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"Performance Based Graduation Requirements"

Tiverton School Department
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

PHILOSOPHY & INTENT

Every graduate of Tiverton High School will be prepared to successfully enter the work force or to pursue further post-secondary education.  Students will have multiple opportunities to reach proficiency and successfully complete course work which is aligned with the Rhode Island Grade Span Expectations and Applied Learning Standards, and local requirements, as approved by the Tiverton School Committee. 

The Tiverton High School Academic, Social and Civic Expectations for learning as approved by the New England Association for Secondary Schools and Colleges and the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education Diploma System Requirements drive this policy.

REQUIREMENTS
Academic Requirements:

Beginning with the class of 2008, students will need to successfully complete the following Carnegie units in the designated content areas:  (1 unit = a full year of study)

Beginning with the class of 2009:

• A third year of science will be required.

• Students will be required to take an additional year of advanced mathematics or an applied mathematics course that has been mapped to the RI Grade Span Expectations for mathematics. Applied mathematics courses include: Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Drafting, Architectural Design, Computer Aided Drafting, and Construction Carpentry. For the class of 2008 all students will be strongly encouraged to participate in a fourth year of mathematics.

• Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in fine arts and applied technology through courses identified in the Program of Studies. Student may apply for a waiver if enrolled in a formal program outside of Tiverton High School that meets the criteria for proficiency.

Proficiency-Based Requirements:

1.      Successful completion of a Senior Project is required for graduation. Students will choose a topic and complete a project which includes the following:  an MLA documented research paper; a physical product or demonstration related to the research; 15 hours of documented time with a mentor (usually an expert in the topic area); a portfolio documenting the process; and a final oral presentation.  Specific details and timelines will be provided on the Senior Project web page at www.tivertonschools.org and at an informational assembly at the end of junior year.

2.      Multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate proficiency will be provided through end of course and common assessments in the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, and Technology.  Proficiency will be determined by a student’s successful completion of course requirements and overall performance on all course assessments throughout the year. Performance on the state assessment and Senior Project will also serve as measures of proficiency. Proficiency in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies will be based on the RI Grade Span Expectations.  Proficiency requirements for Technology and Fine Arts will be based on state and national standards.

All major elective courses (i.e. World Languages and Career Technology) will also require student demonstration of proficiency on end of course and common assessments.

ROLE OF STATE ASSESSMENTS

All students must participate in the state assessment program. State assessments will be administered in accordance with a timeline established by the Rhode Island Department of Education. All state assessment results shall be included on student transcripts. Students who achieve a level of “Proficient” or “Proficient with Distinction” on the state assessment shall be exempted from a portion of the end of course assessment in the appropriate content area. (This exemption does not apply to semester courses.) Students who perform below proficiency on the state assessment must demonstrate proficiency on at least 70% of the GSEs for that subject area, as measured on local assessments and end of course assessments. The state assessment shall not represent more than 10 percent of the factors used to determine proficiency and eligibility for graduation. Further guidance shall be outlined in the Tiverton High School Graduation Handbook.

Community Service Requirements:

Students will complete 75 hours of approved community service learning beginning in grade 7. Students must also successfully complete all required reflective writings based upon their community service.

WAIVERS TO REQUIREMENTS:

Students requesting alternate means of meeting the above graduation requirements, such as credit for prior experience or dual enrollment shall have their transcripts and other evidences of proficiency reviewed by a Graduation Review Committee that shall include members from the school administration and the Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements Team.

Individual situations not addressed within this process will be handled on a case-by-case basis at the school administration level. Students and families wishing to appeal the Graduation Review Committee’s decisions must cite the reasons, in writing to the Superintendent within ten business days. Students and families will be notified of the outcome of the Superintendent’s review within ten business days.

TRANSFERRING STUDENTS

The following guidelines shall apply to students who transfer into Tiverton High School:

1. A Senior Project must be successfully completed during the senior year. Senior Project requirements for students entering after the first term of their senior year will be prorated as outlined in the Senior Project Handbook.

2. Students who have completed a proficiency-based requirement of their previous high school, comparable to Senior Project will be exempt, so long as that requirement of their previous high school was approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

3. Community service requirements for all transfer students will be prorated as outlined in the Student Handbook and Community Service Handbook.

COMMUNICATION & PROGRESS MONITORING

Starting with the 2007-08 school year, all students entering the eighth grade of Tiverton Middle School shall be notified of the proficiency based graduation requirements. Written notice will be provided to their families and posted on the district web site. The same information shall be shared with students and families of those entering Tiverton High School.

Advisory teachers for 8th grade students will review all graduation requirements with their advisees. The same will occur in all advisory sessions at Tiverton High School. THS advisory teachers will monitor their advisees’ progress toward successful completion of a Senior Project, Community Service, and other graduation requirements throughout their four-year experience.

As part of a comprehensive guidance program, all Tiverton Middle School and Tiverton High School students shall complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that guides course selection, academic preparation, and planning toward all proficiency based graduation requirements. High school guidance counselors in cooperation with advisors will review the ILP and communicate progress toward successful completion of all graduation requirements. A parent signature is required at the semester and final review.

Families will receive ongoing communication from teachers and school counselors regarding their children’s progress towards these graduation requirements through quarterly, mid-year, and end-of-year progress reports. School administrators and school counselors will meet with seniors who are making insufficient progress towards graduation requirements at the end of the first semester of the senior year to review opportunities for successful completion of all diploma requirements. Final determination of ineligibility for graduation will be conveyed to students and families five business days prior to the graduation ceremony.

APPEALS

Students who have been denied a diploma may appeal the decision in writing to the Principal of Tiverton High School. The appeal shall cite specific reasons for disagreement, and if the student is under the age of 18, it must be co-signed by a parent/legal guardian. A response to the student/legal guardian appeal will be made within 2 business days.

If the appeal is due to unsuccessful completion of the Senior Project the written letter of appeal must be filed to the Principal of Tiverton High School within 2 business days of the Senior Project presentation. An independent Appeals Panel that will include members from the school administration and Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements Team will consider the appeal. No member of the Appeals Panel will have participated in the appellant’s Senior Project presentation. If the Appeals Panel is presented with substantial evidence supporting the appeal, then the panel may authorize another Senior Project presentation to be conducted by a new team of evaluators.

If the Appeals Panel denies the appeal, the student may further petition the decision to the Principal. If denied by the principal, the appeal may be presented following the normal appeal procedure through the Superintendent, the School Committee, and, the State Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.