New Opportunities for Student Learning CREDIT FLEX OPTIONS. Introduction & Review

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1 New Opportunities for Student Learning CREDIT FLEX OPTIONS Pg. 1 Pg. 2 Pg. 3 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Introduction & Review Time Line Credit Flex Options Credit Flex Appeal Procedure Credit Flex Application

2 CREDIT FLEX INTRODUCTION & REVIEW Ohio s Plan for Credit Flexibility In 2006, Senate Bill 311, required the State Board of Education to adopt a plan that enables students to earn units of high school credit based on a demonstration of subject area competency, instead of or in combination with completing hours of classroom instruction. What Does Credit Flexibility Mean at BHS Since the fall of 2010, students are able to earn credit through demonstrated mastery and performance. With Credit Flex, students can earn high school credit by: Completing traditional course work (120 hours of seat time) Testing out or demonstrating mastery of the course content Pursuing educational options (e.g. online learning, independent study, internships, educational travel, music/art projects) Basically, the Credit Flex plan means more choice in deciding how, when, and where students learn while expanding pathway options to college and career goals. A time line, application materials, and credit flex guidelines are contained in this packet. All applications should be returned to the Guidance Office. Note: The policies and procedures contained in this packet are subject to change & revised as needed. 1

3 CREDIT FLEX TIME LINE Credit Flex Time Line If you are planning to use Credit Flex options First Semester May 13, 2016 June 6-10, 2016 May 24, 2016 December 9, 2016 Final day to turn in completed Credit Flex application to the Guidance Office. If testing out of a class, tests will be given during the first week after the last day of school of the year prior to the semester you are planning on Credit Flex. If completing an independent study or demonstrating mastery, a plan must be submitted by this date to the Credit Flex committee for approval. Final product for independent study & demonstrating mastery must be submitted to the Credit Flex review committee. Appeal forms must be submitted within one week of the date of the review committee s decision. Credit Flex Time Line If you are planning to use Credit Flex options Second Semester November 4, 2016 Dec , 2016 November 18, 2016 May 5, 2017 Final day to turn in completed Credit Flex application to the Guidance Office. If testing out of a class, tests will be given after school hours during the second full week of December. If completed an independent study or demonstrating mastery, a plan needs to be submitted to the Credit Flex committee for approval. Final product for independent study & demonstrating mastery must be submitted to the Credit Flex review committee four weeks before the last day of school. Appeal forms must be submitted within one week of the date of the review committee s decision. 2

4 CREDIT FLEX OPTIONS Credit Flex Options #1: Testing Out For approved BHS courses, students may opt to take an exam in order to test out of the course and earn credit. Students must earn an A or B on the exam in order to receive credit. Any students receiving lower than a B, will be required to take the class and will not receive credit through Credit Flex. Any students earning a B, have the option of taking the course to try to earn an A rather than accepting the B through Credit Flex. For AP classes, students must earn a 3 on the AP test, in order to earn credit. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the testing out option. In order to pursue the testing out option, students must complete the Credit Flex application and meet all deadlines. Students will be provided with a syllabus and books needed in order to prepare for the test. Students may only test out of one course per subject area per testing window. Students may test out of multiple subject areas in one testing window (one science, one math, one English, etc). Students may not test out of Dual Enrollment classes. With the exception of AP tests, all tests will be administered and graded in the high school by school personnel. Results will be shared with the guidance office one week after testing. Scheduling decisions will be based on test results. Credit Flex Options #2: Demonstrating Mastery For approved BHS courses that do not fit under the testing out option, students may pursue the demonstrating mastery option to earn credit. For example, in an art class a written test would not demonstrate the skills needed. In this situation, the students would need to create art work to demonstrate mastery. Students must earn an A or B in order to receive credit for the demonstrating mastery option to receive credit. Any students receiving lower than a B, will be required to take the class and will not receive credit through Credit Flex. Any students earing a B, have the option of taking the course to earn an A rather than accepting the B through Credit Flex. The demonstration of mastery option activities must be completed outside the school day. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the demonstrating mastery option. In order to pursue the demonstrating mastery option, the student must complete the Credit Flex application and meet all deadlines. The Credit Flex application must be submitted to the Credit Flex Review Committee for approval prior to beginning the project. Students must have a cooperating teacher s support and signature on the application. Projects for demonstrating mastery will be developed by the cooperating teacher and student. Projects will cover learning objectives for the course as identified by state content standards or district course of study. Meeting times and deadlines will be arranged by the cooperating teacher and student. Once the project is completed, it will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the High School Principal, High School Guidance Counselor, and two teachers from the subject being studied, and a possible expert from the field (mentor). Learning objectives and project criteria will be examined; the results will determine the credit earned. 3

5 Credit Flex Option #3: Independent Study Students may use this option to pursue an area of study that is not offered at BHS. Students must complete the Credit Flex application and meet all deadlines. In order to receive credit, students must earn an A or B. The independent study option will require extra work outside the school day. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the independent study option. Students must have a cooperating teacher/mentor s support and signature on the application. In addition, students are responsible for securing a cooperating teacher/mentor for their area of interest. Projects for independent study will be developed by the cooperation teacher/mentor and the student. Meeting times and deadlines are arranged by the cooperating teacher/mentor and the student. The completed independent study will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the High School Principal, High School Guidance Counselor, two teachers from the area being studies, and a possible expert members in order to determine whether credit will be awarded. Credit Flex Option #4: Other Distance Learning Option online courses Students must apply in the guidance office by set deadlines and have principal approval. All courses needed for graduation requirements must be completed by the last day of attendance for seniors of the current school year. Students must meet the prerequisites of the online provider. Students are responsible for the costs associated with the course (unless this is a CCP course). College Credit Plus (CCP) There are many dual enrollment courses available through BHS, whereby students can earn simultaneous high school and college credit. Students must meet the pre-requisites for College Credit Plus and request these courses during the scheduling process. Internship Students must apply in the guidance office by set deadlines and secure Credit Flex Committee approval prior to beginning the internship. Internships must be conducted in a professional setting, and mentors must complete a Mentor Information form. Demonstration of learning must be delivered through a comprehensive written report and a presentation. The internship will commence after the mentor and job site are approved by the Credit Flex Committee. Educational Travel Students must apply in the guidance office by set deadlines and secure Credit Flex Committee approval prior to beginning the project. Educational travel must be under the supervision of an accredited organization, which has been approved by the Credit Flex Committee. Research must be completed by students prior to travel date. Demonstration of learning must be delivered through a comprehensive written report and a presentation. Students are responsible for the costs associated with the travel. Credit Recovery For students who are severely behind in credits due to failure, credit recovery is offered through the Opportunity Room at BHS. Students must meeting the pre-requisites for the Opportunity Room and request credit recovery during the scheduling process. Extra Time/Extra Help For students that need extra time or assistance to complete required course work. There are several programs in place. These include homework club, math tutoring, Re-do Café, and A & I assistance. Please contact the guidance office to take advantage of these opportunities. 4

6 CREDIT FLEX APPEAL PROCEDURE The Bellefontaine City Schools Credit Flexibility Guidelines provide students the right to appeal decisions regarding credit flexibility, including decisions about approval of educational option plans and the criteria established for determining credit and grades. A student who wishes to appeal must submit a letter to the superintendent/designee outlining the nature of the concern within one week of the Credit Flex Committee s decision. The superintendent will convene a meeting with the student and parent/guardian, which may include other school personnel. The superintendent will issue a written final decision noting the reason for that decision within thirty days of the appeal. However, the student may be referred and evaluated again the next available opportunity. 5

7 CREDIT FLEX APPLICATION PART A Date: Student Name: Student ID: Address: Phone: Mark the Credit Flex Option you wish to pursue: Phone: Supervising Teacher: Address: TESTING OUT (Complete Parts A & C) DEMONSTRATING MASTERY (Complete All Parts) INDEPENDENT STUDY (Complete All Parts) OTHER (Complete All Parts)-Select One: Online Course Internship Educational Travel PART B Instructional Plan Area of Study Learning Outcomes (presented as written, measurable instructional objectives): 6

8 INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN CONTINUED List Major instructional activities and identify materials, resources, facilities, and equipment needed to achieve instructional objective: Method of evaluation: Schedule/Time line: Project Completion Date: PART B Subject: 1 st Semester 2 nd Semester Credit (Check one): 1 credit 1/2 credit 1/4 credit Teacher/Mentor Signature Counselor/Educational Facilitator Signature Student Signature Parent Signature This contract must be filed in the BHS Guidance Office and approved by the BHS Credit Flex committee prior to the beginning of the semester. 7