| Palos Verdes Peninsula
Exhibit E 6146.1 Instruction
High School Graduation Requirements EXHIBIT A
Students shall receive diplomas of graduation from high school only after completing the prescribed course of study and meeting the standards of proficiency established by the district.
Credit Requirements
To graduate from the high schools of the district, students shall successfully complete a minimum of 225 credits.* Successful completion of a one-semester high school course shall result in the earning of five credits.
Specific Course Requirements
1. English 40 credits
The 40 credit English requirements shall be satisfied by successful completion of the following:
English 1 10 credits**
English 2 10 credits**
English 3 10 credits**
English 4 10 credits
2. Mathematics 20 credits**
3. Science 20 credits**
The 20-credit science requirements shall be satisfied by successful completion of the following:
Biological Science 10 credits**
Physical Science 10 credits**
4. Social Science 30 credits
The 30-credit social science requirement shall be satisfied by successful completion of the following:
World History, Culture 10 credits** and Geography
*State Requirement **Effective with Class of 1994
United States History 10 credits** and Geography
American Government 5 credits**
Economics 5 credits**
5. Physical Education 20 credits**
A student must successfully complete a course in physical education each semester during the 9th and 10th grade years.
6. Fine Arts/Foreign Language/Practical Arts** 20 credits
A student is permitted the option of satisfying a maximum of ten credits toward the fulfillment of this requirement on a "pass/fail" basis; this option, however, shall be limited to a course or courses in fine arts or practical arts.
A student receiving outside instruction in physical education or music may be granted full or partial waivers from meeting the requirements for graduation in physical education or fine arts. A student who has been granted such full or partial waivers shall nonetheless be required to substitute other course work to satisfy the total credit requirement for graduation, but may, in certain exceptional cases where extensive and sustained outside training is involved, qualify for a waiver in the total credit requirements for graduation.
7. Health/Driver Education 10 credits
8. Unspecified Elective Courses 65 credits
Alternative Means for Students to Complete Requirements for Graduation
A student may satisfy the prescribed requirements for high school graduation:
1. Through successful completion of UC/CSU approved distance learning courses.
2. Through successful completion of work experience programs.
3. Through successful completion of independent study programs.
4. Through successful completion of post-high school training (college) programs.
5. Through successful completion of Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC) and/or South Bay Center for the Arts courses.
6. Through successful completion of approved/accredited summer school courses.
7. Through successful completion of a predesignated course in other than the normally-required subject area as a means of satisfying a specific subject requirement for graduation.
Classload Requirement
All students in the 9th and 10th grades shall be required to take a minimum of six classes or their equivalent.
Waiver of Requirements
The Superintendent may waive no more than 20 credits in those courses which are not required by state law. Waivers exceeding 20 credits require action by the Governing Board.
Citizenship Requirements
A record of good character and satisfactory citizenship evidencing growth and assuming responsibility in school and community life is required.
State Requirements
1. The adopted district course of study shall include instruction at the appropriate grade levels and subject areas in safety, accident prevention, fire prevention, conservation and health, including the effects of alcohol, narcotics, drugs and tobacco.
2. Each student who is awarded a high school graduation diploma shall have satisfied all of the provisions/requirements stipulated in Education Code 51225.3.
Granting of Credit for Courses Taken in Military Service
1. A student must have attended a high school for a minimum of four semesters, with the last school of attendance prior to entering the service having been a secondary school of the district. A student may qualify for such credit after satisfactorily completing one semester of course work within the school district at the high school level.
2. Up to 30 credits may be granted to a student for the completion of basic military training courses, and up to 20 credits may be granted for successful completion of specialized service courses, provided the training is in subjects that parallel courses usually taught in high school. Credits contributing to the total required for graduation may be earned through United States Armed Forces Institution (USAFI) courses and/or courses pursued in an accredited secondary school or college.
Residence Requirements
1. Students who are 12th graders and move out of the school district during the senior year may be allowed to remain and graduate with their classes.
2. Students transferring from other districts shall have their transcripts evaluated and shall receive graduation credits proportionate to the requirements of the institution or institutions from which they transfer. Successful completion of all district requirements proportionate to the period of attendance in the district shall be required.
3. Seniors transferring to a high school of another district after the beginning of second semester may petition for a district high school diploma, provided they are able to satisfy all existing district requirements.
(cf. 5125 - Student Records) (cf. 5127 - Graduation Ceremonies and Activities) (cf. 6146.5 - Elementary School Promotion/Standards of Proficiency) (cf. 6164.2 - Guidance Services)
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 48980 Notification of parent/guardian 51215-51218 Student progress; standards of proficiency 51224 Skills and knowledge required for adult life 51225.3 Requirements for graduation 51225.4 Elementary school certification of sufficient preparation for high school 51226 Board review of curriculum every three years; model standards 51240-51246 Exemptions from requirements 51260-51269 Drug education 51400-51442 Diplomas and certificates 52508 Diplomas or certificates (adult school) 52510 Requirements for eighth grade graduation (adult school) VEHICLE CODE 12814.6 Driver education CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5 1600-1651 Graduation of pupils from grade 12 and credit toward graduation
Exhibit PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT version: March 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California
EXHIBIT B
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Competence in Reading, Writing and Computation
1. All graduates shall have demonstrated competence equivalent to, or exceeding, an 8th grade proficiency level in reading and mathematics, as measured by tests prescribed by the district.
2. In cases where minimum competency is not demonstrated, the student may seek additional work in competency skills through any or all of the following avenues:
a. Through audit or completion of course(s) identified as remediating or reinforcing the competency skill(s).
b. Through voluntary attendance at competency workshops.
c. Through summer school courses.
d. Through tutoring.
3. Students who have completed the subject and credit requirements for graduation but who have not achieved passing scores on the minimum competency tests required for a high school diploma may retake the test as many times as they choose.
Credit for College Courses
1. Credit toward graduation for successful completion of courses taken in an accredited community college or in an accredited college or university may be granted as long as 1) the student has made written application for credit, 2) the course is in a subject area included in the high school course of study or has the approval of the principal, and 3) the student has not been graduated from a college/university and the credit in question is not being counted as credit toward graduation from that institution.
2. Credit for completion of college/university work shall be granted at the rate of 3-1/3 semester credits for each college credit hour earned. (Code of Regulations, Section 1630)
Credit for Correspondence Courses
1. Authority is granted the high school principal to approve courses for high school credit taken by distance learning study from approved collegiate institutions in cases where such approval is felt to be in the best educational interests of the student involved. Courses taken in lieu of required courses for graduation must be UC/CSU approved courses.
2. Approved institutions are defined as those colleges and universities offering high school courses for credit through their extension divisions.
3. Approval of the quantity and quality of the programs of studies to be taken through correspondence course work is to be obtained in advance by the student's parents/guardians in conference with the principals.
4. The cost for such instruction is to be borne by the student and/or his/her parents/guardians.
Waiver of Requirements
1. The Superintendent or designee may, upon the petition of the building principal, waive up to 20 credits of the total required for graduation. Any such waiver shall be in elective subjects and generally not those stipulated as specific subject requirements in board policy.
2. The criteria for granting such waivers shall include the following:
a. Cases involving extreme psychological or physical hardship on the part of the student.
b. Cases involving extreme disruption to a student's educational or career plans.
c. Cases resulting from unavoidable circumstances or situations involving the student and/or his/her immediate family.
d. Certain exceptional cases where extensive and sustained outside training has prevented the student from satisfying the total credit requirement for graduation.
3. Whenever a waiver is being requested, a written request should be initiated by the parent/guardian/student and/or counselor and channeled through the associate principal (curriculum) to the principal. The principal, in turn, should direct the request to the Superintendent or designee. A copy of the request shall be returned to the principal with a notation as to whether the waiver requested has been approved or denied.
Determination of Class Standing
For purposes of determining a student's class standing, the following credit classification system shall prevail under the 225-credit graduation requirement:
Freshman = 0 - 60 credits
Sophomore = 61 - 115 credits
Junior = 116 - 170 credits
Senior = 171 - 225 credits
Grades 9 - 10 30 credits
Grades 11 - 12 25 credits
Student Courseload
1. The student courseload for all students shall consist of six classes 9th and 10th grades only (or 30 credits or their equivalent) during both the fall and spring semesters.
2. Students wishing to exceed the usual courseload shall discuss the request with their counselor, who, in turn, shall refer the request to the associate principal (curriculum) for approval.
Course Requirements in English
Effective with the Class of 1990, the required English sequence shall be as follows:
Reading and Writing Skills 1 or *9th grade (10 credits) English 1 or English 1H
Reading and Writing Skills 2 or *10th Grade (10 credits) English 2 or English 2H
Reading and Writing Skills 3 or 11th grade (10 credits) English 3 or English 3H
English 4 or *12th grade (10 credits) English 4 Advanced Placement or Reading and Writing Skills 4
*English Language Development may, with the advance approval of the principal or his/her designee, be used to satisfy the 10-credit English requirement at any grade level.
Courses Counting Toward Completion of Fine Arts/Foreign Language/ Practical Arts Requirements
The following courses apply toward the completion of the fine arts/foreign language/practical arts requirement:
1. Fine Arts: All art classes, interior decorating, all music classes, public speaking, forensics, all drama classes, choreodance (may not, however, be simultaneously counted for physical education credit).
2. Foreign Language: A maximum of 10 credits or two semester courses in foreign language.
3. Practical Arts: All business department classes, all home economics department classes except interior decorating, all technical arts department classes, public speaking, stage production, all SCROC classes, work experience, all yearbook/graphic arts classes, photojournalism, journalism 2, 3, 4, teacher assistant, office practice/office assistant, library science, media service and student leadership.
Pass/Fail Option in Fine and/or Practical Arts
1. Students have the option of completing up to 10 credits in fine or practical arts on a pass/fail basis. This may be done by declaring such intent in writing no later than one week following the issuance of the first or third quarter grade report.
2. Declarations of intent shall be available in the counseling office and shall be returned to that office by the specified deadline once they are signed by the student and the parent/guardian.
3. The fine arts and practical arts counsels in which a student may enroll on a pass/fail basis are listed in this regulation.
4. Students may not enroll in foreign language on a pass/fail basis.
Social Science Course Sequence
1. The usual sequence for completion of the social science requirements is as follows:
a. World history, culture and geography (9th or 10th grade).
b. United States history and geography (11th grade)
c. American government (12th grade).
d. Economics (12th grade).
2. Exceptions to the above sequence and/or grade level standings may be approved by the principal or designee.
Health/Driver Education Requirement
The one-year requirement for health/driver education shall become effective with the course taken beginning in the fall semester of the 1989-90 school year (effective with Class of 1992 as a general rule).
Total Credit Requirements (225 credits)
The total credit requirement for graduation of 225 credits shall become effective with the Class of 1994.
Waiver of Required Attendance in Physical Education Because of Attendance at Regional Occupational Center
1. A student enrolled in grade 10 who is also attending classes at the Southern California Regional Occupational Center may be excused by the principal from attending regular physical education classes if attendance in such classes results in hardship because of travel time involved.
2. If a student is so excused, the minimum school day for him/her at the home high school shall be 180 minutes. (Education Code 52316)
Maximum Number of Credits for Teacher Assistant and Related Courses
1. Students shall be limited to a maximum of 40 credits to apply toward graduation in Work Experience (including School Aide and Project Ego) and/or teacher assistant-type classes, which include Teacher Assistant, Library Science, Office Assistant/Office Practice, Media Service and Graphic Arts Services.
2. Unless the related restriction spelled out above (i.e., graduation requirement credit limitation governing work experience and/or teacher-assistant type courses is applicable), students may earn a maximum of 40 credits toward graduation for the satisfactory completion of one or a combination of two or more types of work experience education. (Administrative Code, Title 5)
a. Exploratory Work Experience - Ten credits per semester and a maximum of 20 credits.
b. General Work Experience - Ten credits per semester and a maximum of 40 credits.
c. Vocational Work Experience - Ten credits per semester and a maximum of 40 credits.
Exhibit PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT version: March 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California |