Independent Study and Credit Recovery Policy

Independent Study

WPS School Board may elect to offer independent courses that provide fewer than 140 clock hours of instruction and award a standard 1.0 credit if the course meets the conditions outlined in this section of the regulation (Policy IKFD-R).  The total number of standard credits that can be achieved via this waiver is four.  If extenuating circumstances require additional standard credits that can be achieved via this waiver, approval by the superintendent’s designee is required.

With the exception of the clock-hour requirements, these courses shall meet all existing WPS regulations governing high school credit courses.  Independent Study courses shall be graded on a pass-fail basis only.  Students who wish to retake a course to improve their grade point average shall not be allowed to use Independent Study as an option and instead should repeat the full course in a subsequent school year or in a summer session.

Credit Recovery Option

With principal approval, high school students may pursue the Credit Recovery Option if the following criteria are met:

• The student previously completed the course through a WPS program and earned a failing grade (F);

• The high school is able to provide the resources, including a teacher with the required licensure and endorsements (in the area of the coursework) to facilitate the study for credit recovery;

• The assigned teacher shall consider the standards a student previously mastered, as indicated by the previous teacher, standardized assessment, or other locally developed assessment and may tailor course requirements based on previous learning; 

• Successful completion of Credit Recovery Option will be assigned a grade of 60/D; and

• Credit Recovery Option must be completed in the subsequent semester.