The
Graduation Initiative Program for dropout prevention is designed to
award a high school diploma to students who demonstrate success in
this performance-based program by passing the FCAT and GED tests,
and by successfully completing an academic and work program. The
program assists students who are overage and have not been
successful in earning the credits required for graduation.
The
program does not authorize early exit or early graduation for
students. It is designed to enable students to graduate with the
class with whom they entered kindergarten, or as soon thereafter as
possible. The program will include counseling and advisement
services.
Students will participate in instruction designed to develop skills
tested on the FCAT and GED tests. GED testing will be coordinated
through Florida Community College of Jacksonville.
Graduation Initiative
Basic Requirements
The student must meet criteria for an approved dropout program.
The student is over age for grade.
The student must achieve a grade level 9 in reading and math on the
TABE test to be considered.
The peer group with which the student entered kindergarten is either
graduating or has already graduated.
The student must maintain employment of 20 hours per week throughout
the school year.
The student must pass the FCAT and GED tests in order to receive a
standard district high school diploma.
THE
ENTRY PROCESS OF THE GED EXIT OPTION MODEL
Students and parents must complete and submit an application to
their guidance counselor. Applications are available in the
Guidance Office and in C210.
All students are administered the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
to determine their academic level. Students must achieve a 9th grade
level in both math and reading on the TABE to be eligible.
A contract outlining the requirements of the program must be entered
into between the school, parent, and student prior to acceptance
into the program.
In order to remain enrolled in the program, students must be
employed, work 20 hours per week, and be enrolled in an
On-Job-Training program.
Students may not take the GED test and graduate prior to the class
with whom they entered Kindergarten.
Upon successful completion of the FCAT and GED test, the student
will receive a standard district high school diploma.
GED
Exit Option Model
The
GED Exit Option Model is a program approved through an agreement
between the Florida Department of Education (DOE) and the American
Council of Education (ACE) to assist overage-for-grade students in
graduating from high school via successful completion of the GED
Test and FCAT exam.
Generally speaking, students currently enrolled in high school are
not allowed to take the GED test as a means for graduation. This is
done to avoid encouraging students to leave school before
graduation. However, ACE has given authorization to several states,
including Florida, to use GED testing as an exit option for
overage-for-grade students.
Students will be provided with all
services and will have access to all
resources normally offered at Mandarin High School
