The Working in Support of Education (W!SE) financial literacy credential test is closely aligned to the required Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) course. Upon passing the W!SE test and the EPF course, students will have met two graduation requirements—earned one standard unit of credit for EPF and earned the career and technical education industry credential for the Standard Diploma. LCPS students will also have met the diploma requirement for engaging in virtual learning, as a module in the course is presented online.
Students may have three attempts per semester to pass the W!SE test. Students who fail the W!SE test on their first attempt may retake it following remediation up to two additional times per semester.
There are no differentiated cut scores/performance expectations for students with a disability or EL students.
Why is an industry credential required for graduation?
The 2012 General Assembly passed, and the Governor signed into law, HB 1061 and SB 489, to strengthen postsecondary education and workplace readiness opportunities for all students. The legislation says, in part:
“Beginning with first-time ninth grade students in the 2013-2014 school year, requirements for the standard diploma shall include a requirement to earn a career and technical education credential that has been approved by the Board, that could include, but not be limited to, the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure exami nation, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness skills assessment.”
The 2016 General Assembly approved, and the governor signed, House Bill 895 and Senate Bill 336 pertaining to high school graduation requirements. The legislation says, in part that:
“Beginning with first-time ninth grade students in 2018-2019, graduation requirements shall include a requirement that students either (i) complete an Advanced Placement, honors, or International Baccalaureate course or (ii) earn a career and technical education credential that has been approved by the Board, except when a career and technical education
credential in a particular subject area is not readily available or appropriate or does not adequately measure student competency, in which case the student shall receive satisfactory competency-based instruction in the subject area to earn credit. The career and technical education credential, when required, could include the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness skills assessment.”