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As approved by the South Dakota Board of Education November 2009 High School Graduation Requirements
As approved by the South Dakota Board of Education November 2009
High School Graduation Requirements
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 2
Overview During the 2009 legislative session, the South Dakota Legislature passed Senate Bill 185, which eliminated the basic, or standard, pathway to graduation – precipitating the need to reset the minimum requirements to graduate. The South Dakota Board of Education approved new minimum high school graduation require-ments at its meeting Nov. 2, 2009. This booklet is designed to help school personnel understand the new requirements and counsel students as they move toward graduation.
Table of Contents
Summary of New Requirements .......................................................... Page 3
Implementation Timeline ..................................................................... Page 4
Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................ Pages 5-14 General and Implementation Timeline .................................... Page 5 Personal Learning Plans .......................................................... Page 6 Exclusion from Certain Math, Science Courses ...................... Pages 6-7 Credit for Extracurricular Fine Arts Activities ........................ Pages 7-8
Menu of Courses: CTE, Capstone/Service Learning, World Languages .............. Pages 8-10
Health and Health Integration ................................................. Pages 10-14 Miscellaneous ......................................................................... Page 14
A “How To” on Health and Health Integration .................................. Page 15
Appendix Sample: Math Exclusion Documentation ............................... Page 17 Sample: Science Exclusion Documentation ............................ Page 18 Waiver for High School Credit Before Grade 9 ..................... Pages 19-21
Essential Contacts For most graduation requirement questions: Becky Nelson, Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education (605) 773-4681, [email protected] For questions related to Health/Health Integration: Karen Keyser, Coordinated School Health (605) 773-3134, [email protected] Graduation requirements Web page: www.doe.sd.gov/oatq/gradrequirements/
(1.) Four units of Language Arts – must include: a. Writing – 1.5 units b. Literature – 1.5 units (must include .5 unit of American Literature) c. Speech or Debate – .5 unit d. Language Arts elective – .5 unit (2.) Three units of Mathematics – must include: a. Algebra I – 1 unit b. *Algebra II – 1 unit c. *Geometry – 1 unit (3.) Three units of Lab Science – must include: a. Biology – 1 unit b. Any Physical Science – 1 unit c. *Chemistry or Physics – 1 unit
(4.) Three units of Social Studies – must include: a. U.S. History – 1 unit b. U.S. Government – .5 unit c. World History – .5 unit d. Geography – .5 unit (5.) ~One unit of the following-any combination: a. Approved Career & Technical Education b. Capstone Experience or Service Learning c. World Language (6.) One unit of ^ Fine Arts (7.) One-half unit of Personal Finance or Economics (8.) One-half unit of Physical Education (9.) ~One-half unit of Health or Health Integration
Academic core content credit may be earned by completing an approved career and technical education course. Approval to offer credit must be obtained through an application process with the Department of Education. The application must include: course syllabus; standards based curriculum; teacher certification; and assessment of standards by methods including end-of-course exams, authentic assessment, project-based learning or rubrics.
*With school and parent/guardian approval, a student may be excused from this course in favor of a more appropriate course. A student may be excused from Algebra II or Geometry, but not both. A student is still required to take three units of Math. If a student is excused from Chemistry or Physics, the student must still take three units of Lab Science. ~Required beginning Sept. 1, 2013 Regarding the health requirement: Beginning with students who are freshmen in the fall of 2013, students will be required to take .5 unit of health at any time grades 6-12. A district may choose to integrate health across the curriculum at the middle or high school level in lieu of a stand-alone course. See Frequently Asked Questions for details. ^ Local decision. A district may decide to offer credit for extracurricular Fine Arts activities. Students may be granted up to one credit in Fine Arts for participation in extracurricular activities. A maximum of ¼ credit may be granted for each activity in each school year.
Page 3 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
High School Graduation RequirementsAs approved by the South Dakota Board of Education Nov. 2, 2009
Except where otherwise noted, these requirements begin with students entering 9th grade in the 2010-11 school year.
A student’s Personal Learning Plan must document a minimum of 22 credits that include the following:
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South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 4
Page 5 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions Updated: Dec. 4, 2009
GENERAL AND IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
How are the new requirements different from the previous requirements?
Under the new requirements approved by the South Dakota Board of Education in November 2009, South Dakota will have just one set of minimum graduation requirements (as opposed to two pathways). The major differences with the new requirements are as follows: 1) All students will be required to have a Personal Learning Plan. 2) A student may be excused from certain math and science requirements if it is deemed in the student’s best interest.
3) Districts may choose to offer credit for Fine Arts extracurricular activities. 4) Effective Sept. 1, 2013, students will be required to take one-half credit of
physical education and one-half credit of health. (NOTE: Schools will have the option of integrating health in lieu of a stand-alone health course.)
5) Effective Sept. 1, 2013, students will have the option of completing a capstone experience or participating in service learning, as part of a short menu of options. That menu includes: --Approved career and technical education courses --World languages --Capstone experience or service learning
When do the new requirements take effect?
Except where otherwise noted above, the new requirements begin with students entering 9th grade in the 2010-11 school year.
What graduation requirements do students already in high school need to follow?
Students already in high school – those who entered 9th grade in 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 – may continue following either of the old graduation pathways. Those pathways are the Standard Pathway and the Advanced Pathway.
Can students already in high school follow the new requirements – specifically exclusionfrom certain math and science courses, and earning credit for extracurricular Fine Artsactivities)?
No. The new graduation requirements begin with students entering grade 9 in 2010-11.
PERSONAL LEARNING PLANS
What is a Personal Learning Plan?
A Personal Learning Plan identifies the specific coursework a student needs to take to reach his or her academic and career goals. It is based on the student’s skills and interests. The new rules state that all students in grades 9 through 12 must have a Personal Learning Plan, which documents a minimum of 22 units of credit.
When does the requirement for Personal Learning Plans kick in?
The requirement begins with students entering 9th grade in the 2010-11 school year.
How do districts help students develop Personal Learning Plans?
A student can develop a Personal Learning Plan by using www.sdmylife.com. The Web site is an academic and career planning tool provided to all South Dakota school districts free of charge by the Department of Education. Students create and store their Personal Learning Plans at this site. The department offers training on how to use sdmylife.com to create and implement Personal Learning Plans. For information regarding sdmylife.com, contact the Department of Education, at (605) 773-3134.
EXCLUSION FROM CERTAIN MATH, SCIENCE COURSES
What courses can students be excused from under the new requirements?
In the area of mathematics, a student may be excused from taking Algebra II or Geometry, but not both. In the area of lab science, a student may be excused from the requirement to take Chemistry or Physics. All students must complete three units of math and three units of lab science.
Under the new requirements, can a student graduate with Algebra I (1 unit), Geometry (.5unit) and Algebra II (.5 unit) and waive to a third math class?
Yes, if it is in the student’s best interest.
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 6
Can a student who entered high school under the old requirements use the new requirements to be excused from Algebra II or Geometry? Same question for the Chemistry or Physics requirement?
Students in this situation would follow the “old” graduation pathways. They would have the ability to move from the Advanced Pathway to the Standard Pathway. The student’s parent/guardian and a school administrator would still need to sign off on the Standard Pathway Program Agreement form.
Who decides when to excuse a student from one of the math or science requirements?
The decision to excuse a student from taking the required units of Algebra II or Geometry, and Chemistry or Physics is made at the local level. A student’s parent or legal guardian and school counselor or administrator must agree to the decision, and the excuse must be documented at the local level.
There is no requirement to receive approval from the Department of Education to excuse students from these courses. The excuse simply needs to be documented at the local level.
Sample exclusion documentation is included in the back of this book and on the department’s Web site. Districts are welcome to use this sample document.
CREDIT FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
May districts offer credit for extracurricular activities?
Under the new rules, a district may choose to offer credit for extracurricular Fine Arts activities. A similar proposal related to athletic activities counting toward Physical Education credit was not approved by the state Board of Education.
If my district decides to offer credit for extracurricular Fine Arts activities, what are the parameters?
Students may be granted up to one credit in Fine Arts for participation in extracurricular activities. A maximum of one-fourth credit may be granted for each extracurricular activity each school year.
The local district decides which extracurricular Fine Arts activities may be used for credit. This decision must be a formal action by the local school board.
In order to grant credit for an activity, the district must document the alignment of the activity with South Dakota’s Fine Arts content standards. That documentation should be kept on file at the local school district. (A template can be found on the department’s Web site at www.doe.sd.gov/oatq/gradrequirements.)
There is no requirement to get approval from the Department of Education to offer credit for extracurricular Fine Arts activities.
Page 7 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
How do I transcript extracurricular Fine Arts activities?
Credit granted for extracurricular Fine Arts activities must be graded, transcripted and included in the GPA calculation. If a district chooses to offer Fine Arts activities on a pass/fail basis, it must be noted on the transcript. However, it is up to the district to determine if it would be calculated in the GPA.
Can a student who entered high school under the old requirements utilize fine Arts extracurricular activities for the Fine Arts requirement?
No. Students who entered high school in 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 must follow the requirements in place when they started high school: the Standard or Advanced Pathway.
MENU OF COURSES: CTE, CAPSTONE/SERVICE LEARNING, WORLD LANGUAGES The new requirements include a “menu” of courses from which students must earn at least one credit. Explain that menu. Beginning with students entering 9th grade in fall 2013, students will be required to take at least one unit of credit from the following (in any combination): • Approved career and technical education courses • Capstone experience or service learning • World languages
How do changes to this “menu” impact school districts?
Under the old rules governing graduation, districts were already required to offer one unit of career and technical education courses and two units of the same world language. So, the major change for districts is that they will need to offer either a capstone experience or service learning. The Department of Education realizes that some districts are not offering CTE courses. The expectation is that by Sept. 1, 2013, they will offer at least one unit of approved CTE. For ideas on how to meet this requirement, please contact the Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education at (605) 773-3134.
What constitutes approved career and technical education courses?
The state Department of Education approves CTE programs. An approved program must offer two units within the same career cluster. See the list of approved courses online at www.doe.sd.gov/oatq/gradrequirements. To learn more, please contact the Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education at (605) 773-3134.
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 8
If the old “menu” is gone and the new “menu” requirement doesn’t kick in until 2013, what happens to students graduating in the interim?
For this interim period, students should choose electives that are in line with their Personal Learning Plan instead of choosing from the “menu.” Students must still earn 22 credits to graduate.
What about the requirement for a district to offer computer science?
That requirement goes away Sept. 1, 2013. Many computer science classes are CTE courses within the Information Technology cluster. To get your computer science classes approved as CTE courses, your district would need to apply to the Department of Education. Contact the Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education, at (605) 773-3134.
What is a capstone experience?
A capstone experience is a culminating high school experience designed to integrate knowledge, skills and concepts gained from a student’s previous years of learning. A capstone experience may be any of the following: senior experience, entrepreneurship experience, youth internship, and pre-apprenticeship.
Senior experience: Requires students to complete a research project, design and develop a product, assemble a portfolio, and complete an oral presentation before a panel. Entrepreneurship experience: Requires students to research a new business opportunity, develop a business plan, assemble a portfolio, and complete an oral presentation before a panel.
Youth internship: Allow students to gain hands-on experience at a business, develop employability skills, learn technical skills, and complete a portfolio.
Pre-apprenticeship: Contractual partnership between an employer and a student that allows the student to gain initial training in a particular industry and formal classroom-related instruction.
What constitutes a credit for capstone?
The Department of Education has established a framework for each of the four capstone experiences noted above. In order to issue credit for a capstone experience, the district must follow the program criteria. See www.doe.sd.gov/octe/capstone/index.asp.
How do I transcript a capstone experience or service learning?
Credit granted for capstone experience or service learning must be graded, transcripted and included in the GPA calculation. If a district chooses to offer capstone experience or service learning on a pass/fail basis, it must be noted on the transcript. However, it is up to the district to determine if it would be calculated in the GPA.
Page 9 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
When does the capstone/service learning requirement go into effect?
Effective Sept. 1, 2013, schools will be required to offer a capstone experience or service learning. This affects students entering 9th grade in 2013.
Who is certified to teach or facilitate a capstone experience?
Anyone with a valid South Dakota certificate. The department recommends that facilitators of capstone experiences go through specific training. Contact the Department of Education at (605) 773-3134 to learn more about professional development related to capstone experience.
Does a district have to offer both capstone and service learning?
No. The local district must offer one of the two, but could choose to offer both.
What is service learning?
The Department of Education is working on a framework to define the components of service learning. Information will be forthcoming.
HEALTH AND HEALTH INTEGRATION
What’s the new requirement regarding health?
Effective Sept. 1, 2013, one-half unit of health will be required for graduation. This is in addition to the one-half unit of physical education required. That means students entering 9th grade in 2013-14 would be the first to fall under this requirement.
Starting in the school year 2013-14, a district can choose to offer a stand-alone health course or to integrate health at any time during grades 6-12 to meet this requirement. The Department of Education recommends that districts which currently have stand-alone health courses should keep them in place. A stand-alone health course is the most effective for teaching students the skills they need to become healthy adults. Best practice would be to provide health in elementary, middle and high school – creating a sequential base of knowledge and skills.
Who is qualified to teach health education?
Any person who has a K-12 health endorsement is qualified to teach health.
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 10
What is a stand-alone health course?
A stand-alone health course is one that specifically focuses on health education standards. (See standards at www.doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/healthindex.asp.) Typically, at the high school level, this is a one-half credit course delivered in a traditional classroom setting or offered via the South Dakota Virtual School.
What if my district has a year-long wellness course that incorporates both physical education and health education standards?
The student’s transcript would reflect both .5 unit of physical education and .5 unit of health education, as long as the standards for each area are met.
What is “health integration”?
Integrated health is the process of incorporating key health standards relative to maintaining and improving health, preventing disease, and avoiding or reducing health-related risk behaviors into existing courses that all students are required to take.
How do I know what the key health standards for health integration are?
The Department of Education will be working with school districts to determine interest in the health integration option. If sufficient interest exists, the department will proceed in developing a work group to identify key health standards to be used in the integrated health option. If you are interested in this option, call Karen Keyser, Coordinated School Health, at (605) 773-3134.
If my district chooses to integrate health into required courses, what might this look like?
Teachers of required courses would be expected to incorporate the key health standards, identified by the department, within their various content areas. The district would be required to assign a staff person to lead this effort. This person would be responsible for bringing together the team of teachers to determine where and how the key standards will be incorporated. Integration of key standards must occur in classes that all students are required to take.
Below are some examples of how to integrate health concepts: Science – When students learn about microorganisms, they could also learn about how to prevent the spread of microorganisms that cause disease. Math – Have students measure, record, graph, interpret and predict data about physical activity, heart and respiration rates, and blood pressure. Social Studies – When studying the differences in eating habits among different cultures, have students discuss the factors that determine food choice. Teachers can be encouraged to integrate health education material in to their subject areas through national health education days, weeks, and months; for example, breast cancer awareness month is October. The benefit of using the national health observances is that, oftentimes, free materials are available from corresponding agencies and organizations.
Page 11 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
If stand-alone health or health integration is offered at middle school, what are the parameters?
There are two scenarios – both of which meet the graduation requirement of .5 unit of health, which begins on Sept. 1, 2013.
Scenario #1
If a district offers stand-alone health or health integration at grades 6, 7 or 8 to meet the graduation requirement and chooses to give the student high school credit for that work, the district will need to apply for a waiver from the Department of Education. This waiver process would be the same as any high school credit given to a student before grade 9 (eg., 8th grade Algebra). In this scenario, per South Dakota Administrative Rule 24:43:08:12, students must pass a state-approved end-of-course exam in order to meet the requirement for graduation. Students must earn an 80 percent on the exam in order to receive credit. Credit for the course shall appear on the student’s high school transcript with the unit of credit and a letter grade. A waiver is good for five years.
Scenario #2
If a district offers stand-alone health or health integration at grades 6, 7 or 8 to meet the graduation requirement but will not offer high school credit for that work, the district must do the following: 1) Report in Department of Education’s Personnel Record Form (PRF system) if it is meeting the graduation requirement through stand-alone health or health integration. This will be a simple check-off in the PRF system. 2) For health integration only, document how the district plans to meet the key health standards. Keep this documentation on file at the district level. 3) Provide recognition of completion on the student transcript. No grade is earned; no credit is assigned; and therefore, it does not count toward the student’s GPA.
What if I offer a stand-alone health course in high school?
Districts that offer a stand-alone health course in high school would transcript the course, and the associated credit, the way they do any other high school course taken for credit.
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 12
If health integration is offered at the high school level, what are the parameters?
There would be two scenarios for health integration at the high school level. Both would meet the graduation requirement of .5 unit of health. No waiver from the state is required for either scenario.
Scenario #1
If health integration is offered for credit, that credit would be earned in one of three ways: authentic assessment, end-of-course exam or 73 hours of seat time. (This is in accordance with South Dakota Administrative Rule 24:43:01:01, which defines a unit of credit as such.) The district must: 1) Report in Department of Education’s Personnel Record Form (PRF system) if it is meeting the graduation requirement through health integration. This will be a simple check-off in the PRF system. 2) Document how the district plans to meet the key health standards. Keep this documentation on file at the district level. 3) Must issue a grade that will be transcripted and included in the GPA calculation. If a district chooses to offer health integration on a pass/fail basis, it must be noted on the transcript. However, it is up to the district to determine if it would be calculated in the GPA.
Scenario #2
If health integration is offered with no credit attached, the district must do the following: 1) Report in Department of Education’s Personnel Record Form (PRF system) if it is meeting the graduation requirement through health integration. This will be a simple check-off in the PRF system. 2) Document how the district plans to meet the key health standards. Keep this documentation on file at the district level. 3) Provide recognition of completion on the student transcript. No grade is earned; no credit is assigned; and therefore, it does not count toward the student’s GPA.
If my district is integrating health, do the teachers have to have a health endorsement?
No.
Page 13 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
If health is offered at grades 6, 7 or 8 and used to meet the high school graduation requirement,does the teacher have to be a high school teacher?
In South Dakota, health education is a K-12 endorsement, so a teacher with this endorsement can teach at any level: elementary, middle or high school.
I need help with the health integration piece. Who can I call?
Call the Department of Education at (605) 773-3134 and ask for Karen Keyser, Coordinated School Health.
MISCELLANEOUS Under the new rules, may a school district waive any graduation requirement they choose inorder to meet the needs of ELL students?
Yes.
How do the new requirements impact students on an IEP?
The IEP team has the authority to modify the specific units of credit required for graduation, in order to meet the student’s best interests.
What constitutes a “physical science” course?
Under the new requirements, students must take three units of laboratory science, including one unit of any Physical Science. Physical Science classes include courses such as those listed below. If you have any questions regarding what constitutes physical science, please contact the Office of Curriculum, Career and Technical Education at (605) 773-3134.
Course Title PRF Assignment CodeEnvironmental Science 03003Physical Science 59401Earth/Space Science 59501Aeronautics 59502Astronomy 59504Geophysics 59505Geology 59506Meteorology 59507AP Environmental Science 59510
Can a student take debate instead of speech?
Yes. The rules state that they have to have .5 unit of speech or debate.
Does a district have to offer both speech and debate?
No. The local district must offer one of the two courses, but could choose to offer both.
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 14
Middle School (Grades 6, 7 or 8)Stand-Alone Health and Health Integration - Effective 2013
Meeting grad requirement and offering for high school credit … • District must apply for waiver for Department of Education (see waiver page 19). • Students must pass state-approved end-of-course exam. • Students must earn 80 percent on exam to receive credit. • Credit appears on high school transcript with letter grade.
Meeting grad requirement but not offering high school credit … • District must report via Department of Education’s Personnel Record Form if it is meeting graduation requirement through stand-alone health or health integration. • For health integration only, district must document how it plans to meet key health standards. Documentation kept on file at district level. • District must provide recognition of completion on student transcript. No grade is earned; no credit is assigned; and therefore, it does not count toward the student’s GPA.
Stand-Alone Meeting graduation requirement and offering for high school credit … • District would transcript the course, and the associated credit, the way it does any other high school course taken for credit.
High School - Effective 2013
Health Integration Meeting grad requirement and offering for high school credit … • District must report via Department of Education’s Personnel Record Form if it is meeting graduation requirement through health integration. • District must document how it plans to meet key health standards. Documentation must be kept on file at the district level. • District must issue a grade that will be transcripted and included in the GPA calculation. If district chooses to offer on pass/fail basis, it must be noted on the transcript. It’s up to district to determine if it would be calculated in the GPA.
Health Integration Meeting grad requirement but not offering credit … • District must report via Department of Education’s Personnel Record Form if it is meeting the graduation requirement through health integration. • District must document how it plans to meet key health standards. Documentation must be kept on file at the district level. • District must provide recognition of completion on the student transcript. No grade is earned; no credit is assigned; and therefore, it does not count toward the student’s GPA.
Page 15 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
A “How To” on Health and Health Integration
APPENDIX
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 16
SAMPLEAlgebra II or Geometry Exclusion Documentation
File with Student’s Permanent Record
Parent or Guardian Name ______________________________________________________________
Student Name _______________________________________________________________________
Year of Student ______________________________________________________________________
I have met with ___________________________________________________ to discuss the option of(school counselor or administrator)
my son or daughter taking the following course _____________________________________________
instead of _____________________________________________ to meet the graduation requirements
adopted by the board of education in November of 2009.
Parent or Guardian Signature ____________________________________________________________
School Official Signature ______________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________________
Note: The courses that the student is planning to take should be reflected in his or her personal learning plan.
Page 17 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
SAMPLE
SAMPLE
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 18
SAMPLEChemistry or Physics Exclusion Documentation
File with Student’s Permanent Record
Parent or Guardian Name ______________________________________________________________
Student Name _______________________________________________________________________
Year of Student ______________________________________________________________________
I have met with ___________________________________________________ to discuss the option of(school counselor or administrator)
my son or daughter taking the following course _____________________________________________
instead of _____________________________________________ to meet the graduation requirements
adopted by the board of education in November of 2009.
Parent or Guardian Signature ____________________________________________________________
School Official Signature ______________________________________________________________
Date ______________________________________________________________________________
Note: The courses that the student is planning to take should be reflected in his or her personal learning plan.
APPLICATION for a Waiver from an Administrative Rule
Courses offered Before Grade Nine for High School Credit
____________________________________ School District hereby applies for a waiver from certain South Dakota administrative rules that govern school accreditation, using the procedures outlined in § 24:43:08.
It is the intent of the _________________________________________ School District to implement the strategies for continued school improvement as outlined herein, and to annually report on the implementation of the of those strategies as described in § 24:43:08:08.
The __________________________ Board of Education has held a public hearing and approved this application. It is understood that the school district must continue to comply with all other administrative rules, including article 24:10 and chapter 24:43:11.
The school district will continue to submit all required accreditation reports, plans, and certifications to the South Dakota Department of Education on time.
________________________________________________ ____________Signature of Supt. of Schools/Chief Educational Officer Date
_____________________________________ ____________Signature of Board of Education President Date
For Department Use Only Received: _________________________ Reviewed:________________Reviewer: _____________________________________________________________________Recommendation: __________________
Department of Education Secretary’s Action: ____ Approve ____ Deny Department of Secretary’s Signature: _______________________________________________
Effective Date of Waiver (Minimum 60 days after receipt): _______________________________ Report Due Date: ________________________________________________________
Page 19 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 20
Section I – Application Details
Applying School District: ________________________________________________________________________
Participating Attendance Centers: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Local Public Hearing Date: _______________________________________________________________________
Local Board Approval Date: ______________________________________________________________________
Date Submitted to the Department of Education: _______________________________________________________
Section II - Waiver Schedule
Intended Date for Waiver Implementation: _________________________________
(This date is always July 1 for fall implementation unless the district requests and explains the reasons for an alternate date.)
Proposed Years of Waiver: _________________________________
(Maximum of 5 school terms, which begin July 1 of each year.)
Section III - Administrative Rules to be Waived
List the administrative rule number and title for which this waiver is being requested. Administrative rules are
available online at http://legis.state.sd.us/rules/index.aspx.
For a waiver for high school credit before grade nine, the district will want to waive administrative rule 24:43:11:01.
Section IV - Course for Which Exemption is Being Proposed
Section V - Reasons for Waiver Request
Explain the reasons the district is requesting a waiver from administrative rule. The district must explain why the plans outlined in this application will better meet local learning goals, enhance educational opportunities, promote equity, or increase accountability.
Section VI - Verification of Administrative Rule Intent
Explain how the intent of the administrative rule for which the waiver is being requested will be met if the waiver is granted. Please note that the teachers of courses for which waivers are approved must be high school certified and the waived courses must remain at high school-level rigor.List teacher providing instruction for each course included on application:Name Course_________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________
Section VII – Assurance of Rigor (Where applicable)
Describe the school district’s plan for offering continuing educational opportunities in the waivered content area, where applicable.
Section VIII- Evaluation
DOE Waiver Evaluation Policy:
At the conclusion of the waivered course, all students that wish to receive high school credit for the coursework completed must pass an end of course exam. The following guidelines should be noted:
1) If the South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) has an exam available in the waivered course area, the State exam may be used. 2) If an exam is not available from the State, the district may create an exam, standards-based when applicable. The exam must be approved by the State before it may be administered. 3) The student must pass the exam with at least 80% proficiency. 4) The exam may be administered up to two times, per district policy. 5) The DOE should receive a roster of participants, including the students’ name, grade in school, district attendance center, and percentage on the best attempt of the completed exam before the start of the proceeding school year. Is a State exam available for the content area requested? If not, has the district created an end of course exam? Has that exam been approved by the State? If so, when? If not, please state your intention to have the exam approved.
Send this completed application to the Office of Accreditation & Teacher Quality, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501 at least 60 days prior to the intended implementation date listed in Section II.
For more information contact Carol Uecker, Office of Accreditation & Teacher Quality at 605-773-4771 or at [email protected].
Page 21 • South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements • Page 22
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