Pasadena ISD Exam Exemption Policy

The Pasadena ISD exemption plan is designed to promote academic achievement, regular attendance and responsible behavior. The primary consideration in designing this plan is to ensure that all students gain experience in taking final examinations throughout their high school years. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for this exemption.

AP Exemption:

A student in grades 9-12 enrolled in an AP course, passing the course with no more than 3 absences for the semester, and taking the designated college board advanced placement exam for that course, will be exempt from taking the regularly scheduled semester/final exam for the AP course. The student may opt to take the course semester/final exam in addition to taking the College Board advance placement exam. This does not apply for the first semester of the school year.

On-line Course Exams and Dual Credit Courses:

Courses taught through computer-assisted or on-line instruction are not eligible for Semester/Final Exam Exemption. Dual Credit courses will not be eligible for consideration for exam exemptions.

Exam Exemption Policy:

In the fall students may only exempt electives (not including Foreign Language and all AP elective courses). In the spring all classes may be exempted. A student earns an exemption if he/she meets the following criteria for each class:

·         at least an 80 average for the previous six weeks; and no more than 3 absences per semester (exceptions are official school business, approved college visit days, death in family and religious holy days.

·         No more than 3 days of ISC  per semester; and

·         No more than 1 day of Saturday guidance center per semester; and

·         No days of suspension or assignment to guidance center, summit or JJAEP

·         An exempt student has the option of taking the exam.

Principal’s Discretionary Exemption Option:

If TAKS results are returned from TEA in time for the first day of exams then the following Principals Discretionary Exemption Option related to TAKS will be allowed. If TAKS results are not back then no TAKS exemptions will be allowed.

  TAKS Exemption Policy

The principal’s discretionary TAKS exemption policy may be used if a student does not qualify for the regular exemption in the tested area and meets the following criteria:

·        Passes the TAKS test in the subject area; and

·        Currently passing the course; and

·            No more than 3 days of ISC per semester and no more than 1 day of  Saturday Guidance Center; and

·        No days of suspension or assignment to the Guidance Center, Summit or JJAEP

·        No more than 3 absences per semester (exceptions are official school business approved by college days, death in family and religious holy days.

 A student will not be exempt for any other reason except for the reasons listed above and this applies to all subject areas. Decisions regarding waivers and exam exemption may not be appealed. The principal has the sole authority to grant or deny the TAKS Exemption Policy.

Guidelines for Implementation

1. All absences, with the exception of school business, approved college visit days, death in family, and religious holy days, will count (excused or unexcused).

2. Students may have two college visits in the spring of their junior year and two in the fall of their senior year, with the two week prior approval of their grade level assistant principal and a letter from the college or university verifying the visit.

3. To be eligible for exemption, a student must not exceed the disciplinary infraction guidelines in this policy. A list of students who qualify for exemption will be distributed to teachers.

4. Decisions regarding waivers and exam exemptions may not be appealed.