POLICIES FOR STUDENT SCHEDULING

Some general notes about schedules and schedule changes:

• Six-Period Day: Per Education Code and VUSD Board Policy, all students are expected to have a six-period day. Seniors may be exempted from a full 6-period day to a 5-period day if he/she meets the following criteria:

1. Passed 180 credits (as of August of Senior year) or 205 credits (as of January (Spring Semester) of senior year), and have a weighted GPA of 2.75 or higher.

• Academic Tutors, Teacher Aides, Office Aides: Only juniors and seniors may be considered for these positions. Students may only have one period of this type of position in their schedule each school year. Positions require approval from the student’s prospective supervising teacher and counselor prior to being scheduled.

• Teacher Changes: A vast amount of time and energy goes into the scheduling of students into classes. The process of scheduling students is influenced by the number of student requests and also by the need to balance classes. As a result, requests for teacher changes or for period changes cannot be accommodated because of the impact these changes have on the class sizes.

Before the semester begins:

The only schedule changes that will be made must fit into the following categories:

1. To correct a schedule conflict, or to complete an incomplete schedule.

2. To correct an error due to a change of summer school plans or failure to pass a summer school class.

3. To act upon teacher recommendations regarding student placement.

First week of the semester:

Schedule changes during the first week of classes will only be allowed if:

1. A teacher and department head are requesting the change within their department.

2. The counseling staff has concluded that a change is warranted due to extenuating circumstances.

Beginning the second week of each semester:

After the first week of classes, any student or parent initiated request for a schedule change requires the approval of the Assistant Principal of Student Services, and will be approved only for extreme situations. In the case of dropping a class (other than a level change) after the third week of instruction, a withdrawal grade of “F” will appear on the transcript.

Schedule Changes and College Admission:

If you drop a year-long class after you have submitted your college application, the student or parent must notify the college’s admission office immediately.

Reduced High School Schedule Protocol

As a learning institution, Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) endorses the idea that all students (K-12) should be engaged in schooling on a full-time basis. We appreciate and like students at all levels to be taking a full school schedule, ensuring that our district provides necessary education services to every student.

Students attending a VUSD high school are expected to be enrolled in a full six-period instructional day beginning and ending according to the individual school bell schedule. Options for a reduced school schedule are afforded to current year seniors only.

A high school senior may exempt from the required full, six-period schedule and granted a five-period day instead of a six-period day if they meet the following criteria:

1. The student has accumulated 180 credits toward high school graduation and has an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher.

All students in their final year of high school must meet the criteria described above to be released from a full, six period high school schedule. Exceptions to the policy may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the school principal. Special circumstances which allow for a reduced schedule for an individual senior will need full site documentation in the student’s file and notification to the district office.

Students in grades nine through eleven are required to be assigned a full, six-period high school schedule. An individual case review by the principal is necessary to exempt a student from the required full school day. In addition, high school students should not have unscheduled periods during the school day.