4100 Graduation

4100 Graduation Requirements/School Credits

Graduation, Curriculum, & Instruction Washington County School District - Adopted 8-13-85; Revised 12-12-00; Revised 11-13-01; Revised 2-5-08; Approved 3-18-08

1. Purpose
2. Philosophy
3. Procedure: 3.1. Diplomas and Completion Certificates; 3.2. Academic Requirements; 3.3. Competency and Assessment
4. Units of Credit
5. Home Instruction
6. Early Graduation Option
7. Concurrent Enrollment
8. Students With Disabilities
9. Transfer Students
10. GED Credit
11. Adult High School Diploma
12. Foreign Exchange and Privately Placed Foreign Students
13. Graduation Ceremony
Definitions
References

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1. Purpose:

The Board of Education has adopted this policy to specify standards and credit requirements for graduation from Washington County District high schools and to provide for differentiated diplomas or certificates of competition consistent with state law and rules.

2. Philosophy:

2.1. The primary goal of education is the development of individuals who possess the knowledge, skills, and human characteristics necessary to enable them to live meaningfully as individuals and as positive contributors to society. To achieve this ultimate goal, the individual must be provided experiences to develop skills in language and thinking, scientific understanding, mathematics, historical perception, aesthetic appreciation, social interaction, movement, fitness and health, career competencies and citizenship.

2.2. "It shall be the duty of all District Boards of Education...to provide that persons employed to give instruction and guidance to young people under eighteen years of age...shall give special emphasis to common honesty, morality, courtesy, obedience to law, respect for the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah, respect for parents and home, the dignity and necessity of honest labor and other skills, habits and qualities of character which will promote an upright and desirable citizenry and which will better prepare our youth for a richer, happier life." School Laws of the State of Utah, 53-14-10.

3. Procedure:

The State Board of Education is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision of the public education system in the Board and, Section 53A-1-402 (1)(b) and (c) which directs the Board of Education make rules regarding competency levels, graduation requirements, curriculum, and instruction requirements, and Section 53A-1- 401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

3.1. Diplomas and Completion Certificates

The Washington County School District shall offer differentiated diplomas to secondary students and adults to include

3.1.1. A high school diploma indicating on the diploma that a student successfully completed all state and District course requirements for graduation and passed all subtests of the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test (UBSCT).

3.1.2. A high school diploma indicating on the diploma that a student did not receive a passing score on all UBSCT subtests; the student shall have:

A. met all state and District course requirements for graduation;

B. beginning with the graduating class of 2007, participated in UBSCT remediation consistent with District or school policies and opportunities; and

C. provided documentation of at least three (3) attempts to take and pass all subtests of the UBSCT, unless:

the student has been out of the secondary school system at least five (5) years or more beginning June 1, 2006; or
a student's IEP team has determined that the student’s participation in statewide assessment is through the Utah Alternative Assessment (UAA).

3.1.3. A certificate of completion may be awarded to students who have completed their senior year, are exiting the school system, and have not met all state or District requirements for a diploma.

3.2. Academic Requirements

3.2.1. Beginning with the graduating class of 2008 grades 7 through 8 shall earn a minimum of 12 units of credit to be properly prepared grades 9-12.

A. Language Arts 2.0 units of credit

B. Mathematics 2.0 units of credit

C. Science 1.5 units of credit

D. Social Studies 1.5 units of credit

E. Fine Arts 1.0 units of credits

F. Physical Education 1.0 units of credit

G. Health Education 0.5 units of credit

H. Career and Technical Education 1.0 units of credit

I. Selected Electives 1.5 units of credits

3.2.2. Students who fail classes or lose credit in English, mathematics, science and/or social science in grade 7 or 8 may be required to remediate their performance.

3.2.3. Grades 9 through 12 (Effective for Students Graduating in 2008)
Students in grades 9 through 12 generally (see “Graduation Summary Addendum”) must earn a minimum of 27 units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R-277-705 and District policy.

A. Language Arts 4.0 units of credit

B. Mathematics 2.0 units of credit (Plus 1 more elected from either science or math)

(i) minimally, Elementary Algebra or Applied Mathematics I; and
(ii) Geometry or Applied Mathematics II; or
(iii) any advanced mathematics courses in sequence beyond (i) and (ii)
(iv) high school mathematics credit may not be earned for courses in sequence below (i).

C. Science 2.0 units of credit from two of the four science areas (Plus 1 more elected from either science or math)

(i) Earth Systems Science
(ii) Biological Science
(iii) Chemistry
(iv) Physics

D. Social Studies 3.0 units of credit

(i) Geography for Life (0.5)
(ii) World Civilizations (0.5)
(iii) U.S. History (1.0)
(iv) U.S. Government and Citizenship (0.5)
(v) Elective (0.5)

E. Fine Arts 1.5 units of credit

(i) Visual Arts
(ii) Music
(iii) Dance
(iv) Theater

F. Physical and Health Education 2.0 units of credit

(i) Health (0.5)
(ii) Participation Skills (0.5)
(iii) Fitness for Life (0.5)
(iv) Individualized Lifetime Activities (0.5) or team sport/athletic participation, maximum of 0.5 units of credit with school approval.

G. Career and Technical Education 1.0 units of credit

(i) Agriculture
(ii) Business
(iii) Family and Consumer Sciences
(iv) Health Science and Technology
(v) Information Technology
(vi) Marketing
(vii) Technology and Engineering
(viii) Trade and Technical

H. Educational Technology

(i) Computer Technology 0.5 units of credit for the class by this specific name only; or
(ii) successful completion of state-approved competency examination (credit may be awarded) at the discretion of the school or school district.

I. General Financial Literacy 0.5 units of credit

J. Elective Credits 9.5 units of credit

3.2.4. Grades 9 through 12 (Effective for Students Graduating during the 2009-2010 School Year)
Students in grades 9 through 12 generally (see “Graduation Summary Addendum”) must earn a minimum of 28 units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R-277-705 and District policy.

A. Language Arts 4.0 units of credit

B. Mathematics 2.0 units of (Plus 1 more elected from either science or math)

C. Science 2.0 units of credit from two of the four science areas (Plus 1 more elected from either science or math)

(i) Earth Systems Science
(ii) Biological Science
(iii) Chemistry
(iv) Physics

D. Social Studies 2.5 units of credit

(i) Geography for Life (0.5)
(ii) World Civilizations (0.5)
(iii) U.S. History (1.0)
(iv) U.S. Government and Citizenship (0.5)

E. Fine Arts 1.5 units of credit

(i) Visual Arts
(ii) Music
(iii) Dance
(iv) Theater

F. Physical and Health Education 2.0 units of credit

G. Career and Technical Education 1.0 units of credit

H. Educational Technology

I. General Financial Literacy 0.5 units of credit

J. Elective Credits 11 units of credit. Hurricane and Pine View High only require 10 units of elective credit.

3.2.5. High School Requirements (Effective for Graduating Students Beginning with the 2010-2011 School Year)
Students in grades 9 through 12 must earn a minimum of 28 units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R-277-705 and District policy.

A. Language Arts 4.0 units of credit

(i) Ninth grade level (1.0)
(ii) Tenth grade level (1.0)
(iii) Eleventh grade level (1.0)
(iv) Applied or advanced Language Arts (1.0) From the list of courses determined by the Board and approved by USOE using criteria consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R277-700-6-C (2) and the student’s SEOP.

B. Mathematics 3.0 units of credit
met minimally through successful completion of three units of credit of mathematics including , Elementary Algebra or Applied Mathematics I and Geometry or Applied Mathematics II; and mathematics in grades 9-12 selected from the Core courses or applied or supplemental courses from the list of courses determined by the Board and approved by USOE using criteria consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R277-700-6 C (2) and the student’s SEOP. Though not required, students are encouraged to take a fourth math class during their senior year.

C. Science 3.0 units of credit at a minimum, two selected from the four science foundation areas:

(i) Earth Systems Science (1.0)
(ii) Biological Science (1.0)
(iii) Chemistry (1.0)
(iv) Physics (1.0)
and one additional unit of credit from the foundation courses or the applied or advanced science list determined by the Board and approved by USOE using criteria consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R277- 700-6 C (2) and the student’s SEOP.

D. Social Studies 2.5 units of credit

(i) Geography for Life (0.5)
(ii) World Civilizations (0.5)
(iii) U.S. History (1.0)
(iv) U.S. Government and Citizenship (0.5)

E. Fine Arts 1.5 units of credit

(i) Visual Arts
(ii) Music
(iii) Dance
(iv) Theater

F. Physical and Health Education 2.0 units of credit

G. Career and Technical Education 1.0 units of credit

H. Educational Technology 0.5 units of credit

(i) Computer Technology 0.5 units of credit for the class by this specific name only; or
(ii) successful completion of state-approved competency examination (credit may be awarded at the discretion of the school or school district.

I. General Financial Literacy 0.5 units of credit

J. Elective Credits 10 units of credit

3.2.6. Courses Meeting the Criteria for Graduation (Effective for Graduating Students Beginning with the 2010-2011 School Year)
Students in grades 9 through 12 must earn a minimum of 28 units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with Utah Administrative Rule R-277-705 and District policy. In collaboration, educators, parents and students utilize the SEOP process to plan a course of study which guides students through their education and ensures that their goals in the four primary purposes are achieved. As part of this process, each term a student must be registered in a minium of three (3) courses from any of the following content areas: Language Arts, foreign language, mathematics, science, or social science. This plan should consider the unique individual needs of the students. An alternative to the third course may be considered if it is more consistent with the goals of the student’s SEOP. It is strongly recommended that students considering higher education take at least four (4) courses in the specified content areas.

3.3. Competency and Assessment

3.3.1. As part of the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS) all Washington County School District students shall participate in the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test (UBSCT), unless otherwise designated in accordance with federal or state law.

3.3.2. UBSCT shall be administered in accordance with this policy, state rules and law.

3.3.3. Tenth graders should first take the test in the second half of their tenth (10th) grade year. Exceptions may be made to this time line with documentation of compelling circumstances and upon review by the school principal and Utah State Office of Education (USOE) assessment staff.

3.3.4. UBSCT consists of subtests in reading, writing and mathematics.

3.3.5. Students who reach the established cut score for any subtest in any administration of the assessment have passed that subtest.

3.3.6. Students who do not reach the established cut score for any subtest shall have multiple additional opportunities to retake the subtests.

3.3.7. Students shall pass all subtests to qualify for a high school diploma indicating a passing score on all UBSCT subtests or an adult high school diploma unless they qualify under one of the exceptions outlined in section 3.4.8 of this policy.

3.3.8. Students who transfer from out of state to a District high school after the tenth (10th) grade year may be granted reciprocity for high school graduation exams taken and passed in other states or countries based on criteria set by the USOE and the Board.

A. Students from whom reciprocity is not granted and students from other states that do not have high school graduation exams shall be required to pass the UBSCT before receiving a high school diploma indicating a passing score on all UBSCT subtests if they enter the system before the final administration of the test in the student’s senior year.

B. A student entering a Utah high school in the student’s senior year after the final administration of the UBSCT for whom reciprocity is not granted may submit applicable documentation to the District Research and Assessment Department along with the secondary school directors who shall consider the documentation and decide the type of diploma the student may receive.

C. The parent or student may appeal the District’s decision through the UBSCT Advisory Committee, under rules adopted by the State Board of Education

3.3.9. The student’s UBSCT scores and dates of testing shall be recorded on the student’s transcript.

3.3.10. Specific testing dates shall be calendared and published at least two (2) years in advance by the State Board of Education.

4. UNITS OF CREDIT

4.1. A unit of credit or fraction thereof shall be given upon satisfactory completion of a course or learning experience in compliance with state course standards. In some cases, course credit may also be completed on a performance basis in which case assessment of mastery will be the responsibility of the District Credit Evaluation Committee. Credit can be awarded only once for a specific required course with the same content during the secondary school experience.

4.2. The District may grant credit from among the following:

4.2.1. Successful completion of a course offered by the District; approved by the District taken outside of the regular school day or school year; approved by the District for concurrent enrollment and offered by an accredited post-secondary institution; or offered by correspondence or extension that is approved and accredited by the State of Utah.

4.2.2. Demonstrated proficiency by way of a District approved test developed by the state or District; performance appraisal; or portfolio; such assessments to be conducted and approved by the Credit Evaluation Committee.

4.2.3. Successful completion of a course from an accredited secondary school, accredited special purpose school, accredited supplemental education school, and the Utah Electronic High School.

4.2.4. Successful completion of a course from other credit sources with written approval by the Credit Evaluation Committee prior to program enrollment.

4.2.5. Successful completion or demonstrated proficiency in an experimental program approved by the Credit Evaluation Committee prior to program enrollment.

5. HOME INSTRUCTION

Students released for home instruction do not earn Washington County School District credits. If students re-enter the Washington County School District, requests for credit for home instruction studies will be evaluated under the provisions provided in the District Policy.

6. EARLY GRADUATION OPTION

The option is available to any secondary student interested in graduating early who has completed all required courses or demonstrated mastery of required skills and competencies as outlined in District Policy.

7. CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

Students who can demonstrate readiness for college level work may be eligible for the Concurrent Enrollment program. This program allows students to earn college credit while attending high school.

8. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities shall meet general graduation requirements with appropriate accommodations and curricular modification as determined by their Individual Education Plans (IEP’s).

8.1. Graduation issues must be addressed by the IEP team on an individual basis. The IEP is
the vehicle for making changes to graduation requirements to meet the unique educational needs for students with disabilities. As such, the IEP must document the nature and extent of modifications, substitutions, and/or exemptions made to accommodate a student with disabilities. The decision to terminate services, through graduation, for a student with disabilities under the age of twenty-two, is an IEP team decision.

8.2. Graduation options, for students with disabilities whose age mates will graduate during a given academic year, include the following:

8.2.1. If all USOE and Washington County School District graduation requirements are completed, the student will graduate and receive a regular high school diploma.

8.2.2. If graduation requirements, as amended on the IEP, are completed, the student will graduate and receive a regular high school diploma.

8.2.3. If graduation requirements, as amended on the IEP, are not completed and the student’s IEP or transition plan documents the need for transition services offered by the District, the student may be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies; however, a diploma shall not be issued until the student has successfully completed his/her program.

8.2.4. If graduation requirements, as amended on the IEP, are not completed before the student reaches age twenty-two, the student may be issued a certificate indicating that a record of competencies can be made available to them or to others who may legitimately inquire.

8.2.5. If graduation requirements, as amended on the IEP, are not completed due to factors that are not a direct manifestation of the student’s disability, as determined by the IEP team, the student is not eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies or receive a regular high school diploma until the amended requirements are met.

8.2.6. If graduation requirements, as amended on the IEP, are not completed due to factors that are a direct manifestation of the student’s disability, as determined by the IEP team, the student shall be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies, but is not eligible to receive a regular high school diploma until the amended requirements are met.

9. TRANSFER STUDENTS

9.1. The District will approve credits and grades received from an accredited public or private school. Credit earned at a school accredited by the Utah State Board of Education or the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges is accepted at face value in Washington County District schools. Credit earned at non-accredited schools must be reviewed by the District Credit Evaluation Committee.

9.2. Students enrolled at anytime prior to the fourth (4th) term of the senior year will be eligible for a diploma from a District high school. Those students enrolling during the fourth (4th) term of their senior year shall have their graduation status coordinated by the principals of the new school and the sending school.

10. GED CREDIT

The GED can only be taken by students who are no longer enrolled in high school and are attending an adult education program, or whose class has already graduated. Any credit earned as a result of successful completion of GED examinations can only be applied to an adult high school diploma.

11. ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

11.1. All students who seek an adult high school diploma through Washington County Adult Education shall:

11.1.1. Pay the enrollment fee and become an enrollee in accordance with federal and state requirements;

11.1.2. Complete a minimum of 1/2 credit in a core academic subject in the Washington County Adult Education program;

11.1.3. Earn at least 24 units of credit as outlined in the state Adult Education Policy and Procedures Manual in core and other required areas. The reduction of credits, as compared to the 27 required for a general high school diploma, shall be in elective credits only.

11.2. Students who are officially enrolled in the District’s Adult Education program will not be allowed to attempt the UBSCT, or be required to pass the UBSCT in order to qualify for an adult education secondary diploma.

11.2.1. Adult education students are eligible only for an adult education secondary diploma.

11.2.2. After the 2006-2007 school year, adult education secondary diplomas cannot be upgraded or changed to traditional, high school-specific diplomas.

12. FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND PRIVATELY PLACED FOREIGN STUDENTS

The intent of the Foreign Exchange program is not to provide a diploma to foreign students, but to provide a rich cultural experience in an American high school without the pressure of meeting the same set of standards expected of our students.

12.1. Foreign students shall not be allowed to enroll if they have already graduated in their home country.

12.2. Foreign students desiring a high school diploma must meet all District graduation requirements.

12.3. Foreign students who enroll at District high schools should be given copies of graduation standards at the time of their enrollment.

12.4. Foreign students planning to graduate and who are submitting transcripts in languages other than English, must bear the responsibility and cost for translation. Transcripts must provide:

12.4.1. Course titles

12.4.2. Course descriptions

12.4.3. Grade achieved, with grading scale

12.4.4. Credit issued

12.4.5. Course length; and

12.4.6. Grade levels completed. Transcript evaluations will be completed under guidelines developed by the District Curriculum Department.

12.5. Notice of intent to apply for graduation needs to be received by October 1 of the school year in which the student wishes to graduate. All transcripts and related documentation must be submitted by December 1 of that year, otherwise, the student will not be considered for graduation.

12.6. Foreign students who meet district and state graduation requirements will be eligible for graduation and related ceremonies.

13. GRADUATION CEREMONY

Washington County School District recognizes that a student’s graduation is a culmination of years of planning and successful completion of state and district requirements. The wearing of the cap and gown and participation in the ceremony awarding the certificate of completion or diploma shall be reserved for students who have met those requirements. The Board recognizes the importance of the completion of the requirements for a certificate of completion or diploma from the high schools of Washington County School District and views it as an achievement that improves the community as well as the individual. The Board wishes to recognize that achievement in a publicly celebrated graduation exercise.

13.1. Participation in the graduation ceremony is an opportunity and not a protected property right. Participation may be denied as a disciplinary measure, or if student refuses to comply with graduation ceremony standards established and developed at the individual school site.

13.2. Participation in the graduation ceremony is optional and is not required.

13.3. Caps and gowns will be worn in the proper manner as designated by the school administration.

13.4. Special needs students shall be provided with the opportunity to participate in ceremonies utilizing criteria based upon their unique circumstances as outlined in section 8 of this policy.

DEFINITIONS

“Accredited” means evaluated and approved under the Standards for Accreditation of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or the accreditation standards of the State Board of Education.

“Concurrent Enrollment” means enrollment by public school students in one or more college or university courses for credit by a high school student who continues to be enrolled and counted in average daily membership.

“Cut score” means the minimum score a student must attain for each subtest to pass the UBSCT.

“Dual enrollment” means a student who is enrolled simultaneously in public school and in a home school or a regularly established private school.

“Early College” means participation by a public school student in the Concurrent Enrollment program on a college or university campus.

“Early Graduation” means any secondary public school student, with the approval of the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and an authorized local school official, who has completed all required courses or demonstrated mastery of competencies, graduates prior to the conclusion of the twelfth grade.

“Transcript” means an official document or record generated by one or several schools which includes, at a minimum; the courses in which a secondary student was enrolled, grades and units of credit earned, UBSCT scores and dates of testing, citizenship and attendance records. The transcript is usually one part of the student’s permanent or cumulative file which also may include birth certificate, immunization records and other information as determined by the school in possession of the records.

“UBSCT Advisory Committee” means a committee that is advisory to the State Board of Education with membership appointed by the Board.

REFERENCES

Utah Code Ann. � 53A-1-603 - Duties of State Board of Education.

Utah Code Ann. � 53A-1-611 - Standards and assessment processes to measure student performance - Basic Skills Competency Test.

Utah Code Ann. � 53A-13-108.5 - Acceptance of credits and grades awarded by accredited schools.

Utah Administrative Rule R277-700 - The Elementary and Secondary School Core Curriculum and High School Graduation Requirements.

Utah Administrative Rule R277-705 - Secondary School Completion and Diplomas Courses meeting the criteria for graduation requirements beginning with the Class of 2011.

Utah State Board of Education Special Education Rules - III.X Graduation.

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4100 Graduation Requirements/School Credits

Table of Contents

1. Purpose:

2. Philosophy:

3. Procedure: