Required
Class Load
Transfer Students
Participation in Commencement Exercise
Requirements for Class Status
Graduation Requirements for Special Education Students
Defencies
Student Aides
Independent Study
Equivalent Credit for Alternative Learning Experiences,
Courses and Challenge
High School Credit for Correspondence Courses
and College Credit
High School Credit for Work Experience
Interdistrict Cooperative Program Credit
Plan of Study Required
Waiver of High School Graduation Requirements
A. In grades 9 and 10, each student must be enrolled in six (6) one - (1) hour periods per day.
B. In grades 11 nd 12, each student must be enrolled in a daily minimum program of five (5) class periods or its equivalent. The five (5) class periods are restricted to periods two (2) through six (6).
C. Waiver of the class load provision shall require compelling reasons, which must include one or more of the following:
1. Supporting request from the attending physician.
2. Clear evidence that the request for limited class enrollment is not a matter of personal preference, and that the educational development of the student can be best met through a reduced program of classes.
3. Such waiver, when granted, shall be effective for one (1) semester only.
A full program of classes at other public or private accredited secondary schools will be honored by the Kelso School District as the equivalent of a full program of classes when evaluating credits for graduation.
Students transferring to the Kelso schools during the semester from other state or out-of-state accredited public or private secondary schools may enroll in a full schedule of classes for credit; grades and attendance records will transfer in accordance with appropriate district policies and procedures.
Participation in Commencement Exercise
To receive a diploma in Kelso School District commencement exercises, students must meet the criteria for graduation prior to the date of the exercise and otherwise be in good standing with their school through the commencement date. Only students who are in regular attendance and have earned the required 21 credits will have the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies.
To acquire junior status, a student must earn a minimum of nine (9) credits by the end of the second semester of grade 10.
To acquire senior status, a student must earn a minimum of fifteen (15) credits by the end of the second semester of grade 11.
Graduation Requirements for Special Education Students
The provisions of WAC 180-51-115 provide that no student shall be denied the opportunity to earn a high school diploma solely because of limitations on the student's ability. An individual graduation plan will be developed for each special education student at the time of entrance into grade 9 or at the determination of eligibility. Due to the unique needs and abilities of a legally documented handicapped student, a comprehensive Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) will be developed. The I.E.P. team, including the parents, will annually prescribe the individual program specific to the student's abilities and needs as required to meet minimum high school graduation credit requirements. If such requirements impede the student's progress toward graduation and there is a direct relationship between the failure to meet the requirements and the student's limitations, the requirements may be waived. This will include vocational and/or academic objectives. Successful completion of this Individual Education Program will be the criterion for awarding a high school diploma.
Opportunities
for students to make up credit deficiencies may include: enrollment
in the Pathfinder lab, enrolling for a full six (6) class periods (grades
10-12) or earning credits at Lower Columbia College. Credits earned
at Lower Columbia College are converted to high school credits as follows:
1. At the college or university level, five quarter or three semester
hour credits equal one high school credit. WAC 180-51-050
2. A Lower Columbia College five (5) credit course numbered 100 or above will earn the student one (100) high school credit; a five credit course numbered 099 or less will earn the student one-half (.50) high school credit.
3. Approval by the principal is required prior to enrolling in a course(s) at Lower Columbia College except for students participating in Running Start who are exempt from this requirement.
Being a student aide must be a learning experience for the student.
A. All student aide requests must have prior approval of teacher.
B. Grades earned in approved student aide programs will be included in the G.P.A.
C. No student may obtain more than two (2) credits as a student aide.
D. Approved student aide positions must be listed in the Secondary Course Catalog.
An independent study course may be established for a student wishing to pursue credit for course work not offered on a regular basis. To initiate an independent study course, a course outline should be developed by the student and a supervising teacher. An application form for independent study (available in the counselor's office) must be completed and the principal's approval obtained prior to the beginning of each semester.
Equivalent Credit for Alternative Learning Experiences, Courses and Challenges
Credit toward high school graduation may be granted for, but not limited to, the following:
A. Planned learning experiences conducted away from the school under the supervision or with the approval of the school.
B. National Guard high school career training. (See WAC 180-50-320 for special requirements.)
C.
Credit based on competency testing, in lieu of enrollment or taking
specific courses, may
be granted by the district.
D. Home schooling (RCW 28A.200) See Policy 3114.
E. Education Clinics (RCW 28A.205)
F. Running Start (RCW 28A.300-400) The school district shall determine how many credits to award for college courses toward graduation. This determination shall be made in writing before the pupil enrolls in the course. The high school transcript shall indicate those courses taken at a community college or vocational-technical institute.
Such experiences, where not otherwise provided for by policy, may be accepted for credit upon compliance with procedures listed below. WAC 180-51-110, WAC 180-50-300
A. A proposal for approval of credit for alternative learning experiences shall be submitted to the principal prior to the experience and shall include at least the following information in writing:
1.
Name of program.
2. Length of time for which approval is desired.
3. Objectives of the program.
4. Description of how credits shall be determined.
5. Content outline of the program and/or major learning activities and
instructional materials to be used.
6. Description of how student performance will be assessed.
7. Qualifications of instructional personnel.
8. Plans for evaluation of program.
B. All requests for approval of credit for off-campus learning experiences shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by a committee made up of representatives from the high school.
C. The reasons for approval or disapproval shall be communicated to the student, parents or guardians.
High School Credit for Correspondence Courses and College Courses
High school credits will be granted for courses taken from approved schools or institutions in accordance with the rules listed below.
A. Courses approved by the National University Extension Association or the National Home Study Council; no more than six (6) credits earned by home-based instruction toward the requirements for high school graduation will be accepted.
B. Courses taken at community colleges, vocational-technical institutes, four-year colleges and universities, and approved private schools in Washington state; and
C. Courses offered at other schools or institutions, which are approved by the school district.
The following provisions will apply when correspondence courses and/or college courses are accepted for credit toward graduation:
A. All courses, except for Running Start courses, must be approved in advance by the school principal or designee.
B. The school principal should designate a qualified member of the staff to serve in a supervisory capacity while the course is being taken.
High School Credit for Work Experience
Work experience is available as a part of the educational program for Kelso High School students. Credit may be granted for work experience under the following conditions:
A. The work program shall be supervised by the school.
B. The work experience shall be definitely related to the school program of the student.
C. Credit given for work experience shall represent educational growth in the student; the type of work done shall have definite educational value.
D. The job in which experience is gained shall provide varied experiences.
E. A work experience program shall be supplemented by an adequate program of guidance, placement, follow-up and coordination between job and school.
F. Work experience as a planned part of a school subject may be included in the credit given for that subject.
G One credit (1) may be granted for not less than four hundred five (405) hours of work experience related to a student's school program.
H. A student participating in work experience shall be legally employed and must have passed his/her sixteenth birthday.
I. An employer's report of the student's work record indicating satisfactory progress on the job shall be filed with the school.
J. The regular state apprenticeship program, where the training is worked out cooperatively with the school and meets the standards for high school graduation, is acceptable. This applies only to students eighteen (18) years of age and older.
Legal references: WAC 180-50-315
Interdistrict Cooperative Program CreditUpon
action by the Kelso Board of Directors, provisions may be made to establish
cooperative programs with neighboring school districts or community
agencies. Students may participate for credits in such programs in
accordance with the established procedures.
Prior to completing the 8th grade, all students shall develop a plan of study for grades 9 through 12. This plan shall be developed cooperatively with the student, his/her parents or guardians, and the school staff. Parental approval of the completed plan, indicated by an appropriate signature, shall be required. This plan shall include at least the following elements:
A. A statement of the student's long-range educational and occupational goals. It is understood that such a statement may only be tentative, but in order to develop a plan of study, some indication of long-range goals is necessary.
B. Listing of all courses required for graduation.
C. Listing of all electives.
D. Indication of any waivers of graduation requirements granted to the student in accordance with graduation requirements.
Annual
Review Required
Annually, prior to registration for the following school year, the student's
plan of study shall be reviewed by the student with his/her counselor
or advisor. Revisions in the plan may be made at any time before the
next scheduling session. The student's parents or guardians will be notified
of any revisions. Parental approval of the revised plan, indicated by
an appropriate signature, shall be required.
Students
New to the District
All students entering the school district for the first time shall complete
a plan of study covering the period between entry and graduation as a
part of their initial enrollment procedure.
Pathways
Kelso School district has designed a Pathways Program to assist students
in exploring a wide variety of learning opportunities in a way that allows
for students; individual interests, and relates to their career and educational
goals of the future. Through a process of investigating career opportunities
and educational needs, the students will use Pathways to plan their own
education. Each student will:
o Discover career and personal interests and create goals for their future.
o
Create a transition for themselves from school to school, and school
to work.
o Explore many different academic disciplines and career fields.
o Graduate from high school excited about and prepared for their future.
Kelso
and other school districts in Cowlitz County have recommended five
career paths for students to explore. They are:
Arts & Communications
Business & Marketing
Health & Human Services
Technology & Industry
Engineering, Science, & Environment
Graduation requirements are established with the expectation that all students will complete them. It is recognized, however, that individual students may have reason to request a waiver to accomplish specific academic or personal goals not possible with the required program.
A. Limitation of Waiver
1. Requirements designated by state statutes and administrative code may not be waived except as provided for therein.
2. The minimum requirements of twenty-one (21) credits in grades 9 through 12 may not be waived.
B. Procedures for Granting of Waivers
1. The student and/or his/her parents or guardians shall complete a waiver request in writing and submit it to a counselor. The request will be reviewed by the counselor and must be approved by the principal(s) at the appropriate grade level(s).
2. A written denial or acceptance containing the rationale for the disposition of the waiver will be forwarded to the persons requesting the waiver by the principals
3. A student or his/her parents or guardians who wish to appeal the decision of the principal may do so by submitting a letter to the Superintendent within ten (10) days of receipt of the principal's decision. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall review the case and notify the appellant of the decision within ten (10) days of receipt of the appeal.
4. When a waiver is granted, a notation shall be made on the student's transcript by the counselor/registrar and signed.
5. All waiver requests must be submitted prior to the student's initiation of the second semester of the senior year.
C. Special Procedures for Waiver of Physical Education Requirement
A student may be excused from the physical education requirement at the principal's discretion on account of physical disability, employment or religious belief, or because of participation in directed athletics or military science and tactics, or for other good cause. Such excused students shall be required to take alternative equivalent credits as specified by the principal. (RCW 28A.230.050, WAC 180-51-85)
Reference:
School Board Policy 2410
Revised February, 1993
All Rights Reserved Kelso School District © 2005
Last Updated October 9, 2007