Credits for High School Graduation
From 704 KAR 3:303, Required Program of Studies:
A high school graduation credit may be awarded in either of two ways: Carnegie Units (defined as at least 120 hours of instructional time in one subject) OR performance-based credits, defined at the local level regardless of the number of instructional hours. Districts and schools are accountable for making sure that each student’s educational program includes the minimum content as specified in the Kentucky Academic Standards and/or Career and Technical Education Programs of Study and provides the student with the opportunity to learn the standards (including appropriate supports based on the individual learning needs of a student).
The Kentucky Board of Education identifies the minimum credits required for graduation (704 KAR 3:305) and the local district sets the local requirements in its district graduation policy.
Performance-Based Credit
Performance-based credits refer to credits earned by a student outside of the traditional structure of a 120-hour instructional course. In order to award such credits, districts must establish a policy for a performance-based system that:
provides procedures for developing performance-based credit courses
identifies related performance descriptors and assessments
establishes grading and reporting procedures
specifies content standards as addressed in Kentucky’s Academic Standards
identifies the extent to which end-of-course assessments will be used
allows for students to demonstrate proficiency and earn credit for learning acquired outside of school or in prior learning experiences
allows students to pursue internships, cooperative learning experiences and other learning experiences in the school and community
Performance-based credit may be awarded for these types of courses:
course work that allows satisfactory demonstration of learning
course work that constitutes satisfactory demonstration of learning in a course for which the student failed to earn credit when the course was previously taken
standards-based portfolios, including senior year or capstone projects
standards-based online or other technology-mediated courses
standards-based dual credit or other equivalency courses
standards-based internship, cooperative-learning experience or other supervised learning experiences in the school and the community