Independence High School Credit Flexibility Procedures and Guidelines

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1 Overview Independence High School Credit Flexibility Procedures and Guidelines The Credit Flexibility Option allows students the opportunity to earn credit by demonstrating academic and skill-level performance through a variety of educational options beyond the traditional classroom setting. Students may create an alternative plan for demonstrating subject-area competency. Approved credit awarded through these guidelines will be posted on the student's transcript and counted as required graduation credit in the related subject area, or as elective credit. The school district is required to communicate the aspects of the Credit Flexibility Policy and program. We will regularly do so via the district website, in the annual Middle and High School student handbooks and in the High School Curriculum Guide. The Credit Flexibility Option guidelines will also be reviewed annually by the district administration and necessary data will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Education. Any student may apply for the Credit Flexibility Option. In order to do so, students must complete and submit a Credit Flexibility Application and meet all designated timelines. All required information must be presented. Students may be required to provide supporting documentation as determined by the Review Committee. Students/parents must assume all financial and transportation obligations related to approved alternate coursework unless otherwise approved by the Independence BOE. Obligations may be related to tuition, textbooks, fines, fees, and job-specific uniforms. Review of Application The Credit Flexibility Application will be reviewed by a committee comprised of the student s guidance counselor, the principal, and at least two teachers of the related teaching department. One teacher will be considered the lead-teacher. This Review Committee will pre-identify and agree upon acceptable learning outcomes as related to the Ohio Content Standards. In the case of a student applicant who is being served through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the student s IEP Team will serve as his/her review committee. Upon approval of a completed application, students will proceed with the learning activity and credit will be awarded accordingly. Students may follow already-existing district policy language related to Alternative Learning Options, Student Mentorships, or Post-Secondary Options. Students will be notified of the outcome of the committee decision relative to acceptance of the learning proposal within ten days of submission. Awarding Credit Students will be eligible to receive credit upon satisfactory completion of the alternative coursework, activity, assessment and / or performance as required by the Review Committee. The Credit Flexibility Option can apply to: 1) Test-Out of a course; 2) Otherwise demonstrating mastery of course content; 3) Pursue one or more educational options including distance-learning, educational travel, independent study, an internship, after-school tutorial program, community service project or other engagement project, and/or extracurricular activities such as music, arts or athletics.

2 The following standards and guidelines apply to the awarding of credit under the Credit Flexibility Option: The total number of credits that may be awarded is not limited. In other words, students may submit proposals for more than one course during their high school career. Credit may be awarded toward a required course requirement for graduation as approved by the administration and the Board of Education. Credit may also be awarded for electives that may, or may not appear in the local curriculum, yet should follow and/or be linked to the Ohio Academic Content Standards. The student may be awarded up to one credit per course experience as approved by the Review Committee. Units of credits may be awarded in intervals of.1 credit. This determination will be based on the factor of One Carnegie Unit of credit equaling 120 hours of work. Each approved Credit Flex experience can only be applied to credit for one course at a time unless otherwise approved by the Review Committee. As approved by the administration, credit may be earned from other school districts and other educational providers (including on-line providers). If a student transfers from another district and has not completed credit approved by the previous district, the principal shall consider this a new application for credit. The Principal may consider partial completion toward partial credit or toward total credit (if completed). Credits completed in another district before transfer to I.H.S. shall count as graduation credits as awarded by the previous district. The principal and/or guidance counselor may review the transfer credit to determine substitution for specific courses or adequacy as a pre-requisite course. Tests or assessments used to determine advancement and course credits (Test-Out Option) will be given only during the district s Teacher Record s Day in either August (for Semester One), or January (for Semester Two). This will allow students the opportunity to adequately plan for their upcoming semester. Applications for any Credit Flexibility option are due no later than May 15 th for Semester One, and December 1 st, for Semester Two. If a test or other assessment is used for a Test-Out option, the student must score at a level to be determined by the Review Committee in order to receive credit. The minimum score of 80% (or B-) must be attained on the identified test/assessment. A student failing to achieve this score will not be eligible to take the same test/assessment until the next designated testing day (as listed above). Any test/assessment for a particular course credit may only be attempted on two occasions. Students attempting the Test-Out option may be required to take a test/assessment required by the State of Ohio or a comprehensive test/assessment developed by an I.H.S. faculty member and approved by the Review Committee. If a student is approved for the Test-Out option, I.H.S. teachers are not required to provide personal instruction or course materials beyond the textbook and/or course curriculum (if no text is used). It is the responsibility of the student to secure any necessary instruction prior to the test/assessment. If a student successfully completes the Test-Out Option for course credit, he/she must still maintain the minimum of five courses at I.H.S. unless another Credit Flex or Alternative Learning Option is undertaken. If attempting to Test-Out of a year-long course (1.0 Carnegie Unit) in August, students must attempt both Semester One and Semester Two course assessments/tests at the same time. Determining Grades Credit for successful completion of a Credit Flex option can be reported as a letter grade or as a Pass/Fail grade on a student s transcript. The option must be made clear by the student in their application, agreed upon by the Review Committee, and cannot be changed once approved. Letter grades will be included in the determination of a student s G.P.A. The Credit Flex Option cannot be substituted for Honors or Advanced Placement courses. Therefore, there can be no weighted grades as a result of the Credit Flex Option. An exit interview with the participating student and the Review Committee will take place prior to the awarding of credit. A student must also develop and present a journal recording their Credit Flex experiences. Both of the above will apply in all cases except the Test-Out option.

3 If a student fails to complete the alternative coursework, activity, assessment or performance in a reasonable time period (as determined by the Review Committee), the Credit Flex Approval will be revoked and a failing grade will be reported. A letter grade awarded for a Credit Flex experience must be posted before the credit can count toward graduation, including early graduation. Therefore, students cannot participate in the Credit Flex Option during the final quarter of their senior year. Likewise, all previous approved Credit Flex coursework must be completed by March 1 st of a student s senior year. If a student is unable to complete an approved Credit Flex experience credit due to illness, the principal may extend the time allowed or revise the requirements. A documented medical excuse will be required. If a student does not intend to complete an approved Credit Flex Option (due to documented illness or other good reason) the application may be revoked by the Review Committee without posting a failing grade. Should a student transfer to another district in Ohio, upon request of the student or parent, the district shall forward a copy an existing (approved) Credit Flex Application to the new district for consideration. A progress meeting/report is required mid-way through the experience with the lead teacher. Access Appeals This policy does not in any way prohibit access to approved on-line education courses, Post- Secondary Educational Options, Alternative Learning Options, or Professional Mentorships as defined in BOE policy and I.H.S. practices. Students will be provided an Appeals Process in the event a Credit Flex Proposal is denied by the Review Committee. The applicant must provide a written appeal to the principal within five school days. Action on the appeal will be taken within ten school days. A state appeals process will also be developed and communicated at a later date. Athletic Eligibility Student-athletes should be aware of the fact the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) do not recognize the special nature of Credit Flexibility options. Therefore, student-athletes must maintain at least FIVE traditional classes as usual in order to be eligible for high school athletics. Furthermore, any student-athlete with ambitions of playing collegiate athletics should NOT consider the Credit Flexibility Option for core requirements as per NCAA Eligibility Center. July 23, 210

4 Independence High School Credit Flexibility Application Form Date of Application: Projected Course Completion Date: Name Grade IEP Student? Yes No Student-Athlete? Yes No Course Please describe what you will do to earn this credit. Check all that apply: Test or Assessment (Midterm/Final) Coursework Online Learning Field Experience Project-Based Learning Internship Mentorship (working with a mentor) Independent Study Other (Please explain.) Amount of credit requested: Please provide a thorough explanation of your activity-(ies). You may provide attachments: Is there a school, organization or individuals to support your proposed Credit Flexibility plan? If yes, please provide the contact information.

5 Please list at least three Ohio Content Standards you plan to address during your Credit Flex experience and explain how you plan to prove mastery of such. Please prepare and attach this document to your proposal. (Ohio Content Standards, subject by subject, can be accessed via the Ohio Department of Education 1) 2) 3) Date of Progress Meeting with Lead-Teacher Final Grade Option: Pass/Fail Letter Grade* (unweighted and included in G.P.A. calculation) I respectfully submit this application: * Signature of Student I support the application: * Signature of Parent * Note: My signature above indicates that I have read and understand the district policy and practices as related to the Credit Flex Option. July 2010

6 Independence High School Credit Flexibility Review of Application Name of Student Date of Review Principal Guidance Counselor Faculty Committee Members: Approved for Credit Not Approved Pending More information is required: Requirement(s) for earning credit: Final date for completion: Graduation Requirement for: Elective Credit in: Amount of credit awarded: Final grade: Pass Fail (-- OR --) Letter Grade July 2010