NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 105. CURRICULUM PROCEDURES OPTIONS TO ACHIEVING CREDITS

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1 NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 105. CURRICULUM PROCEDURES OPTIONS TO ACHIEVING CREDITS The Board recognizes the need to allow students flexibility to accelerate through courses and has established the following criteria for course advancement. Norwin Elementary Schools Elementary Mathematics Acceleration Mathematics Course Acceleration for Grade 5-6 Students At the end of the third grading period of grade 4, all students who have an average of 92% or higher in mathematics, an overall average of 90% or higher in core subjects, and a teacher recommendation will be considered for Mathematics acceleration within their grade level. Grade 4 students must meet all of the following criteria to qualify for acceleration in Grade 5: 1. Total score of on the Qualification Rubric 2. Score of 30 on the TOMAGS assessment 3. Parent Permission Qualification Rubric PSSA Advanced Proficient Basic/Below Basic PSSA Norwin Comparison Top 25% of Scores in grade level Top 35% of Scores in grade level Below Top 35% of Scores Math Grade 95% or above % 91.99% or below Teacher Recommendation Highest Recommendation Recommendation No Recommendation Students who enter the district during grade 5 may be considered for acceleration in math by meeting all of the following criteria: 1. Advanced Score on the Grade 4 PSSA Test 2. Score of 30 on the TOMAGS Assessment 3. Parent Permission 4. Recommendation by the District Team which includes Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, Building Principal, School Psychologist, School Counselor, Gifted Education Teacher, and/or Classroom Teacher Incoming grade 6 students or students who enter the District during grade 6 must meet all of the criteria in one of the options below in order to be a candidate to take pre-algebra. Option 1 1. Meet the prerequisite 90% or higher average in grade 5 Accelerated Math Option 2 1. Take a summer online Bridge to pre-algebra course; parents/guardians will be required to pay all fees associated with the summer online course and must have access to a computer with Internet access

2 2. Pass the onsite Grade 5 Accelerated Math Final Exam with a minimum of 95%; To be scheduled by Hillcrest Intermediate School Principal 3. Submit a signed parent agreement Option 3 We understand that not all students can afford the cost of an online course and have established criteria for these students. Students will be given a Curriculum Guide and textbook to learn and practice the course material independently. 1. Pass the onsite Grade 5 Accelerated Math Final Exam with a minimum of 95%; To be scheduled by Hillcrest Intermediate School Principal K-6 Grade Level Mathematics Acceleration Students who meet the following criteria will be eligible for Mathematics Acceleration to the next grade level: 1. Score of >99 percentile rank by age on the TOMAGS assessment 2. Mathematics course average of 97% or higher 3. Overall grade point average of 95% or higher 4. Parent Permission 5. Recommendation by the District Team which includes Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, Building Principal, School Psychologist, School Counselor, Gifted Education Teacher, and/or Classroom Teacher NORWIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Math Advancement for Norwin Middle School Incoming 7 th grade students must meet all of the criteria in one of the options below to be a candidate to take algebra I. Option 1 1. Meet the prerequisite of 88% in 6 th grade Pre-Algebra Option 2 1. Take a summer online Bridge to Algebra I course; parents/guardians will be required to pay all fees associated with the summer online course and must have access to a computer with Internet access. 2. Pass the onsite final Pre-Algebra math exam with a minimum of 95% 3. Signed parent agreement Option 3 We understand that not all students can afford the cost of an online course and have established these criteria for these students. Students will be given a practice math packet, textbook and other resources to learn and practice math skills. 1. Pass the onsite final Pre-Algebra math exam with a minimum of 95% 2. Signed parent agreement 105-2

3 Option 4 This option is for students who did not take Pre-Algebra in 6 th grade and wish to skip Pre-Algebra in 7 th grade. Students will be given a practice math packet, textbook and other resources to learn and practice math skills. 1. Advanced score on the 6 th grade PSSA math 2. 97% in Math 6 3. Pass the onsite final Pre-Algebra math exam with a minimum of 95% 4. Signed parent agreement HIGH SCHOOL The Board may grant credit toward high school graduation for course work successfully completed through approved summer school, dual enrollment, cyber schools, blended schools, online learning courses, and other forms of alternative course work in accordance with policy and procedures. 1. Higher Education Course Option Must have prior approval of Guidance Counselor and High School Principal Approval may be withheld if the course is offered at Norwin High School Honors credit will not be awarded for any course Courses will not be a part of the student s grade point average (GPA), quality point average (QPA) or class rank. Courses will receive credit only. Courses must be substituted as elective courses only All expenses are the responsibility of the student Participation will be limited to students enrolled in grades Courses must be taught at the college level and must be recognized by the higher education institution as credit-bearing courses The student will be responsible for having the higher education institution send the records to Norwin High School 2. Early Admission to College Students may leave high school prior to their senior year to attend accredited institutions of higher education on a full time basis. A high school diploma shall be awarded to these students upon successful completion of all requirements listed below and upon official graduation of their class. Students leaving Norwin early will not be considered for honors awarded to four-year high school students (ex. Valedictorian, class rank, GPA, honor roll, Top Ten, or any other academic recognition such as awards and scholarships). Students who feel they can satisfy the entrance requirements for college as a senior should speak to the Guidance Counselor prior to formal application procedures. The High School Principal must give approval prior to the formal application process. Students must be enrolled and maintain the status as a full-time student in an accredited Community College or Baccalaureate College Freshman program of studies. Students must have earned at least 21 Norwin credits by the end of their junior year in high school. Students must have satisfied the requirements for all state-mandated graduation assessments and/or other state-mandated graduation requirements

4 While enrolled in college, students must take any existing courses required by Norwin. (For example, a student needs 4.5 English credits; if a student has only earned 3.5 of these by the end of his/her junior year, he/she will need to schedule and pass an English course in college.) A transcript of courses and grades from the college must be submitted to the High School prior to the awarding of the diploma. Students who successfully complete their freshman year in college may participate in all commencement activities with their graduating class. Should a student withdraw from college prior to completion of the freshman year, the student must return and complete the senior year in its entirety before receiving a Norwin High School Diploma. 3. Assessment Option Students may exempt courses, either required or elective, through an assessment exam Students must score a minimum of 92% on the assessment for course exemption. A grade of passing will be recorded on the transcript. The course may be exempted only if it will be replaced by another class the next highest course in the curriculum sequence. The assessment will be comprehensive in nature, developed by the department and administered by an appropriate faculty member or administrator. Requests must be made, in writing, to the Guidance Office and approved by the Building Principal in advance of taking the course. Exempted courses will not be recorded in a student s GPA/QPA nor will they be considered as part of class rank. 4. Course Completion Option Includes enrichment or remedial courses taken over the summer or on weekends Courses will not be a part of the student s GPA/QPA or class rank Courses must be approved in advance by the Guidance Counselor and Building Principal Approval may be withheld if the course is offered at Norwin High School Academic credit will only be awarded for satisfactory completion of the course The student will be responsible for any expense(s) The student will be responsible for the necessary verification of the completion of the course The Course of Studies booklet provides direction in course grading and filling of course prerequisites 5. Cyber Course Options To be eligible for Norwin credit, any cyber courses taken must be courses that are a part of the WIU e-academy Consortium or that were developed by the Norwin School District. This option includes enrichment or credit recovery courses taken over the summer or during the school year (beyond the school day). Once the course is approved, it will be counted toward meeting graduation requirements. Cyber courses may be used to exempt a course; the course may be exempted only if it will be replaced by another class the next highest course in the curriculum sequence. Cyber courses can be used when there is a scheduling conflict. (For example, a student who cannot schedule a particular course within the 8-period school day schedule can elect to take a cyber course option.) The student must get administrative approval for the course(s)

5 Cyber courses can be used to assist a child to catch up on earning credits towards graduation. Students must carry an academic schedule that includes 8 periods of courses to be eligible to take cyber courses toward graduation credits. The expenses will be the responsibility of the student for all cyber courses that are used as options to achieve credits. 6. Summer Replacement Courses A summer replacement course, taught by a Norwin School District teacher, is intended for students entering grades 10-12, who, because of full 8-period academic schedules, cannot fit physical education and/or health into their day. The following courses are offered: Online Summer Health Online Summer Swimming Online Summer Physical Education Face-to-Face Summer Physical Education (Held at the High School and various locations in the community. Parents are required to provide transportation to and from the classes.) Criteria: Each student will maintain an eight (8) period full schedule of courses (no study halls or free periods) for the year in which the summer course credit will be applied. Students using the replacement courses will pay all applicable costs and fees associated with the courses, which is set by the District. The replacement courses will be sixty (60) hour courses and will use the Norwin School District curriculum. The courses will require written assessments and other applicable work. Courses will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. Courses will only be offered if the minimum enrollment is met. At the conclusion of the course, a grade report will be issued to students. The course(s) along with representative grade percentages received from replacement courses will be placed on the student transcript. Replacement course grades will not be included in the overall GPA of the students. Procedure for Enrollment in Replacement Courses During the annual scheduling process, the High School guidance counselors will make students and parents aware of this option. Replacement Courses Face-to-Face Summer Physical Education In April, registration for the face-to-face summer physical education course will be available online. All registrations will take place online. Students interested in the face-to-face physical education course, should first discuss the option with his/her counselor to ensure they meet the requirements. Students will schedule for the course online and will submit payment either online or through a check make payable to the Norwin School District. Online registration will close once the course fills to maximum capacity. Online registration is date and time stamped. Once students register for the course, they are notified via of their registration for the course

6 Online Summer Physical Education, Swimming and/or Health In May/June, the summer online course catalog will be published on the District website and will be available through the Guidance Office. Students interested in the online summer physical education, swimming and/or health courses, should first discuss the option with his/her counselor to ensure they meet the requirements. Students will schedule for the course online and will submit payment either online or through a check make payable to the Norwin School District. Online registration will close once the course fills to maximum capacity. Online registration is date and time stamped. Once students register for the course, they are notified via of their registration for the course. Students will be required to attend a mandatory orientation in June. 7. Transfer Courses for Credit from Court Appointed or Rehabilitation Placements To be eligible, a student must be placed by the court in an educational program or be placed in a rehabilitation center (i.e.: drug and alcohol, eating disorder, for other medical reasons) that provides an educational component. The student must remain enrolled in the Norwin School District. The building principal in conjunction with the student s guidance counselor will work with the placement to identify courses that can be transferred for credit and become a part of the student s transcript. In the case where the program is not accredited, the District will offer cyber courses or will send the student s course work to be delivered at the placement. Revised June 15, 2009 Revised June 20, 2012 Revised February 17,