Written reports of student grades and absences shall be issued to the parents at least once every six weeks. At the end of the first three weeks of the grading period, parents will be notified if the student’s grade average is near or below 70. If the student receives a six-week grade of less than 70 in any class or subject, the parent will be requested to schedule a conference with the teacher.

Report cards must be signed and returned to school within three days.

"Student achievement rises significantly when teachers regularly assign homework and students conscientiously do it." So says the U. S. Department of Education in their pamphlet, What Works: Research about Teaching and Learning. Extra studying helps children at all levels of ability. When average-ability students do 3 to 5 hours of homework a week, their grades usually equal those of high-ability students who do no homework. Homework boosts achievement because the total time spent studying influences how much is learned. Time is not the only ingredient but without it little can be achieved.

Students at Tom Daniels will regularly be assigned homework. It will be assigned to reinforce skills and concepts being taught at school; to utilize reading assignments to prepare for future lessons; to develop student responsibility and learning independence; and to develop research skills. Homework assignments will be checked and corrected carefully by the teacher.

Parents need to be aware of homework guidelines adopted by all Kerrville schools:

Ten points will be deducted from the grade earned for each day the assignment is late. A grade of zero will be recorded if the assignment has not been turned in by the end of the third day.

Twenty points will be deducted from the grade earned for the late assignment. A grade of zero will be recorded if the assignment is not turned in by the following day’s class period. Three late assignments will result in an "I" in Work Habits on report cards. Five late assignments will result in a "U."

Students will be allowed to use recess, tutoring, and/or homeroom time to complete late assignments. Homework will be considered late when it is turned in after the class period when the assignment is due.

Homework has been proven to be a powerful tool for ensuring your child’s success in school. Look at homework as a daily opportunity to have a positive impact on your children’s education and future. You can let your children know their education is a priority in your family. And homework is a part of that priority. We ask for your assistance; we encourage you to meet with your child’s teacher to develop a positive parent-teacher relationship.

Students shall be promoted from one grade to the next on the basis of academic achievement. In grades prekindergarten-four, promotion to the next grade level shall be based on an overall average of 70 based upon course-level, grade-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) for all subject areas, and a grade of 70 or above in language arts and mathematics. Students must meet attendance standards in order to be promoted.

The school reserves the right to place a child in the appropriate grade level based on educational and/or developmental needs.

Tom Daniels provides special programs for gifted and talented students, bilingual students, dyslexic students and students with disabilities. The coordinator of each program can answer questions about eligibility requirements, as well as programs and services offered in the district or by other organizations. A parent with questions about these programs should contact the school counselor.

Kerrville ISD provides six days per year when examinations for acceleration are administered in grades 1-12. This process is commonly called "credit by exam." A student may be accelerated one grade if he/she scores 90 percent or better on a series of core subject tests. Tests are administered on the first Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school ends, the Tuesday and Wednesday two weeks before school starts, and the first Tuesday in December. For additional information, contact the school counselor.

Children at Daniels Elementary School receive instruction from a trained, certified physical education instructor. This class is required by the state and should be considered as important to your child’s development as the rest of his studies.

Physical education instruction is based on the needs and abilities of the child. The program is tailored to the abilities of children in the elementary grades, and includes activities such as coordination exercises, run/jog/walk, relays, conditioning exercises, rhythm games, kickball, softball, etc.

Each child is required to participate in the physical education class. Parents are responsible for advising physical education personnel by written note if a child is to be excused from PE for a period of one to two days for medical reasons. Children will not be excused from PE for longer than 3 days without written recommendation of a licensed doctor.