704
KAR 3:305. Minimum requirements for high school graduation.
RELATES
TO: KRS 156.160(1)(a), (d), 158.142, 158.645, 158.6451
STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: KRS 156.070, 156.160(1)(a), (d), 158.142
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 core
academic standards incorporated by reference in 704 KAR 3:303. This
administrative regulation establishes the minimum requirements necessary for
entitlement to a high school diploma.
Section
1. Definitions. (1) “Early graduation” means meeting the competency-based
criteria outlined in this administrative regulation and doing so in three (3)
academic years or less.
(2)
“Early Graduation Certificate” means a certificate, awarded by the district and
signed by the principal and superintendent, that shall make the recipient
eligible for 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.
Section
2. Each student in a common school shall have a total of at least twenty-two
(22) credits for high school graduation. Those credits shall include the
content standards as provided in the Kentucky core academic standards, incorporated
by reference in 704 KAR 3:303. Additional standards-based learning experiences
shall align to the student’s individual learning plan and shall consist of
standards-based content. The required credits and demonstrated competencies
shall include the following minimum requirements:
(1)
Language arts - four (4) credits (English I, II, III, and IV) to include the
content contained in the Kentucky core academic standards for English and
language arts and comply with the following:
(a)
Language arts shall be taken each year of high school; and
(b)
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;
(2)
Social studies - three (3) credits to include the content contained in the
Kentucky core academic standards for social studies;
(3)
Mathematics - three (3) credits to include the content contained in the
Kentucky core academic standards for mathematics and include the following
minimum requirements:
(a)
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 core academic
standards, incorporated by reference in 704 KAR 3:303;
(b)
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;
(c)
Any mathematics course other than Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II shall be
counted as an elective; and
(d)
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;
(4)
Science - three (3) credits that shall incorporate lab-based scientific
investigation experiences and include the content contained in the Kentucky
core academic standards for science;
(5)
Health - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in the Kentucky
core academic standards for health;
(6)
Physical education - one-half (1/2) credit to include the content contained in
the Kentucky core academic standards for physical education;
(7)
History and appreciation of visual and performing arts (or another arts course
which incorporates this content) - one (1) credit to include the content
contained in the Kentucky core academic standards for arts and humanities or a
standards-based specialized arts course based on the student’s individual
learning plan;
(8)
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
(9)
Demonstrated performance-based competency in technology.
Section
3. (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 and
addresses the same applicable components of 703 KAR 4:060.
(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 and addresses the same applicable components of 703 KAR 4:060.
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
4. (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 Vocational
Studies Academic Expectations 2.36-2.38 as established in Academic
expectations, 703 KAR 4:060.
(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)
Beginning with the graduating class of 2013, the development of the individual
learning plan for each student shall begin by the end of the sixth grade year
and shall be focused on career exploration and related postsecondary education
and training needs.
Section
5. (1) A board of education may award credit toward high school graduation for
satisfactory demonstration of learning based on content standards described in
the Kentucky core academic standards, incorporated by reference in 704 KAR
3:303, and a rigorous performance standards policy established by the 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 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 standards-based performance-based credit, regardless of the number of
instructional hours in one (1) subject.
(3)
A local board of education which has chosen to award standards-based
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 that is established in the Kentucky core
academic standards, incorporated by reference in 704 KAR 3:303; 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 board of education which has chosen to award standards-based
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 as addressed in 704 KAR 3:303, Required core academic
standards, and 703 KAR 4:060, Academic expectations;
(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 Section 1 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) and 703 KAR 4:060.
Section
6. (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 early graduation as
outlined in Section 9 of this administrative regulation shall be awarded a
graduation diploma.
(2)
The local board of education shall award the diploma.
Section
7. 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
8. Beginning with the graduating class of 2013, if the severity of an
exceptional student’s disability precludes a course of study that meets the
high school graduation requirements established in Section 1 of this
administrative regulation leading to receipt of a high school diploma, an
alternative course of study shall be offered. (1) This course of study shall be
based upon student needs and the provisions specified in 704 KAR 3:303,
Required core academic standards, and shall be reviewed at least annually.
(2)
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.
(3)
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
9. (1) Beginning in the 2014 - 2015 academic year, only students who meet the
criteria outlined in this section shall be eligible for early graduation. Those
students who meet the criteria for early graduation shall receive from the
school district a diploma and an Early Graduation Certificate. Students wishing
to graduate early shall indicate that intent to the school principal at the
beginning of grade 9 or as soon as the intent is known, but within the first
thirty (30) school days of the academic year in which they wish to graduate.
(a)
A student’s intent to graduate early shall be entered into the student
information system by the school district by October 1 of the year in which the
student makes the declaration.
(b)
Students working toward early graduation and receipt of a corresponding Early
Graduation Certificate shall be supported by development and monitoring of an
individual learning plan to support their efforts.
(2)
To graduate early and earn an Early Graduation Certificate, a student shall:
(a)
Score proficient on the end of course exams required by the Kentucky Board of
Education in 703 KAR 5:200; and
(b)
Meet the college readiness exam benchmarks as set by the Council on
Postsecondary Education in 13 KAR 2:020 for placement in credit-bearing courses
without the need for remediation.
(3)
A student who has indicated an intent to graduate early may participate in the
student’s state administration of the college readiness exam prior to the
junior year, if needed.
(5 Ky.R. 633; Am. 6 Ky.R. 53; eff. 7-17-1979; 6 Ky.R. 238; 526; eff. 4-1-1980;
9 Ky.R. 1027; 1208; eff. 8-3-1983; 11 Ky.R. 1076; eff. 3-12-1985; 17 Ky.R. 113;
eff. 9-13-1990; 23 Ky.R. 3419; 3827; 24 Ky.R. 82; eff. 7-2-1997; 32 Ky.R. 1779;
2028; 33 Ky.R. 766; eff. 10-6-2006; 37 Ky.R. 138; 1644; eff. 2-4-2011; 39 Ky.R.
612; 1115; eff. 1-4-2013; 40 Ky.R. 1138; 1406; eff. 3-7-2014.)
