Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM)

What is CDM?  CDM offers North Carolina students the opportunity to personalize and accelerate their learning by earning course credit through a demonstration of mastery of course material.  The State Board of Education defines "mastery" as a student's command of course material at a level that demonstrates a deep understanding of the content standards and the ability to apply his or her knowledge of the material.  If a student demonstrates mastery for a certain course's content, he or she will receive credit without having to be seated in the classroom.

How does CDM work?  Students shall demonstrate mastery through a multi-phase assessment:  Phase 1: A standard examination, which shall be the EOC when applicable, or a final exam developed locally  Phase 2: An artifact which requires the student to apply knowledge and skills relevant to the content standards  The district may include an additional requirement, such as a performance task.

Phase I Requirements  For EOC Courses (Math I, Biology, and English II), students must achieve a Level IV to proceed to Phase II of CDM.  For eligible CTE courses, students must achieve a scale score of 93 on the state CTE Post-Assessment to proceed to Phase II of CDM.  For locally developed exams, students must achieve a 94 or higher to proceed to Phase II of CDM.

Courses NOT eligible for CDM  Work-based CTE courses (i.e. Internship)  CTE courses that have a clinical requirement (i.e. Nursing Fundamentals)  CTE Advanced Studies courses  English Language Learner (ELL) courses  Healthful Living (i.e. Required Health/PE)  AP courses

CDM Timeline  Mt. Airy High School will begin offering CDM for courses beginning in the school year.  3 testing windows to allow students to earn CDM:  Last 2 weeks of February  Last 2 weeks of July  Last 2 weeks of September  Students MUST apply for CDM for Fall 2015 classes by January 20th,  If applicable, Phase II will take place in March.  CDM decisions will be made in mid-April.

Appeal Process  Students/Parents can appeal a decision in writing within 10 days of receiving notification that an attempt for CDM was unsuccessful.  EOC scores cannot be appealed.  A review panel will conduct an appeals review within 10 days of recieving an appeal request.

Implications for CDM  Students who successfully demonstrate mastery for a course will receive credit, which will count toward graduation requirements.  Students will not recieve a letter or number grade for CDM credit, and therefore, it will not affect his or her GPA or class rank.  Students are not penalized for an unsuccessful attempt, but may not attempt to get CDM for any given course more than once.  Students may not receive CDM credit for Honors-level courses.  According to the NCHSAA, students must be enrolled in at least 3 courses in order to participate in high school athletics.  CDM courses will not be used in the NCAA's initial eligibility process.  Students who gain CDM for CTE courses will not be eligible for articulated credit at the community college.  As long as minimum admission requirements are satisfied, CDM does not affect a student's enrollment in a UNC system university.