Alternate Methods for Earning Credit

The district shall not accept credits earned by students in non-accredited schools. To receive credit for the course work from home schooling or unaccredited schools, students must pass Credit by Examination (TAC 75.166) for each course in which they are seeking credit. See the Credit by Examination with Prior Instruction section in this handbook [policy EEJA (local)]. Additional information about this program can be obtained in the school’s counseling office.

Credit by Exam is designed as an option to earn credit for those students who have attended a class at least 55 hours (11 weeks) and received a semester average no lower than a 60. The decision to allow a student to earn credit by exam must be made by the attendance committee when failure of the course resulted from excessive absences. Students have the opportunity to take an exam through either Texas Tech or UT Austin correspondence school. Applications may be obtained online and approved in the high school counseling center. A score of 70 or better on the CBE is required for credit. If credit is awarded, grades will be recorded on the student's transcript, computed in the credits toward graduation, and calculated in the student's overall grade average and rank in class.

Students entering Cedar Hill ISD from a home school or unaccredited private schools will have the opportunity to take CBEs free of charge for verification of credit purposes into CHISD. An exam must be taken for each core course for which credit has been granted. A grade of 70 or above must be made to verify credit. If retakes are required, they will be offered at the student’s expense. The university determines the cost of each exam. If failure still occurs, the student must retake the course.

If a student fails to earn credit for a course during the regular school year and/or summer school, one opportunity will be given to take the CBE at the student’s expense.

If the exams are passed with a 70 or above, the transcript will use the code “T” to identify that a CBE was taken, the grade (s), and credit earned. If the exam is failed, the transcript will use the code “T” to identify that a CBE was taken and”NG” for the grade. The grade will not be included the calculation of GPA and rank.

A student may take an exam to accelerate through a subject for which he/she has no prior instruction. Prior approval from parent and principals are required. A score of A score of 80% is required for credit per Senate Bill 1. These exams assess student mastery of the essential elements. Students should see their counselors for registration materials for CBE’s. Tests are provided through Texas Tech University or University of Texas at Austin. There is no charge to the student for the first testing opportunity per subject. A Credit by Exam may not be used to gain eligibility for extracurricular activities. The dates on which exams are scheduled during this school year will be determined by the counseling office and posted. [For further information, see EEJB.] In order for a credit to count for current year graduation purposes, all CBE's must be ordered prior to the last day of the 5th week of the 3rd nine weeks.

• If the exam is passed with a 90 or above, the transcript will use the code "E" to identify the CBE taken, the grade(s) and credit earned.

• The passing grade(s) will be entered into the student's academic history and included in the calculation of the GPA and rank.

• If the exam is failed with an 89 or below. The transcript will use the code "E" to identify the CBE taken, reflects an "NG" for the grade(s), and the grade(s) will not be included in the calculation of the GPA and rank.

• One CBE retake will be allowed per semester credit course.

• In order for a credit to count for current year graduation purposes, all CBE's must be ordered by the last day of the 5th week of the 3rd nine weeks.

• Click here for testing dates and more information in reference to CBEs and EAs.

A student will only be allowed to use the virtual, Edgenuity, program for courses that do not require state testing; unless the student has already received a satisfactory score on the exam. The number of years in high school will determine the number of virtual courses allowed per year (5 courses for students entering year 4, 4 courses for students entering year 3, 3 courses for students entering year 2 and 2 courses for students entering 1st year). If a child fails a course, a meeting with the student, guardian and counselor/dean/assistant principal will be required.