What is CDM (Credit by Demonstrated Mastery)?
CDM is an option for a student to obtain credit (but not grade points) for a standard level high school course without taking the course in the classroom or through an online provider. CDM cannot be used to gain credit for honors or Advanced Placement courses, ELL courses, required Healthful Living courses, or for CTE courses that are worked-based or have a clinical component. Under the guidelines established by the State Board of Education, CDM is only available for students that achieve mastery of course material *at a level that demonstrates a deep understanding of the content standards and the ability to apply his or her knowledge of the material." Earning CDM requires that the student successfully complete a two-phase process as follows:
Phase I: A Standard Examination
Achieving a Level V score on an End of Course (EOC) test in a subject for which an EOC test is offered
Achieving a score of 93% or higher on courses for which a CTE Post Assessment is available
Achieving a score of 94% or higher on an assessment for a course in which an EOC or CTE Post Assessment is not available.
Phase II: Completing an Artifact (work product)
The artifact will be a project or portfolio that demonstrates the student's ability to apply the knowledge and skills of the course. It will be developed and assigned by the school and may take the form of a written project, a skills demonstration, an oral presentation or interview, and/or other assessments appropriate for the course.
The intent of the CDM process is to provide subject acceleration for students who have already mastered the content standards for a particular course. However, it is important to keep in mind how obtaining credit will impact the student’s course of study for the remainder of high school. Since CDM only awards general level credit and it not factored into GPA’s, students will want to work with counselors to select additional advanced level courses (AP, IB, or CCP) to fit their needs if CDM credit is awarded.
Remember, a student will need to demonstrate mastery the semester before the CDM class is scheduled to allow time for schedule adjustments should the student successfully complete the process. Only one attempt at CDM is allowed for any course. Students who pass both receive a PASS-CDM on transcript for that class. Students who do not pass are not penalized in any way. They proceed with the course as usual.
Any middle or high school student may apply for CDM for a high-school standard level course by following these steps:
Complete a CDM Application in full and return by the determined deadline (available from school counselor).
Agree as part of the application that if the student passes the Phase 1 assessment at the specified level, he/she commits to fulfill all Phase 2 artifact requirements.
The student/family agree to meet with a school counselor/CDM Review Team to ensure understanding of the process and implications of further coursework if a student is successful at CDM.
For more information contact:
Kristie Autrey AIG Director or Dylan Johnson High School Principal