Final Draft Post Initial Review by the Superintendent Dated 1/07/09

BOARD OF EDUCATION FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP INSTRUCTION

REGULATIONS NO. 6146R

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with Policy 6146 of the Board, the following document specifies: (1) the requirements of a pupil to graduate from Franklin High School and receive a State- endorsed Board of Education diploma, (2) the special circumstances and programs available to assist the pupil in attaining this goal, and (3) the process used to identify those pupils in need of assistance and help them at the earliest opportunity.

I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Required Courses and State Assessment(s)

A pupil must meet both the State and district proficiency standards in the Core Curriculum Content areas and demonstrate proficiency on the New Jersey State Assessment(s) required for graduation.

1. Technological Literacy

Technological Literacy, consistent with the Core Curriculum Content Standards is integrated throughout the curriculum.

2. Core Curriculum Content Areas

 20 credits of Language Arts Literacy (English)

 15 credits of Mathematics, including Algebra I or the content equivalent (“content equivalent” is defined at N.J.A.C. 6A:8-1.3), geometry or the content equivalent, and including a third year of mathematics that builds on the concepts and skills of algebra and geometry and that prepares pupils for college and 21st century careers

 15 credits of Science, including at least one credit in laboratory biology/life science or the content equivalent elective, one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course which shall include chemistry, environmental science, or physics, and including one additional laboratory/inquiry-based science course

 15 credits of Social Studies, including satisfaction of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-1 and 18A:35-2: one credit in world history, and the integration of civics, economics, geography, and global content in all course offerings

 20 credits of Physical Education, Health, or Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC) and/or 5 credits for each year of enrollment

1 BOARD OF EDUCATION FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP INSTRUCTION

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Continued)

distributed as one hundred fifty minutes per week, as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:35-5, 7 and 8 JROTC will satisfy the Physical Education course requirements. JROTC - must be taken each year

 5 credits of Visual and Performing Arts

 5 credits of World Language or pupil demonstration of proficiency as set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)2ii(2)

 5 credits of 21st Century Life and Careers, or Career-Technical Education

 2.5 credits in Financial, Economic, Business, and Entrepreneurial Literacy

 17.5 credits of Electives - Elective credits can be satisfied by taking courses beyond the required amount in all subject areas including Visual & Performing Arts, 21st Century Life and Careers, or Career- Technical Education and World Language.

The standard of proficiency in order to earn credit for a course is a final passing grade of 67. If a pupil earns less than the final passing grade of 67 in a required course, he/she must repeat the course the following year or achieve a passing grade in an approved summer school or on-line program. If a pupil earns less than the final passing grade in an elective course, he/she may repeat the course or take a different elective course.

3. NJ State Assessment

The NJ State Assessment is the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). The New Jersey Department of Education required every 11th grade pupil to demonstrate proficiency on the HSPA in Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics as a graduation requirement. The State creates an Individual Student Report (ISR) indicating the pupil’s performance in each content area.

Pupils who receive a score equal to or greater than 200 are considered proficient in that content area and have met the State’s testing graduation requirement.

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The State has indicated that the HSPA requirement will conclude with the Class of 2015.

B. Course Selection

A pupil must select and successfully complete the required and elective course credits to meet the district minimum of 120 total credits. Pre-requisites must be completed one year/semester before a course.

1. Required Credits

The required course credits are noted in A. 2 (NJ Common Core and Content Standards). No single course may satisfy more than one of the requirements.

2. Elective Credits

A pupil may satisfy his/her required elective credits by successfully completing additional courses in any of the content areas. Elective credits will not be applied toward meeting core credit requirements unless noted in the Franklin High School Program of Studies as such.

C. Attendance Requirements /Loss of Credit

To receive credit for any given course a pupil must fulfill all school attendance requirements as specified by Board Policy and State law as it applies to attendance. Any pupil who exceeds 18 unexcused absences in a full year course and 9 unexcused absences in a half year course will not receive course credit.

Each parent or guardian must contact the school in the morning to report the pupil’s absence. Further, the parent/guardian must submit a note within five days of the pupil’s return to school explaining the absence. Please refer to Attendance Policy 5113.

When a pupil accrues 18 unexcused absences in a given full year course or 9 unexcused absences in a half year course, he/she will receive a “no credit status” for the course. The pupil’s parent/guardian will be notified of this status in writing and will be given the opportunity to appeal their status through the Attendance Intervention Committee. Please note that additional letters may be sent home

and interventions attempted before the 9 or 18 unexcused absences are accrued.

1. Appeal of “No Credit” Status

A pupil or his/her parent/guardian may submit a written petition of appeal to the Attendance Intervention Committee or applicable promotion committee within 5 school days of his/her receipt of the written notification of “no credit” status. All pertinent information for each contested absence should be attached to the petition, for example, medical notes, court appearances, etc. The committee will then review all of the pupil’s absences and make a decision whether to give credit to the pupil for the course in question or continue the “no credit” status meaning the pupil will not receive credit for the course/will fail the course. The committee also has the discretion to meet with the pupil/parent/guardian to create a remedial plan so that course credit may be given or the pupil may be allowed to pass the class. The committee will then notify the parent/guardian or adult pupil in writing. The parent/guardian or adult pupil will have 5 school days to appeal the decision, to the principal or his/her designee. When determining whether to grant credit or allow a pupil to pass a course where a pupil has accrued 18 unexcused absences, the committee will consider all of the pupil’s unexcused absences and not base its decision solely on the most recent unexcused absence.

D. Indicators of Achievement

The indicators of achievement for academic courses at Franklin High School are the grades given for each of the four marking periods and the grades given on a final examination.

The grade for each marking period will consist of multiple assessments, class participation, and homework assignments. The specific requirements of each course are provided by the classroom teacher to the student and parent/guardian. The final grade for the course is based on the following formula: each marking period will be multiplied by .22 and the final examination will be multiplied by .12. E. Grade Level Promotion

To ensure that all pupils who are promoted are prepared academically and are making progress toward meeting graduation requirements, all pupils must earn a minimum number of credits and successfully complete specific courses to be promoted to the next grade level. PROMOTION NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED

30 credits (*5 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Promotion to grade 10 Language Arts Literacy; *5 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Mathematics)

60 (*10 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Promotion to grade 11 Language Arts Literacy, 10 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Mathematics*)

90 (*15 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Promotion to grade 12 Language Arts Literacy, *10 credits must be earned in grade level or above Mathematics)

*Credit must be accumulated by successfully completing grade level required courses for graduation in Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics.

*Beginning with the 9th grade class of the 2010-2011 school year, each pupil must earn the required number of credits and successfully complete the required grade level (or above)

Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics course(s) for that year to be promoted to the next grade level. For example, a pupil entering Franklin High School in 2010-2011 in the 9th grade who earns 30 credits by the end of the school year, but does not pass their grade level (or above) Language Arts Literacy or Mathematics course will not be promoted to the 10th grade.

Students are not permitted to take a course and its corresponding prerequisite course in the same semester/year. Exceptions may be made for pupils who can document long-term illness, who have transferred from another state/country, who have transferred from a private school, or who have transferred from a public facility.

F. Standards of Proficiency

The standard of proficiency for academic courses at Franklin High School is a passing numeric grade of 67.

The interpretations of the numeric grades and their letter grade equivalent area as follows:

90-100/A = Masters all assigned work. Completes work on time. Makes a meaningful contribution to class discussions. Works rigorously and thoroughly. Evaluates his or her own efforts. Works consistently and responsibly.

80-89/B = Masters a major portion of assigned work. Completes work on time. Makes a contribution to class discussions. Works accurately and thoroughly. Attempts to evaluate and improve his or her own efforts. Works consistently and responsibly.

70-79/C = Masters a portion of assigned work. Completes work on time. Makes some contribution to class discussions. Evaluates and improves work with direction. Makes an honest effort to do work.

67-69/D = Completes a portion of assigned work. Completes work in reasonable time. Makes minimal contributions to class discussions. Makes some effort to do work.

66 below/F = Completes assignments that are inferior to accepted standard for passing.

Incomplete = Pupil will be given an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency within a specified amount of time.

G. Exceptions to Grading Policy

1. Long Term Illness

Students who expect to be absent from school for an extended period of time because of illness, injury or unusual circumstances, are eligible for “alternate instruction” (refer to Home Instruction). Information may be obtained by calling the school nurse at 732-302-4204. The days that a student receives alternative instruction will be counted as days of school attendance.

2. Incomplete Grades

An “Incomplete” can be given during any of the four marking periods by a teacher, in consultation with administration. Students have two weeks to complete the work. Extenuating circumstances may warrant closer examination and additional time. The “Incomplete” must be resolved within two weeks after the end of the first, second and third marking periods and within one week after the end of the fourth marking period. If the student does not complete the makeup work by the end of the allotted time and no extenuating circumstances exist, he or she will receive the appropriate grade.

3. Failure to Take Final Examination

Any student who does not take the final examination when eligible to do so will receive a zero (0) for the exam and it will be averaged to determine the final grade. Anyone unable to take the final examination because of illness (doctor’s note needed), death in the immediate family, religious holiday, or court subpoena will be given an “Incomplete”. The incomplete must be resolved within two weeks of the date of the scheduled examination. Again, extenuating circumstances may warrant additional time. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the school to make arrangements for any final examinations he or she might have missed. Any senior who has an “A” average prior to the final exam may be exempt from taking the final exam.

H. Special Grading for Physical Education

The grading policy for physical education classes will consist of a point system with the maximum number of points being one hundred (100).

Pupils can receive a maximum of two (2) points per day. One (1) point will be earned for dress/participation in the class and one (1) point will be earned for class attitude, behavior, and an understanding of the rules of the activity. This totals a possible maximum of eighty-eight points.

A maximum of twelve (12) points can be earned for tests conducted at the end of each activity period.

A letter grade will then be calculated using the district’s grading scale based on the number of points a pupil has earned.

Physical Education Class Attire - All pupils must change into their “PE” clothes. All t-shirts must be gray, blue, or white. At no time is mid-driff, cut-off, V- neck or sleeveless T-shirts, or athletic department game uniforms allowed as attire during class. Athletic shorts or sweatpants with no buckles, zippers or straps are to be worn. Jeans and clothing made from any other jean material are not permitted. Jewelry is not permitted to be worn during PE classes. Footwear must include socks and sneakers. Work boots, ballet shoes, and sandals are not permitted. Improper footwear is considered as unprepared.

NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED

30 credits (*5 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Language Arts Literacy; *5 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Mathematics) 60 (*10 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Language Arts Literacy, 10 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Mathematics*) 90 (*15 credits must have been earned in grade level or above Language Arts Literacy, *10 credits must be earned in Each unprepared occurrence is equal to -5 points. Any pupil who has five (5)

unprepared days in any one (1) marking period will fail physical education for that marking period. Parents/Guardians will be contacted after the third time a pupil is unprepared.

The physical education medical release procedure is detailed in the Franklin High School Handbook

II. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND PROGRAMS

A. Twelfth Grade Alternative High School Assessment (AHSA)

It is expected that a pupil will demonstrate proficiency (score of 200 or above) on the NJ State Assessment required for graduation (HSPA). If a pupil does not demonstrate proficiency, an alternative assessment is available. This assessment is referred to as the Alternative High School Assessment (AHSA).

1. HSPA Process*

a. Every 11th grade pupil is required to take the March HSPA in Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics to determine his/her proficiency in reading, writing and computation.

b. The State creates an Individual Student Report (ISR) indicating the pupil’s performance in each content area. Pupils who receive a score equal to or greater than 200 are considered proficient in that content area and have met the State’s testing graduation requirement.

c. Pupils who score below the proficiency level of 200 in either Language Arts Literacy or Mathematics are considered partially proficient in that content area.

d. Pupils who are partially proficient must retake the HSPA in October of their senior year and enroll in the AHSA instructional program in order to receive additional instruction in the content area in which he/she scored partially proficient. If pupils do not achieve proficiency on the October HSPA, he/she must retake the HSPA in March.

In the case that a pupil does not demonstrate proficiency on the Language Arts Literacy and/or Mathematics sections of the HSPA, the AHSA will be

administered.

2. AHSA Components*

The AHSA process consists of two components: the instructional program and the administration of Performance Assessment Tasks (PATs).

a. The instructional program, which begins at the beginning of the 12th grade school year, focuses on the specific areas of weakness as identified by the scores attained in each area of the HSPA and is listed on the pupil’s schedule as a Language Arts Literacy Lab or Mathematics Lab.

b. The PATs are secured tests designed by the State. They are administered individually to each pupil and are scored through a testing vendor approved by the New Jersey Department of Education. The dates for the administration of the PATs are determined by the State.

c. Upon successful completion and verification by the State of the required number of PATs in each content area, the pupil will be deemed to have demonstrated proficiency.

A pupil who is enrolled in a Language Arts Literacy or Mathematics Lab is required by the New Jersey Department of Education to take the HSPA every time that it is administered until the pupil has scored at the proficiency level on the HSPA or has successfully completed the AHSA process.

* It is expected that the ASHA process will conclude along with the HSPA requirement, with the Class of 2015.

B. Option II Programs

While generally a pupil must meet both the State and district proficiency standards in the Core Curriculum Content areas by earning 120 credits in the traditional courses offered at Franklin High School, the State has authorized the Board to establish alternative curricular activities and programs aimed at achieving the Core Curriculum Content Standards. These activities and programs may include but are not limited to one or more of the following:

interdisciplinary or theme-based programs, independent study, student exchange programs, accredited distance learning, internships, community service, co- curricular or extracurricular programs, and/or other structured learning experiences. These activities and programs are referred to as “Option II”.

1. Current Programs

The programs currently available at Franklin High School under Option II are:  on-line courses  independent study  completion of a course in an accepted educational facility or college program  work/study/internships  study abroad

Several stipulations exist for students wishing to complete high school course work in an academic setting other than FHS, to receive high school credits, and to have coursework listed on the high school transcript.

2. Application Process

a. A pupil may avail him/herself of an Option II Program by completing the appropriate form and submitting it to the Guidance and Counseling Department.

b. The application is to be completed by the student/parent/guardian seeking approval for the earning of credit outside the traditional FHS courses offered as described in the FHS Course of Study booklet.

c. The application must be completed and submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the proposed program. All required information must be attached to the application and submitted to the student’s school counselor. d. The application will be reviewed by appropriate FHS staff and administration and a decision will be made within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the application. The applicant will be notified in writing of the status of the application by the guidance department. If additional

information is requested, the information must be submitted within one week of receipt of the request.

e. Course applications and proficiencies must be reviewed and approved by the principal, in conjunction with the Option II Committee, prior to the first instructional meeting of the course.

f. If the FHS Option II Committee declines the application, the student has the ability to appeal the decision. The following must occur:

 The student shall notify the Option II committee in writing within one school day of notification. This appeal should include the reason(s) why the student feels that they should be granted permission for the Option II program.

 The committee will gather information and notify the student within one week of receipt of the appeal.

 Students or their parents may appeal a decision of the Option II committee, after they have met, directly to the Principal.

 The decision of the Principal may be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools, whose decision will be final.

3. Criteria of Programs Under Option II (Evaluation of Proposed Programs

a. The course must be from an accredited institution and/or be monitored by a certified staff member. The institutional accreditation must be from a United States Department of Education recognized national, regionalized, specialized, and/or professional accrediting organization. The course work must be approved by the principal in conjunction with the principal’s committee, or be certified by the principal under 6A:8- 5.1(a)1.ii.

b. Distance learning courses may be taken only if pre-approved as outlined above. The course must be from an accredited institution. The accreditation must be from a United States Department of Education recognized national, regionalized, specialized, and/or professional accrediting organization such as The Accrediting Commission of the

Distance Education and Training Council; or be approved by the principal in conjunction with the principal’s committee, or be certified by the principal under 6A:8-5.1(a)1.ii.

c. Private tutoring for advancing credit is not acceptable unless certified by the principal under 6A:8-5.1(a)1.ii.

d. When considering the awarding of credit under Option II. FHS considers the following points:

 Does the content of the course/program directly relate to the Common Core Standards? The common core may be found at the NJ Department of Education website at www.state.nj.us/education.

 Is the program taught/organized by a qualified professional/person?

 What are the goals, objectives, activities, and assessment methods of the program?

 What is the total number of hours associated with the program?

 Are there any issues involving student safety?

4. Guidelines of Programs Under Option II (Assessment of Student Progress)

The expectation is that the course will be completed during the time specified on the approval form. The transcript will denote course work as per the protocol described in the FHS Course of Study under the “Course Withdrawal” and includes course work which is not completed.

a. FHS must receive an official transcript, or documentation from a certified staff member, clearly showing successful completion of the course work. No grade will appear on the transcript until an official transcript, or documentation from a certified staff member, is received. If no documentation is received a (W) will be posted on the FHS permanent record (transcript) as of the date grades are submitted for the next marking period/semester.

b. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain academic standing and

enrollment in the approved Option II program. Any failure to complete an approved program may jeopardize the student’s ability to earn credit for the course. In the event of a student withdrawing from an approved Option II program, FHS cannot guarantee placement in an equivalent FHS course.

c. FHS reserves the right to determine the number of credits to be awarded. Any credits earned via the Option II process, will not be calculated towards the overall Grade Point Average; therefore having no effect on the student’s class rank. However, the course name and actual grade earned will be noted on the student’s official transcript.

d. The student/parent/guardian is/are responsible for:

 Completing the application and providing all requested information in the stated time frame.

 Any tuition or other costs related to the program, including transportation requirements.

 Maintaining attendance and academic records for the approved Option II program.

 Providing FHS with all requested information including, but not limited to, academic progress, course syllabus, final grade report, instructor credentials, assessment methods, links to Common Core, and proof of attendance.

 Submission of program experience from an approved Option II program must be received no later than two-weeks after the conclusion of the program.

C. Pupils with Limited English Proficiency

Pupils with limited English proficiency must meet all graduation requirements including demonstrating proficiency on all State and/or alternative assessments required for graduation. An opportunity may be afforded the pupil to demonstrate that he/she has attained State minimum levels of proficiency through successful completion of the AHSA process in their native language,

provided that he/she also passes an English proficiency assessment approved by the NJ Department of Education.

D. Special Education

Pupils with disabilities must meet all State and district high school graduation requirements in order to receive a State-endorsed high school diploma unless exempted in his/her Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Please refer to Policy 6146 and Policy 6171.4.

E. Early Graduation

Pupils who have demonstrated scholastic aptitude, readiness for the workforce, financial need, or a serious health or family concern may be considered for early graduation.

1. Early Graduation Process

a. A pupil who wishes to graduate before the completion of grade 12 must submit a letter to the principal.

b. This letter should state:  the reason why the pupil wishes to graduate;  evidence that the pupil has or will complete all graduation requirements prior to the graduation date;  parent/guardian written approval, and  the pupil’s plan of action after graduation.

c. The principal will meet with the pupil and his/her parent/guardian and make a determination.

d. Approval must be obtained one year in advance of the projected graduation date.

III. PROCESS TO IDENTIFY PUPILS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE TO MEET GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THEM

A. Identification of Pupils in Need of Assistance

1. The Board has directed the Superintendent to put into effect the procedures necessary to review pupil records and to identify those pupils who are not meeting the State or district proficiency requirements at the earliest opportunity. This is achieved in the following ways:

a. Pupils in the 8th grade are given a standardized State assessment, (NJASK 8) and the results are provided to the administration and teachers of Franklin High School.

b. Pupils are evaluated by their teachers through a progress report four times a year and additionally as needed.

c. Report cards are issued for each of the four marking periods. Each marking period is approximately 45 days.

B. Programs to Assist Pupils

1. The Board has directed the Superintendent to develop programs to address the needs of those pupils who are not meeting the State or district proficiency requirements. These programs should target these pupils at the lowest possible grade level. To date, this is achieved in the following ways:

a. Based on the yearly State assessments, and as early as the 9th grade, pupils whose student profile indicators show a deficiency in Language Arts Literacy or Mathematics are enrolled in an early intervention program of academic support, which consists of placement in Language Arts Literacy Lab and/or Mathematics Lab classes.

b. The Guidance and Counseling Department, at the request of pupil, his/her parent/guardian, and/or his/her teacher will provide information on tutoring options to assist the pupil who is not meeting the State or district proficiency requirements. Among these options are:

 Project Success: This program operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for one hour after school and three hours on Saturday mornings. Teachers provide extra instructional time with pupils who need additional help in a particular subject area. These sessions are open to all pupils and are free of charge.

 Peer Tutoring: Members of Franklin High School National Honor Society who are willing to tutor are matched with pupils in need of assistance in a given subject area. A counselor introduces the pupils and helps them to arrange a tutorial schedule.

 Athletic Academic Assistance (AAA): This is an athletic probation program for athletes who are in need of assistance to maintain satisfactory progress in the classroom. The pupils are identified by teachers and referred to the athletic advisor. The pupils are then pulled from their physical education class for ten days during which time he/she is given whatever assistance is necessary to recapture good academic standing. If the ten day probationary period is not successful, further athletic action and/or suspension from athletic activities will take place and the pupil will be returned to his/her physical education class.

Adopted:October 28, 2010 Revised:July 31, 2014; December 11, 2014