BP 6146.1 (a) Instruction HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY It is the Board’s intent that all graduates of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District be able, through career preparation, to qualify for admission to a post-secondary college or university and/or possess a defined career-vocational skill. A high school certificate of graduation (diploma or other instrument) shall be granted to any student of good character and citizenship who satisfactorily completes the high school curricular requirements and minimum competency standards of the District. All students in grades 9 through 12 shall complete the following course of study listed under obligation A in order to receive a high school certificate of graduation (diploma or other instrument): A. 1. English - satisfactory completion of four (4) courses in English (40 credits) 2. Social Science - satisfactory completion of three (3) courses in Social Science (30 credits) a. World Cultures - ten (10) credits b. United States History - ten (10) credits c. American Government - five (5) credits d. Economics - five (5) credits 3. Mathematics - satisfactory completion of thirty (30) credits (with demonstrated mastery of Algebra 1 by successful completion of Algebra 1 or Algebra 1A and Algebra 1B or 75% on the District Algebra 1 Mastery Exam) 4. Science - satisfactory completion of thirty (30) credits including Physical and Biological Sciences. 5. Physical Education - satisfactory completion of twenty (20) credits (All/Only Freshmen must be enrolled in Freshmen P.E., which completes ten (10) of the required twenty (20) credits). Approval in the District Independent Study Physical Education program may also meet this requirement for 10th –12th grade students. 6. Fine Arts/Foreign Language - satisfactory completion of ten (10) credits in either Fine Arts or Foreign Language, American Sign Language, Native American Languages, or commencing with the 2012-2013 school year, Career Technical Education. BP 6146.1 (b) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY (continued) 7. Electives - satisfactory completion of additional credits to complete two hundred fifty (250) credits. Students may elect to take any course for which he/she has met prerequisite requirements: a. includes courses in specific interest areas for college and/or occupational preparatory programs; b. includes courses in all subject fields B. Students with exceptional needs will be required to meet regular District graduation standards to the extent that their abilities permit. C. Thirty (30) credits per semester is the normal student maximum. The Principal or his/her designee may approve any increase beyond the thirty (30) credit maximum up to fifty (50) credits. The student has the right to petition to the Principal for more than fifty (50) credits per semester. D. Ten (10) credits is the regular summer school limit. additional five (5) credits for work experience. Qualified students may take an E. Credits granted by other accredited secondary school will be accepted at full value. F. A senior transfer student must enter prior to the fourth quarter to graduate from a District High School. Senior transfer students who enter during the fourth quarter may petition the Principal for permission to graduate from the District High School. The Principal’s decision will be final. G. Forty (40) credits of work experience may be counted in the graduation credit requirements. Ten (10) credits is the maximum in one semester for this program. H. Forty (40) credits for accredited correspondence courses or online/distance learning approved courses by the Principal may be counted toward graduation credit requirements. Ten (10) credits is the maximum in one semester for this program. I. All students are required to enroll in the six classes offered periods one through six. In special circumstances, a student may submit a petition to the principal to substitute and advance course of study in a community college or four-year college for one of the required six periods of on-campus classes. The Principal may approve a limited number of students to apply for a special concurrent enrollment waiver. In such cases, it must be determined to be in the student’s best interest and the student must be adequately prepared for such coursework. Additionally, the course BP 6146.1 (c) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY (continued) must not be offered in a district high school, and must represent the next sequential course of study offered beyond the high school curricular pathway. J. The maximum number of credits for service classes, i.e. Lab Assistant, Office Practice, etc., is twenty (20) credits (with a maximum of ten [10] credits per year). In special circumstances, students may petition for more service credits through the academic petition process. Credit Requirements A. The minimum number of credits for graduation from Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is 250. B. The minimum number of credits for graduation from Refugio High School is 250. C. Credits: 1. For each course satisfactorily completed that is based upon a semester period, a student will receive five (5) credits. 2. For each course satisfactorily completed that is based upon a one-half of a semester period, a student will receive two and one-half (2.5) credits. 3. For each defined credit of work that is satisfactorily completed in a course based upon variable credit, a student will receive one (1) credit. D. Grade Placement Designation - Credit Requirements: Students who fall within the designated credit range will be identified as follows: Grade Level 9 10 11 12 Number of Credits 0 - 54 55 - 104 105 - 159 160 Recognizing that the prescribed course of study may not accommodate the needs of some students, the Board shall adopt alternative means for the completion of the prescribed course of study. The Superintendent shall solicit the views of the Board members, administrators, teachers, parents/guardians and students when developing, for the Board adoption, a list of alternative BP 6146.1 (d) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY (continued) means for completing the prescribed course of study. Alternative means may include, but not be limited to, the following: 1. Practical demonstration of skills and competencies 2. Work experience or other outside school experience 3. Vocational education classes offered in high schools 4. Courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs 5. Interdisciplinary study 6. Independent study 7. Earned credit at a post-secondary institution Requirements for graduation and specified alternative means for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to students, parents/guardians and the public. Standards of Proficiency for the Classes of 2004-2005 To receive a high school diploma, district students also must achieve at least a minimum proficiency in reading comprehension, writing and mathematics. The Board shall adopt proficiency standards in theses areas and any other it deems appropriate. All adopted proficiency standards shall correspond with the goals of the course of study required for graduation. The class of 2004 and 2005 graduates will be considered proficient and eligible to receive a diploma by meeting one of the following standards: 1. Passed the California High School Exit Exam (CHSEE) in both English and Math 2. 40% NPR in total ELA and Math Stanford 9 or CAT 6 3. Passing District Proficiency Exam in Math and ELA The Board shall actively involve administrators, teachers, counselors, students and parents/guardians broadly representative of the District’s socioeconomic composition in the adoption of high school proficiency. (Education Code 51215) The Superintendent shall provide for the periodic screening of assessment instruments for racial, cultural or sexual bias. BP 6146.1 (e) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS/STANDARDS OF PROFICIENCY (continued) Students shall be assessed periodically to measure mastery of basic skills and shall be provided with additional instruction and opportunities to meet the standards established by the District. For the Class of 2006 and later, proficiency shall be measured by passing the California High School Exit Exam. (cf. 5125 - Student Records) (cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement) (cf. 6164.2 - Guidance Services) (cf. 6177 - Summer School) California High School Exit Exam for the Classes of 2006 and Later Beginning in the 2005/2006 school year and each year thereafter, each student completing grade 12 shall successfully pass the state exit examinations in language arts and mathematics as a condition of high school graduation. Beginning in 2003/2004, students shall take the exit examination in grade 10 and may take the examination during each subsequent administration until each section of the examination has been passed. (Education Code 60851) (cf. 6146.4 - Differential Graduation and Competency Standards for Students with Disabilities) (cf. 6162.5 - Student Assessment) Supplemental instruction shall be offered to any student who does not demonstrate “sufficient progress” toward passing the exit examination. (Education Code 37252, 60851) For purposes of determining eligibility for supplemental instruction, “sufficient progress” shall be determined by students’ results on the statewide Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) assessments and the minimum levels of proficiency recommended by the State Board of Education. Legal Reference: EDUCATION CODE 37252 Summer school instructional programs 48430 Continuation education schools and classes 48431.6 Review and counseling of academic progress at age 16 or 10th grade 51215-51218 Student Progress; standards of proficiency 51224 Skills and knowledge required for adult life 51225.3 Requirements for graduation 51225.5 Honorary diplomas; foreign exchange students 51226 Model curriculum standards 51240-51246 Exemptions from requirements 51260-51269 Diplomas and certificates 52508 Diplomas and certificates (adult school) VEHICLE CODE 12507 Driver education CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5 1600-1651 Graduation of pupils from grade 12 and credit toward graduation SANTA YNEZ VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Policy Adopted: December 18, 1989 Santa Ynez, California Revised: February 18, 1997/June 13, 2000/January 15, 2002/July 16, 2002/ March 11, 2003/November 18, 2003/May 15, 2007, June 15, 2010, January 19, 2012