Credits for High School Graduation
From 704 KAR 3:305, minimum requirements for high school graduation:
Section 7.
(1) A local board of education may award credit toward high school graduation for satisfactory demonstration of learning based on content standards described in the Kentucky academic standards, established in 704 KAR 3:303 and 704 KAR Chapter 8, and a rigorous performance standards policy established by the local board of education. A school shall establish performance descriptors and evaluation procedures to determine if the content and performance standards have been met.
(2) A local board of education shall award credit toward high school graduation based on:
(a) A standards-based Carnegie unit credit that shall consist of at least 120 hours of instructional time in one (1) subject; or
(b) A performance-based credit based on standards, regardless of the number of instructional hours in one (1) subject.
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