Committee reviews draft third‑grade promotion/retention policy required by Act 20

The Waukesha Board of Education Teaching and Learning Committee discussed a draft Board Policy 5411 on third‑grade promotion and retention required by Act 20 at its meeting. District staff presented the policy framework, the options schools would use when deciding promotion or retention, and a timeline that would put the policy into effect on Sept. 1, 2027 if approved.

The policy is meant to comply with Act 20’s requirement that districts adopt a specific promotion/retention policy for third graders. Staff described four possible outcomes under the draft: promotion with supports, promotion with a non‑reading cause identified (for example language needs), promotion over parental objection with mandated supports, or retention when the school and parents decide it is best. District staff said any student promoted without meeting all benchmarks would still be required to receive “intensive summer school” and continuing interventions during the following year.

Melissa Yao, a district staff member who led the presentation, told the committee the draft was built from…