Peters Township School District Policy: 5127 Title: Graduation Requirements Adopted: 3/16/87 Revised: 9/18/95, 7/29/96, 5/25/99, 5/15/06, 4/23/07, 6/23/08, 5/21/12 5127. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 1. Purpose The purpose is to acknowledge each student's successful completion of the instructional program by the award of a diploma. 2. Authority SC 1611, 1613 Title 22 Sec. 4.24, 4.52 The requirements for graduation shall be the completion of work and studies representing the instructional program assigned to grades nine through twelve. Students must complete all graduation requirements in order to participate in commencement ceremonies. 3. Guidelines In order to qualify for graduation, a student shall demonstrate achievement of the learning objectives identified in the Board-approved plan courses equivalent to the following Program of Planned Instruction: Class of 2009, 2010, 2011 2013 Credits 2014, 2015 Credits Class of 20126 & Beyond Credits Planned Courses Planned Courses English Social Studies Science Mathematics Arts/Humanities Physical Education Health Drivers Theory/Speech Technology Course Electives Other Requirements **See Below 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 1.00 1.00.75 0.50 1.00 0.50 6.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 1.00 1.00 .50 0.50 1.00 0.50 6.0050 TOTAL 26.00* 25.75 26.00* English Social Studies Science Mathematics Arts/Humanities Physical Education Health Drivers Theory/Speech Technology Course Electives Other Requirements ** See Below TOTAL 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 1.00 1.00 .50 0.50 1.00 .50 0.50 76.00 26.00* *Beginning with the Graduating Class of 20135, at least 0.5 credits of the 26 credits must be earned through an online course. Page 1 of 3 5127. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - Pg. 2 Arts and Humanities Planned Instruction includes all Practical and Fine Arts courses as well as all World Language courses and non-required English courses. Health Planned Instruction includes ninth grade Personal Wellness. Social Studies - When selecting Social Studies courses, students must take the three (3) recommended full-year courses (government, cultures, history), one (1) semester course of economics, plus History of Western Civilization or AP European History. Technology Planned Instruction includes a specific computer-related course(s) designated by the administration and recommended for the ninth grade. Students must take a minimum of 6.0 credits each year in order to maintain status as a full-time student at Peters Township High School. Title 22 Sec. 4.24 **Other Requirements - All high school students will successfully complete a Boardapproved graduation project and demonstrate proficiency on all state required assessments and/or local assessments aligned with the academic standards. Title 22 Sec. 4.24 Pol. 5113 Students with special needs who are receiving services through the IEP process shall demonstrate achievement of performance standards as developed within the IEP. The achievement of these performance standards shall qualify the student for graduation. SC 1614 Title 22 Sec. 11.27 Pol. 5113 Students with special needs who are receiving services through the IEP process and are not eligible to graduate will have the option of participating in the graduation ceremonies with their chronological peers, at which time they will receive a Certificate of Attendance, provided that they have attended four (4) years of high school; or they may participate in the graduation ceremonies that are held during the year in which they are deemed eligible to graduate, at which time they will receive a regular diploma. Students may only participate in the graduation ceremonies on one (1) occasion. Pol. 6125 Optional educational opportunities at the high school level, for which the content indicates a strong direct correlation to the district’s approved curriculum, may be taken for credit with the approval of the guidance school counselor and the high school principal. Such opportunities include college coursework, college in the high school courses, summer school, transfer credits from another high school and testingout options. Independent studies, which include online courses, require the above approvals and the approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee. Page 2 of 3 5127. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - Pg. 3 Optional educational opportunities for which no credit is received, but release time is provided include: internships and mentorships(if not an approved course), class auditing, job shadowing and work release. These activities require the approval of the guidance school counselor and high school principal. Pol. 5115, 5200 Reciprocity of credits will exist with Western Area Vocational Career and Technical ology CenterSchool, Washington County Alternative School the IU1 Educational Campus at Clark or another approved alternative school, while credit for home schooling will be governed by District policy. Courses taken at the high school by middle school students will be graded in accordance with the high school grading procedures and will count toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements. References: School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 1611, 1613, 1614 State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.13, 4.24, 4.52, 11.27 Board Policy – 5113, 5115, 5200, 6125 Page 3 of 3