The Kent City Schools are committed to preparing students for remediation-free college and career readiness and life-long learning by striving to address their unique needs and talents as they select and complete credit-earning high school coursework in preparation for graduation from Theodore Roosevelt High School. Ohio’s Credit Flexibility Policy and the Kent City School District’s Credit Flexibility Plan acknowledge that students learn at different rates while responding differently to varying instructional strategies, and are designed to focus on supporting and accelerating student learning. As you seek to maximize your learning experiences while in the Kent Schools we encourage you to discuss the educational options described below with your parents, teachers, and school counselors.
Ohio Senate Bill 311, established in 2006, directed the State Board of Education to develop a statewide plan for implementing methods for students to earn units of high school credit to meet the Ohio Core Curriculum. With Credit Flex, high school students can earn credit in three ways, or in a combination of these ways:
By completing traditional coursework
By testing out or otherwise demonstrating mastery of the course content; or
By pursuing one or more “educational options” (e.g., distance learning, educational travel, independent study, an internship, music, arts, afterschool program, community service or engagement project and sports).
Meets the established course pre-requisites
Demonstrates competency in the content area he/she wishes to study further
Possesses sufficient skills or knowledge to be able to work independently
Analyzes, synthesizes and evaluates information and resources
Researches independently and completes learning activities on time
Students selecting any of the following will complete an application in consultation with their school counselors: Test out options, College Credit Plus, pre-approved internet-based learning programs, evening school approved programs, approved summer learning programs for college credit. The review team reserves the right to evaluate any proposed learning options for quality and alignment prior to approval for credit
Student -Designed Proposals require additional components of the application; students and families should complete all portions of the attached plan application in consultation with their school counselors. This option refers to individual student-designed proposals that may include but are not limited to: Independent Study Projects; Mentorship/Internships (outside already existing high school programs); Educational Travel, Study Abroad; Selective Memberships (i.e. Cuyahoga Valley Youth Orchestra, Akron Youth Ballet, etc.); music, arts, after-school/tutorial programs. Students complete the Credit Flex Prospectus found in the Kent City School District Credit Flexibility Application Packet. The proposal must include:
Clearly defined goals that are tied directly to Ohio’s Learning Standards (www.ode.state.oh.us) or course expectations for elective courses, and clearly defined activities that will lead to successful attainment of described goals.
Description and rubric for how the goals will be measured against Ohio’s Learning Standards in order to provide evidence of student learning.
Timeline of proposed activities and measurements, including target date and time for final review.
Earning of credit in a course for which there is a required state summative exam does NOT exempt the student from testing requirement nor the performance criteria to graduate from high school.
Demonstration of Mastery- Students may utilize Credit Flexibility as a means to earn credit in a course without taking and/or completing the course. Demonstration of mastery may include:
Test-out options (profiecent scores on Ohio State EOC)
A Profienct score on an EOC will be equivalent to a P grade on the students transcript. and AP tests. In addition to final exams provided
Advanced Placement Test-Out Option (Fee Required) Students who score a 5 will be awarded an A as their final grade, students who score a 4 will be awarded a B as their final grade, and students who score a 3 will be awarded a C as their final grade. Any score lower than a 3 will not be considered successful, and the student will be expected to participate in the class in order to earn the credit.
Final Exam
Students may test out of a course by earning a passing grade on a final exam written by the TRHS department of that course or a passing grade on an APEX final exam (if available).
Coursework
1. Summer School Students may earn credit toward graduation by enrolling and successfully completing a course at TRHS or another accredited high school. It is important that the student complete the application and be preapproved to assure that the course is required and credit will transfer to TRHS. Students are responsible for associated costs.
2. Distance Learning Any course taught where the instructor and the student are not in the same location is considered a distance learning course.
3. Online Learning Students will complete online coursework in various subjects at their own pace. Credit is awarded upon successful completion of the class. Students will be scheduled for this option as appropriate and as space allows.
4. Correspondence Learning Correspondence courses become necessary when students find themselves behind in credits for various reasons. Correspondence courses are offered through various accredited providers and will be explored in situations deemed appropriate by the school counselor and approved by the administration.
Discuss possible credit flex plan with your counselor and parents
Complete an application. Applications are available from the HHS Guidance & Counseling website
Download related course information from the Ohio Department of Education Content Standard. You may need these guidelines to help you complete the application
Be prepared to attend a meeting to discuss your proposal or to re-submit it as necessary.
Once the application is approved, the course must be completed as approved by the committee Accepted applications may be withdrawn at anytime
Any student may apply for credit to be awarded through Kent City Schools’ Credit Flexibility Program. All required information must be presented and the student may be required to provide supporting documentation as determined by the established Credit Flexibility Interdisciplinary Team. Additional costs associated with student proposed activities, materials, programs or assessments for credit flexibility will be the sole responsibility of the student and his/her parent/guardian.
Please review the attached tables that define the roles and responsibilities of all persons involved with creating, implementing, and evaluating the plan.
Fall Session: September 1 Work must be completed by December 15th for grades to be posted at the end of semester 1
Spring Session: December 15 Work must be completed by May 1 for grades to be posted at the end of semester 2
Summer Session: May 1 Work must be completed by September 1 for grades to be posted at the end of semester 1
For all options except the Student-Designed Proposal, the application will be reviewed by a Credit Flexibility Review Team, including but not limited to the student’s school counselor and appropriate department chair or department designee.
For the Student-Designed Proposal, parents and student will be invited to a meeting where the application will be reviewed by the Credit Flexibility Interdisciplinary Team, including but not limited to the student’s principal, student’s school counselor, appropriate department chair or department designee, and an appropriate mentor/teacher. If approved, the building principal, student’s parent(s)/guardian, student, school counselor and teacher supporting the learning activities (if applicable) will sign a Credit Flexibility Contract, addressing any modifications or suggestions by the Credit Flexibility Interdisciplinary Team.
The School reserves the right to alter the proposed timeline, and/or assessments required for flexible credit prior to signing the proposal and creating the agreement.
At the completion of the activities and/or assessments for the proposed flexible credit, when appropriate, the student will meet with the Credit Flexibility Interdisciplinary Team and the teacher of record. The student will present the proposed evidence and will respond to any questions or requests for demonstration of skill and/or knowledge asked by the mentor/teacher. After hearing the student’s oral evidence and/or examining evidence of learning, the mentor/teacher may recommend: 1) grant credit and issue grade or 2) deny credit. The mentor/teacher will grant or deny credit and issue a final grade for the proposed credit within 10 school calendar days upon student demonstration of mastery.
The following standards and guidelines apply to credit awards:
All fees associated with the credit flexibility proposal will be at the expense of the student/family.
The total number of credits that may be awarded is not limited.
The successful completion of an approved course may result in credit being designated as fulfilling either required or elective credit toward graduation requirements.
All courses and/or student-designed proposals must be aligned to the Ohio Learning Standards or course expectations for elective courses, to receive credit. Credit may count toward a related or required course requirement for graduation or for electives that do not appear in the local curriculum.
Credit from other districts and educational providers, including online providers, may be accepted in accordance with the Ohio Operating Standards.
Equivalency for a Carnegie unit will be based on mastery of one year’s worth of course content as described in Ohio’s Learning Standards.
All college level courses will be accepted for high school credit.
Students must meet established course pre-requisites for course level advancements.
If a student transfers from another school district and the student has not completed the credit flexibility proposal as approved by the other district, the Principal may consider this a new application for credit. The administration may award partial or full credit based on the status of the proposed plan at the time of transfer as determined by the team.
Credit may be earned simultaneously for 1) secondary and post- secondary credit), 2) more than one academic content/course area.
The individual credit flexibility proposal may allow for partial credit to be earned.
Grading policies that are in place at Kent City School District will be followed.
The choice between a pass/fail option grade and a letter grade for Student-Designed Credit Flexibility Proposals must be made at the time of the application and may not be changed once the application is approved.
Grades will be posted on the student transcript and included in the student’s grade point average. Grades for student-designed proposals will be awarded as determined by the Credit Flexibility Interdisciplinary Team.
If the student is unable to complete the proposed credit due to illness or other good reason, the Credit Flexibility Review or Interdisciplinary Teams may extend the time permitted to complete the proposal, revise the requirements, or revoke the application without posting a failing grade.
If the student fails to complete the alternative course work, activity, assessment or performance as stated in the plan provided, the approval to pursue the proposed credit will be revoked and a failing grade reported on the student transcript. The failing mark will be included on the transcript and calculated into the grade point average.
The final grade must be posted before the credit can count toward graduation, including early graduation.
All appeals regarding denial of participation in the credit flexibility option, denial of credit, issuance of a contested grade in the credit flexibility option shall be placed in writing and submitted to the Principal within 10 school days of the denial.
The Review Board will consist of the Director of Instructional Program for Kent City Schools, the Principal, a teacher of the content area studied and anyone else designated by the Director of Instructional Program. The Review Board will consult with the teacher of record regarding work submitted and rationale for the grade earned.
The decision of the Review Board will be by majority vote and will be the final determination in the appeal process. A decision will be made within 10 school days.
Students may only attempt the credit flexibility option once for a particular course.
Students wishing to participate in high school athletics must be aware that credit flexibility learning experiences will not be factored into their eligibility considerations. We recommend that students continue to enroll in courses posted on the approved NCAA website to remain eligible for participation.
Seniors wishing to pursue Division I or Division II NCAA athletic eligibility are responsible for ensuring that they will meet the appropriate requirements.
OHSAA requires that student-athletes must receive passing grades in a minimum of five one-credit courses, or the equivalent, in the immediately preceding grading period in order to be eligible to participate.