POLICY IKF: RSU18 Graduation Requirements
Students must meet specific state and local graduation requirements, consistent with state law, in order to receive a high school diploma. RSU18’s proficiency-based learning system, allows learners to plan an appropriate sequential educational program to meet individual goals. The High School Program of Studies will outline the learning experiences available to learners as well as the specific standards requirements for graduation.
The Board has approved this schedule of minimum requirements for graduation.
Diploma requirements:
Students must meet the following requirements to receive a high school diploma:
1. During each academic year of high school students must be enrolled in an approved learning experience in: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in each academic year of high school.
2. Students are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits. The following number credits are required in each content area.
4 ENGLISH
4 MATH
3 SCIENCE (one of which needs to be a lab science)
3 SOCIAL STUDIES
1 FINE ART
1.5 PE
.5 HEALTH
.5 CAREER PREP
Note: Credits & Learning Experiences - Learning experiences are built on standards and include courses, seminars, independent studies, or other approved classes; at the completion of a learning experience a student is awarded credit. A credit is not based solely upon the notion of seat time; rather, it is based on the demonstration of mastery of standards and content in a predetermined learning experience.
3. Students must demonstrate proficiency in meeting State standards in the following content areas:
A. English Language Arts
B. Mathematics
C. Science
D. Social Studies
4. Students will work toward proficiency in meeting State standards in the following content areas:
(any credit requirements set by RSU 18 for these areas are also listed)
E. Visual and Performing Arts (1 credit)
F. Health Education (.5 credit) and Physical Education (1.5 credits)
G. World Languages
H. Technology
I. Career and Ed Development (.5 credit JMG)
5. Students must work toward proficiency in each of the following Maine Department of Education
Guiding Principles:
*Spoken, written, visual, and performing including the use of technology are all modes of expression
This rubric was created by the Habits of Mind/Guiding Principles Committee, Messalonskee High School
6. Students must complete 40 hours of community service during high school.
Transfer Students / Learning Experiences
For students who transfer to Messalonskee High School, the Messalonskee High School principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience towards achieving the standards in a manner consistent with the School Unit’s curriculum and applicable board policies.
Home-schooled Students
For home-schooled students wishing to receive a diploma from Messalonskee High School, the High School principal shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience toward achieving the content standards of the Learning Results in a manner consistent with the School Unit’s curriculum and applicable board policies.
Early Awarding of Diplomas
A student who has met the State’s and the RSU 18 School Board’s diploma requirements in fewer than four years of high school may be awarded a diploma.
Students Receiving Special Education Services
Students who successfully meet the content standards of the Learning Results, as specified in the goals and objectives of their Individualized Education Plans (IEP), will be determined to have “met” the standard. Students with special needs may earn a diploma by fulfilling State and local requirements as specified by the goals and objectives of their Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Delayed Awarding of Diplomas
At the Superintendent’s discretion, a student who leaves Messalonskee High School to attend an accredited, degree-granting institution of higher education may, upon satisfactory completion of the freshman year, be awarded a high school diploma, although he/she may not have met all diploma requirements.
Participation in Commencement Ceremony
Students who have completed all State and Board requirements for a high school diploma may participate in graduation exercises. Students may, with the permission of the Principal, petition to take part in graduation with their original class (class they entered high school with) if they have not met all graduation requirements, provided they have an approved plan in place to meet graduation requirements and will have earned 90% of their credits toward graduation as well as a majority of their required learning standards at the time of their marching
Honors and Awards at Commencement
In order to be eligible for honors or awards based wholly or in part on academic achievement (e.g., valedictorian, salutatorian, class speaker, “Top 10”), a student must have been enrolled full time at Messalonskee High School during the entire year preceding graduation. Students who do not meet this enrollment requirement will not be “ranked” for the purpose of determining eligibility for graduation honors, awards, or scholarships.
Cross Reference: IKE – Learner Progress through the Learning System
IHA – Basic Instructional Program
IHBGA – Home Schooling – Participation in School Programs
Legal Reference: 20-A M.R.S.A. § 4722; 4722-A; 6209
Ch. 125, 127, 131, 132(Me. Dept. of Ed. Rule)
Date of Adoption: February 4, 2016
Policies/RSU No. 18 Policies/I – Instruction/IKF – Graduation Requirements – 02-04-16