Policy 2410 Instruction Graduation Requirements for 2008 Recognizing that the State Board of Education is in the process of amending the minimum requirements for graduation from high school, the Ellensburg School District sets the following requirements for the 2007-2008 school year. This policy is designed to function as a temporary measure to meet immediate student needs and will be reconsidered prior to the next school year. Each student who has successfully completed an instructional program appropriate to his/her interests and needs shall be awarded a diploma at graduation ceremonies. The board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in the district who meets the requirements of graduation established by the district. Only one diploma shall be awarded with no distinctions being made between the various programs of instruction which may have been pursued. The board shall hereby establish graduation requirements which, as a minimum, satisfy those established by the state board of education: English (reading, writing and communications) Mathematics Science (physical, life and earth; one laboratory credit) United States’ History and Government Social Studies (civics, history and geography) 3.5 credits 2 credits 2 credits 1 credit 1.5 credits
Health and Fitness Family and Consumer Science Arts Occupational Education Electives TOTAL:
2.5 credits .5 credit 1 credit 1 credit 7 credits 22 credits
In addition to the minimum credit requirements, each student must complete the following to earn an Ellensburg High School diploma: 1. High School and Beyond Plan The High School and Beyond Plan gets all students thinking about their future and how to get the most out of high school, so that they are ready to pursue their adult lives, no matter what direction they plan to take. Ideally, students write their plan in ninth grade and then continue to revise it throughout high school to accommodate changing interests or goals. The High School and Beyond Plan is
finalized with their Sr. Project. Students should be encouraged to include the following elements in their plan:
Their personal story – what experiences, interests and goals are shaping who they are now and who they want to become. Their learning style. Their goals for high school – What will their four years of high school look like, including classes, extracurricular activities, sports, a job, etc.? Their goals for immediately after high school – Do their goals for high school get them ready for what they want to do after graduation? A student’s plan should include the classes needed in preparation for a 2- to 4-year college, vocational or technical school, certificate program or the workforce.
2. Culminating Project / Sr. Project As part of the Culminating Project, each student will demonstrate essential skills through reading, writing, speaking, production and/or performance. To complete the project, students may be asked to write a research paper, present to a community or peer panel, pull together a portfolio of work and/or develop a multi-media presentation.
Encourage students to think analytically, logically and creatively and to integrate experience and knowledge to solve problems. Give students a chance to explore a topic in which they have a great interest. Offer students an opportunity to apply their learning in a ―real world" way.
3. WASL Requirement – (Students should pursue the Certificate of Academic Achievement. Students earn the Certificate of Academic Achievement by meeting standard on the reading, writing, and math High School WASL). The following options are in place only for the 2007-2008 school year. It is the intent of the Ellensburg School District Board of Directors to review these options. In the event that a review and modification of this policy is not undertaken prior to the 2008-2009 school year, the policy that was in effect prior to the adoption this policy shall be in force. For the 2007-2008 school year to earn a diploma students must: I. READING AND WRITING Pass reading and writing High School WASL or assessment for students in special education. -OR Pass Certificate of Academic Achievement Option (state-approved alternative).*
II.
MATH Pass math High School WASL or assessment for students in special education. -OR Pass Certificate of Academic Achievement Option (state approved alternative).* -OR Earn one math credit (or career and technical course equivalent) after 11th grade AND retake the math High School WASL in good faith or an approved math assessment one more time. (Students are required to pass math classes, not assessment, to earn diploma.)
*Certificate of Academic Achievement Options (state-approved alternatives to the WASL). Students who have the skills but are unable to show them on the WASL may use the Certificate of Academic Achievement Options. Students may access the options after taking the WASL once. Fee waivers are available for eligible students to take the approved PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP assessments. SAT or ACT – Students may use their math, reading or English and writing scores on college readiness tests. Minimum math scores: SAT – 470; and ACT – 19. Minimum SAT and ACT reading and writing scores: State Board of Education to determine by Dec. 1, 2007, or earlier, if possible. PSAT – Students may submit a math score of 47 as an approved alternative. After August 31, 2008, the PSAT will no longer be an approved alternative. Advanced Placement (AP) – Students may use a score of three or higher on select AP exams. Math: Calculus or statistics Writing: English language and composition Reading: English literature and composition, macroeconomics, microeconomics, psychology, United States history, world history, United States government and politics, or comparative government and politics. WASL/Grade Comparison – A student’s grades in math courses and/or English courses are compared with the grades of students who took the same courses AND passed the WASL. This option is only available to
students in 12th grade. To access this option, a student must have an overall cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 grading scale. The superintendent shall develop written procedures for implementing this policy, recorded at the 1st meeting in January, 2008, which include: A. Recommending course and credit requirements which satisfy the state board of education requirements and recognize the expectations of the citizens of the district. B. Determining which courses satisfy particular subject area requirements and whether a particular course may satisfy more than one subject area requirement including a process for determining the credits the district will recognize for courses taken through another program recognized by the state (another public school district, an approved private school) or those courses taken by students moving into the state from another state or country. Decisions regarding the recognition of credits earned before enrolling in the district will be based on the professional judgment of the high school principal or designee based on an evaluation of the student’s former program and demonstrated knowledge and skills in the discipline for which credit is sought. The decision of the principal may be appealed to the superintendent within fifteen school days. C. Making graduation requirements available in writing to students, parents and members of the public. D. Providing for a waiver of graduation requirements for an individual student when permitted. E. Granting credit for learning experiences conducted away from school, including National Guard high school career training. F. Granting credit for correspondence, vocational-technical institutes and/or college courses for college or university course work the district has agreed to accept for high school credit, state law requires that the district award one high school credit for every five quarter hour credit or three semester hour credit successfully earned through a college or university, except for community college high school completion programs where the district awards the diploma; Tenth and eleventh grade students and their parents shall be notified annually of the Running Start Program. G. Granting credit for work experience. H. Granting credit based upon competence testing, in lieu of enrollment. I. Granting credit for high school courses completed before a student attended high school, to the extent that the course work exceeded the requirements for seventh or eighth grade. J. Counseling of students to know what is expected of them for completion of their schooling. K. Preparing a list of all graduating students for the information of the board and release to the public. L. Preparing suitable diplomas and final transcripts for graduating seniors. M. Planning and executing graduation ceremonies.
O. Developing student learning plans for students who are not successful on one or more components of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). In the event minimum test requirements are adopted by the board, a student who possesses a disability shall satisfy those competency requirements which are incorporated into the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Satisfactory completion of the objectives incorporated into the IEP shall serve as the basis for determining completion of a course. A student shall be issued a diploma after completing the district's requirements for graduation. In lieu of the certificate of academic achievement, special education students may earn a certificate of individual achievement. A student shall also be advised that he/she may receive a final transcript. However, a student's diploma or transcript may be withheld until the student pays for any school property that has been lost or willfully damaged. Upon payment for damages, or the equivalency through voluntary work, the diploma or transcript will be released. When the damages or fines do not exceed $100, the student or his/her parents shall have the right to an appeal using the same process as used for short-term suspension as defined in Policy 3241, Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishments. When damages are in excess of $100, the appeal process for long term suspension as defined in Policy 3241, Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishments shall apply. Graduation requirements in effect when a student first enrolls in high school shall be in effect until that student graduates unless such period is in excess of ten years. In the event that other forms of corrective actions are imposed for violations of school rules, the student may be denied participation in graduation ceremonies. Such exclusion shall be regarded as a school suspension. In such instances, the diploma will be granted. Cross References: Board Policy 3110 Board Policy 3241 Board Policy 3520 Legal References RCW 28A.230.090 Qualifications of Attendance and Placement Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment Student Fees, Fines and Charges High school graduation requirements or equivalencies — Reevaluation and report by state board of education — Credit for courses taken before attending high school — Postsecondary credit equivalencies High school diplomas — Issuance — Option to receive final transcripts — Notice High school students' options Defacing or injuring school property — Liability of parent or guardian — Withholding grades, diploma, or
RCW 28A.230.120
RCW 28A.600.300-400 RCW 28A.635.060
WAC 392-410 Chapter 180-51 WAC WAC 392-348
Chapter 392-169 WAC
transcripts — Suspension and restitution — Voluntary work program as alternative — Rights protected Courses of studies and equivalencies High school graduation requirements Secondary Education WAC 392121-182 Alternative Learning Experience Special service programs — running start program
Adoption Date: 05-04 School District Name Revised: 08-04; 10.04; 12.04; 11/07; 12.08 Classification: Essential