2410 High School Graduation Requirements
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSEach 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 establish graduation requirements that, as a minimum, satisfy those established by the state board of education:
Effective for class of 2017 and beyond:
|
Subject |
Class of 2016-2020 |
Class of 2021 & Beyond |
|
English |
4 credits |
4 credits |
|
Mathematics* |
3 credits |
3 credits |
|
Science |
2 credits |
3 credits |
|
Social Studies |
3 credits |
3 credits |
|
Health |
0.5 credits |
0.5 credits |
|
PE |
1.5 credits |
1.5 credits |
|
Arts |
1.0 credits |
1.0 credits |
|
Career and Tech Ed |
1.0 credit |
1.0 credit |
|
Electives |
6.5 credits |
4.0 credits |
|
Personalized Pathway |
3.0 credits |
|
|
Total Required Credits: |
22.5 |
24 |
The following requirements must also be met:
- Complete a high school and beyond plan;
- Successful completion of Washington State History and Government coursework;
- Meet one of these options:
- Meet standard on the Smarter Balanced Assessment for math and English Language Arts;
- Meet standard through options outlined for math and English Language Arts outlined in the procedure;
- Complete a 2 Credit Career and Technical Education program of study in a single pathway that relates to your High School &Beyond Plan;
- Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Batter (ASVAB) and earn a minimum score as set by the Washington State Board of Education on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) portion as it relates to your High School and Beyond Plan.
*Math credits must include one year each of algebra 1, geometry, and either algebra 2 or a course deemed equivalent to the 3rd year math standard.
The 3rd credit of science and the 3rd credit of math are chosen by the student based on the student's interest and High School and Beyond Plan, and approved by the parent or guardian, or if the parent or guardian is unavailable or does not indicate a preference, the school counselor or principal (WAC 180-51-068).
A credit is defined as 180 (50 minute) hours of planned instructional activities excluding passing time. A Carnegie unit (180 hours/50 minute) is required unless a waiver process has occurred. The board shall approve additional graduation requirements as recommended by the superintendent.
The superintendent shall develop procedures for implementing this policy which include:
A. Recommending course and credit requirements that 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 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/guardians 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, such as Alternative Learning Experiences, electronically mediated courses, and 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 credits or three semester hour credits 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/guardians 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.
Graduation Accommodations
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. A student shall also be advised that he/she may receive a final transcript.
Washington State Approved Dropout Reengagement Program
When students who are at least 16 years of age and not older than 20 years of age enter into a state approved dropout reengagement program administered by the District; in which all conditions outlined in RCW 28A.175.100 are met by subject program, the student may be permitted to graduate from the program/district with a lesser number of credits; provided that a minimum state requirements for courses, credits and assessments are satisfied.
Withholding of a Diploma
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/guardians 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 Qualifications of Attendance and Placement
- Board Policy 3241 Classroom Management, Corrective Actions or Punishment
- Board Policy 3520 Student Fees, Fines and Charges
Legal References:
- Laws of 2019, ch.252,210 Graduation pathway options for the graduating class of 2020 and subsequent classes
- RCW 28A.155 Special Education
- RCW 28A.230.090 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
- RCW 28A.230.120 Option to receive final transcripts Notice
- RCW 28A.600.300-400 Running Start
- RCW 28A.635.060 Defacing or injuring school property — Liability of parent orguardian
- RCW 28A.655.061 High school assessment system Certificate of AcademicAchievement
- Chapter 180-50 WAC Courses of studies and equivalencies
- Chapter 180-51 WAC High school graduation requirements
- Chapter 180-51-100 WAC Temporary exemption from course and credit requirements
- Chapter 180-51-115 WAC Procedures for granting high school graduation credits for students with special education needs
- Chapter 180-57 WAC Secondary Education — Standardized high school transcript
- Chapter 181-51-110 WAC Equivalency credit for alternative learning experience, non high school courses, electronically mediated courses, work experience and challenges
- Chapter 392-121-182 Alternative learning experience requirements
- Chapter 392-169 WAC Running Start
Management Resources:
- Policy News, May Issue 2018
Adoption Date: 03.02.04
Stanwood-Camano School District
Revised: 02.07.06; 05.19.09; 10.15.13, 9.16.15, 12.15.15; 12.6.16; 06.06.17; 12.19.17; 01.07.20