Credit flexibility options are designed for those students who demonstrate the ability, interest, and maturity to accept personal responsibility for their learning in a selected curricular area and have the opportunity to pursue it outside of your local high school with a local Board of Education approved program. The purpose of the credit flexibility option is to develop learners who plan their own research, learning objectives, and a plan whereby they will attain those objectives outside of the traditional classroom. The policy will provide a personalized educational opportunity for all students in which they will identify, acquire, and demonstrate the proficiency of their knowledge through standards to earn graduation credit. Students will engage in activities beyond the boundaries of a classroom by taking part in an alternative learning experience to traditional “seat time” of classroom work, in which they will demonstrate identified learning standards. Students will be required to complete a Proposal for Credit Flexibility Form in which they will identify their educational goals, identify the standards they will demonstrate, and create a timeline for completion. Students may work independently or with a credit flexibility partner. Individuals and organizations wishing to partner with the student in an instructional plan will need to seek approval from the student’s board of education.

Credit Flexibility Requirements:

1. Written plan or agreement between the students, parents, possible off-site program provider and the local high school teacher of record.

2. Grades will be reported to the guidance office and will be recorded on the student’s report card and transcript.

3. All credit flex classes must be added and dropped within the same timelines of dropping and adding other classes. Typically May 15 to add a class for the upcoming school year. Dropping a class is subject to the local school district policy. Otherwise, the student will receive an F for the class if work is not completed.

How to Apply for a Credit Flexibility Program:

1. Receive Credit Flexibility Packet from Guidance and complete the agreement. Return the proposal to guidance when completed.

2. A conference must be scheduled to evaluate the proposal and be signed by the student, parent/guardian, teacher of record, and counselor/principal.

3. Signed/Approved Proposal must be turned in to the student’s counselor in Guidance prior to the start of the semester when the flex plan will take place.

4. Student is responsible for completing all assignments agreed upon in the Proposal in order to receive a grade and credit.

Credit Flexibility Options and Procedures

 Flexing Out of an existing high school class

This option exists for students who believe they are ready to demonstrate all of the competencies required in a high school course. Students selecting this option must first complete a Proposal for Credit Flexibility form. Arrangements will then be made for the student to demonstrate proficiency. The demonstration of proficiency may include but is not limited to taking the local high school exams for the course, completing written essays and research papers, developing examples of subject area projects, and other items as specified in the proposal agreement. The local high school teacher of record will evaluate student work. Final grades and credits will be recorded on the student’s transcript and calculated in the students GPA and class rank. A panel consisting of a highly qualified teacher in the subject matter, building administrator, and counselor will conduct grading appeals, if requested.

Creating a Flex Plan for a new class

           This option is for students who wish to develop a plan to study a topic of interest that is not offered at the local high school. Prior approval for the proposal is required; there will be no awarding of retroactive credit. Off-site instruction providers must receive prior approval by the local district Board of Education. In their proposal, students must list the goals/objectives of their proposed course, list methods of instruction, timeline segments of learning, and describe assessment measurements. The local high school teacher of record will evaluate student work. Final grades and credits will be recorded on the student’s transcript and calculated in the students GPA and class rank.

Selecting a local Board approved educational option

           Students may choose to participate in any of the following alternate means to earn credits: distance learning, on-line coursework, independent study, tutorial programs, summer school, mentorship programs, and early college entrance. Some of these options may require the student to meet admission standards at the university or other educational option provider. Depending on the option chosen, student may not be required to complete a Proposal for Credit Flexibility form.