Kenosha Unified updates promotion and acceleration policies and adds third-grade reading-plan policy under Act 20

Kenosha Unified staff presented revised promotion and acceleration policies that consolidate several older rules and a new policy specifically addressing third-grade students who have not met required reading-plan benchmarks.

The changes matter because the new structure is intended to create a clearer, data-informed process for promotion, retention and acceleration, and to implement statutory guidance tied to Act 20 for third-grade reading determinations.

Staff explained they are removing Policies 51-18.1 and 51-18.3 and replacing them with an updated Policy 51-18 that streamlines how teams review student progress and involve families. They also presented a new Policy 51-19 to specifically govern decisions about third-grade reading plans and promotion to fourth grade. Staff said the policies incorporate “good cause” exceptions for students with individualized education programs, 504 plans or multilingual learners, consistent with Act 20 guidance.

Presenters noted the policy emphasizes a team-based, data-informed decision process that includes notifying and engaging families and tracking instructional responses as a student progresses through a reading plan. Staff said the more detailed third-grade reading-plan policy clarifies steps for review and final determination and is intended to ensure consistent processes across schools.

Board members were invited to submit questions in the coming weeks; staff said they would prepare materials to address detailed questions and return the updated policies for the board’s review and action at future meetings.

Ending: Staff urged board members to submit questions in advance so schools can prepare explanatory information before the policies return for final action.