SOMERSET SCHOOL DISTRICT IKFAA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS In order to be issued a Somerset High School diploma, a student must meet the requirements outlined in Components I, II and III of this policy. Students who meet all the criteria outlined in Components I, II and III below shall be issued a high school diploma. Students with exceptional educational interests, needs or requirements may be provided with alternative education programs for high school graduation. Such alternative education programs shall be established in accordance with state law requirements. A student who successfully completes the alternative education program may petition the Somerset Board of Education to receive a Somerset high school diploma. Component I: Academic Achievement In order to be issued a Somerset High School diploma: 1. A student must earn 28 academic credits as follows: a. 15 of these credits must be as follows: 4 credits of English 3.5 credits of social studies 2 credits of mathematics 1 credit of science 9 1 credit of biology or life science 1.5 credits of physical education 0.5 credit of health 0.5 credit of consumer education 0.5 credit of business education 0.5 credit of reading or meet waiver requirements* b. 2. 13 credits of elective courses
A student must earn all 28 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better on a weighted 4.0 scale.
*Students achieving at the 80th percentile or above on the reading comprehension portion of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE) or equivalent achievement tests taken in eighth grade will not be required to take a Reading class for graduation. It shall be noted on the student’s transcript that the student has tested out of the graduation reading requirement. Students achieving below the 80th percentile or those not participating in the reading comprehension portion of the WKCE (or equivalent achievement tests during the eighth grade), who believe this requirement should be waived, may petition the High School Principal. The High School Principal shall establish an administrative procedure for reviewing such requests.
Component II: Enrollment and Attendance In order to be issued a Somerset High School diploma: 1. 2. 3. 4. A student must be enrolled in a class or participating in a Board-approved activity during each class period of each school day while attending high school. Except as otherwise provided, a student must be in high school attendance for eight semesters, including the two semesters immediately preceding graduation. Students who intend to graduate early must notify the high school principal in writing of their intent to graduate early by March 1st of their high school junior year. Students meeting all graduation requirements at the end of the 2nd or 3rd term of their senior year must petition the high school principal by October 1st of their senior year for early graduation. A student must not be in truant status at the time of graduation.
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Component III: Portfolio In order to be issued a Somerset High School diploma, a student must complete a portfolio which demonstrates his/her learning as a Somerset High School student. The portfolio must include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Resume: A resume current through the last completed school year. Transcript: A transcript of all high school grades, including the current school year. Quality School Work: A sample of high quality school work in a minimum of one core subject (i.e., English/language arts, social studies, mathematics, science) and one noncore class (i.e., elective course) per high school year attended at Somerset High School Community Service: Written evidence of having completed at least 20 hours of community service each year of attendance at Somerset High School. Academic Course Plan: The student’s sequence of courses designed to meet graduation requirements within four years.
At the student’s discretion, the portfolio may contain evidence of the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. School involvement Community involvement Work readiness Awards and recognition Letters of Recommendation
Students Who Do Not Meet the Above Requirements
The high school guidance counselor shall review all components of this policy with each senior student. If the guidance counselor determines that a senior student has not met the above criteria, he/she shall submit the name(s) of the student(s) to the high school principal. If the high school principal determines that a student has not met the above requirements, he/she shall convene a Teacher Review Committee. The committee shall be comprised of all of the student’s assigned teachers at the time of the review. The Teacher Review Committee shall determine if all information regarding the student in each of the above components has been properly considered and the evaluation process was properly followed. If the Teacher Review Committee is satisfied that all of the above criteria have been met and the evaluation process was properly followed, the committee shall recommend to the high school principal that the student be issued a diploma. If the Teacher Review Committee determines that the student has failed to satisfy one or more of the above components, the committee shall convene a meeting with the student, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and the high school guidance counselor to jointly develop a remediation plan for the student. This remediation plan will suggest explicit ways by which the student may successfully meet the criteria noted above. If the student satisfactorily completes the remediation plan and meets the criteria specified above, the Teacher Review Committee shall recommend that the student be issued a Somerset High School diploma. If the student fails to satisfactorily complete the remediation plan or if the student, if he/she is 18 years of age or older, or the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) disagrees with the findings of the Teacher Review Committee, he/she may appeal the decision to not grant a diploma to the student in accordance with established procedures. LEGAL REF.: CROSS REF.: Section 118.33 Wisconsin Statutes PI 18, Wisconsin Administrative Code IKF-R, Process for Appealing a Decision to Not Grant a Student a High School Diploma IKFA, Early Graduation IKFB, High School Graduation Ceremony IKFC, Diplomas for Veterans 1/15/90, 9/17/90, 3/19/01; 8/15/05 3/11/91, 10/19/92, 7/19/94, 5/18/98, 7/19/99 11/26/90, 4/20/98; 7/18/05
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