1. Alabama High School Diploma Pathways Chief Academic Officer
April 13, 2017
Dr. Barbara Cooper
Chief Academic Officer

2. One Diploma- Three Pathways
Alternate Achievement Standards Pathway (AAS)
Essentials Pathway
General Education Pathway
Welcome & Introduction (Cooper & All)
Intervention Vision & Show Cause Letter (Cooper)
Intervention Plan (Cooper)
Data Overview (Cooper)
Talk about the data we used to determine the schools
Data on Intervention Schools (Shanthia Washington)
Intervention Timeline (Shanthia Washington)
Q & A

3. Alternate Achievement Standards Pathway
The Alternate Achievement Standards (AAS) Pathway allows students access to credit-eligible courses to meet the required courses in English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Math. Students participate in:
AAS Life Skills
AAS Pre-Vocational
AAS Vocational
AAS Community-Based Work Instruction
Students in this pathway take the Alabama Alternate Assessment.
Students following this pathway must have an IEP.
Welcome & Introduction (Cooper & All)
Intervention Vision & Show Cause Letter (Cooper)
Intervention Plan (Cooper)
Data Overview (Cooper)
Talk about the data we used to determine the schools
Data on Intervention Schools (Shanthia Washington)
Intervention Timeline (Shanthia Washington)
Q & A

4. Essentials Pathway
The Essentials Pathway allows students access to credit-eligible courses to meet the required courses in:
English-Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Math
Community-Based Work Training
Career Technical Education (CTE) courses
Workforce Essentials or Transition Skills II
Cooperative Education and/or Essentials Career Preparation
Students who take four or more Essentials Courses must complete all requirements of the pathway including the work component. This pathway is designed to allow students to participate in career/competitive employment.
This pathway is accepted by most state community colleges, but may not be accepted by most four-year institutions. This pathway is not accepted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for eligibility purposes.
Students following this pathway must have an IEP.

5. General Education Pathway
The General Education Pathway allows students access to general education, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Postsecondary Equivalent Courses leading to the Alabama High School Diploma. This diploma is designed to prepare students for college and career.

6. Alabama High School Diploma
Requirements to earn an Alabama High School Diploma
The state requires 24 credits
LEAs may require additional credits
Welcome & Introduction (Cooper & All)
Intervention Vision & Show Cause Letter (Cooper)
Intervention Plan (Cooper)
Data Overview (Cooper)
Talk about the data we used to determine the schools
Data on Intervention Schools (Shanthia Washington)
Intervention Timeline (Shanthia Washington)
Q & A

7. High School Graduation Requirements
4 Credits English
4 Credits in Math
4 Credits in Science
4 Credits in Social Studies
1 Credit P.E.
.5 Credit Health
1 Credit Career Preparedness
3 Credits CTS and/or Foreign Language or Arts Education
2.5 Elective Credits
24 TOTAL CREDITS (Minimum Requirement)
Welcome & Introduction (Cooper & All)
Intervention Vision & Show Cause Letter (Cooper)
Intervention Plan (Cooper)
Data Overview (Cooper)
Talk about the data we used to determine the schools
Data on Intervention Schools (Shanthia Washington)
Intervention Timeline (Shanthia Washington)
Q & A

8. Official Transcripts
The official transcript should print “Graduate: HS Diploma” for students who receive the Alabama High School Diploma through the Essentials Pathway or the AAS Pathway.  (NOTE: The high school/district determines what is printed in the diploma field on the transcript.)

9. Reminders
All students currently enrolled in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 ( academic school year), will receive credit for courses they have passed.
Starting with the academic school year, only students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be allowed to enroll in the Essentials Pathway courses and the AAS Pathway courses.
General education students who have previously taken Essentials Pathway Courses (currently in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12) will not count in calculating the future USDOE Four-Year Cohort Rate for their respective graduation year (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). Students with disabilities will continue to have all three pathways from which to choose, depending on their individual needs.

10. Reminders
The ALSDE has One Diploma; students will continue to receive an Alabama High School Diploma when they complete the required credits for their diploma pathway.
Only students whose coursework was fully aligned to the state’s core academic content standards will count as graduates in calculating the USDOE Four-Year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the state, local education agencies (LEAs), and local high schools.