The board of trustees recognizes the need to provide options for students who meet graduation requirements prior to completing eight (8) semesters of high school. Therefore, the board may allow students to graduate early on a case-by-case basis as set forth in this policy.
COLLEGE AND CAREER READY STUDENTS
Students who desire to pursue college or career technical education programs, and who meet the eligibility requirements as described below, are eligible to graduate early. To be eligible, the student must:
· be least sixteen (16) years of age;
· maintain a cumulative 3.5 grade point average;
· obtain permission from a parent or guardian, if under the age of eighteen (18) years;
· achieve a college and career readiness score, which is the minimum score on a college entrance examination, such as the ACT, SAT or other similar examination identified by the Idaho State Board of Education (the “State Board”), indicating that the student is academically ready to advance to an institution of higher education or to an occupation or occupational training, as determined by the State Board;
· file with the student’s school all of the following:
o Notification of the student’s intent to graduate early;
o The student’s participation portfolio, which is a description of the student’s nonacademic and co-curricular activities, including, but not limited to, student government, sports, music ensembles, theater, clubs, organizations, work, internships and volunteering, and including any leadership positions a student holds in such nonacademic activities;
o An essay of at least one (1) page explaining why the student wishes to graduate early and outlining the student’s future education or training plans if the student graduates early; and
· Complete the following:
o The civics requirement as established in Idaho Code §33-1602; and
o The economics credit, government credits, and senior project as required by the State Board, provided that the student’s senior project may describe the student’s experience in achieving a college and career readiness score and include a detailed explanation of the student’s future plans.
An eligible student may, at the student’s option and upon notification to the student’s school, be relieved from completing any remaining high school graduation requirements and graduate early. The board of trustees will grant a high school diploma to eligible students who opt for early graduation under this policy. Early graduates may participate in the regular spring commencement ceremony.
OTHER EARLY GRADUATION REQUESTS
Any high school student, regardless of age or whether such student plans on attending college or a career technical education program, who completes the number of credits and other exiting standards required by both the State Board and the district prior to completing eight (8) semesters of high school work may petition the superintendent and board of trustees to graduate early.
The deadline for filing an application for early graduation is November 30 for the first semester and April 15 for the second semester. The student is required to complete the early graduation application, stating the calculated number of credits, completion of state testing requirements, post-secondary plans, and reason for the application. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria: completion of state and district graduation requirements; completion of state testing requirements; post-secondary plans; and parental recommendation.
The student and parent/guardian will meet with the counselor, who will review the application and counsel the student. The counselor will determine, on the basis of credits earned, whether the student will complete the required number of semester credits and core of instruction prior to the proposed early graduation date.
The counselor will inform the principal of the request and supply all pertinent information concerning the application. The superintendent, principal, and counselor will determine whether to recommend the approval or denial of the application. The superintendent will submit the recommendation to the board.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Code §33-6104
IDAPA 08.02.01.350
ADOPTED: March 17, 2021
AMENDED: