Students may want to enroll in a course for which they were not recommended. Fayetteville-Manlius has an override process which allows parents and students to make the final determination of courses selected. There are many factors to consider when thinking about changing a course and overriding a teacher recommendation, including extracurricular involvement, total academic load, available study time, the level of the student’s organization and study skills, and student passion for the subject.
At all levels, parents are strongly encouraged to be involved in the course planning process. It is also critically important that parents are aware of any short- and long-term ramifications of course selection; for example, it may not be possible to make level and course changes during the school year.
Middle School Override Process for High School Courses
- Eighth-grade teachers make recommendations.
- Parents communicate directly with eighth-grade teachers if they have a question or disagree with a course recommendation.
- A parent conference may be held so that the teacher(s) can provide an explanation of why the recommendation was made. In a small number of cases, it may be prudent to see how the child develops and performs in the second semester. In these instances, teachers will communicate their final
recommendation with the student and parent after March 1 and prior to the end of the school year. - If an override is desired, the student completes the Course Override Form, including appropriate signatures, and submits the form to the Middle School Counseling Center.
- Counselors make the designated course change.
High School Override Process
- Teachers make course recommendations and discuss recommendation with the student.
- Student discusses course recommendations with parent.
- If a student and parent want to override a course recommendation, a conversation with the subject area teacher is strongly encouraged. A conversation with the school counselor may also be helpful.
- If an override is desired, the student completes the Course Override Form, obtains appropriate signatures, and submits the form to the High School Counseling Center.
- Counselors make the requested course change.