File: IKFA - Graduation Requirements File: IKFA - Graduation RequirementsIn pursuit of its mission to ensure that all students reach their learning potential, the Board of Education has established the following graduation requirements.
District academic standards
All students must meet or exceed the district's academic standards prior to becoming eligible to graduate or complete the requirements and goals as listed on a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), which may include modified academic standards.
Graduation from high school is a culminating event that results from the foundations built at the elementary and middle levels. Graduation is a collaborative effort among levels in a student's public school career. Each level of school and each staff member or parent/guardian who instructs or counsels a student shares responsibility for the ultimate ability of that student to demonstrate proficiency in the district's academic standards and to meet the expectations for graduation.
Units of credit needed
Graduating Year: | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | HEAR Requirements* | Required Courses |
REQUIREMENTS | |||||
Credits Possible | 30 | 31 | 32 | ||
English/Language Arts | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | LA I-IV |
Social Studies | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Government, American History |
Mathematics | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 (Must include Alg. I & II, Geometry, or higher) | Algebra I |
Science | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 (at least 2 lab-based - i.e. physics and chemistry) | |
Fine Arts | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
Physical Education** | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
World Language | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Computer Science | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
Practical Arts | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
Health Education | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
Electives | 8 | 7 | 8 | 2 | |
TOTAL (87.5% of total credits possible) | 26 | 27 | 28 |
*Fullfillment of the HEAR requirements does not guarantee admission into a four-year college or university in Colorado. In addition to these requirements, students must also meet the Admission Eligibility requirements.
**Physical Education Credit: ¼ credit (up to 1 credit) will be given towards the required P.E. credit for every CHSAA sanctioned sport successfully completed in good standing.
A total of 28 (26 in 2016, 27 in 2017) credits earned during grades nine through twelve are required for graduation. A credit is defined as the amount of credit given for the successful completion of a course which meets five days per week for a minimum of 40 minutes daily for at least 36 weeks or the equivalent. Successful completion means that the student obtained a passing grade for the course.
Required credits/courses
English
- Four credits of core English classes that address all English Language arts standards are required.
Math
- Minimum of four (4) credits are required in senior high school. Courses must include algebra I, and three additional math courses.
Social Sciences
- Three (3) credits that must include government and American History
Credit from other institutions and home-based programs
All students entering from outside the district must meet the district graduation requirements. The principal shall determine whether credit toward graduation requirements shall be granted for courses taken outside the district. Students who are currently enrolled in the district and wish to obtain credit from outside institutions, or through "online" programs, must have prior approval from the principal.
The district shall accept the transcripts from a home-based educational program. In order to determine whether the courses and grades earned are consistent with district requirements and district academic standards, the district shall require submission of the student's work or other proof of academic performance for each course for which credit toward graduation is sought. In addition, the district may administer testing to the student to verify the accuracy of the student's transcripts. The district may reject any transcripts that cannot be verified through such testing.
Independent study
Independent study, work experience and experienced-based programs approved in advance by the principal may be taken for high school credit. Students must submit a request for approval that includes a summary of the educational objectives to be achieved and monitored by a faculty member.
Student course load
The course load for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors shall be a minimum of 7 credits per school year. Students who wish to take less credits in any given school year must obtain advance permission from the principal.
Years of attendance
The Board of Education believes that most students benefit from four years of high school experience and are encouraged not to graduate early. However, in some cases, students need the challenge provided by postsecondary education or other opportunities at an earlier age. Therefore, the principal may grant permission to students wishing to graduate early, provided the student has met all district graduation requirements.
High School Student Classification System
High school students will be classified as 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th graders based on the number of completed credits each year.
7 credits completed = Sophomore
14 credits completed = Junior
21 credits completed = Senior
College Bound Students
Individuals who are interested in going on to college upon graduation are required to develop a transition plan, or an ICAP, with the counselor to best meet entrance requirements and the student's needs. This collaboratively developed plan will identify courses and time schedles that appropriately prepare the student for college entrance.
Student who wish to complete concurrent or on-campus courses must complete and meet the Accuplacer, or any other pre-requisite, and COF requirements as set by the higher education institution.
Adopted:
Revised: August 24, 1999
Revised: June 2002
Revised: February 15, 2006
Revised: August 2009
Revised: October 26, 2015
LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-1-104 (teaching history, culture and civil government)
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(kk) (board to establish graduation requirements that "meet or exceed" state graduation guidelines )
C.R.S. 22-32-132 (discretion to award diploma to honorably discharged veterans)
C.R.S. 22-33-104.5 (home-based education law)
C.R.S. 22-35-101 et seq. (Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act)
CROSS REFS.: AE, Accountability/Commitment to Accomplishment
AEA, Standards Based Education
IHBG, Home Schooling
IHBK*, Preparation for Postsecondary and Workforce Success
IHCDA, Concurrent Enrollment
IK, Academic Achievement
IKA, Grading/Assessment Systems
NOTE 1: In May 2013, the State Board of Education adopted a comprehensive set of guidelines regarding high school graduation requirements. State law establishes a process for local boards of education to develop their own local graduation guidelines that meet or exceed these state graduation guidelines. The following are the critical dates in this process.
By the beginning of the 2014-15 school year - local school boards must adopt high school graduation requirements applicable to students enrolling in the ninth grade in the 2014-15 school year. These local graduation requirements must "meet or exceed any minimum standards or core competencies or skills identified" in the state graduation guidelines. C.R.S. 22-32-109(1)(kk)(II). Staff at the Colorado Department of Education inform CASB that a local board of education meets this statutory requirement for 2014-15 if: (1) the local board has adopted academic standards that meet or exceed the state's academic standards, including standards concerning 21st century skills; and (2) the district develops an Individualized Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) for every student beginning in at least the 9th grade.
Local school boards must undertake a community-based process to develop a blueprint for the education system in the community and to determine the skills students will need to be successful after graduation. School boards shall seek input from the community at large, which may include students, parents, business persons, neighboring school districts and BOCES. C.R.S. 22-32-109(1)(kk)(I)
Prior to the 2017-18 school year -School boards shall use the blueprint, along with the state graduation guidelines, to establish high school graduation requirements. These local graduation requirements shall be implemented and apply to students enrolling in the ninth grade in the 2017-18 school year, but can be implemented before 2017-18 if the board wishes to do so.
Each school board shall report its blueprint and its new or revised high school graduation requirements to the public through the accreditation process as determined by the State Board. In its report, the school board shall demonstrate how its high school graduation requirements meet or exceed any minimum standards, core competencies or skills identified in the state graduation guidelines. C.R.S. 22-32-109(1)(kk)(II).
NOTE 2: In August 2013, the State Board of Education and the Colorado Commission for Higher Education jointly approved the criteria for the postsecondary and workforce readiness (PWR) high school diploma endorsement. State law permits local boards of education to choose whether to require "demonstration of postsecondary and workforce readiness (PWR) as a graduation requirement" and also permits boards to choose to grant a PWR endorsement to each graduating high school student who meets the criteria." C.R.S. 22-7-1016(3), -1017(1)(a). A high school student who graduates with a PWR endorsement is guaranteed admission to some state institutions of higher education and is given "priority consideration" for admission into more selective state institutions of higher education, such as the University of Colorado. C.R.S. 22-7-1017(2).