PONAGANSET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

FOSTER-GLOCESTER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOSTER-GLOCESTER, RHODE ISLAND Policy # 6000-1 PONAGANSET HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS PHILOSOPHY & INTENT The purpose of this policy is to support the mission of the Foster-Glocester Regional School District (FGRSD) by providing each graduate the opportunity to be well prepared for post-secondary education, careers, and citizenship within a global knowledge-based digital society. This policy is intended to provide our students a competitive edge by establishing a comprehensive and cohesive Graduation by Proficiency system that: 1) Graduates students proficient in 21st Century Skills and work habits needed for success in a knowledge-based global society; 2) Provides flexible college and career pathways that lead to post-secondary credit and/or industry certification and/or advanced standing; 3) Provides personalized digital learning experiences that a. develop students intellectual core, 21st Century Skills and work habits, b. enable them to use technology innovatively and collaboratively to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate information, c. require them to produce original work with precision and accuracy; 4) Prepares students for careers in high demand and/or high growth areas in the local and global labor markets by offering rigorous courses and programs in these areas. This policy is intended to align our graduation policies, curricula, program of study offerings, instructional opportunities, and flexible pathways with the district responsibilities outlined in the RI Board of Education s Regulations governing Middle and High School Learning Environments and the Rhode Island Diploma System. The Foster-Glocester Public Schools are committed to providing a comprehensive high school diploma system which enables all students to achieve proficiency in rigorous academic content and applied learning standards defined as 21st Century Skills. Proficiency in academic, social, and civic areas shall be based on the Ponaganset Graduation Expectations (PGEs) as well as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and/or other state and/or national content standards, and 21st Century Skills (AL) outlined by the Rhode Island Board of Education. The PGEs shall be common expectations for all students and form the basis for a series of anchor assignments (proficiency-based tasks) in each subject area and grade that focus on the content standards and 21st Century Skills. The requirements for a Ponaganset High School Diploma shall be informed by recommendations of a Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements (PBGR) Steering Committee or building principal, be approved by the Superintendent or designee, adopted by the School Committee, and published annually in the PHS Program of Studies or other publications. Such requirements shall be consistent with Rhode Island Board of Education regulations. Graduation by proficiency is based on mutual, shared accountability. The school district and community are accountable for providing an educational program designed to give all students multiple and varied opportunities to demonstrate

proficiency in physical and virtual settings. The student is accountable for engaging in the learning opportunities provided and successfully demonstrating proficiency in the required areas. To that end, all students in Foster-Glocester shall have access to rigorous curriculum and instruction as well as a continuum of supports designed to lead to proficiency as shall be required of them to graduate. I. DIPLOMA SYSTEM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS The requirements for a Ponaganset High School Diploma will involve multiple measures of student performance that include the successful completion of an established number of Carnegie Units based on standards, school-wide diploma assessments, and participation on the state assessment. Specifically, the Ponaganset Diploma System shall involve: 1) Completion of the minimum required coursework credits, both in total and for specific subjects. Such coursework shall include anchor assignments (proficiency-based tasks), based on our high school s PGEs, CCSS, GSEs, and other content standards that assure common expectations and proficiencies for all students. Course requirements for graduation shall be set by the School Committee and published annually in the high school program of studies. In accordance with the RI Board of Education s Regulations governing Middle and High School Learning Environments and the Rhode Island Diploma System: students can meet the requirements set forth in this section through courses within state-approved career and technical pathways, expanded learning opportunities, dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, online learning [virtual courses], experiential learning and other non-traditional academic and careerreadiness learning experiences. In the FGRSD these non-traditional learning experiences also include credit recovery/acquisition, advanced courses taken in the middle school, and testing alternatives. 2) Completion of a Graduation Portfolio, which includes proficiency-based tasks based on the PGEs and other appropriate content standards. The portfolio may also include entries that the students choose to submit to provide evidence of their attainment of the required proficiencies for graduation and/or their academic, career, and personal goals. 3) Completion of a Graduation Exhibition, which includes a student-designed and implemented learning stretch based on an area of student interest, and a presentation of findings to a panel of judges that includes community members, to the extent possible. The Graduation Exhibition shall include a presentation of the learning stretch based on anextended project requiring the student to concurrently demonstrate mastery of content knowledge and 21st Century Skills. Student exhibitions may be based on an extension of the knowledge and skills acquired through their pathway(s) that includes identifing an issue, researching, designing, and testing solution(s), and presenting their findings. Some pathways may have additional requirements. 4) Completion of state assessments according to the timetable determined by the Board of Education. The state test results will count toward graduation in a manner established by School Committee Policy, Regulation and/or the PBGR Steering Committee but will never be enough to prevent a student from

graduating. The district may consider student proficiency on approved alternative assessments to meet the state assessment graduation requirement. 5) Completion of a comprehensive system of proficiency-based tasks that are explicitly aligned to the PGEs, CCSS, GSEs, and subject specific standards and provide models for curriculum, instruction, and assessment. 6) The specific school and student requirements of the Graduation Portfolio, Graduation Exhibition, state assessment, and other aspects of the Diploma System that relate to graduation shall be informed by recommendations of the PBGR Steering Committee or building principal, and be approved by the superintendent or designee, and published annually in handbooks or other formats. The standards for these measures of student performance and the developed handbooks shall be approved by the School Committee. II. DEFINITIONS AND MEASURMENT OF PROFICIENCY Demonstrations of proficiency for Ponaganset High School graduation and this policy are intended to 1) assure that graduates possess the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in post-secondary education and/or workplace settings and 2) ensure that students are assessed through multiple measures. Students shall have multiple opportunities and support to demonstrate proficiency. Students may demonstrate proficiency with evidence from state assessments, coursework, portfolio submissions, graduation exhibitions, and other examples from learning that occurs in and out of school. A general description of proficiency for graduation includes the following: Proficiency in core content knowledge in the academic areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science, will be determined by the district through successful completion of coursework and PHS Diploma Assessment drawn from he state adopted Common Core State Standards and the state adopted Next Generation Science Standards.. Proficiency may be determined through successful completion of coursework aligned to these standards and PHS Diploma Assessments or by other approved procedures and measures designed to demonstrate proficiency. Proficiency in core content knowledge in the academic areas of Social Studies, the arts, and technology will be determined by the district through successful completion of coursework and PHS Diploma Assessments drawn from the appropriate state adopted standards. Proficiency may be determined through successful completion of coursework aligned to these standards and PHS Diploma Assessments or by other approved procedures and measures designed to demonstrate proficiency. Proficiencies in the 21 st Century Skills (requirements of problem solving, critical thinking, research, reflection, and communicating) shall be determined as part of the PHS New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Expectations for Learning, which are captured in the PGEs, mapped to courses in all subject areas, and assessed as part of the PHS Diploma Assessments. Coursework completion shall be recorded on the student transcript as determined by passing grades in each course or through demonstrations of proficiency that adhere to the requirements of the RI Department of Education. Portfolios and Exhibitions shall be assessed according to procedures proposed

by the district s PBGR Steering Committee or building principal and approved by the superintendent and/or School Committee. Each child will have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) beginning no later than the sixth grade to help students identify and meet their academic, career, and personal/social goals. The ILP process should provide ongoing opportunities for students to annually review and revisit their goals with the guidance of responsible adults, including parents or legal guardians. Commencing with the graduating class of 2020, at the latest, student transcripts shall designate successful completion of a pathway as well as college credit and/or industry certifications that students have earned. Commencing with the graduating class of 2020, at the latest, student diplomas shall designate successful completion of a pathway and/or any endorsement a students have earned. First Revision Reading: June 7, 2016 Second Revision Reading: August 2, 2016 Policy # 6000-1.1 Carnegie Unit Academic / State Assessment Requirements: The following chart represents the minimum Carnegie units that a student must complete to receive a diploma from Ponaganset High School. One Carnegie Unit = one full year course. Subject Area Credits English 4* Mathematics 4* Science 3* Social Studies 3* Arts ½* Technology ** 0 Physical Education and Health (2 credits required 1/2 credit year) 2* Personalized Learning Courses (Electives) 5.5* Minimum Total Credits 22 * In accordance with the RI Board of Education s Regulations students can meet the requirements set forth in this section through courses within state-approved career and technical pathways, expanded learning opportunities, dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, online learning [virtual courses], experiential learning, and other non-traditional academic and career-readiness learning experiences. In the FGRSD these non-traditional learning experiences also include credit recovery/acquisition, advanced courses taken in the middle school, and testing alternatives. In addition, multiple core or other content areas with associated learning standards may be combined into a single course for the purpose of meeting coursework requirements. The school counselors department shall maintain a list of courses that have been approved to satisfy this requirement. ** The technology requirement shall be satisfied by the successful completion of a Ponaganset High School Digital Portfolio or other determination of proficiency.

III. ROLE AND USE OF STATE ASSESSMENTS All Foster-Glocester students, except those participating in an alternative assessment because of their disability, must participate in the State Assessment program. State Assessments will be administered in accordance with a timeline established by the RI Department of Education. State assessment results shall be included on student transcripts. Students receiving the highest level designation on the state assessments shall include that information in their portfolio. The State Assessment performance of students may not be used as one of the multiple measures for graduation by proficiency until 2020. The State Assessment may not be the sole measure that prevents a student from graduating. When the State Assessment is used as a condition of graduation, students must have opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency on alternative locally approved assessments. In a very few situations, if a student is unable to demonstrate graduation readiness on the State Assessment or a State approved alternative assessment, or transfers to the district and enrolls in courses more advanced than the State Assessment measures (e.g., Algebra II or English 11) the student may apply for a waiver from the Superintendent in accordance with current regulations of the Board of Education. A waiver request must meet criteria set forth by the Board of Education. A waiver is not for students who are below the level of proficiency required to earn a high school diploma. A waiver is for students for whom: 1) there is a preponderance of evidence of academic content mastery consistent with state regulations, and 2) the student has completed the sequence of testing requirements set forth in the state regulations. First Revision Reading: February 3, 2015 Second Revision Reading: March 3, 2015 First Reading: November 5, 2013 First Revision Reading: June 7, 2016 Second Reading: December 3, 2013 Second Revision Reading: August 2, 2016

FOSTER-GLOCESTER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOSTER-GLOCESTER, RHODE ISALND Policy # 6000-2 DEMONSTRATION OF PROFICIENCY TIMELINE All requirements must be completed prior to graduation. Graduation shall be available to students when all requirements are met. The following policy timelines are included to guide staff and students in completion of the requirements for a diploma and are guidelines only. A diploma will not be denied to a student who successfully completes proficiencies and requirements after the dates herein. 1) Coursework should be completed on a reasonable and manageable schedule throughout the high school career to foster ongoing evidence of proficiency in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Science. Coursework completion shall be recorded on the student transcript as determined by passing grades in each course. 2) The school s timeline for portfolio completion shall be informed by the PBGR Steering Committee, and approved by the principal and superintendent, with an emphasis on substantial completion prior to the end of the junior year. This timeline provides an opportunity for students desiring to concurrently enroll in higher education during their senior year and for students whose portfolio fails to demonstrate proficient work to remedy both the proficiency and the portfolio submission in time for graduation. 3) The Graduation Exhibition timeline shall be informed by the PBGR Steering Committee, and approved by the principal and superintendent with an emphasis on exhibition topic selection during the junior year. This will allow students to begin their organization prior to senior year and complete the bulk of their research and paper / project prior to the end of the first semester. 4) Proficiency in the arts and technology may be demonstrated by students any time during their high school career and based on learning evidence from in and/or out of school. First Reading: November 5, 2013 First Reading: June 7, 2016 Second Reading: December 3, 2013 Second Reading: August 2, 2016

FOSTER-GLOCESTER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOSTER-GLOCESTER, RHODE ISALND Policy # 6000-3 COMMUNICATING THE SYSTEM AND PROGRESS MONITORING All students entering Ponaganset Middle School and Ponaganset High School shall be notified of the proficiency-based graduation requirements. Written notice will be provided to their families and posted on the district web site. Student progress on these requirements shall also be communicated. The specific components include: 1) The requirements of the system and the specific criteria for the various diploma assessments shall be presented annually to students and parents, printed in the student handbook posted on the district website. 2) All parents and students shall receive a detailed report of their child s progress on the digital portfolio in ninth through eleventh grade. If a child does not demonstrate proficiency on a required component of the Graduation Exhibition parents will be notified. 3) In addition to these formal school and district sponsored methods of communication, parents are also provided with a password to their child s electronic portfolio that provides them full access to the teacher and student assessed artifacts found in the portfolio. 4) PHS shall formally monitor student progress on Carnegie Units on a regular basis with the dissemination of grades in accordance with Grading and Reporting policies and procedures of the school and district. Progress reports shall be sent out, as needed, throughout the year. First Reading: November 5, 2013 Second Reading: December 3, 2013 First Reading: June 7, 2016 Second Reading: August 2, 2016 Adoption: August 2, 2016

FOSTER-GLOCESTER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOSTER-GLOCESTER, RHODE ISALND Policy # 6000-4 APPEALS PROCESS Students who believe that they have or may be improperly denied a diploma may appeal the decision by citing the reason(s) in writing addressed to the Principal of Ponaganset High School. The appeal shall cite specific reasons for disagreement, and if the student is under the age of 18, it must be signed by a parent/legal guardian. The high school principal has the responsibility for coordinating the appeal process at the building level and ensuring due process is provided. If the appeal is due to unsuccessful completion of a Graduation Exhibition or Graduation Portfolio, the written letter of appeal must be filed to the Principal of Ponaganset High School within five (5) school days of the Graduation Exhibition presentation or final Graduation Portfolio assessment. The appeal, submitted to the principal, shall cite specific reasons for disagreement on the exhibition /portfolio assessment score. Any student who believes that he/she has been or may be improperly denied a diploma may utilize the school system s appeal procedure through administrative steps, as outlined in chronological order below, to the: 1) High School Appeal Board, 2) Principal, 3) Superintendent, 4) School Committee, and 5) Commissioner of Education. This process shall be communicated annually to students and families. When a student reaches the age of 18, that adult student is presumed under Rhode Island law to be capable of making his or her own educational decisions. First Reading: November 5, 2013 Second Reading: December 3, 2013

Policy # 6000-5 FOSTER-GLOCESTER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOSTER-GLOCESTER, RHODE ISALND TRANSFER STUDENTS The following guidelines shall apply to students who transfer into Ponaganset High School: 1. Students entering prior to the start of their junior year must complete all academic, Carnegie unit, Graduation Exhibition, and Graduation Portfolio requirements as detailed in the district Diploma System Policies. The Graduation Portfolio must be successfully completed with prorated requirements, as outlined in the Graduation Portfolio documents and guides, with a student responsible only for a number of entries commensurate with his/her years in the district. If an entering student has completed entries in an electronic portfolio from a RI Electronic Portfolio System district, then students shall receive credit for work completed. 2. Students entering after the start of their junior year must complete all academic, Carnegie unit, Graduation Exhibition, and Graduation Portfolio requirements as detailed in the district Diploma System Policies. The Graduation Portfolio must be successfully completed with prorated requirements, as outlined in the Graduation Portfolio documents and guides, with a student responsible only for a number of entries commensurate with his/her years in the district. Students who completed proficiency based requirements at their previous high school shall have them count toward proficiency at Ponaganset so long as that requirement of their previous high school was approved by the RI Department of Education. Students choosing to exercise the option to follow the proficiency-based guidelines of the previous high school must notify the principal, in writing (cosigned by a parent/legal guardian if the student is under the age of 18), at the time of enrollment. 3. Individual situations not addressed by this policy will be handled on a case-by-case basis at the school level with an established procedure and criteria. The approval of the Superintendent of Schools is required for variations from this policy. First Reading: November 5, 2013 Second Reading: December 3, 2013

FOSTER-GLOCESTER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOSTER-GLOCESTER, RHODE ISALND Policy # 6000-6 CURRICULUM ACCESS AND MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING Ponaganset High School will work to ensure the district s definition of proficiency meets the criteria of fairness and access as described in the Board of Education s regulations, particularly with regard to opportunities to learn. The curriculum will be designed to make it accessible and equitable to all students. The framework of a comprehensive guidance program and a scaffolded literacy and numeracy support program will facilitate this. Accordingly, experiences that enhance and extend student learning and foster student interest should be part of the high school experience. Some of these opportunities to learn may include, but are not limited to: Advanced Placement Concurrent Enrollment Dual enrollment/eep Distance learning/virtual schools and colleges (i.e. online learning) Tech Prep/College Tech Prep Alternative Learning Program Summer School/Portfolio Summer School credit recovery/acquisition Literacy/Numeracy and other subject Ramp up courses Before or after school learning Alternate appropriately credentialed programs/schools Interagency linkages Testing alternatives Rhode Island s Advanced Course Network Other outside learning experiences Creating pathways that complement the learning styles and career interests of our students in ways that enable them to see the relevance of a high school curriculum and achieve graduation standards is an important goal of Ponaganset High School. Similarly, students will be screened and diagnostically assessed to determine their literacy and numeracy needs. Appropriate instructional interventions will be provided, and students with identified literacy and numeracy needs will continue to have their progress monitored. PHS shall assess the reading and mathematics skills of all incoming ninth grade students who have not achieved the standard on the state assessment in ELA and/or math or who have been identified as at risk. For those students with mathematics and/or reading proficiency one or more years below grade level, an intervention program may be part of their schedule. For those students with identified reading and/or mathematics proficiency needs teachers will develop plan(s) to meet their needs. First Reading: November 5, 2013

Second Reading: December 3, 2013 First Reading: June 7, 2016 Second Reading: August 2, 2016