CODE: 6146

                                                                                                                 X Monitored

                                                                                                                 X Mandated

                                                                                                                        Other Reasons

Policy

Board of Education

Township of West Milford

SECTION: INSTRUCTION

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

            In order to be graduated from the West Milford High School, and receive a state-endorsed board of education diploma, a pupil must:

            A.        Meet both state and district proficiency standards in the core curriculum content areas; achieve or exceed passing grade on HSPA;

            B.        Complete successfully any course requirements stated in the administrative code, unless those of the district are greater, in which case the district's standard must be met. The proficiencies required must include the core curriculum content standards approved by the state board of education;

            C.        Select and complete successfully enough elective credits to meet the district minimum of 120 credits and to meet proficiency levels in the basic skills described below. A State endorsed diploma shall be awarded to graduates in accordance with the provisions of New Jersey Statues (Title 18A) and New Jersey Administrative Code (Title 6).

            Successful completion means that the pupil has demonstrated the degree of proficiency required by the district to indicate achievement of the district goals for the particular course, and has attended the required number of course sessions.

            Transfer pupils must meet all state and local requirements in order to receive a West Milford High School diploma.

            The Superintendent shall put into effect the procedures necessary to assess each pupil upon entry into the system, and, annually thereafter, to identify those pupils not meeting the state or district proficiency requirements in reading, writing and mathematics. He/she shall develop the programs necessary to remedy these deficiencies at the lowest possible grade level.

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CODE: 6146

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

            A core of course requirements shall be successfully completed by all students. These courses are catalogued below and are fully described in course syllabi, which shall be distributed to students enrolled in the core courses and in all other courses offered by the West Milford Township High School. A syllabus shall provide identifying, descriptive, and course proficiency information, credit hours, a statement of objectives, texts and other materials of a course, and a bibliography. In addition to meeting core course requirements, students shall be expected to meet proficiency standards, by examination.

Core Course Requirements

            1.         At least 20 credits in language arts literacy;

            2.         At least 15 credits in mathematics;

            3.         At least 15 credits in science;

            4.         At least 15 credits in social studies, including two courses in U.S. History, satisfying N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 2;

            5.         At least 3 3/4 credits in health, safety, and physical education during each year of enrollment, distributed as 150 minutes per week, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7 and 8;

            6.         At least 10 credits in fine, practical, or performing arts for the graduating classes of 2005 through 2007. For the graduating classes of 2008 and beyond, the requirement is 5 credits in Visual and Performing Arts (Art, Music, Theater, Dance) and 5 credits in Career Education and Consumer, Family, and Life Skills (Practical Arts);

            7.         At least 5 credits in world languages effective with the 2004 grade nine class;

            8.         Technological literacy consistent with Core Curriculum Content Standards will be integrated throughout the curriculum.

Proficiency Standards

            To graduate and to be awarded a State-endorsed diploma, in addition to the requirements above, students shall perform at or above State assessment test standards in reading, writing, and mathematics.

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CODE: 6146

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

            In consultation with appropriate professional staff, the Superintendent shall develop and present to the board for adoption indicators of achievement and standards of proficiency and attendance demonstrating successful completion of each course offered at every level of high

school. The proficiencies listed shall include but not be limited to those approved by the State Board of Education.

             The subject matter and standards of proficiency shall be articulated with the district's elementary schools and with sending elementary districts.

            In accordance with law, the Board of Education shall have copies of this policy distributed to all ninth-grade (or otherwise entering) pupils and their parents/guardians.

             They shall also be informed as to the examinations, demonstrated proficiencies, course and credit hour requirements, attendance policies, and any other state and local requirements.

            Proficiency requirements for each individual course shall be given to pupils on registering for the course.

            The yearly program of studies for each pupil in the high school must be approved and signed by the parent/guardian, except in the case of 18-year-old pupils.

Early Graduation

            Pupils who have clearly demonstrated a scholastic aptitude, an unusual readiness for the world of work, a financial need, or a serious health or family concern may be considered for early graduation. Minimal graduation requirements must be completed early. The request must be made by the parents/guardians in writing and must be approved by the administration by the end of the student’s freshman year.

Academic Monitoring and Remediation/Basic Skills

            The requirement that high school graduates demonstrate certain levels of achievement imposes the necessity for continual monitoring of student progress in the basic and indispensable studies: reading, writing, and mathematical skills and reasoning. Since high school performance is in large measure dependent or contingent upon elementary and middle school instruction and

learning, the monitoring process shall begin in kindergarten. Students who fail to meet prescribed grade levels and whose academic deficiencies fall a year or more below expectations, shall receive individual attention. Their competencies shall be fostered by the development of individual student improvement plans (ISIP) fitted to the needs of the individual student.

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CODE: 6146

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

            Pupils who do not pass the eighth-grade proficiency assessment (GEPA) shall be provided appropriate remediation. If, despite required remediation efforts in lower grades, a pupil fails to pass a ninth-grade standardized test, an ISIP (individual student improvement plan) shall be developed and implemented for him/her.

            Twelfth grade students who failed to pass the statewide examination by Spring of their junior year will receive a Special Review Assessment as provided by law.

Pupils with Limited English Proficiency

            Pupils with limited English proficiency must be provided with the program opportunities required by law, and must fulfill the regular state and district requirements for graduation.

            Limited English Proficient (LEP) students who enter the West Milford school system prior to the ninth grade will be required to meet all of the statewide high school graduation requirements, including passing the statewide test in English. Those students who are unable to pass the statewide test but have satisfied all other requirements will be allowed to go through the twelfth grade Special Review Assessment (SRA). All aspects of the SRA shall be conducted in the English language.

            LEP students who enter the West Milford school system in grades nine through twelve will be required to satisfy all credit, curriculum, and attendance requirements and take the statewide test in English each year when it is regularly administered until they pass unless they have received an exemption. If these students are unable to pass the graduation test by the beginning of grade 12, they must be further evaluated through the Special Review Assessment (SRA), where they must demonstrate mastery of basic skills in the native language and/or English, and pass the English Fluency Test.

            The interim policy as stated further means all students described above must meet all credit, curricula, and attendance requirements and take the graduation test each year when it is regularly administered until they pass unless they have received an exemption; and, if unable to pass the state graduation test by the beginning of grade 12, must demonstrate basic skills proficiency through methods established by the district.

Special Education Pupils

            A disabled pupil must meet all state and local high school graduation requirements in order to receive a state-endorsed high school diploma unless exempted in his/her IEP with the written approval of the Superintendent. An exemption from the HSPA shall be granted if a pupil would be adversely affected by taking the test; an exemption from the proficiencies and the HSPA shall be granted if the pupil's IEP does not include the proficiencies measured by the test.

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CODE: 6146

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

             By June 30 of a disabled pupil's last year in the elementary program, the pupil's case manager, parent/guardian and teacher(s) shall meet to review the instructional guide and basic plan of the pupil's IEP in view of the transition to the secondary program. Input from appropriate staff from the secondary school shall be part of the review.

            The basic plan of the IEP for the pupil exiting the elementary program will address all the elements required in the administrative code. The description of the educational program will include exemptions, if any, from regular education program options or state and local graduation requirements including HSPA, along with the rationale for the exemptions. The exemptions must be approved in writing by the Superintendent.

             Required reviews of the IEP shall continue to address graduation requirements and shall explain why the proficiencies required for graduation are not part of the IEP.

Reporting and Monitoring

The Superintendent of Schools shall include in the annual report to the Commissioner:

            A.        The number of State-endorsed diplomas granted under regular provisions;

            B.        The number of State-endorsed diplomas granted under special education provisions;

            C.        The number of State-endorsed diplomas granted under basic skills alternate procedures;

            D.        The number of diplomas denied under basic skills alternate procedures;

            E.        The number of diplomas denied due to failure to attain locally established proficiencies and standards;

            F.        The number of dropouts by grade level;

            This information shall be reported to the Board at a public meeting as prescribed by law.

The Board shall review this policy annually and shall adopt all regulations required by law.

(Chart Attached: N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5)

First Reading: January 25, 2005

Adopted: February 22, 2005

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