Credit Flexibility Handbook Sycamore Junior High & High School Grades 7 12 2016 17 Expanded Educational Opportunities for High School Credit Rev. 07/27/16
Sycamore High School Doug Mader, Principal Dr. Yejide Mack, Assistant Principal Derrick Richardson, Assistant Principal Ashley Warren, Assistant Principal Phil Poggi, Athletic Director Mark Weigel, Aves Academy Administrator Ashwin Corattiyil, Dean of Students Dear Parents and Students, Ohio s Plan for Credit Flexibility is designed to broaden the scope of curricular options available to students, increase the depth of study possible for a particular subject, and allow tailoring of learning time and/or conditions. These are ways in which aspects of learning can be customized around students interests and needs. Students may now earn credits by: completing coursework, testing out of or demonstrating mastery of course content, or pursuing one or more educational options (e.g., online/distance learning, dual credit, educational travel, independent study, internships, music, arts, after school programs, community service, or other individualized projects). Credit Flexibility is intended to motivate and increase student learning by allowing: access to more learning resources, especially real world experiences, customization around individual student needs, and/or use of multiple measures of learning, especially those where students demonstrate what they know and can do, apply their learning, or document performance. Please use this Credit Flexibility Handbook as a guide to understanding what options are available. Each option requires a different level of student independence needed to successfully complete the coursework for credit. For this reason, all courses and students interest level should be carefully considered. Students interested in accessing Credit Flex should detach and complete the Credit Flex Application and follow the requirements outlined on the timeline in this handbook. If you still have questions regarding Credit Flexibility, please visit www.sycamoreschools.org and view the information provided within the Credit Flexibility Information link on the district home page under News. Sincerely, Doug Mader Principal Sycamore High School 7400 Cornell Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (513) 686 1770 Fax (513) 489 7425 www.sycamoreschools.org
Table of Contents Credit Flex Options Available at Sycamore High School Level One: Primarily Teacher Directed Level Two: Increased Student Independence Level Three: Greater Student Direction and Independence Level Four: Completely Student Driven Process Flow Chart Appeals Process Credit Flex Process Timeline Rubric for Panel Presentations Additional Information AP Online Courses Student Athletes Appendix Options for Dual Credit at Sycamore High School etech Approved Online Providers Credit Flexibility Forms Frequently Asked Questions NOTE : The Credit Flexibility Application (which includes the Access Plan) is available on the district website, www.sycamoreschools.org, under Forms. Students should complete this form (with attachments: Credit Flexibility Athletic Waiver and Community Mentor Waiver and Acknowledgment Form) and take it to their initial meeting with their Credit Flex Facilitator. NOTE : All applicants must provide a 4 year course plan. This document is located on the counselor s website on the district website, www.sycamoreschools.org. Applicants applying for mastery assessment, independent study/research, educational travel, internships or community/service learning must have a project mentor. The project mentor must provide proof of fingerprinting and a background check. A project mentor cannot be a parent, teacher, or a Sycamore employee that is instructing during the school day. Along with a project mentor, the student will have a teacher mentor assigned to them for additional guidance and accountability.
Credit Flex Options Available at Sycamore High School Level One: Greater Student Direction and Independence Online Classes : Classes offered completely online with little or no face to face teacher student recommended by etech Ohio, a state agency dedicated to enhancing learning by developing programs and using best practices to serve learning organizations (see Appendix for detailed descriptions and web addresses): Brigham Young Online Fuel Education APEX (credit recovery) NOTE: AP courses taken from an online provider must be audited and approved by the College Board. Students will have to provide proof of the audit and approval from The College Board in order to receive a weighted grade on their Sycamore High School transcript. Independent Study : Independent Study provides an opportunity to further explore subjects of special interest or that have been taken in the regular curriculum. Whether they are working on enrichment or advancement of skills and knowledge, students can expand their learning by connecting with resources both within and outside the High School. Examples of Independent Study include local immersion experiences in a foreign language, conducting a musical performance, or creating a book of original short stories or poetry. Students wishing to access Independent Study should find a staff member or community member willing to work with the student after school hours and certify their learning. Independent Study is typically used for students seeking additional elective credits. Independent study may not fulfill the requirements that core content courses must cover. If you have any questions about Independent Study see Mrs. Warren (SHS) or Mr. Brenner (SJHS). NOTE: Independent Study may not be an option for certain disciplines. For example, for acceleration in the mathematics department, mastery assessment must be used. Study at Approved Institutions : Opportunities for credit that students could access through summer camps or college/university courses. Post secondary institutions approved include: Northwestern University Summer Institute John Hopkins University Summer Program Post Secondary Enrollment Options NOTE: Students must complete a credit flex application prior to studying at an approved institution. Level Two: Completely Student Driven Mastery Assessment : The three components of Mastery Assessment are: 1. Two course assessments: one midterm and one end of year assessment 2. A portfolio 3. A presentation
Students wishing to access Mastery Assessment must have their applications submitted to the appropriate administrator or counselor by December 15th of the school year expected to complete the credit. If a student is seeking to receive credit for the following school year, the application must be submitted by April 30th. Students must achieve a minimum score of 85% (with no rounding) on the paper/pencil assessments to be eligible for completion of the Mastery Assessment process. Students will receive specific assignments for the Mastery Assessment Portfolio. The assignments will demonstrate how they are progressing through the standards of the particular class. They will have until the next Mastery Assessment testing week to complete their portfolios. All portfolio presentations will be scheduled through the Credit Flex Panel. Credit for Mastery Assessment will be assigned based on course content: 1 semester = 0.5 credit; 2 semesters = 1 credit; 1 semester of PE = 0.25 credit. Students may not select the Mastery Assessment option for only 1 semester of a 2 semester course. NOTE: Each department has more specific information regarding their credit flex portfolios and presentation requirements. For example, laboratory work will be a requirement for any science course. Department supervisors will have this information and will share it with any student interested in Mastery Assessment. It is the student s responsibility to schedule time to speak with the department supervisor. Individual Research, Internships, Community Service/Service Learning, Educational Travel, or Combination Opportunities : Projects/products resulting from independent student research as outlined in a proposal made as part of the Credit Flex planning process. Unlike Independent Study and various capstone opportunities available at the High School (Senior English Capstone, Science Capstone), this option is totally student driven from proposal to presentation. Other: Other options that have been approved for students for the school year include: Certifications (lifeguard, scuba, CPR, etc.) Extreme Hiking/Sports Camps Ballet/Dance Service Learning at Su Casa Pilot s License Applied Entrepreneurship Independent Art study with Shain Studios Garment Construction and Garment Repurposing
Process Flow Chart Note: Online options are already pre approved and do not require using this process. However, Notice of taking an online class is necessary
Appeals Process School Credit Flex Appeal Process : 1. The department supervisor will provide a written explanation of the denial and include suggestions for the student to use in re submitting the application. This may take up to 2 weeks. The written explanation will be sent via email to the student and the grade level principal. 2. The student will refile the application within 5 days to the department supervisor. The department supervisor will respond within 5 days in writing. 3. If the second refile is denied, the student can begin the Credit Flex District Appeal process. District Credit Flex Appeal Process : 1. The student can write an appeal within 5 days of the denial to the building principal. The appeal should describe why the Credit Flex project meets the spirit of the law, how it is compliant with the State content standards and how it fulfills the learning objectives of the student. 2. The building principal has 5 10 days to review and give a finding regarding the appeal. 3. If the building principal upholds the appeal, the student may submit within 5 days a written appeal to the Assistant Superintendent. This official will have 5 10 days to review and give a finding regarding the appeal. If the building principal decides in favor of the student, the Credit Flex application will move forward. 4. If the Assistant Superintendent upholds the appeal, the student may appeal to the Ohio Department of Education. If the Assistant Superintendent decides in favor of the student, the Credit Flex application will move forward.
Credit Flex Process Timeline Application Deadlines: December 15th April 30th Student application/access plans due to Ashley Warren (SHS students) or Ben Brenner (SJH students) if the student wants the credit during the same school year. Student application/access plans due to Ashley Warren (SHS students) or Ben Brenner (SJH students) if the student plans to apply the credit for the following school year. The Credit Flex Panel consists of content specific teachers/supervisor/mentors, a non district employee mentor, grade level administrator and 1 Credit Flex Facilitator. The panel will make approval for applications within two weeks of a student turning in an application. Mentors must have a background check and be fingerprinted in order to serve as mentors. This is the financial responsibility of the family. Mentors cannot be related to the applicant. All documentation must be sent to Central Office and to Ashley Warren, Sycamore High School assistant principal. Student Presentations to Credit Flex Panel Second & Third Week of October Third & Fourth Week of January First, Second & Third Week of March Third & Fourth Week of April and First Week of May Student presentation to CF panel and Mastery Assessment if applicable Student presentation to CF panel and Mastery Assessment if applicable Student presentation to CF panel and Mastery Assessment if applicable Student presentation to CF panel and Mastery Assessment if applicable Please contact Ben Brenner, counselor, at 686 1760 for the Sycamore Junior High School schedule. The Sycamore High School Credit Flex coach/facilitator will schedule panel presentations with the appropriate team/panel for each student. The Credit Flex Rubric Please see the link below for the rubric: https://goo.gl/gqddjr
Credit Flexibility Handbook Appendix Options for Dual Credit at Sycamore High School AP (Advanced Placement) Credit Students take an AP (college level) course and the designated AP test. Colleges/universities decide whether or not to grant credit and how much credit to grant based on the student s AP test score. CCP (College Credit Plus Program) College Credit Plus is an initiative in the State of Ohio that allows high school students an opportunity to earn college and high school credit at the same time. CCP provides high school students who are academically ready for college with a chance to begin earning college credits early [This has replaced Post Secondary Enrollment Program and has expanded Dual Enrollment options]. All students in grades 7 12 are eligible to apply. You must meet certain course completion or test score requirements determined by individual colleges and/or universities to show that you are academically prepared for classes. To get started, complete the Intent to Participate Form and return it to the counseling office by the designated deadline. Speak to your counselor to find out more information! Transcripted Credit College credit that appears on an official transcript from the granting college/university. All transcripted credit is transferred at the discretion of the receiving institution. It may be transferred in full or partially, in place of actual or similar coursework or as elective credit.
etech Approved Online Providers Online providers are included in this handbook in an effort to better communicate to students and parents the various options available to earn high school credit. All courses students choose to take online from other providers will be included on the transcript. These courses will be listed with the name of the provider and NOT the name of a Sycamore course, as these courses are developed and administered by an outside educational service. APEX http://www.apexlearning.com APEX has been a district provider for the past 5 years, helping a diverse group of students successfully earn high school credit for courses. Fuel Education http://www.getfueled.com/login Fuel Education provides AP approved online courses as well as courses in language arts, math, science, social studies, technology, world languages, and electives. All courses are accredited and generally transferable to to other educational institutions. Brigham Young Online http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/ BYU Independent Study is a distance education program that offers online and paper/pencil courses and personal enrichment courses that can help high school students make up credit, graduate on time, enhance their curriculum, or earn university credit. Students can sign up at any time and have on year to complete each course, allowing them to work at their own pace. All courses are accredited and are generally transferable to other educational institution. Note : Weighted credit is assigned for courses that are AP approved and University courses that are level 200 or higher. Online course titles and origin of course will be noted on the transcript from the granting institution. Credit Flexibility Forms The Credit Flexibility Application (which includes the Access Plan) is available on the district website, www.sycamoreschools.org, on the High School forms and on the forms web page. Students should complete this form (with attachments: Credit Flexibility Waiver, Community Mentor Waiver and Acknowledgement Form) and take it to their initial meeting with their Credit Flex Facilitator.
Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Flexibility Programs Q1: What subjects are considered for credit under credit flexibility? Any subject: mathematics, science, language, physical education, music, etc. Q2: Must graded options be used or can pass/fail be used? Graded options are used because credits earned via credit flexibility should appear on transcripts like all other credits earned and be factored into the student s GPA. Q3: Can the student credit flexibility plan be modified once it is agreed upon? Yes. If conditions change once the CFP has been created, the school, in concert with the student and parent, can modify the terms of the original CFP. Q4: How will the recent NCAA interpretation on nontraditional courses impact Credit Flexibility Plans? Recent information sent to schools from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center regarding prospective Division I student athletes and coursework taken in nontraditional classroom settings may impact school district Credit Flexibility Plans. Specifically, schools are advised to counsel prospective Division I student athletes not to utilize the test out option of Credit Flexibility and to be certain that any coursework earned via Credit Flexibility be comparable in length, content and rigor as credits earned in a traditional classroom setting. The course also must be four year, college preparatory in nature and have a defined time period for completion. The designation of credits on transcripts applies only for NCAA purposes. If in doubt of NCAA eligibility, contact the NCAA at http://www.eligibilitycenter.org for specific advice on this issue.