a) Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements:

1) For promotion to Grade 12 a student must have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of at least 1.5.
2) For graduation, students in both the 24-credit and 18 credit programs must have a cumulative, unweighted GPA of at least 2.0.
3) Students shall maintain a minimum, cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, in courses required by the state for graduation. This average shall be referred to as the Graduation GPA and should not be confused with the ranking GPA. (See High School - Appendix B.) Schools shall identify students in grades 9 through 12 who are earning grade point averages less than that required for graduation and shall provide assistance to these students. Parents and guardians of students who have cumulative grade point averages less than 0.5 above the required graduation level shall be notified mid-year that the student is at risk of not meeting the GPA graduation requirement.

b) State Scheduling Requirements: For the purposes of graduation, one full credit means a minimum of 135 hours of bona fide instruction in a designated course that contains student performance standards, 120 hours for courses on a block schedule. The hourly requirements for one-half credit would be half of the requirement for one full credit.

c) High School Courses Taken by Middle School Students: Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter, a middle school student who successfully completes a high school course in middle school in a district approved subject shall receive high school credit. Transfer students who received high school credit while in middle school shall be awarded credit without stipulations on subject or year taken.

d) Repeating a High School Course Taken in Middle School: High school students may earn credit toward graduation by repeating a course that is designated in the State Course Code Directory as a Level 2 high school course and that was previously completed at the middle school level with a final grade of “C,” “D,” or “F.” (1003.428(4)(d) F.S.)

e) Credit for Military Basic Training: Students who successfully complete military basic training shall earn one elective half credit toward graduation. An elective physical education will be awarded.

f) Industry Certification Mathematics and Science Substitutions: A student who earns an industry certification for which there is a statewide college industry certification that leads to college credit may substitute up to two mathematics credits and/or one science credit toward high school graduation. Pursuant to F.S. 1003.4282(3)(b), the industry certification mathematics waiver(s) may not be used to substitute Algebra I or Geometry. Pursuant to F.S. 1003.4282(3)(c), the industry certification science waiver may not be used to substitute Biology I. The Career and Technical Education Substitution Form (Appendix L) must be completed and submitted prior to graduation. The industry certification mathematics substitution numbers are 1200998 and 1200999. The industry certification science substitution number is 2000999.

g) Credit Acceleration Program (CAP): Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, CAP allows a secondary student to earn high school credit if the student passes the statewide, standardized end-of-course (EOC) assessment without the requirement of enrolling in or successfully completing the course. These courses include Algebra I, Geometry, U.S. History, and Biology. Students that pass the statewide, standardized EOC for Algebra I, Geometry, U.S. History, and Biology but do not pass the course, shall be awarded the credit through CAP. The failing course grade will count in the calculation of the GPA. Effective July 1, 2016, a student is allowed to earn high school credit in courses required for high school graduation through the passage of an Advanced Placement (AP) examination or a College Level Examination Program (CLEP). If a student attains a passing score on an EOC, AP examination or CLEP, then the school district is required to award course credit to the student who is not enrolled or who has not completed the course. If it is determined that CAP credit is not appropriate for the student, the student and parent will meet with the school counselor and must submit the request in writing to the principal.

h) Programs of Study:
Students in Duval County have a variety of program of study options.

The district shall provide each student in Grade 9 and his or her parents with high school graduation options so that they may select the postsecondary education or career plan that best fits the student’s needs (1003.429(1) F.S.). This selection is the exclusive right of the student and parents. Information is available in the School Counseling office.

1) The 24-Credit General Requirement Option (See Tables 6A1, 6A2, and 9.): The general requirements for in a standard high school diploma require successful completion of a minimum of 24 academic credits grades 9 through 12. A district school board may require specific courses and programs of study within the minimum credit requirements for high school graduation. Each district school board shall establish standards for graduation from its schools, and these standards must include the following:
a) earning passing scores on the state defined graduation assessments, 1008.22(3)(c) F.S., or, if legislated, scores on a standardized test that are concordant with passing scores on the state assessments as defined in 1008.2(9) F.S. (Once the student has met the assessment graduation requirement for a standard high school diploma with a concordant/comparative score, Florida’s School Code does not require the student to continue taking the required state assessments, for the purpose of high school graduation, however, not achieving at least level 3 on the required state assessments, may require additional remedial coursework);
b) completion of all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board pursuant to 1008.25 F.S., and
c) achievement of a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of 2.0.

2) The 18-Credit ACCEL Option (See Tables 6A3, 68A, and 9A.): Students enrolled in ninth grade for the first time in 2013-2014 may select the ACCEL graduation options, but should be aware that selecting this option may limit their post-secondary options and Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility. The general requirements for a standard high school diploma require successful completion of a minimum of 18 academic credits in grades 9 through 12. A district school board may require specific courses and programs of study within the minimum credit requirements for high school graduation. Each district school board shall establish standards for graduation from its schools, and these standards must include the following:

a) earning passing scores on the state defined graduation assessments, 1008.22(3)(c) F.S., or, if legislated, scores on a standardized test that are concordant with passing scores on the state assessments as defined in 1008.2(9) F.S. (Once the student has met the assessment graduation requirement for a standard high school diploma with a concordant score, Florida’s School Code does not require the student to continue taking the state required assessments for the purpose of high school graduation, however, not achieving at least level 3 on state required Reading assessments, may require additional remedial coursework);
b) completion of all other applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board pursuant to 1008.25 F.S., and
c) achievement of a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of 2.0.

NOTE: Students in dedicated magnet program must select the 24-credit General Requirement Option.

i) Standard and Advanced Instructional Levels: Two instructional program levels shall be established for the subject areas of Language Arts, mathematics, and other designated academic areas. These levels shall be designated as advanced and standard. Both levels shall carry credit toward graduation. Students shall be counseled to enroll in the appropriate level by the school principal and/or the instructional staff after an individual evaluation of the student’s academic achievement level.

j) Remedial and Compensatory Courses: Any Level 1 course is considered remedial and shall be granted elective credit toward graduation but shall not satisfy standard promotional or graduation requirements. No student shall be granted credit toward high school graduation for enrollment in any level 1 course unless the student’s assessment indicates that a more rigorous course of study would be inappropriate. (In this case, a written assessment of the need must be included in the student’s IEP.) 1003.47(7)(d) F.S.

k) Criteria for Earning Credit/Student Evaluation: In order to earn standard course credit for a standard diploma and unless otherwise stated in this policy, each student (including those designated as students with disabilities) shall demonstrate mastery of the specific objectives for all required courses in which the student is enrolled, as determined by the teacher. Appropriate procedures shall be followed by teachers to observe and assess each student’s performance continuously throughout the school year to determine if expected achievement standards are being met.

Mastery of the specific objectives for all other courses in which the student is enrolled, as determined by the teacher, shall be the criterion for passing those courses and earning course credit. Each course of each academic program in grades 9-12 must have district performance standards. Each student shall take the comprehensive district End-of-Course (EOC) exam, when available, which will count as 20% of the final course grade. With the exception of the final grading period of the school year, make-up EOC examinations will be completed during the first ten school days of the following grading period. Make-up EOC examinations for the final grading period of the school year must be completed by the last day of school.

NOTE: A student with a disability, as defined in 1007.02(2) F.S., for whom the student's IEP team determines that a state end of course assessment (EOC) cannot accurately measure the student’s abilities, taking into consideration all allowable accommodations, shall have the end of course assessment results waived for the purpose of determining the student’s course grade and credit.

l) International Baccalaureate (IB) Program: The IB Diploma program, administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, is a rigorous, pre-university course of study, leading to internationally standardized examinations. By completing the Duval County Program of Study I (see Table 7) requirements a student will earn a Duval County/State of Florida standard high school diploma. To be awarded the IB diploma from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), candidates must successfully complete the IB assessments/exams, theory of knowledge, the extended essay, and creativity, activity, service (CAS) as defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization. If a student withdraws from the Duval County Program of Study I after the ninth or tenth grade, he/she shall be required to complete all district 24 credit or 18 credit standard diploma requirements for graduation (see Table 6A1, 6A2 and 6A3). If a student withdraws from the Duval County Program of Study I after eleventh grade, he/she shall be required to complete all state 24 credit or 18 credit standard diploma requirements for graduation.

m) Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Program: The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma is an international pre-university curriculum and examination system that emphasizes the value of broad and balanced study. By completing the Duval County Program of Study Q (see Table 8) requirements a student will earn a Duval County/State of Florida standard high school diploma. To be awarded the AICE Diploma from Cambridge, candidates must successfully complete the Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary Level and Advanced Level curriculum and assessments as defined by Cambridge International Examinations. If a student withdraws from the Duval County Program of Study Q after the ninth or tenth grade, he/she shall be required to complete all district 24 credit or 18 credit standard diploma requirements for graduation (see Table 6A1, 6A2 and 6A3). If a student withdraws from the Duval County Program of Study Q after eleventh grade, he/she shall be required to complete all state 24 credit or 18 credit standard diploma requirements for graduation.

n) Advanced Placement (AP) Honors Recognition: To qualify for AP Honors recognition, a student must take and successfully complete at least nine AP courses between grades nine (9) and twelve (12)- World History, US History, Macro or Micro Economics, US Government and Politics, English Literature, English Language, one AP Science, course one AP Mathematics course, and one elective AP course. AP courses are taught at a college level and each course is concluded by a comprehensive exam created by the College Board. Students who enroll in and Advanced Placement Course are required to take the AP exam.

o) AP Capstone Program: Governed by College Board, this innovative program provides students with an opportunity to engage in rigorous scholarly practice of the core academic skills necessary for successful college completion. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher on the AP Seminar and AP Research Exams and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma from the College Board. Most post-secondary institutions grant college credit for AP Exams with a score of 3 or higher. DCPS students enrolled in an AP course shall take the exam and shall be exempt from exam registration fees (1000.27(6) F.S.)

p) Alternative Education Programs: To the extent that resources are available, each high school center may create an educational alternative program as described in the district’s Dropout Prevention Plan. These classes with reduced adult-student ratio shall be offered to students who cannot meet promotion or graduation standards within the high school standard program. Placement of students in such a program shall be only with written parental permission. Course modifications as defined in Duval County’s Comprehensive Dropout Prevention Plan may be used to waive the hourly instructional requirements for overage students who meet Dropout Prevention Plan criteria. However, students shall not be awarded credit unless they demonstrate mastery of the student performance standards in the course of study, if required by a specific program.

1) GED Option Component: A GED Exit Option Component is available for students enrolled in Performance Based Diploma (PBD) programs. Students who are enrolled in the GED Exit Option Models are exempt from the minimum graduation requirements prescribed for the standard four-year, 24-credit high school diploma, including the 2.0 GPA requirement.
Students who pass the state and district requirements shall receive a State Equivalency Diploma and exit with a W10 code. The requirements include:
a) passing the GED test;
b) passing the state assessments or, if legislated, earning scores on a standardized test that are concordant with passing scores on the state assessments as defined in 1008.22(9) F.S. Once the student has met the assessment graduation requirement for a standard high school diploma with a concordant score Florida’s School Code does not require the student to continue taking the state assessments for the purpose of high school graduation).
1) Performance Based Diploma and Career Development Program (PBDCDP) Eligibility/Earning Credit: The PDBCDP is available to students between the ages of 16 and 19 years two months who are not successful in the regular school program. The PBDCDP staff shall grant final approval for placing the student in the program. These students shall earn elective credit, and a career certificate of competency may be awarded to students who demonstrate mastery of eighty percent (80%) of the objectives in the program or who meet the state approved occupational completion points. The PBDCDP is also available to former students, ages 16-19 two months, who choose to return to the public school system for this program. The PBDCDP staff shall be responsible for identifying and approving former students’ entrance into the program. These students shall earn elective credit and a career certificate of competency if 80% of the career objectives are met or if they earn the state approved occupational completion points. Placement of students in such a program shall be only with written parental permission.
Students participating in the PBDCDP shall be permitted to earn credits in ½-credit increments to facilitate transfer up to the maximum number of credits allowed by the particular program.
2) High School Equivalency Diploma - GED Test: Students interested in seeking a GED must be at least 16 years old and must meet the criteria below:
Be a resident of Duval County,
provide an official withdrawal from any virtual, homeschool, or traditional school program,
schedule a required exit interview with school or district staff, and
secure documentation of GED preparation (e.g., official GED Ready practice exam with a minimum score of 150 in each of the 4 subtests, or proof of enrollment in an adult education program.
Students who are 16 or 17 years old must complete the Florida GED Underage Testing Form with parent or legal guardian signature and notary acknowledgement to obtain authorization before proceeding with the official exam. The Graduation Rate Initiatives Team (GRIT) can provide and notarize the form. Contact GRIT with questions at Email GRIT.

NOTE: Students who pass only the GED requirement shall exit with a WGD code.

NOTE: While the national GED policy prohibits administering the GED tests to students currently enrolled in high school, an exception to this policy was authorized in 1990 for Florida students enrolled in dropout prevention programs.

o) Credit Recovery Programs:

Dropout prevention and academic intervention programs may differ from traditional educational programs and schools in scheduling, curriculum, or setting and shall employ alternative teaching methodologies, learning activities, and diagnostic and assessment procedures to meet the needs, interests, abilities, and talents of eligible students. High school students enrolled in these programs, as defined in Duval County’s Comprehensive Dropout Prevention Plan, shall be exempt from the hourly instructional requirements for earning credit as defined in 1003.436(1)(a-b) F.S. Students shall not be awarded credit nor shall they be promoted unless they have demonstrated mastery of the student performance standards in the course of study as provided by the rules of the Duval County School Board (1003.43(2) F.S.).

NOTE: The maximum number of credits a student can earn in a school year (August - July) is twelve (12).

IV. High School Student Progression Procedures

A. Enrollment and Placement Procedures

1. TRANSFER OF CREDITS

2. TRANSFER OF STUDENTS

3. PART-TIME SENIOR ENROLLMENT:

B. PROMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL:

1. NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED:

2. PROMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WITH AN IEP:

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION AND GRADUATION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL:

4. ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: GRADES 9 – 12:

5. PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS NOT MEETING GRADE LEVEL STANDARDS:

6. GRADUATION DATE:

7. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION:

8. ACCELERATION MECHANISMS:

9. STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

10. SEAL OF BILITERACY

11. Duval Ready Diploma Designation

12. PROGRAMS OF STUDY – GRADES 9-12:

13. GRADUATION DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

13. POSTGRADUATION OR DIPLOMA DEFERRAL OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

14. RETENTION POLICY:

C. ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL) PROGRAM:

a) Eligibility for ESOL Services:

b) Provision to Notify Parent/Guardian in Home Language When Testing is Delayed:

c) Programmatic and Academic Assessment:

d) Assignment of Report Card Grades for English Language Learners (ELL) Students Enrolling During the Fourth Quarter:

e) Accommodations for ELL Students in the Administration of Statewide Assessments:

f) Statewide Assessments:

g) Extension of services:

h) Statewide English Language Proficiency Assessment:

i) Implementation of the Remediation and Retention Provisions for ELL Students:

j) Summer Educational Programs:

k) Program Exit Procedures: