RELATES TO: KRS 156.160(1)(a), (d), 158.140(6), 158.142,
158.645, 158.6451
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 156.160 requires the
Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations relating
to the courses of study for the different grades and the minimum requirements
for high school graduation. KRS 158.142(3)(b) requires the board to promulgate
administrative regulations establishing requirements for early graduation from
high school. The content standards for the courses of study are established in
the Kentucky academic standards incorporated by reference in 704 KAR 3:303 and
704 KAR Chapter 8. This administrative regulation establishes the minimum
requirements necessary for entitlement to a high school diploma.
Section 1. Definitions.
(1) "Continuity of services plan" means a
plan that outlines the ways in which a student will receive access to essential
services that will end if the student graduates early.
(2) "Early Graduation Certificate" means a
certificate, awarded by the district and signed by the principal and
superintendent, that shall qualify the recipient to be awarded a high school
diploma and a scholarship award equal to one-half (1/2) of the state portion of
the average statewide per pupil guaranteed base funding level, to be used at a
Kentucky public two (2) year community and technical college or a Kentucky four
(4) year public or non-profit independent institution accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
(3) "Early Graduation Program" or "EGP" means
an optional, criteria-based program in which a student may receive a diploma
from the school district, an Early Graduation Certificate, and a scholarship
award upon successful completion of all program requirements provided in
Section 5 of this administrative regulation in three (3) academic years or
less.
(4) "Graduate early" means a
student is awarded a diploma from the district, in under four (4) academic
years from the start of grade 9, based upon meeting the minimum credit
requirements of this administrative regulation and additional requirements as
may be imposed by a local board of education.
Section
2.
(1) A district shall
implement an advising and guidance process throughout the middle and high
schools to provide support for the development and implementation of an
individual learning plan for each student. The plan shall include career
development and awareness and specifically address the content as provided in
the Kentucky academic standards for career studies established in 704 KAR
Chapter 8. The individual learning plan shall not be a substitute for the
statement of transition service needs for students with disabilities as
provided in
707 KAR 1:320.
(2) A
district shall develop a method to evaluate the effectiveness and results of
the individual learning plan process. The evaluation method shall include input
from students, parents, and school staff. As part of the evaluation criteria,
the district shall include indicators related to the status of the student in
the twelve (12) months following the date of graduation.
(3) A feeder middle school and a high school
shall work cooperatively to ensure that each student and parent receives
information and advising regarding the relationship between education and
career opportunities. Advising and guidance shall include information about
financial planning for postsecondary education.
(4) A school shall maintain each student's
individual learning plan. The individual learning plan shall be readily
available to the student and parent and reviewed and approved at least annually
by the student, parents, and school officials.
(5) Beginning with a student's eighth grade
year, the individual learning plan shall set learning goals for the student
based on academic and career interests and shall identify required academic
courses, electives, and extracurricular opportunities aligned to the student's
postsecondary goals. The school shall use information from the individual
learning plans about student needs for academic and elective courses to plan
academic and elective offerings.
(6) The development of the individual
learning plan for each student shall be established within the first ninety
(90) days of the sixth grade year and shall be focused on career exploration
and related postsecondary education and training needs.
Section 3.
(1) For students entering grade 9 on or
before the first day of the 2018-2019 academic year, each student in a public
school shall have a total of at least twenty-two (22) credits for high school
graduation.
(2) Those credits shall
include the content standards as provided in the Kentucky academic standards,
established in
704 KAR 3:303 and KAR Chapter 8.
(3) Additional standards-based learning
experiences shall align to the student's individual learning plan and shall
consist of standards-based content.
(4) The required credits and demonstrated
competencies shall include the following minimum requirements:
(a) Language arts - four (4) credits (English
I, II, III, and IV) to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic
standards for this content area and comply with the following:
1. Language arts shall be taken each year of
high school; and
2. If a student
does not meet the college readiness benchmarks for English and language arts as
established by the Council on Postsecondary Education in
13 KAR 2:020, the
student shall take an English and language arts transitional course or
intervention, which is monitored to address remediation needs, before exiting
high school;
(b) Social
studies - three (3) credits to include the content contained in the Kentucky
academic standards for this content area;
(c) Mathematics - three (3) credits to
include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for this
content area and include the following minimum requirements:
1. Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. An
integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, occupational, or technical course that
prepares a student for a career path based on the student's individual learning
plan may be substituted for a traditional Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II
course on an individual student basis if the course meets the content standards
in the Kentucky academic standards, established in
704 KAR 3:303 and 704
Chapter 8;
2. A mathematics course
or its equivalent as determined by the district shall be taken each year of
high school to ensure readiness for postsecondary education or the
workforce;
3. Any mathematics
course other than Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II shall be counted as an
elective; and
4. If a student does
not meet the college readiness benchmarks for mathematics as established by the
Council on Postsecondary Education in
13 KAR 2:020, the student shall take a
mathematics transitional course or intervention, which is monitored to address
remediation needs, before exiting high school;
(d) Science - three (3) credits that shall
incorporate lab-based scientific investigation experiences and include the
content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for this content
area;
(e) Health - one-half (1/2)
credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for
this content area;
(f) Physical
education - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the
Kentucky academic standards for this content area;
(g) Visual and performing arts - one (1)
credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for
this content area or a standards-based specialized arts course based on the
student's individual learning plan;
(h) Academic and career interest
standards-based learning experiences - seven (7) credits including four (4)
standards-based learning experiences in an academic or career interest based on
the student's individual learning plan; and
(i) Demonstrated performance-based competency
in technology.
Section
4.
(1) Beginning with students
who enter grade 9 on or after the first day of the 2019-2020 academic year, in
order to receive a high school diploma, each student in a public school shall
earn a total of at least twenty-two (22) credits for high school
graduation.
(2) The required
credits shall include the content standards as provided in the Kentucky
academic standards, established in
704 KAR 3:303 and 704 KAR Chapter
8.
(3) Additional standards-based
learning experiences shall align to the student's individual learning plan and
shall consist of standards-based content.
(4) Each student shall be required to
complete the following foundational credits and demonstrated competencies,
consisting of ten (10) credits:
(a)
English/language arts - two (2) credits (English I and II) to include the
content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for this content
area;
(b) Social studies - two (2)
credits to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for
this content area;
(c) Mathematics
- two (2) credits (Algebra I and Geometry) to include the content contained in
the Kentucky academic standards for this content area;
(d) Science - two (2) credits that shall
incorporate lab-based scientific investigation experiences and include the
content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for this content
area;
(e) Health - one-half (1/2)
credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for
this content area;
(f) Physical
education - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the
Kentucky academic standards for this content area; and
(g) Visual and performing arts - one (1)
credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards for
this content area or a standards-based specialized arts course based on the
student's individual learning plan.
(5) In addition to the foundational
requirements established in subsection (4) of this Section, every student shall
earn a minimum of twelve (12) personalized credits in order to receive a high
school diploma. These twelve (12) personalized credits shall include:
(a) Two (2) additional English/Language Arts
credits that include the content contained in the Kentucky academic standards
for this content area and are aligned to the student's individual learning
plan;
(b) Two (2) additional
mathematics credits that include the content contained in the Kentucky academic
standards for this content area and are aligned to the student's individual
learning plan;
(c) One (1)
additional science credit that includes the content contained in the Kentucky
academic standards for this content area and is aligned to the student's
individual learning plan;
(d) One
(1) additional social studies credit that includes the content contained in the
Kentucky academic standards for this content area and is aligned to the
student's individual learning plan;
(e) Academic and career interest
standards-based learning experiences - six (6) credits including four (4)
standards-based learning experiences based on the student's individual learning
plan;
(f) Demonstrate
performance-based competency in technology as approved by the Kentucky
Department of Education;
(g) Pass a
civics test as required by KRS 158.141; and
(h) Beginning with students entering grade 9
on or after the first day of the 2020-2021 academic year, successfully complete
one (1) or more courses or programs that meet the financial literacy
requirements pursuant to KRS 158.1411 and standards as established in 704 KAR
Chapter 8.
Section
5.
(1) Only students who meet
the criteria established in this section shall be eligible for the Early
Graduation Program:
(a) Students wishing to
participate in the EGP shall indicate that intent to the school principal in
writing at the beginning of grade 9 or as soon as the intent is known to the
student, but no later than the first thirty (30) school days of the academic
year in which the student intends to graduate;
(b) Schools and districts shall not prohibit
a student from completing the EGP if the student meets all EGP requirements
provided in this section;
(c)
Students who enroll in the EGP and meet the criteria provided in this section
shall receive from the school district a diploma and an early graduation
certificate;
(d) The school or
district shall enter the enrolled EGP student into the student information
system by October 15 of the year in which the student intends to
graduate;
(e) Students
participating in the EGP shall complete all requirements set forth in this
section applicable to the academic year in which the student intends to
graduate; and
(f) A student who has
indicated an intent to complete the EGP may participate in the state
administration of the college entrance exam prior to the junior year, if
needed.
(2) To
participate in the EGP and graduate during the 2022-2023 school year, a student
shall:
(a) Meet the requirements of subsection
1 of this section;
(b) Meet the
college readiness exam benchmarks established by the Council on Postsecondary
Education in
13 KAR 2:020 for placement in credit-bearing courses without the
need for remediation;
(c) Complete
one (1) or more courses or programs that meet the financial literacy
requirements pursuant to KRS 158.1411; and
(d) Obtain a passing grade on the civics test
pursuant to KRS 158.141.
(3) By July 1, 2023, each school district
shall provide each school within the district with the policy established by
the local board of education for students wishing to participate in the EGP and
earn an Early Graduation Certificate and scholarship. The district policy shall
include:
(a) Criteria for supporting the
development and monitoring of the student individual learning plan, as provided
in Section 2 of this administrative regulation;
(b) Goal planning related to the attainment
of established district essential workplace ethics programs as provided in KRS 158.1413;
(c) Completion of a
professional resume; and
(d)
Completion of one (1) postsecondary admissions application that may be used at
a Kentucky public two (2) year community and technical college or a Kentucky
four (4) year public or non-profit independent institution accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in which the student is interested
in applying.
(4)
Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, each EGP participant, with the
support of the comprehensive school counselor, or designee, shall:
(a) Identify all EGP requirements and develop
a strategy within the individual learning plan for meeting those requirements,
including the district's established workplace ethics program provided in KRS 158.1413; and
(b) Complete an
entrance interview with the principal, or designee, to discuss postsecondary
goals and career aspirations.
(5) Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic
year, to successfully complete the EGP and earn an Early Graduation Certificate
and scholarship, the student shall:
(a)
Communicate intent to the principal as required in subsection (1) of this
section;
(b) Meet the college
entrance exam benchmarks established by the Council on Postsecondary Education
in
13 KAR 2:020 for placement in credit-bearing courses without the need for
remediation;
(c) Earn ten (10)
foundational credits that shall include the content standards as provided in
the Kentucky academic standards, established in
704 KAR 3:303 and 704 KAR
Chapter 8;
(d) Complete the
essential workplace ethics program requirements established by the school
district pursuant to KRS 158.1413;
(e) Complete one (1) or more courses or
programs that meet the financial literacy requirements pursuant to KRS 158.1411; and
(f) Obtain a passing
grade on the civics test pursuant to KRS 158.141.
(6) By July 1, 2024, each local board of
education shall establish a policy requiring high schools to determine
performance descriptors and evaluation procedures for an EGP performance-based
project, portfolio, or capstone required for students who intend to complete
the EGP beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. Performance descriptors and
evaluation procedures shall provide an opportunity for the student to
demonstrate attainment of the following critical skills required for
postsecondary and career success:
(a)
Attainment of essential workplace ethics program components as established by
the board of education pursuant to KRS 158.1413;
(b) Demonstration of an ability to apply the
Kentucky academic standards, established in
704 KAR 3:303 and KAR Chapter 8, as
a life-long learner and contributing member of society;
(c) Demonstration of written and verbal
communication skills needed for postsecondary success; and
(d) Demonstration of an ability to think
critically, synthesize information, and draw conclusions.
(7) Beginning July 1, 2024, the
performance-based project, portfolio, or capstone shall be required for
completion of the EGP.
(8) A school
shall maintain and make readily available to the Kentucky Department of
Education the EGP participant's performance-based project, portfolio, or
capstone for a minimum of five (5) years.
Section 6.
(1) A local board of education may substitute
an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, occupational, technical, or higher
level course for a required course if the alternative course provides rigorous
content.
(2) For students with
disabilities, a local board of education may substitute a functional,
integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, occupational, technical, or higher
level course for a required course if the alternative course provides rigorous
content. These shall be based on grade-level content standards and may be
modified to allow for a narrower breadth, depth, or complexity of the general
grade-level content standards.
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.
(3) A
local board of education which has chosen to award performance-based credit
shall award a standards-based credit earned by a student enrolled in grade 5,
6, 7, or 8 if:
(a) The content of the course
is the same as that described in the Kentucky academic standards, established
in
704 KAR 3:303 and 704 KAR Chapter 8; and
(b) The district has criteria in place to
make a reasonable determination that the middle level student is capable of
success in the high school course.
(4) A local board of education which has
chosen to award performance-based credit shall establish a policy for a
performance-based credit system that includes:
(a) The procedures for developing
performance-based credit systems and for amending the system;
(b) The conditions under which each high
school may grant performance-based credits and the related performance
descriptors and assessments;
(c)
Objective grading and reporting procedures;
(d) Content standards established in
704 KAR 3:303 and 704 KAR Chapter 8;
(e)
The extent to which state-provided assessments will be used in the local
performance-based credit system;
(f) The ability for students to demonstrate
proficiency and earn credit for learning acquired outside of school or in prior
learning; and
(g) Criteria to
ensure that internships, cooperative learning experiences, and other learning
experiences in the school and community are:
1. Designed to further student progress
towards the individual learning plan;
2. Supervised by qualified instructors;
and
3. Aligned with state and local
content and performance standards.
(5) A board of education may award
standards-based, performance-based credit toward high school graduation for:
(a) Standards-based course work that
constitutes satisfactory demonstration of learning in any high school course,
consistent with Sections 3 and 4 of this administrative regulation;
(b) Standards-based course work that
constitutes satisfactory demonstration of learning in a course for which the
student failed to earn credit when the course was taken previously;
(c) Standards-based portfolios, senior year,
or capstone projects;
(d)
Standards-based online or other technology mediated courses;
(e) Standards-based dual credit or other
equivalency courses; or
(f)
Standards-based internship, cooperative learning experience, or other
supervised experience in the school or the community.
(6) Each local board of education shall
maintain a copy of its policy on high school graduation requirements. This
policy shall include a description of how the requirements address KRS 158.6451(1)(b).
Section
8.
(1) A student who
satisfactorily completes the requirements of this administrative regulation and
additional requirements as may be imposed by a local board of education or
meets the requirements for the Early Graduation Program established in Section
5 of this administrative regulation shall be awarded a graduation
diploma.
(2) A local board shall
not adopt any high school graduation requirements that include achieving a
minimum score on a statewide assessment as established in KRS 158.140.
(3) The local board of
education shall award the diploma.
Section 9. This administrative regulation
shall not be interpreted as prohibiting a local governing board,
superintendent, principal, or teacher from awarding special recognition to a
student.
Section 10.
(1) If the severity of an exceptional
student's disability precludes a course of study that meets the high school
graduation requirements established in Sections 3 and 4 of this administrative
regulation leading to receipt of a high school diploma, an alternative course
of study shall be offered.
(2) This
course of study shall be based upon student needs and the provisions
established in
704 KAR 3:303 and 704 KAR Chapter 8, and shall be reviewed at
least annually.
(3) A student who
completes this course of study shall receive an alternative high school diploma
to be awarded by the local board of education consistent with the graduation
practices for all students.
(4) A
local board of education may establish policies to award an alternative high
school diploma to a former student who has received a certificate or
certificate of attainment.
Section
11.
(1) Any student seeking to
graduate early who receives services deemed essential by the local school
district shall engage in meaningful consultation with a school-based mental
health services provider, as defined by KRS 158.4416, on the creation of a
continuity of services plan prior to graduation.
(2) School districts shall ensure the
creation of a continuity of services plan for all students identified as a
homeless child pursuant to 42 U.S.C.
11434, a migratory child pursuant to 20 U.S.C.
6399, or youth engaged in foster care pursuant to
KRS 620.020(5).
(3) The completion of a
transition plan for children aging out of foster care, as described by 42 U.S.C.
675(5)(H), shall meet the requirements outlined in this
section.