Tiverton High School Graduation Policy

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.

Academic Requirements:

Students will need to successfully complete the following Carnegie units in the designated content areas:  (1 unit = a full year of study)

Subject Area                        Carnegie Units                        Total Credits

English                                               4                                  20

Social Studies (including                 3                                  15

2 US History)

Mathematics                                      3                                  15

Science                                              3                                  15

Physical Education                           1.5                                 7.5

Health                                                   .5                                 2.5

Performing/Visual Arts                       .5                                 2.5

Technology                                          .5                                 2.5

Math Related Course                       1                                    5

Electives                                            5                                  25

TOTAL                                            22                            110

            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.

            Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in Fine Arts and Applied Technology. Courses that qualify in the fine arts area are Introductory Art, Music Theory, Fundamentals of Music, Concert Chorus, Band, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Lab, and Piano Lab.   Courses that qualify for technology proficiency include: Computer Skills Basic, Computer Skills Advanced, Career Pathways, and Introduction to Technology.  Students may participate in an alternate pathway to proficiency during their four years at the high school in the areas of Fine Arts or Technology.  They may also choose to demonstrate proficiency on a local technology assessment that measures the required standards.

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 in Literacy, Math, Science, and the Senior Project will also serve as measures of proficiency.  Proficiency requirements for Social Studies, Technology, and Fine Arts will be aligned to 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 the predetermined proficiency level on the state assessment shall be exempted from the mid-year common assessment in the appropriate content area.  (This exemption does not apply to semester courses.)  To earn an exemption, students must maintain a 70% average in the class in addition to the predetermined proficiency level on the NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program).  Students who perform below proficiency on the state assessment must demonstrate proficiency on the GSEs for that subject area, as measured on identified common course proficiency assessments. The state assessment shall not represent more than one-third of the factors used to determine proficiency and eligibility for graduation, effective Class of 2012.   Students must perform at a level of “partially proficient” on both the Math and English NECAP exams. Students who score below this level will have the opportunity to participate in a support program prior to being required to retake the math or literacy state assessment in their senior year.  Students who do not achieve the level of partially proficient on the NECAP will be evaluated on their performance on common course assessments over four years as defined within our local assessment system.

COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARNING 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 Learning Handbook.

COMMUNICATION & PROGRESS MONITORING

Starting with the 2009-10 school year, all students entering the sixth grade of Tiverton Middle School, and prior to entering grade nine at the high 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 (ie. March Grade Eight Informational Evening for parents and students).

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 Learning Service, and other graduation requirements throughout their four-year experience.

As part of a comprehensive guidance program and advisory program, all Tiverton Middle School and Tiverton High School students shall complete an Individual Learning Plan. Individual Learning Plans are mapped academic plans and profiles that reflect each student’s unique set of interests, needs, learning goals, and graduation requirements.  A team, including the student, his/her family, the advisor, and other support personnel help the student write an ILP, which includes authentic and challenging learning experiences that help each student to succeed.  As a team, they are mutually responsible for helping the student with his/her personal plan and they review, evaluate, and update the ILP as the student progresses.  The process allows students to become active, responsible participants in their educational development and planning.

Students, in consultation with responsible adults, will establish academic, career, and personal/social goals.  In addition, students will develop plans and actions to achieve these goals.  Way-to-Go-RI will be used by advisors, students, families, and other support personnel to aid in this planning.  This process will help to ensure that all students are well-supported to reach the goal of becoming a productive and knowledgeable citizen as stated in the Tiverton High School mission statement.

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.