A Sample Retake Policy

As schools continue to manage the continuous process of learning in a standards based environment, the option of retakes on summative assessments will present itself as an important and valid process step. The following is an initial policy guideline that may help such a transition. The policy instrument below was the result of a school's collaborative effort across learning disciplines. As all school communities may be at different places in this process, the policy below could be adapted without losing the focus for a responsible and manageable learning process for the student.

Criteria for Retakes

1. A student who does not attain proficiency on a Summative Assessment is expected to take the initiative to apply for a retake.
2. The common Application for a Retake should be completed by the student, signed by student and parent and returned to the examining teacher no more than two (2) school days after the teacher has returned the graded Summative Assessment to the student.
3. On the Application for a Retake the student will identify the deficient standards/topics and include a clear learning plan and timeline to close the learning gap.

Limitations and Deadlines

1. Only one retake will be allowed per Summative.
2. All Formative Assessments must be completed prior to applying for a retake.
3. The retake for any Summative in a unit must be completed before the date of the first Summative of the following unit.
4. Semester exams and extended projects with ongoing feedback and clear completion deadlines do not qualify for retakes.
5. Proficiency is the goal on a retake.
6. The student will forfeit the retake opportunity if either the scheduled retake date or a scheduled teacher required tutoring session is missed.
   
   

Teacher Facilitations

1. Teachers will group Summative Assessments around specific learning standards to help the student identify deficiencies and plan a successful retake.
2. Teachers will post retake dates when the Summative Assessments are returned.
3. The retake will only assess the deficient standards, allowing the student to focus on closing the learning gap and improving the Assessment score.
4. Teachers may require that a student complete all missing assignments correlated to the deficiencies before the retake is administered.
5. Teachers have discretion over the format of the retake Assessment which may be oral, written, online or project based.