Vallejo City USD. High School Graduation Standards

Transcription

1 Vallejo City USD Instruction Board Policy 6000f High School Graduation The Board of Trustees believes that all students are capable of meeting rigorous graduation standards and that meeting such standards will provide them with many options for successful lives. The Board of Trustees expects that students will be provided with the opportunities, support and guidance needed for them to achieve the District s graduation standards. Beginning with the Class of 2009, students in the Vallejo City Unified School District are expected to meet standards for graduation that will prepare them to attend higher education, enter the workforce, or pursue technical training. Students shall be granted diplomas of graduation from high school after meeting the District s standards for graduation and passing the California High School Exit Exam. The District s for High School Graduation are that a student successfully pass the following courses and earn a minimum of 230 total credits: 40 credits of English 30 credits of History/Social Studies including Modern World History, US History, and Government/Economics 30 credits of Math including Algebra 1 and 2 and Geometry 20 credits in Science lab courses 20 credits of PE unless the student has been exempted pursuant to State law or is required to take additional units of PE pursuant to State law 20 credits in one Language Other than English 10 credits in Visual of Performing Arts 10 credits in College Prep Elective Courses 50 additional credits in any of the areas above or other electives The Board of Trustees adopts the following alternative means for the completion of prescribed courses: a. The Summer Semester Program b. Adult School c. Independent Study d. Continuation School e. Credit earned at a post secondary institution f. Credit for Approved Alternative Courses g. District-offered before and after school programs h. Credit Recovery Program i. Demonstration of Skills and Competencies Equivalent to Course Completion

2 The Board of Trustees establishes the following goals for meeting the District s graduation standards: 50 percent of students in the Class of 2009, 60 percent of students in the Class of 2010, 70 percent of students in the Class of 2011, and 80 percent of students in the Class of 2012 with equitable representation of all subgroups. No less than once each year, the Superintendent shall provide the Board with data for each graduating class and the junior class for the District and for each high school for all students and students disaggregated by subgroup. Based on the data, the Superintendent shall recommend changes in the goals as needed. Phase-in of Graduation Classes of 2009 and 2010: The Board of Trustees recognizes that all of the students in the graduating Classes of 2009 and 2010 have not had sufficient opportunities in previous years of schooling to meet grade level standards. Therefore, the following options are provided for earning a diploma for these classes. Subject Area Graduation * (Recommended) Individualized Alternatives to Required Courses for Graduation Minimum Requirements For the Classes of 2009 and 2010 only (Not recommended) Recommended Graduation English 40 credits 4 years 1. English 9 2. English English English 12 or English elective 30 credits 3 years 1. World History 2. U.S. History 3. American Government and Economics 20 credits 2 years (3 years recommended) 1. 2 years of any ONE language Recommended Graduation History/Social Science Recommended Graduation Recommended Graduation LOTE (Language other than English) 2 years 1. LOTE or 2. Computer Science or 3. Applied Arts or 4. Visual Performing Arts (satisfies VPA requirement below) 10 credits 1 year of LOTE or VPA

3 Mathematics Physical Education Science Visual Performing Arts Electives 30 credits 3 years 1. Algebra 1 2. Geometry 3. Algebra 2 20 credits 2 years unless the student has been exempted pursuant to State Law or is required to take additional units of PE pursuant to State law 20 credits 2 years: one life and one physical lab science (3 years recommended) 1. Biology, Biotechnology, or Biology II and 2. Chemistry or Physics or Physics and Technology 10 credits 1 year 1. Music or 2. Drama or 3. Art 60 credits 10 credits must be recognized by the UC/CSU system (10 credits of American Government/Economics may be used to fulfill this requirement) + 50 credits of any course that is not used to meet the above requirements 3 years 1. Algebra 1 (required for all) 2. Alternative to Geometry: Algebra 2, Mathematics with Modeling, or Business Math 3. Alternative for 3 rd year: another math course identified above or Problem Solving Recommended Graduation 2 years 1. Biology or Biotechnology 2. Any other science course Recommended Graduation Additional credits to meet 230 credit requirement 20 credits 2 years 1. Algebra 1 2. Any other math course Recommended Graduation 20 credits 2 years any science courses 10 credits 1 year of LOTE or VPA Additional credits to meet 230 credit requirement Total 230 credits 230 credits 230 credits *These standards are based on UC/CSU s a-g requirements for application to attend UC/CSU. UC/CSU require a grade of C- or better in each required course for consideration for admission. VCUSD requires a grade of D- or better in each required course for the course to count toward meeting high school graduation requirements.

4 The administration shall develop and implement administrative regulations that provide the criteria, process and timeline for identifying students in the Classes of 2009 and 2010, who by their junior year, are not on course to meet the District s graduation standards and for planning an individual program with them and with their parents/guardians for them to meet the alternative course/s or minimum requirements for graduation.

5 Classes of 2011 and Beyond: The Classes of 2011 and beyond shall meet the District s graduation standards through either the required course of study or alternative courses for the required course of study as shown below: Subject Area English History/Social Science Graduation * (Recommended) 40 credits 4 years 1. English 9 2. English English English 12 or English elective 30 credits 3 years 1. World History 2. U.S. History 3. American Gov. and Economics Individualized Alternatives to Required Courses for Graduation Recommended Graduation Recommended Graduation LOTE (Language other than English) Mathematics Physical Education Science 20 credits 2 years (3 years recommended) 1. 2 years of any ONE language 30 credits 3 years 1. Algebra 1 2. Geometry 3. Algebra 2 20 credits 2 years unless the student has been exempted pursuant to State Law or is required to take additional units of PE pursuant to State law 20 credits 2 years: one life and one physical lab science (3 years recommended) 1. Biology, Biotechnology, or Biology 2 and 2. Chemistry or Physics or Physics and Technology 2 years 1. LOTE or 2. Computer Science or 3. Applied Arts or 4. Visual Performing Arts (satisfies VPA requirement below) 3 years 1. Algebra 1 (required for all) 2. Alternative to Geometry: Algebra 2, Mathematics with Modeling, or Business Math 3. Alternative for 3 rd year: another math course identified above or Problem Solving Recommended Graduation 2 years 1. Biology or Biotechnology 2. Any other science course Visual 10 credits 1 year Recommended

6 Performing Arts Electives 1. Music or 2. Drama or 3. Art 60 credits 10 credits must be recognized by the UC/CSU system (10 credits of American Government/Economics may be used to fulfill this requirement) + 50 credits of any course that is not used to meet the above requirements Graduation Additional credits to meet 230 credit requirement Total 230 credits 230 credits *These standards are based on UC/CSU s a-g requirements for application to attend UC/CSU. UC/CSU require a grade of C- or better in each required course for consideration for admission. VCUSD requires a grade of D- or better in each required course for the course to count toward meeting high school graduation requirements. The administration shall develop and implement administrative regulations that provide the criteria, process and timeline for identifying students in the Class of 2011 and beyond who, by their junior year, are not meeting graduation standards and for planning an individual program with them and with their guardians/parents for them to take one or more of the alternative courses to meet the graduation standards. Certification of Completion of High School The Board of Trustees authorizes the following certifications of high school completion: Graduation Diplomas for all who meet the District s Graduation and pass the California High School Exit Exam Certificates of Completion for all who meet the District s Graduation but who do not meet the requirement to pass the California High School Education Exam Certificates of Completion for special education students who have been certified for Alternative High School Graduation through the IEP process Honorary Diplomas for foreign exchange students. Students who have earned a Certificate of Completion at the time of high school commencement ceremonies shall be given a Graduation Diploma if they submit an official record of passing the California High School Exit Exam after the commencement ceremonies. Student and Parent Notification The administration shall provide parents/guardians, students and the public with timely information about the District s graduation standards, the alternative means for completing the course of study and the types of certifications provided at the successful completion of twelfth grade.

7 Legal References: EDUCATION CODE Sections Sections and Adopted: February 6, 2008

8 Vallejo City USD Instruction Administrative Regulation 6000f High School Graduation Guiding Principles The guiding principles used for the development and implementation of the Administrative Regulation for the District s High School Graduation are: Expect that all students will meet the more rigorous Graduation standards Provide support classes and other interventions to help students be successful in meeting the more rigorous Graduation standards Monitor student progress regularly and review students grades and credit summaries at the end of the first semester of 10 th grade Use District criteria to identify students who have not been successful in one or more areas by the second semester of 10 th grade Review student progress toward meeting graduation standards with students who are in danger of not graduating and their parents/guardians and discuss alternative options Communicate expectations for students and communicate and counsel with students and parents frequently Establish expectation that staff at the District and school levels from K to 12 are responsible for student success Provide regular reports by District, school and subgroup on progress in meeting the Graduation Criteria for Identifying Students for Consideration for Revised Graduation Plans The criteria for identifying students who are not on track for meeting the recommended higher graduation standards and the alternative actions by grade are: Grade and Semester Criteria Action 9 th grade students at the end of Failed first semester Algebra I the first semester or English 9 9 th grade students at the end of the second semester 10 grade students at the end of the first semester Failed second semester Algebra I or English 9 Have not passed first semester of Algebra I Placement in Algebra Support and/or English 9 Support or Language!*; after school support Summer Semester referral, after school support Placement in Algebra Support* and/or referral to after school program

9 10 th grade students at the end of the second semester 11 th grade students at the end of the first semester 11 th grade students at the end of the second semester ANY TIME *if scheduling allows More than 30 credits deficient (<80 credits) in graduation requirement courses or below 2.0 GPA AND Unlikely to take advantage of other alternative means More than 20 credits deficient (<90 credits) in graduation requirement courses s or below 2.0 GPA AND Unlikely to take advantage of other alternative means More than 10 credits deficient (<160 credits) in graduation requirement courses or below 2.0 GPA AND Unlikely to take advantage of other alternative means TRANSFER STUDENT From alternative program or from out of district Review and possibly revise graduation plan and use other means considered with student and parent input Review and possibly revise graduation plan and use other means considered with student and parent input Review and possibly revise graduation plan and use other means considered with student and parent input Develop graduation plan and use other means considered with student and parent input Process Each high school principal is responsible for developing and implementing with his or her staff a process that provides for the following with responsibilities and timelines clearly delineated for each: 1. Identifies students who are at risk of not graduating 2. Provides interventions early 3. Continues to monitor student progress 4. Reviews progress toward graduation and makes recommendation where needed for Individualized Alternatives 5. Contacts parent to review recommendation 6. Makes any needed changes to a student s program 7. Collects and provides for review and analysis student data (overall, by class and by subgroup) regarding the meeting of Graduation, the Use of Individualized Alternatives, and, in for the Classes of 2009 and 2010 only, the use of the Minimum Requirements The District administration will review and approve each school s proposed process using the Guiding Principles enumerated at the beginning of the Administrative Regulation

10 An example of a detailed process is: What Who When Evidence Continue to communicate to entire school community that all students begin high school with the goal of meeting the recommended higher graduation requirements All staff Multiple venues/times Staff meetings PD trainings Course Catalog Develop a system for periodic review of student progress by teachers Identify students who are on track for meeting the higher graduation requirements using the District criteria* and communicate to students and parents Provide on-track students with enrichment courses and other growth opportunities with post-high school counseling Identify students who are not on track for meeting the higher graduation requirements using the District criteria Provide support classes and other means of intervention (after school programs, summer semester, credit recovery, etc.) for students who are not on track for meeting higher graduation requirements. Ensure appropriate placement of students Develop appropriate graduation plans for all 10 th grade students (Class of 2010 and beyond) and all 11 th grade students (Class of 2009) with Principal with counselors and teachers with support from AAA Counselors and site administrators Counselors and site administrators Counselors and site administrators Counselors and site administrators Counselors and site administrators By Fall 2008 beginning January 2008 beginning January 2008 beginning January 2008 End of the first semester of the 10 th grade year (Class of 2010 and beyond) End of the first Structure, process, and goals to monitor student progress that allow for more individualized student advising Lists of student names Student graduation plans Lists of student names Student graduation plans Lists of student names Student graduation plans Lists of students who are not on track and actions taken to support Student graduation plans

11 input from students and parents/guardians Review site s student data to ensure equitable results and maximum number of students are meeting the higher graduation requirements Present data and findings to District Principal or designee and school site leadership team Principal semester of the 11 th grade year (Class of 2009) beginning January 2008 beginning June/July 2008 Site data showing numbers and percentages of students who are meeting the higher graduation requirements by subgroup Presentation with summary of data, analysis, and next steps February 6, 2008