I. Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests and Verified Units of Credit

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1 Book Dinwiddie County School Board Policies Section I - Instruction Title STANDARDS OF LEARNING AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Number IKF Status Active Legal Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, Sections :1, :3, :4, 8 VAC , 8 VAC , 8 VAC Adopted February 11, 2014 Last Revised May 14, 2013 I. Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests and Verified Units of Credit The Board of Education has established educational objectives known as the Standards of Learning, which form the core of Virginia s educational program, and other education objectives, which together are designed to ensure the development of the skills that are necessary for success in school and in preparation for life in the years beyond. The Dinwiddie School Board has developed and implemented a program of instruction that is aligned to the Standards of Learning and that meets or exceeds the requirements of the Board of Education. The School Board will issue diplomas in June for regular graduates and July or August for summer graduates. In kindergarten through eighth grade, where Standards of Learning (SOL) tests are required by the Board of Education, each student is expected to take the SOL tests. Schools will use the SOL test results in kindergarten through eighth grade as part of a set of multiple criteria for determining the promotion or retention of students. Each student in middle and secondary school will take all applicable end-of-course SOL tests. Students who successfully complete the requirements of the course and achieve a passing score on an end-of-course SOL test will be awarded a verified unit of credit in that course. Students may earn verified credits in any courses for which end-of-course SOL tests are available. Middle and secondary schools may consider the student s end-of-course SOL test score in determining the student s final course grade. Formula for determining final grades: Grades will be issued to students at approximately every nine-week grading period. A student s final grade determines credit in a course. The final grade is determined by counting the numerical average of each of the nine weeks three times, the final exam once, and dividing the total by seven.

2 EXAMPLE: 1 st 9 weeks numerical average X 3 +2 nd 9 weeks numerical average X 3 +Final exam grade Total divided by 7 = Final grade (a student exempted from exam would divide by 6) The 1st semester final letter grade and 2 nd semester final letter grade will be entered on the student s school transcript. Individual grading periods will not show on school transcripts. Transfer students: Dinwiddie High School will accept credits based on guidelines set forth by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) in regards to the acceptance of student transfer credits. Transfer credits recognized and accepted by Dinwiddie High School will be included in the calculation of a student s overall numerical grade point average and class rank. Grades and Transcripts: A transfer student s numerical average will be used when transferring into a comparable course at Dinwiddie High. If a numerical average cannot be obtained, but a letter grade is available which matches the descriptors used by Dinwiddie County High School, the student will be assigned a numerical grade based on the middle numerical value in the descriptor category. Letter grades assigned for earned credits on a transfer student s transcript will be matched to the corresponding quality point scale used by Dinwiddie High School. If a transfer student s transcript only includes numerical grades, the same procedure will be used as with letter grades. Transfer courses taken prior to the fall of 2014 will transfer in based on the previous quality point scale used by Dinwiddie High School. Repeating a course: Students in grades 9 12 who wish to repeat a course in order to strengthen their grade in a course will be allowed only if the previous grade was a B+ or lower. Both grades will appear on the student s transcript, but the student will not receive duplicate credit. The higher grade will be used in the calculation of the student s overall grade point average. Note: A grade of F cannot be removed from a student s transcript.

3 Credit Recovery: Credit recovery will be allowed for students who are repeating a course that was previously failed. The improved grade will be included on the student s transcript and used in the calculation of grade point average. Note: A grade of F cannot be removed from a student s transcript. Prior written approval is required from the principal or his/her designee before the student can enroll in an off campus course for credit recovery. EXAMS Exams are an important component of a student s final grade. Dinwiddie County students are required to take a final exam in a course in which a Carnegie unit is being awarded. If the first exam attempt is the cause for a failing final grade, seniors are permitted to retake final exams one time. Any student who has exempted an exam has the right to take a final exam. Note: Final exam grades will not be waived if a student decides to take an exam of which he/she has been exempted. Final exams can only be exempted under the following circumstances. 1. Any senior who has a weighted numerical grade point average of a B- average or better in non-sol classes. 2. Underclassmen who pass the SOL test associated with a course with a minimum passing score. Note: Any student who is failing a course prior to the final exam being administered must take his/her final exam regardless of his/her SOL score. Courses taken prior to the ninth grade: When students below the ninth grade successfully complete courses offered for credit in grades 9 through 12, credit shall be counted toward meeting the standard units required for graduation provided the courses meet the requirements of the Standards of Learning or are equivalent in content and academic rigor as those courses offered at the secondary level, or verified units of credit provided the students achieve a passing score on the end of course Standards of Learning tests. Carnegie Credit courses taken as a middle school student in which the student did not achieve the anticipated grade can be removed from the transcript. A parent must request this change in writing prior to July 15 th of the year in which the course was completed. (A parental request form can be obtained from the middle school guidance counselor.)

4 Adding/Dropping Courses for Grades 9-12 Students will be allowed to add and drop courses under the following circumstances: 1. Class changes (i.e., an elective change) can be made only within the first six days of a semester. If a change is made, the student is responsible for work completed in the new class prior to the change. 2. A class may be dropped only within the first six weeks of a semester. After the first six weeks, if a class is dropped an F will be recorded on the student s transcript for the dropped class. A grade of F cannot be removed from a child s transcript. Dinwiddie High understands that students may have extenuating circumstances which require them to drop a course after the first six weeks of a semester. Appeals shall be made to the principal in writing requesting that a withdrawal grade of an F be removed from a child s transcript. If an appeal is granted by the principal, the WF or WP classification will be changed to AW. The following classifications will be used when dropping a course after the first six weeks of a semester: WF --withdrew failing the course; student receives a grade of F for the course WP --withdrew passing the course; student receives a grade of F for the course AW --withdrew with administrative approval; student does not receive a grade of F for the course 3. Level changes (i.e., from C to G level) can be made until the end of nine weeks of either semester. The student s grade from the previous course will transfer to the new class course. Students are not responsible for assignments given prior to the date they start the new course, but are responsible for assignments from the start date forward. 4. Written permission from the parent(s) is required for any schedule change. All schedule changes are subject to the availability of classes. 5. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the principal or his/her designee.

5 Auditing for Grades 8-12 Course auditing will only be allowed for students who transfer to Dinwiddie High School and are unable to obtain the number of seat hours needed to earn a Carnegie unit of credit. Auditing a course involves a student being enrolled in a course in which credit will not be received. An audited course will not be computed into a student s grade point average. Students auditing a course are required to complete all assignments including, but not limited, to homework, quizzes, tests, and projects, etc. Students are not allowed to audit dual enrollment or Advanced Placement courses. Administrative approval is required for a student to audit a course. The standard unit of credit for graduation is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction and successful completion of the requirements of the course. A verified unit of credit for graduation is based on a minimum of 140 clock hours of instruction, successful completion of the requirements of the course, and the achievement by the student of a passing score on the end-of-course SOL test for that course or additional tests as described below. A student may also earn a verified unit of credit by the following methods: In accordance with the provisions of the Standards of Quality, students may earn a standard and verified unit of credit for any elective course in which the core academic SOL course content has been integrated and the student passes the related end-of-course SOL test. Such course and test combinations must be approved by the Board of Education. Upon the recommendation of the division superintendent and demonstration of mastery of course content and objectives, qualified students may receive a standard unit of credit and be permitted to sit for the relevant SOL test to earn a verified credit without having to meet the 140-clock-hour requirement. The superintendent by regulation will determine the manner in which a student may demonstrate mastery of course content and objectives, and documentation of such mastery will be maintained in the student s permanent record. Students may also earn verified credits by taking alternative tests to the SOL assessment. Such tests may only be those approved by the Virginia Board of Education, and the student may earn verified credits only by achieving that score established by the Board of Education.

6 Participation in the SOL testing program by students with disabilities will be prescribed by provisions of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. All students with disabilities will be assessed with appropriate accommodations and alternate assessments where necessary. All students identified as limited English proficient (LEP) will participate in the SOL testing program. A school-based committee will convene and make determinations regarding the participation level of LEP students. In kindergarten through eighth grade, limited English proficient students may be granted a one-time exemption from SOL testing in the areas of writing, science, and history and social science. II. Graduation Requirements A. Generally The school board will award diplomas to all secondary school students, including students who transfer from nonpublic schools or from home instruction, who earn the units of credit prescribed by the Board of Education, pass the prescribed tests, and meet such other requirements as are prescribed by the school board and approved by the Board of Education. B. Types of Diplomas and Certificates Dinwiddie School Board will award diplomas and certificates in accordance with state laws and regulations. The School Board will issue diplomas in June for regular graduates and July or August for summer graduates. The requirements for a student to earn a diploma are those in effect when he or she enters the ninth grade for the first time. In order to earn a Dinwiddie Seal on their diploma, students will be required to pass an additional Career and Technical Education course which could take the place of the required computer credit above the level of keyboarding. This change will take place for the school year, which is the graduation year for the first-time ninth graders in ( Class of 2015). All Dinwiddie County High School students shall have the option of completing the twenty-six (26) credit requirement to receive the Advanced Studies Diploma. Dinwiddie County High School Guidance will continue to encourage and to offer the thirty (30) credit Advanced Studies Diploma with a Dinwiddie seal to students.

7 Currently, a student is required to attend school for 4 years once she/he enters the ninth grade. The only exception to this policy is: A student is over-age and has attained the age of 17 by September 30th of his/her tenth grade year. This student is eligible to receive a 22 credit diploma in three years. C. Quality Points /Dual Enrollment / Advanced Placement Starting with the ninth grade of the following changes will take place on how quality points are awarded to students enrolled in advanced placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses offered at Dinwiddie High School: A = 5.5 B = 4.5 C = 3.5 D= 2.5 Beginning with the school year quality points shall be awarded according to the scale below. Letter/Numerical Value Standard Advanced Courses Advanced Placement / Dual Enrollment Excellent A A A Very Good B B B Satisfactory C C C Needs Improvement D D

8 D Unsatisfactory/Failing F 59 Below Cross Refs: IAA Notification of Learning Objectives IGA Basic Instructional Program IKFA Locally Awarded Verified Credits