1. Credit By Demonstrated Mastery
December 2014

2. What is Mastery?
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.

3. What is CDM?
“Credit by demonstrated mastery” is the process by which a school district shall, based upon a body-of-evidence, award a student credit in a particular course without requiring the student to complete classroom instruction for a certain amount of seat time.

4. State Board Policy Reference
Section 13 of GCS-M-001 provides the following Credit by Demonstrated Mastery policy:
13. Credit by Demonstrated Mastery

5. When does Credit by Demonstrated Mastery begin and for what group of students?
Beginning with the SY to inform placement for the SY, CDM shall be available for all NC students in grades 9-12 for high school courses and in grades 6-8 for high school courses offered in middle school.
For Hickory Public Schools, CDM is offered for Math I in the middle schools. (current 6th and 7th graders)

6. What does that mean for our high school students?
Students may choose to complete the CDM process for any eligible course that is next in the sequence.
Affects the students’ schedules for NEXT school year.

7. Example: Current 8th Grade Student
Sammy is a whiz in many core subjects. His family wants him to CDM some of his freshmen level classes such as English I, Math I and Earth Science. Sammy takes but does not pass the exam for Earth Science. In 9th grade, he will sit for that course. Sammy does meet the CDM requirements for Math I and English I so he will jump to Math II and English II during his 9th grade year.

8. Example: Current 9th Grade Student
Johnny is a current 9th grader enrolled in Math II. He is amazing in math. His family chooses to CDM Math III. He makes the cut score on the exam and passes the artifact. He receives CDM for Math III. Next school year, he can take Math IV while in the 10th grade. This will complete his 4 required maths.

9. Example: Current 10th Grade Student
Julie is a history whiz!!! Her family wants her to do the CDM process for American History I. She passes American History I through CDM. In the 11th grade she can take American History II.

10. CDM Process for Families
Student/family completes application
Meet with school team to discuss application and process
Complete Phase I assessment
If success, complete Phase II performance based task and present to content team
If success, receive credit for course

11. Parent/Student Responsibilities
Complete the application for CDM prior to the due date (February 1)
Meet with the school counselors to discuss the long-term benefits/consequences of CDM
Contact prospective colleges/universities to see if any admission concerns
If planning to be a college athlete, contact NCAA to see if all requirements will still be met
Meet all timelines and due dates

12. Additional Details
The credit for the class will appear on the transcript as a “P”
There will be no honors credit assigned
The class will not count in the GPA
The student must pass the Phase I assessment on the first try, without receiving instruction in the class
If the student does not pass the Phase I assessment, the student must sit for the class the following year

13. Frequently Asked Questions
Are some classes excluded in CDM? Yes
-CTE classes that are work-based or internships
-Performance-based classes
-Classes not offered at the school
-AP
-IB

14. What score does the student need to have on the exam?
EOC
Math I > 264
Biology > 261
English II > 165
CTE - 93
Final Exam - 94

15. What if a student wants to retest? Is that allowable?
No. Retesting is not permitted. Students attempting CDM receive one opportunity per course to achieve the minimum standards to earn CDM.

16. What type of credit does a student receive with CDM?
Pass. The school shall not grant a numeric or letter grade for the course and shall not include the grade in the student’s GPA. The course will receive standard weight only.

17. Is there a limit to the number of courses for which a student may earn credit using the CDM policy?
No. Students may earn credit using CDM for as many courses as they wish and districts may not impose local limitations.

18. May students earn CDM credit for honors level courses?
No. CDM is only available for standard-level courses

19. Can students enrolled in a course decide to earn CDM partway through the course?
No. This policy currently only applies to students who wish to accelerate without enrolling in a course

20. Where can I find more information?
HPS Student Services website will have a link to the DPI website
The HPS website will also have this presentation, application, timelines and other information posted.
Contact Caroline Lovette or Jennie Lovelace at HHS.

21. Timelines
Application due before February 1 of each year for spring testing and scheduling for the next school year
Testing completed the last two weeks of February
Notification of scores mid-March
Phase II performance artifact process mid- March to April

22. Questions?