enrollment periods and registration deadlines for students to enroll in virtual courses offered by the district or through MOCAP. These enrollment periods and registration deadlines will be strictly enforced unless the superintendent or designee determines that an exception is warranted due to circumstances such as a change in a student's health or the long-term suspension of a student. Enrollment periods and registration deadlines must align with the district's academic calendar and assessment schedule to the extent practicable.

A student or parent/guardian must notify the student's principal or designee before the student may enroll in a district-sponsored virtual course or a MOCAP virtual course through the district. The student will be enrolled unless the principal or designee, in consultation with the student's parents/guardians and relevant staff, such as the school counselor or district special education director, determines that there is good cause to refuse the student enrollment in the course. For enrollment in a MOCAP course, good cause is limited to situations where it is not in the best educational interest of the student to enroll in the course. Students or parents/guardians who disagree with the principal's or designee's determination about a MOCAP course can appeal the decision to the Board of Education and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as detailed later in this policy. For all other virtual courses, students or parents/guardians may appeal the decision to the superintendent or designee, and the superintendent or designee's decision will be final. The superintendent or designee is authorized to consult the district's attorney prior to making a decision.

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness

President’s Award for Educational Excellence

The President’s Awards are given to seniors who have earned a 3.5 or better GPA and have scored at or above the 85th percentile on either the SAT or ACT college admissions tests (an ACT of 26 or better).

Labels: Academics & Career Readiness