Scottsbluff High School Graduation honors

Rationale for Review Current valedictorian/salutatorian system recognizes two students based on weighted GPA. Dual credit and AP courses in the core subjects are weighted. Issues with current system Students “gaming” the system Conflicts with Career Academy programming Increased dual credit offerings Most colleges do not consider weighted GPAs

Process for Review Committee comprised of building administrators, counselors, registrar, teacher, current and former parents, and students. Objective – Create a policy that recognizes students for their academic efforts while promoting an education that allows students to take courses that align with their post secondary and career goals.

Process for Review Two meetings in January. Reviewed other school’s recognition systems and articles relating to best practices. Committee is recommending a change to the current policy.

Committee Recommendation Adopt a Laude Recognition System Summa Cum Laude 4.0 grade point average or above Magna Cum Laude grade point average Cum Laude grade point average

Committee Recommendation Grade Point Average The cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a student at the end of eight semesters of high school will be used to determine graduation honors. The GPA will be calculated on a weighted scale. AP and designated dual credit courses offered through Scottsbluff Public Schools will be used for weighting purposes. Transfer students may use AP courses from the school of origination in the weighting process. In order to be eligible for graduation honors, a student must complete all Scottsbluff High School graduation requirements and must be registered as a full- time Scottsbluff High School student (20 credits per semester) during their entire senior year.

Committee Recommendation Weight AP courses and identified dual credit courses. A committee will be developed to determine which dual credit courses are weighted. GradeRegular PointsWeighted Points A B C D

Laude System Data Class of… Number of Graduates Summa Cum Laude 4.0 GPA or above Magna Cum Laude GPA Cum Laude GPA Percentag e Totals /7.2%5/3%10/6%16.2% /11.3%3/1.9%8/5%18.2% /7.8%2/1.1%11/6.1%15% /10.3%8/4.6%10/5.7%20.6% Key Notes All numbers were figured using the weighted scale. Class of 2016 data is reflective of seven semesters of coursework. Class of 2013 was the first class to use weighted grades.

Next Steps Form committee to identify dual credit courses to be weighted. Determine year of implementation. Final approval from the board at March meeting.

SCOTTSBLUFF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Grades 9 & 10 Pre-Career Academy Courses Grade 11 Foundational Career Academy Grade 12 Second Foundational Career Academy or Specialized Academy Pathway Career Academy continuum

PROPOSED GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS CLASS OF 2017CLASS OF 2018 AND BEYOND CREDIT HOURS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION - 263CREDIT HOURS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION ENGLISH40CAREER ACADEMY70 English 9 or Honors English 910Pre-Academy Course(s)10 English 10 or Honors English 1010Foundational Academy or Pathway Courses60 English 11 or AP English Language10 * Successful completion of two Foundational Career Academies OR English Elective10 one Foundational Career Academy AND one Specialized Academy Pathway is required for graduation. MATH30 ** Courses may count toward completion of both a Foundational Career Algebra I10 Academy and core content requirements. However, they may only Geometry or Advanced Geometry10 be counted once toward total hours needed for graduation (265). Math Elective10ENGLISH40 English 9 or Honors English 910 SCIENCE30English 10 or Honors English 1010 Physical Science10English 11 or AP English Language10 Biology10English Elective10 Science Elective10 MATH30 SOCIAL STUDIES35Algebra I10 Geography/Current Events10Geometry or Advanced Geometry10 U.S. History or AP U.S. History10Math Elective10 World History or AP World History10 American Government5SCIENCE30 Physical Science10 PHYSICAL EDUCATION10Biology10 Science Elective10 VOCATIONAL/TECHNOLOGY10 Personal Finance5SOCIAL SCIENCES30 Geography/World History10 FINE ARTS5U.S. History or AP U.S. History10 American Government5 Social Sciences Elective5 PHYSICAL EDUCATION10 PERSONAL FINANCE1