| Grant County School |
| Bylaws & Policies |
5460 - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
It shall be the policy of the Board of Education to acknowledge each student's successful completion of the graduation requirements of the State and county by the awarding of a diploma at fitting graduation ceremonies.
The Board shall award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in this County who has completed the standard graduation requirements. An eligible student with severe disabilities who has been determined by an IEP Team to be unable, even with extended learning opportunities and significant instructional modifications, to meet State and county standards graduation requirements may receive a modified diploma.
DEFINITIONS
Standard Graduation Requirements – The number of required and elective units of credit which must be earned by a student in grades 9-12 in order to be graduated from high school with a standard diploma. A student must also attend at least four (4) years in grades 9-12 unless an attendance exception has been granted.
Modified Graduation Requirements – The alternative learning objectives specified in the individualized educational program which must be completed by a student with a severe disability in order to be graduated from high school with a modified diploma. A student must also attend at least four (4) years in grades 9-12 unless an attendance exception has been granted.
Unit of Credit – That which is awarded for the attainment of learning objectives from a required or elective area of study for which a minimum of 8100 minutes of instructional time has been allotted. Credits are to be awarded based upon demonstrated mastery of the instructional objectives. Partial credit may also be awarded, e.g. 1/2 unit for attainment of learning objectives from a required or elective area of study for which a minimum of 4050 minutes of instructional time has been allotted. A unit of credit will be awarded for successful completion of a year-long course; 1/2 unit of credit will be awarded for successful completion of a semester-long course.
Standard Diploma – Diplomas awarded to students including exceptional students, who satisfactorily complete all State and County standard graduation requirements.
Modified Diplomas – Diplomas awarded to students with severe disabilities who satisfactorily complete modified graduation requirements.
Content Standard – A broad description of knowledge and skills that students are expected to acquire in a content area.
Alternative Instructional Objectives – Learning objectives appropriate to meet the needs of a student determined unable to successfully achieve the learning objectives necessary to meet standard graduation requirements. The determination of ability to achieve standard learning objectives is made by the Individualized Education Program Committee. These alternative learning objectives do not have to be from the required and elective areas of study for standards graduation requirements, but they are learning objectives which are reasonable and attainable for students with severe disabilities.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
All students will be required to complete a Program of Study, or a modified Program of Study as recommended by the School Curriculum Committee and approved by the principal. The Program of Study will enable students to prepare for a career with a technical high school certificate, advanced postsecondary training in a technical field, or a 4-year professional degree at a college or university. The Program of Study will consist of a planned program for a specific Career Major within one (1) of the six (6) Career Clusters: Health Services, Human Services, Business/Marketing, Science/Natural Resources, Engineering Technical, and Fine Arts/Humanities.
These graduation requirements are effective for students entering grade 9 in the school years 1999-2000 through 2003-2004.
The requirements for graduation from high school include earning twenty-five (25) units of credit in grades nine through twelve as follows:
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Subject |
Units Required |
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|
State |
County |
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|
English Language Arts1 |
4 |
4 |
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|
Health |
1 |
1 |
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Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Mathematics*2 |
3 |
3 |
||
|
Science**3 |
3 |
3 |
||
|
Social Studies4 |
3 |
3 |
||
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The Arts |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Career Major***5 |
4 |
4 |
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|
Electives6 |
4 |
5 |
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Work-based Learning****7 |
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Foreign Language |
0 |
0 |
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|
1 |
English 9,10,11,12 |
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|
2 |
Two (2)of the three (3) credits will be Algebra I and above |
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3 |
Coordinated and Thematic Science (CATS) 9, CATS 10 and one (1) course above CATS 10 level |
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|
4 |
United States to 1900, World Studies to 1900, and Twentieth/Twenty-First Centuries |
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5 |
Career majors are to be determined at the local school or county level |
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6 |
Electives will be chosen from the school's offerings of elective courses |
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7 |
Work-based learning will be determined at the local level |
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* |
Successful completion of Applied Math I and II is equivalent to an Algebra I credit. Applied Geometry may be substituted for a formal course of geometry. |
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** |
With parental/guardian consent, students with a declared entry or skilled level major in vocational agriculture will, upon successful completion of a Robert C. Beach Vocational Agriculture credit in grade 11 or 12, be exempt from the third required unit of credit in science. |
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*** |
Prior to students selecting career majors, opportunities for career decision making must be provided. |
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**** |
The decision regarding credit for the experiences at grades 9-12 will be made at the county level |
These graduation requirements are effective for students entering grade 9 in the school year 2004-2005.
The requirements for graduation from high school include earning twenty-five (25) units of credit in grades nine through twelve as follows:
|
Subject |
Units Required |
|||||
|
State |
County |
|||||
|
Reading and English Language Arts1 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
Health |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Mathematics*2 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Science**3 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Social Studies4 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
The Arts |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Career Major***5 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
Professional Pathway |
||||||
|
Mathematics |
1 |
1 |
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|
Science |
1 |
1 |
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Foreign Language |
2 (one language) |
2 |
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|
Skilled Pathway |
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Mathematics |
1 |
1 |
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Concentration |
3 |
3 |
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Entry Pathway |
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Concentration |
4 |
4 |
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Electives6 |
3 |
4 |
||||
|
Work-based Learning7 |
0 |
0 |
||||
|
Foreign Language |
0 |
0 |
||||
|
1 |
English 9,10,11,12 |
|
|
2 |
Two (2)of the three (3) credits will be Algebra I and above |
|
|
3 |
Coordinated and Thematic Science (CATS) 9, CATS 10 and one (1) course above CATS 10 level |
|
|
4 |
United States to 1900, World Studies to 1900, Twentieth/Twenty-First Centuries and Civics/Government |
|
|
5 |
Career majors are to be determined at the local school or county level |
|
|
6 |
Electives will be chosen from the school's offerings of elective courses |
|
|
7 |
Work-based learning will be determined at the local level |
|
|
* |
Students in the professional and skilled pathways must earn four (4) credits in mathematics, including Algebra I and two other courses above Algebra I. Successful completion of Applied Math I and II is equivalent to an Algebra I credit for a course prior to Algebra I. All students must take Algebra I or its equivalent prior to the end of the 10th grade. |
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|
** |
With parental/guardian consent, students with a declared entry or skilled level major in vocational agriculture will, upon successful completion of a Robert C. Beach Vocational Agriculture credit in grade 11 or 12, be exempt from the third required unit of credit in science. To be eligible as a required unit for graduation, the vocational agriculture education course must: (1) build on the concepts and skills in CATS 9; (2) be taught at a level of greater complexity and depth than that of vocational agriculture courses in grades 9 and 10; (3) have WVBE approved content standards and objectives; and (4) receive WVBE approval as a vocational agriculture course that qualifies as a Robert C. Beach Vocational Agriculture credit. The school shall: (1) have on file a Parental/Guardian Consent From with signatures of the student, parent/guardian(s) and authorized school official, that acknowledges the understanding that this class does not represent a substitute for the knowledge, skills and competencies of a third unit of science and that this course does not meet the requirement for the additional unit of laboratory science that West Virginia colleges and universities have for admission; and (2) review with the student and his/her parents/guardians, as verified by the Parental/Guardian Consent Form, that the required third unit of science must be successfully completed if a student should change his/her major from entry or skilled level vocational agriculture education prior to graduation from high school. |
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|
*** |
Concentration credits are to be taken by students in both academic and technical career majors. The four (4) concentration units provided students in entry-level technical majors and two of the concentration units at the skilled level must be consistent with those defined in the Required Technical Courses by Career Major technical assistance document published by the WVDE. Each technical concentration in a school shall obtain and maintain an appropriate industry recognized accreditation/certification, when one (1) is available, and shall provide students the opportunity to obtain an industry-recognized credential as part of the instructional program. |
These graduation requirements are effective for students entering grade 9 in the school year 2005-2006.
The requirements for graduation from high school include earning twenty-five (25) units of credit in grades nine through twelve as below. Effective with the 2006-2007 school year, students entering the ninth grade must earn the total units of credit possible minus five.
|
Subject |
Units Required |
|||||
|
State |
County |
|||||
|
Reading and English Language Arts1 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
Health |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Physical Education |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Mathematics*2 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
Science**3 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Social Studies4 |
4 |
4 |
||||
|
The Arts |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Career Major***5 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Professional Pathway |
||||||
|
Mathematics |
||||||
|
Science6 |
1 |
1 |
||||
|
Foreign Language |
2 (one language) |
2 |
||||
|
Skilled Pathway |
||||||
|
Mathematics7 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Concentration |
||||||
|
Entry Pathway |
3 |
3 |
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|
Concentration |
||||||
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Electives6 |
3 |
4 |
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|
Work-based Learning7 |
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Foreign Language |
0 |
0 |
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|
1 |
English 9,10,11,12 |
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|
2 |
Mathematics - |
Entry Pathway --- 3 credits (For students entering 9th grade in |
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2005-2006, three (3) math credits are required with at least 2 of |
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3 credits being Algebra I and above.) |
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4 credits (For students entering 9th grade in 2006-2007, four (4) |
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math credits are required with at least 2 of the 4 credits being |
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Algebra I and above.) |
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Professional and Skilled Pathway--- 4 credits (at least 3 of the 4 |
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credits must be Algebra I and above.) |
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|
3 |
CATS 9, and two courses above the CATS 9 level |
||
|
4 |
United States to 1900, World Studies to 1900, Twentieth/Twenty-First Centuries and Civics/Government |
||
|
5 |
Career majors are to be determined at the local school or county level |
||
|
6 |
Electives will be chosen from the school's offerings of elective courses |
||
|
7 |
Work-based learning will be determined at the local level |
||
|
* |
It is the intent that all students will take mathematics annually, but must take at least three (3) mathematics classes in grades 9-12. If students begin the math sequence prior to grade 9, they should take other mathematics courses, which may include college courses, AP courses, virtual school courses, or other advanced offerings. This principle applies to all required course sequences. The mathematics courses selected for credit must be relevant to the student's career pathway. Successful completion of Applied Math I and II is equivalent to an Algebra I credit and a credit for a course prior to Algebra I. |
||
|
** |
With parental/guardian consent, students with a declared entry or skilled level major in vocational agriculture will, upon successful completion of a Robert C. Beach Vocational Agriculture credit in grade 11 or 12, be exempt from the third required unit of credit in science. To be eligible as a required unit for graduation, the vocational agriculture education course must: (1) build on the concepts and skills in CATS 9; (2) be taught at a level of greater complexity and depth than that of vocational agriculture courses in grades 9 and 10; (3) have WVBE approved content standards and objectives; and (4) receive WVBE approval as a vocational agriculture course that qualifies as a Robert C. Beach Vocational Agriculture credit. The school shall: (1) have on file a Parental/Guardian Consent Form with signatures of the student, parent/guardian(s) and authorized school official, that acknowledges the understanding that this class does not represent a substitute for the knowledge, skills and competencies of a third unit of science and that this course does not meet the requirement for the additional unit of laboratory science that West Virginia colleges and universities have for admission; and (2) review with the student and his/her parents/guardians, as verified by the Parental/Guardian Consent Form, that the required third unit of science must be successfully completed if a student should change his/her major from entry or skilled level vocational agriculture education prior to graduation from high school. |
|
*** |
Concentration credits are to be taken by students in both academic and technical career majors. Entry level career and technical students must complete four (4) units in a concentration. The four (4) concentration units provided students in entry-level technical majors and two (2) of the concentration units at the skilled level must be consistent with those defined in the Required Technical Courses by Career Major technical assistance document published by the WVDE. Each technical concentration in a school shall obtain and maintain an appropriate industry recognized accreditation/certification, when one is available, and shall provide students the opportunity to obtain an industry-recognized credential as part of the instructional program. |
ALTERNATIVE CREDIT:
Credit earned prior to Grade 9.
Every high school may permit students below the ninth grade to take advance work for credit. This work shall count toward the graduation requirements if it was both:
| A. | taught by a content certified teacher; | |
| B. | a high school level course (one meeting the high school approved content standards and objectives). |
College Credit:
Credit may be earned at an accredited postsecondary institution.
Generally, the reason for accepting college credit is that a student enrolled in a high school would profit by taking a course(s) at a college/university which is not available at the high school.
Grant County schools permit students to enroll in college course(s) according to the following procedures:
| A. | Students must have prior approval of his/her principal. | |
| B. | Students must be a senior or equivalent, except in extraordinary circumstances, as approved by the principal, the Superintendent and the college. |
Testing Out:
Students may receive credit for courses based on tested or demonstrated mastery of the instructional goals and objectives associated with successful completion of a course.
The Board of Education may adopt tests based on but not limited to content standards and objectives which will allow a student to test out of specific required units or prerequisite electives. The student's permanent record shall indicate completion of the area of study through testing. (Consult Grant County's testing out policy and procedures for further information.)
STUDENT WITH DISABILITIES:
An individualized educational program shall specify how graduation credit is to be earned by an eligible student with a disability. Primary consideration must be given to the completion of learning objectives prescribed for all students.
A special education Individual Education Program Committee determines that the approved content standards and objectives in the required and elective areas of study are reasonable for a particular student. Changes may be made to the delivery of the content standards and objectives through teaching strategies, media/resources, evaluation techniques, and learning objectives if such changes are deemed necessary by the IEP Committee and are specified in the IEP. A student who masters the individualized education program learning objectives shall be awarded a standard diploma.
If the special education IEP Committee determines that a student cannot successfully achieve the content standards and objectives necessary to earn a standard diploma, the individualized education program shall specify the alternative content standards and objectives which are appropriate to meet the needs of the student. A student who completes the alternative content standards and objectives as specified in his/her individualized education program shall be awarded a modified diploma stating that the student has met the goals and objectives of an individualized education program.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance for all four (4) years during grades 9-12 is important to attain full benefit from the educational programs offered in the schools of Grant County. Therefore, all students shall be scheduled for the full instructional day for all four (4) years. Exceptions may be made for compelling medical/health reasons, or extreme hardship due to child-rearing responsibilities as recommended by the principal and approved by the Superintendent or for special education students as may be required by the IEP. (See Grant County's Attendance Policy for exception to full instructional day attendance.)
EVALUATING CREDIT FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS:
| A. | From Other States | |
| Students who transfer into West Virginia from schools approved by other state systems may not always have completed the required units needed for graduation in West Virginia. In most instances, there will be credit for an area of study which is quite similar to one of the required units, and credit can be awarded for the work completed. If the student who transfers in can be scheduled into any additional subjects needed to complete the West Virginia requirements, this should be done. In the cases of seniors and some juniors, such scheduling may not be feasible or possible. In such cases, the school may appeal to the State Superintendent of Schools for permission to use a substitute for the requirement or to waive the requirement. To waive graduation requirements of the Grant County Board of Education that are above and beyond State requirements, the school may appeal to the County Superintendent of Schools for permission to use a substitute for the requirement(s) or to waive the requirement(s). | ||
| B. | From Other West Virginia Counties | |
| Students who transfer into Grant County from another West Virginia county may not be able to complete Grant County requirements for graduation. In such cases, the student's credits shall be evaluated to determine if one (1) or more requirements will be waived. To waive graduation requirements of the Grant County Board of Education that are above and beyond State requirements, the school may appeal to the County Superintendent of Schools for permission to use a substitute for the requirement(s) or to waive the requirement(s). |
STUDENTS WHO DO NOT COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS IN FOUR (4) YEARS
| A. | Continuous Enrollment | |
| If a student has been enrolled continuously for four (4) years in grades 9-12 but has not accumulated the required number of units, the student shall be expected to meet the graduation requirements which were in effect when s/he entered ninth grade. Since the student has previously attended four (4) full years, s/he would attend only the period of time needed to satisfy graduation requirements. | ||
| B. | Re-Enrollment | |
| If a student has re-enrolled after dropping out of school, the requirements that a student must meet depends upon the length of time s/he has been out of school. If the student has been out of school less than one (1) year, s/he would be expected to complete the graduation requirements which were in effect when s/he entered grade nine. If the student has been out of school one (1) year or more, s/he would be expected to complete the current graduation requirements. These conditions would also apply to students who have been home schooled and wish to enroll or re-enroll into the school system. |
Commencement exercises will include only those students who have successfully completed requirements for graduation as certified by the high school principal. No student who has completed the requirements for graduation shall be denied a diploma as a disciplinary measure. A student may be denied participation in the ceremony of graduation when personal conduct so warrants.
The Board also shall grant a diploma of adult education to all County residents over the age of twenty-one (21) who meet the requirements established by the State Board of Education.
The Superintendent shall establish whatever administrative guidelines are necessary to comply with State rules and regulations.
WV State Board of Education Policy 2510