StudentProgressionPlan
HighSchool
2015‐2016
www.stlucie.k12.fl.us
2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
E.WayneGent
Superintendent
BoardofEducation
KathrynHensley
Chairman
TroyIngersoll
ViceChairman
DebbieHawley
CarolA.Hilson
DonnaMills
2 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
LegalFoundationoftheStudentProgressionPlan
Section1008.25,FloridaStatutes,StudentProgression
Currentlawrequiresthateachschoolboardestablishacomprehensiveprogramforstudent
progression,whichshallbebaseduponanevaluationofeachpupil’sperformance,including
howwellthestudentmasterstheperformancestandardsapprovedbythestateboard.The
districtprogramforstudentprogressionshallbebaseduponlocalgoalsandobjectives,
whicharecompatiblewiththestate’splanforeducation.
1. ItistheintentoftheLegislaturethateachstudent’sprogressionfromonegradetoanother
bedetermined,inpart,uponproficiencyinreading,writing,science,andmathematics;that
districtschoolboardpoliciesfacilitatesuchproficiency;andthateachstudentandhisorher
parentbeinformedofthatstudent’sacademicprogress.
2. Eachdistrictschoolboardshallestablishacomprehensiveprogramforstudent
progressionwhichmustinclude:
a. Standardsforevaluatingeachstudent’sperformance,includinghowwellheorshe
masterstheperformancestandardsapprovedbytheStateBoardofEducation.
b. Specificlevelsofperformanceinreading,writing,science,andmathematicsfor
eachgradelevel,includingthelevelsofperformanceonstatewideassessmentsas
definedbythecommissioner,belowwhichastudentmustreceiveremediation,or
beretainedwithinanintensiveprogramthatisdifferentfromthepreviousyear’s
programandthattakesintoaccountthestudent’slearningstyle.
c. Appropriatealternativeplacementforastudentwhohasbeenretained2ormore
years.
TheSt.LuciePublicSchoolDistrictStudentProgressionPlangivesconsiderationtothebest
interestofindividualstudentsandcomplieswithstatestatutesandStateBoardofEducation
directives.Itisintendedthattheplanprovidetoschoolpersonnel,parents,studentsand
interestedcitizenswritteninformationwithregardtostudentadvancementthroughthe
districtschoolsystem.
Aswithallpolicyhandbooks,periodicreviewandrevisionisundertakeninordertoretain
guidelinesthatareconsistentwiththeintentoftheBoardandlegislativeactions.
STUDENTPROGRESSIONPLAN
TABLEOFCONTENTS
I.
ADMISSION,PLACEMENT,TRANSFERSANDATTENDANCE
3 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
A. DocumentationforAdmission…………………………………………………….…………7
B. PlacementofStudents…………………………………………………………………….………7
InterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildren
EducationalRecordsandEnrollment
AssistancetoTransitioningStudentsfromMilitaryFamilies
MarriedandUnmarriedPregnantStudents
MaximumAgeGeneralEducationStudents
C. Attendance………………………………………………………………………………………….…9
CompulsorySchoolAttendance&DeclarationofIntenttoTerminateSchool
Enrollment
OfficialAttendance
EnforcementofAttendance
Parent/GuardianResponsibility
ProjectRock
AttendanceCodes,ExcusedAbsences,UnexcusedAbsences
ReportingAttendanceCasestoPSTCommittee
ReferraltoCINS/FINS
HabitualTruants
AttendancePoliciesforHomebound/Hospitalized
PhysicianAuthorizationRequirement
Non‐Enrollment
Tardy
EarlyPick‐up
StudentswithDocumentedChronic/SeriousMedicalConditions
StudentsCoveredUndertheRilyaWilsonAct
StudentWithdrawalPriortotheEndoftheYear
CompulsoryAttendanceandHomeEducationPrograms
Perfect/CommendableAttendanceRecognition
WithdrawalofStudentsforNon‐Attendance
II.
SPECIALPROGRAMS
A. ForeignExchange…………….………………………………………………………….…..…18
B. Homebound/Hospitalized…………………………………………………………….……18
CriteriaforEligibility
ProceduresforDeterminingEligibilityFullTime
ProceduresforDeterminingEligibilityIntermittent
C. DismissalfromtheHomebound/HospitalizedProgram…………….……..20
GeneralResponsibilities
D. DigitalLearning/VirtualEducation………………………………………………….….21
Part‐TimeVirtualInstructionFull‐
TimeVirtualInstruction
StudentEligibilityforK–12VirtualEducation
4 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
III.
CURRICULUMANDINSTRUCTION………………………………………………………………….23
GeneralProgramRequirements
Homework
CareerandTechnicalCourses
IV.
GRADINGANDREPORTINGPROCEDURES………………………………………………………27
GradingandReportCards
UniformGradingSystem
CalculationofMiddle&HighSchoolGrades
GradePointAverageCalculations
HonorsWeightingPointSystem
ClassRank
Pass(P)andFail(F)Grades
ParticipationinInterscholasticExtraCurricularActivities
GradingESOLStudents
DeterminationofStudentProgress
HighSchoolGradeForgiveness
StateUniformTransferofHighSchoolCredits
WithdrawalsPriortotheEndoftheYear
EarlyExams
ExamExemptions
Make‐upWork
V.
PROMOTION,ACCELERATIONANDRETENTION……………………………………………35
A. GeneralRequirements
HighSchoolPromotionRequirements
HighSchoolDefinitionofCreditandTransferofCreditGuidelines
PerformanceIndicators
DocumentationofEvidence
DeficiencyReportingtoParents/GuardiansorAdultStudents
SecondaryAssessment,Curriculum.andInstruction
RetentionParentNotification
HighSchoolCreditTowardGraduationforGrades6‐8
RetentionandPromotionofESOLStudents
ArticulatedAccelerationMechanisms
AccelerationCourses
DualEnrollmentPrograms
AssignedCoursesPerYear
CollegePreparatoryTesting,Placement,andInstruction
B. GraduationRequirements…………………………………………………………………….46
CohortCharts:ThreeDiplomaOptions
On‐LineGraduationRequirement
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LincolnParkAcademyAdditionalGraduationRequirements
GraduationRequirementsforTransferStudents
LateDiploma
SecondYearSenior
Acceleration/ACCEL
EarlyGraduationasACCELOption
GraduationCeremony
VI.
PR0VISIONSFOREXCEPTIONALEDUCATIONSTUDENTS………………..………………65
Promotion
Retention
ProgressMonitoringAssessments
ExtendedSchoolYear
DeterminationofESYServices
IEPAnnualGoalProgressReports
GraduationOptions
StandardDiploma(MeritandScholarDesignations)
SpecialDiploma(forstudentswhoentered9thgrade
priortothe2014‐2015schoolyear)
CertificateofCompletion
PlacementofTransferESEStudents
6 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
HIGHSCHOOLSTUDENTPROGRESSION(GRADES9‐12)
I. ADMISSION,PLACEMENT,TRANSFERSANDATTENDANCE
A. DocumentationforAdmission
The parents of students seeking admission to St. Lucie County PublicSchools
mustprovidethefollowingdocumentation:
Evidenceofbirthdate;oneofthefollowing:
 birthcertificate
 baptismalcertificateshowingthedateofbirth
 aninsurancepolicyonthechild'slife,whichhasbeeninforcefortwoormore
years
 abonafidecontemporaryBiblerecordofthechild'sbirth accompanied
byanaffidavitsworntobytheparent
 apassportorcertificateofarrivalintheUnitedStatesshowing theageofthe
child
 atranscriptofrecordofageshowninthechild'sschoolrecordof at least
four (4)years prior to application stating date ofbirth
 orfailing any of the above, an affidavit of age sworn to by the
parentaccompaniedbyacertificateofagesignedbyapublichealth
officerorother
designatedlicensedpracticingphysicianthatstatesthatthechildhasbeen
examinedbythesameandthisindividualbelievesthattheageasstatedinthe
affidavitissubstantiallycorrect.(F.S.1003.21)
Evidenceofarecentphysicalexamination,withinoneyearofenrollmentinschool.
Certification of required immunization for poliomyelitis, diphtheria,rubella,rubeola,
chickenpox/varicella,pertussis,mumps,tetanus,seriesofhepatitisBandother
communicablediseases,asdeterminedbyrulesoftheDepartmentofHealthand
RehabilitativeServices.(F.S.1003.22)
Certificate of Immunization as described in (F.S. 1003.22) andSchoolBoard
Policy5.04.Evidence of recent physical examination as described in (F.S.1003.22)
andSchoolBoardPolicy5.04.232).Statesthatstudentmustreporttothe
districtatthetimeofinitialregistrationanypreviousexpulsions,arrest
resultinginachargeoranyjuvenilejusticeactiontakenagainstthestudent.
B. PlacementofStudents
InterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildrenS.1000.36,F.S.
ThepurposeoftheInterstateCompactonEducationalOpportunityforMilitaryChildren
istoremovebarrierstoeducationalsuccessimposedonchildrenofmilitaryfamilies
becauseoffrequentmovesanddeploymentoftheirparents.
ExceptasotherwiseprovidedinSectionC,thiscompactappliestothechildrenof:
7 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
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Active‐duty members of the uniformed services, including members of the National Guard
andReserveonactive‐dutyorderspursuantto10U.S.C.ss.1209and1211;
Membersorveteransoftheuniformedserviceswhoareseverelyinjuredandmedically
dischargedorretiredforaperiodof1yearaftermedicaldischargeorretirement;and
Membersoftheuniformedserviceswhodieonactivedutyorasaresultofinjuriessustained
onactivedutyforaperiodof1yearafterdeath.
Specifythatthisinterstatecompactappliestolocaleducationagencies.
Thiscompactdoesnotapplytothechildrenof:
 InactivemembersoftheNationalGuardandmilitaryreserves;
 Membersoftheuniformedservicesnowretired,exceptasprovidedinSectionA;
 Veteransoftheuniformedservices,exceptasprovidedinSectionA;and
 OtherUnitedStatesDepartmentofDefensepersonnelandotherfederalagency
 civilianandcontractemployeesnotdefinedasactive‐dutymembersoftheuniformed
 services.
EducationalRecordsandEnrollment
Achild’sofficialeducationrecordscannotbereleasedtotheparentsforthepurposeof
transfer,thecustodianoftherecordsinthesendingstateshallprepareandfurnishtothe
parentacompletesetofunofficialrecordscontaininguniforminformationasdetermined
bytheInterstateCommission.Uponreceiptoftheunofficialeducationrecordsbyaschool
inthereceivingstate,thatschoolshallenrollandappropriatelyplacethestudentbasedon
theinformationprovidedintheunofficialrecordspendingverificationbytheofficial
records,asquicklyaspossible.
Whenthestudentenrolls,thereceivingschoolshallrequestthestudent’sofficialeducation
recordfromtheschoolinthesendingstate.Uponreceiptoftherequest,theschoolinthe
sendingstateshallprocessandfurnishtheofficialeducationalrecordstotheschoolinthe
receivingstatewithin10daysorwithinsuchtimeasisreasonablydeterminedunderthe
rulesadoptedbytheInterstateCommission.
Studentwillhave30daysfromthedateofenrollmenttoobtainanyimmunizationrequired
bythereceivingstate.Foraseriesofimmunizations,initialvaccinationsmustbeobtained
within30daysorwithinsuchtimeasisreasonablydeterminedundertherules
promulgatedbytheInterstateCommission.
Studentswillbeallowedtocontinuetheirenrollmentatgradelevelinthereceivingstate
commensuratewiththeirgradelevel,includingkindergarten,fromalocaleducationagency
inthesendingstateatthetimeoftransition,regardlessofage.Astudentwhohas
satisfactorilycompletedtheprerequisitegradelevelinthelocaleducationagencyinthe
sendingstateiseligibleforenrollmentinthenexthighestgradelevelinthereceivingstate,
regardlessofage. Astudenttransferringafterthestartoftheschoolyearinthereceiving
stateshallentertheschoolinthereceivingstateontheirvalidatedlevelfromanaccredited
schoolinthesendingstate.
8 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
AssistancetoTransitioningStudentsfromMilitaryFamilies‐1003.05,F.S.
Dependentchildrenofactivedutymilitarypersonnelwhootherwisemeettheeligibility
criteriaforspecialacademicprogramsofferedthroughpublicschoolsshallbegivenfirst
preferenceforadmissiontosuchprogramseveniftheprogramisbeingofferedthrough
apublic school other than the school to which the student would generally be assigned. If such a program is offered through a public school other than the school to which the student would generally be assigned, the parent or guardian of the student must assume responsibility for transporting the student to that school. For purposes of this subsection, special academic programs include magnet schools, advanced studies programs, Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education, and InternationalBaccalaureate.
MarriedandUnmarriedPregnantStudents
CompulsoryAttendance
 Marriedandunmarriedpregnantstudentremainunderthe
compulsoryattendancelawandarerequiredtoattendschool.
 Studentswhoare16yearsofagecanvoluntarilywithdrawfromschoolwiththe
signedconsentofthestudentandparentonthe
 IntenttoTerminateSchoolEnrollmentform.Studentsdroppingoutofschool
mustalsocompleteaDropoutSurveyandExitInterviewwiththeschool.
TeenParentProgram
 PregnantstudentsareeligibletoattendtheDistrict‘sTeenParentProgramand/or
attendthepublicschooltowhichtheyareassigned.
MaximumAgeGeneralEducationStudents
Studentswhohavereachedtheir20th birthdayonorbeforeAugust31st areineligibleto
attendapublichighschoolandshallbereferredtoIndianRiverStateCollegeoran
alternativesetting.Studentswhoareoverageforgradeandforwhoman
attainable
graduationplancannotbedevelopedwithinthecomprehensivesettingwillbereferredfor
voluntaryplacementinanalternativesetting.
ExceptionalEducationStudents
Anyexceptionaleducationstudentwhoreceivesacertificateofcompletionhasuntiltheend
ofthesemesterinwhichhe/sheturns22tomeetthegraduationrequirements.
ExtenuatingCircumstances
AcommitteecomprisedofAssistantSuperintendents,principal,schoolsocialworker,
guidancecounselor,andteachersshallevaluatetheevidencerelatedtoextenuating
circumstancesanddetermineisspecialconsiderationiswarranted.TheSuperintendentis
authorizedtomakeanexceptiononthebasisofthecommitteereviewingtheevidenceof
extenuatingcircumstances.
9 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
C. Attendance
CompulsorySchoolAttendance&DeclarationofIntenttoTerminateSchool
Enrollment(F.S.1003.21)
PursuanttoSection(F.S.1003.21),allchildrenwhoareeithersixyearsofage
orwhowillbesixyearsoldbyFebruary1,orwhoareolderthansixyearsof
agebutwhohavenotattainedtheageof18years,mustattendschoolregularly
duringtheentireschoolterm.Astudentbetween16and18yearsofageisnot
subjecttocompulsoryattendanceifthestudentcompletesaformaldeclaration
ofintenttoterminateschoolenrollmentwiththedistrictschoolboard.The
declarationmustacknowledgethatterminatingschoolenrollmentislikelyto
reducethestudent‘searningpotentialandthatthedisenrollmentwillbe
reportedtotheDepartmentofSafetyandMotorVehicles.Thedeclarationof
intenttoterminateschoolenrollmentmustbesignedbythestudentandthe
student‘sparentorlegalguardian.Theschoolmustnotifytheparentorlegal
guardianofreceiptofthestudent‘sdeclarationofintenttoterminateschool
enrollment.Astudentwhoattainstheageof18yearsduringtheschoolyearis
notsubjecttocompulsoryschoolattendancebeyondthedateuponwhichheor
sheattainsthatage.
OfficialAttendance
Officialdailyattendanceisrecordedduringsecondperiodforfulltimehighschool
studentsbutisrequiredforeveryperiodofinstruction.Forpart‐timehighschool
studentsthefirstscheduledperiodofthedayoncampuswillbeusedtodetermine
dailyattendance.
EnforcementofAttendance(F.S.1003.26)
ParentisRequiredtobeContacted
 Aftereachunexcusedabsenceorabsenceforwhichthereasonisunknown.
MeansofParentContact
 Contactcanbebyphone,autocallsystem,mail,in‐personbyschool
representative.
RequiredDocumentation
 Phonelognotingdateandtimeofcall,officialmakingcall,familymember
contacted,andoutcomeofconversation.
 Mail–copyofdatednoticeorpostalservicereturn‐receipt.
 PersonalContact–parent’ssignatureonform(s)/letter.
ReferralstoStudentServices
 Referpriortooruponthe10thunexcusedabsenceinany90‐dayperiodandafter
schooleffortstoresolvehavenotbeensuccessful. SchoolswillprovideStudent
Serviceswithdocumentationofeffortstoresolvethetruancy.
Parent/GuardianResponsibility
Eachparentandguardianofachildwithincompulsoryattendanceageisresponsibleforthe
10 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
child‘sattendanceasrequiredbylaw(F.S.1003.24).Theonlyconditionsunderwhichthe
parentorguardianisnotresponsibleare:
 Thestudentmissedschoolwiththepermissionoftheprincipal.
 Thestudentcannotattendduetothefinancialinabilityoftheparenttoprovide
necessaryclothesforthechildandthisinabilityisreportedinwritingtothe
DepartmentofStudentServicesorassoonastheinabilityisdetermined.Not
reportingthefinancialinabilitytotheDepartmentofStudentServicesdoesenablethe
schooldistricttopursueallinterventions,includingfilingatruancypetitioninthe
CircuitCourt.Theinabilitytoprovideclothesmustbesubstantiatedbythe
DepartmentofStudentServices.
 Thestudentdoesnotattendduetosickness,injury,orother
insurmountablecondition,whichmakesattendanceinadvisable,andthe
studentisnoteligibleforHomebound/Hospitalizedservices.
ProjectROCK
Studentssuspendedout‐of‐schoolwhoattendProjectROCKcanbe
codedasR(ProjectROCK)forthedatesthattheschoolconfirmsthatthestudentattended
theprogram.AdayofattendanceatProjectRockwillnotcountasout‐of‐schoolsuspension.
AttendanceCodes,ExcusedAbsences,UnexcusedAbsences(F.S.1003.26)
AttendanceCodes
C–Clinic
E–Excused
G–Guidance
I–BIC(notanabsence)
O–OutofSchoolSuspension
R–ProjectROCK(notanabsence)StudentssuspendedoutofschoolwhoattendProject
ROCKcanbecodedasRforthedatestheprogramverifies.
S–SchoolActivity/FieldTrip(notanabsence)Incaseswherethereisaquestionabout
thevalidityoftheactivity,theZoneAssistantSuperintendentshallmakethe
determination.
T–ExcusedTardy
U‐UnexcusedTardy
1–UnexcusedTardy
2–Absenceduetoexcessivetardies(K‐5only)
ExcusedAbsences‐Absencesareexcusedwhenanappropriateexplanationisprovidedby
theparentwithin3‐daysofthestudent‘sreturnorbytheparent‘sphysician,whenthe
physicianauthorizationthresholdhasbeenreached.Thewrittenexplanationmustinclude
thedatesoftheabsenceswhicharesoughttobeexcusedandthereasonfortheabsence.(F.S.
1003.26)
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Illnessofthestudent
Majorillnessinthestudent‘simmediatefamily
Medicalappointmentofthestudent
Deathoffamilymemberorfriend
RequiredCourtAppearance
11 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
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Religiousholidayofthestudentorstudent‘sfamily‘sfaith
Subpoenaorforcedabsencebyanylawenforcementagencytofulfillcivicduties;a
copyofthesubpoenaorcourtsummonsisrequired
Majordisasterthatjustifiestheabsencethathasbeenapprovedbytheprincipal
Headlice:maximumof2daysperincidentandamaximumof2incidentsper
semester
Missingtheschoolbusifthebusismorethan5minutesearlyormorethan15
minuteslateorisnotabletomaketheroute
Otherplannedabsencesapprovedinadvanceby
theprincipal
Vacationtravelorfamilyouting/activitywherethestudenthasaccumulatedfewer
than10excusedor5unexcusedabsences.Theprincipalcanexcusevacationtravel
thatexceedsthethresholdafterconsideringthestudent‘sattendancehistory,
academicperformance,masteryofthecurriculum,andreasonforthetravel.Absences
forthisreasoncannotexceed5‐daysannually.Schoolshavetheauthoritytowithdraw
studentswhoseabsencesforthisreasonexceedthisprovisionusingwithdrawalfor
non‐attendanceproceduresdescribedherein.
PhysicianReferralforHomebound/HospitalizedServicesabsencesshouldbeexcused
fromthedatethephysician‘sreferralforHomebound/Hospitalizedisreceived.
ShouldthestudentnotbefoundeligibleforHomebound/Hospitalizedservices,
absencesoccurringafterthedeterminationwillbeexcusedorunexcusedbasedon
theabovepolicies.
Astudentofanactivedutymilitarymembermaybeexcusedfromabsencesrelatedto
deploymentactivitiesasapprovedbythePrincipal.
UnexcusedAbsences–Unexcusedabsencesareallfailurestoattendschoolotherthanthose
specificallyexcusedbytheprincipalordesignees.(F.S.1003.26)
 Truancy
 Vacationtravelwherethestudenthasaccumulatedmorethan10excusedor5
unexcusedabsenceswithinasemesterandthetravelhasnotbeenapprovedin
advancebytheprincipal.Absencesforthisreasoncannotexceed5‐daysannually
andcannotbeexcusedwithoutadvancewrittenapprovaloftheprincipal.Schools
havetheauthoritytowithdrawstudentswhoseabsencesforthisreasonexceedthis
provisionusingwithdrawalfornon‐attendanceproceduresdescribedherein.
 TakeYourSonorDaughtertoWorkDay
 Failuretoprovideanexplanation
 oftheabsencetotheschoolwithin3daysofthestudent‘sreturntoschool. Student
Servicesstaffcan,afterinvestigationadvisetheschooltoexcuseabsence
documentationreceivedaftertheexpirationofthe3‐dayperiod.Physician
explanationsreceivedafterthe3‐dayperiodwillalsoauthorizetheschooltoexcuse
theabsence(s)
 FailuretoprovideaPhysician‘sAuthorizationwhenrequiredmissingtheschoolbus
ifthebusislessthan5minutesearlyorlessthan15minuteslate
 Immunizationnon‐compliance
 Non‐Attendanceduetoheadlicethatexceedstwodaysperincidentand/or
exceeds2‐dayspersemester;studentswhoreturntoschoolwithliceornitsand
12 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
whoaresenthomethesamedayorwhoremainintheoffice/clinicwillnotbe
countedasin‐attendanceandwillhavetheabsenceunexcused.
 Outofschoolsuspensions
ReportingAttendanceCasestoProblemSolvingTeam(PST)/AttendanceCommittee
(F.S.1003.26)
When: Studenthasaccumulatedatleast5unexcusedabsences,orabsencesforwhichthe
reasonsareunknown,withinacalendarmonthor10unexcusedabsencesorabsencesfor
whichthereasonsareunknown,within90calendardays
ByWhom:Teacheroranyschoolstaffwithknowledgeofthestudent’sattendance
RequiredParticipants:SchoolSocialWorkerorcontractedcaseworker; school
attendanceofficer;parentshallbeinvitedandencouragedtoattend
PurposeofMeeting:Todetermineifapatternofnon‐attendanceisdevelopingorexistsand
todevelopinterventionsthatshallbeimplemented
Interventions:Interventionsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
 frequentcommunicationbetweenschoolandfamily
 mentoring
 counseling
 evaluationforalternativeeducationprogram
 attendancecontracts
 agencyreferral(s)
 otherinterventions,includingbutnotlimitedtoareferralforCINS/FINSservices
ReferraltoCINS/FINS (F.S.984.12)
Whenstudentssubjecttocompulsoryattendancedonotcomplywithattemptstoenforce
schoolattendance,theparent.guardian,superintendentordesigneemayreferthecasetothe
casestaffingcommitteepursuanttoF.S.984.12. AChildInNeedOfServices(CINS)isachild
whohasbeenfoundbythecourttobearunaway,habituallytruant,orungovernable.School
StaffwillworkwithCINS/FINSstaffandprovideaccurateattendanceinformationaccordingto
schoolboardpolicy.
HabitualTruants(F.S.1003.27)
Eachpublicschoolprincipalortheprincipal’sdesigneeshallnotifythedistrictschoolboard
ofeachminorstudentunderitsjurisdictionwhoaccumulates15unexcusedabsencesina
periodof90calendardays.Eachdesigneeofthegoverningbodyofeachprivateschool,and
eachparentwhosechildisenrolledinahomeeducationprogram,mayprovidethe
DepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotorVehicleswiththelegalname,sex,dateofbirth,and
socialsecuritynumberofeachminorstudentunderhisorherjurisdictionwhofailstosatisfy
relevantattendancerequirementsandwhofailstootherwisesatisfytherequirementsofs.
322.91. ThedistrictschoolsuperintendentmustprovidetheDepartmentofHighwaySafety
andMotorVehiclesthelegalname,sex,dateofbirth,andsocialsecuritynumberofeach
minorstudentwhohasbeenreportedunderthisparagraphandwhofailstootherwise
satisfytherequirementsofs.322.091.TheDepartmentofHighwaySafetyandMotor
13 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Vehiclesmaynotissueadriver’slicenseorlearner’sdriver’slicenseto,andshallsuspendany
previouslyissueddriver’slicenseorlearner’sdriver’slicenseof,anysuchminorstudent,
pursuanttotheprovisionsofs.322.091.
AttendancePoliciesForHomebound/Hospitalized
StudentsintheHomebound/HospitalizedProgramarerequiredtofollowthesame
attendancepoliciescontainedherein:
 Parentsofstudentswhoareconfinedtothehomewillprovidethehomebound
teacherwithawrittenexplanationofthereasonforabsence(onlyneededfor
absencesnotrelatedtothemedicalcondition)withinthree(3)days
oftheabsence.
 TheteacherwillforwardthewrittenexplanationtoStudentServicesOffice.
 Parentsofstudents,whoarereceivingservicesintheHomebound/
HospitalizedProgramduetoanintermittentillness,willprovidewritten
explanationofthereasonforabsence(onlyneededforabsencesnotrelatedtothe
medicalcondition)directlytotheschoolofenrollment.
PhysicianAuthorizationRequirement(F.S.1003.24)
SICKNESS,INJURY,OROTHERINSURMOUNTABLECONDITION.
Attendancewasimpracticableorinadvisableonaccountofsicknessorinjury,attestedtoby
awrittenstatementofalicensedpracticingphysician,orwasimpracticablebecauseofsome
otherstatedinsurmountableconditionasdefinedbyrulesoftheStateBoardofEducation.If
astudentiscontinuallysickandrepeatedlyabsentfromschool,heorshemustbeunderthe
supervisionofaphysicianinordertoreceiveanexcusefromattendance.Suchexcuse
providesthatastudent’sconditionjustifiesabsenceformorethanthenumberofdays
permittedbythedistrictschoolboard.
Eachdistrictschoolboardshallestablishanattendancepolicythatincludes,butisnot
limitedto,therequirednumberofdayseachschoolyearthatastudentmustbein
attendanceandthenumberofabsencesandtardinessesafterwhichastatementexplaining
suchabsencesandtardinessesmustbeonfileattheschool.Eachschoolinthedistrictmust
determineifanabsenceortardinessisexcusedorunexcusedaccordingtocriteria
establishedbythedistrictschoolboard.
WhenRequired
Studenthasaccumulatedatotalof10excusedor5unexcusedabsenceswithina
semester,subsequentabsencesof3ormoreconsecutivedaysmaynotbeexcusedunless
documentationisreceiveddemonstratingthatattendancewasimpracticableorinadvisable
onaccountofsicknessorinjury,attestedtobyawrittenstatementofaphysician
Studenthasaccumulatedatotalof15excusedabsencesor8unexcusedabsenceswithinthe
schoolyear,subsequentabsencesof2ormoreconsecutivedayswillnotbeexcusedunless:
(a) theparenthasonfilewiththeschoolastatementfromalicensedphysiciandocumenting
thestudent‘schronicmedicalcondition andavalidreleaseallowingtheschoolto
communicatewiththephysician,and/or(b)documentationisreceiveddemonstratingthat
attendancewasimpracticableorinadvisableonaccountofsicknessorinjury,attestedtobya
14 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
writtenstatementofaphysician.
MustContain
 Datesoftheabsencesforwhichexcuseissought
 Reasonfortheabsence
Exceptions
Studentswithcertaincommunicableillnessesandchronicmedicalconditionsthatdonot
requirephysiciantreatmentsuchaschickenpoxandinfluenza,inwhichthe
studentisstillcontagiousandcannotreturntoschool.Considerationwillalsobegivenfor
insurmountablecircumstancesthatdirectlyinvolvethestudent‘sprimaryfamily,suchasa
familydeaththatrequiresthemstudenttoaccompanytheparentorguardianoutoftownfor
abriefperiodoftime.StudentsreceivingservicesundertheHomebound/Hospitalized
Programmayalsobeexemptfromthephysician’sauthorizationrequirement.
Physician(Defined)
ApersonpracticingasaphysicianlicensedunderChapter 458(medicalpractice),
459(osteopathicmedicine),Chapter460(chiropracticmedicine),orChapter461(podiatric
medicine,FloridaStatutes.
Non‐enrollment
Forstudentswhoareexpectedtoenrollatthebeginningoftheyearbutdonotreturn
tobegintheyear,thedistrictshouldcarrythestudentontheclass rosterfor10 school
days. If the student has not enrolled and hasmadenocontactwiththeschoolto
explainwhythestudentdidorwillnotenter,thedistrictmustremovethestudentfrom
therollasofthefirstdayofschoolbyenteringthewithdrawalcodeDNE(didnot
enter),recordingthewithdrawaldateasofthefirstdayofschoolandbydeletingany
attendancerecordsassociatedwiththestudent.Ifaparentcontactstheschooltostate
thatthestudentwillnotenter,theschoolistoobtainthereasonfromtheparent,logthe
call,andenterthecorrectwithdrawalcodeinsteadoftheDNEcode.Incaseswhere
therewasnocontactfromtheparent(s),theschoolistodothefollowing:
 Contact the parent or persons listed as contacts for all studentswithaDNE
andobtain the reason for the student notentering.Thesecallsaretobe
loggedandtheDNEcodeupdatedtothepropercode.
 Providealistof studentswiththeircumulative recordtotheDepartment
ofStudentServicesnolaterthanthethirdworkingdayafter the 10th day. The


list shall contain the student‘s full name,nameoftheparentorguardian,and
anaccountofeffortstocontacttheparent,includingphonenumberscalled.
TheDepartmentofStudentServiceswillattempttocontacttheparentor
guardianandwillprovidetheschoolwiththeupdatedwithdrawalcode.
Theschoolmustupdatethewithdrawalcodeatanytimeduringtheschool year
that newinformation is obtainedas to the reason thestudentdidnotenter.
Tardy
Astudentisconsideredtardyifhe/sheisabsentatthetimeattendanceistakenprovided
thestudentisinattendancebeforethecloseoftheday.Tardieswilleitherbeeitherexcused
orunexcused.Acceptabledocumentationtoexcuseatardyisthesameasthoseunderthe
EarlyPick‐UpPolicyandforexcusedabsences.Schoolshavetheauthoritytodevelopa
15 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
school‐specifictardyresponsesystem,asapprovedbyanadministrativebodycomprisedof
representativesfromvaryingdistrictdepartments.
EarlyPick‐Up
Studentsingrades6–12whoarepickeduporleaveschoolpriortotheendofthedayare
absentforanyclassesmissed.Theabsencewillbeexcusediftheparentprovideswritten
documentationthattheneedtoleaveschoolearlywasforthesamereasonsthatan
absencefromschoolwouldbeexcused.Theparent‘snotationintheschool‘searlypick‐up
logmaysufficeasmeetingtherequirementtoprovidewrittendocumentationifthe
notationissufficient.
ForallstudentsingradesK‐12,oncethestudenthasaccumulated3excusedtardiesor
absencesduetoleavingschoolearlyformedical/dentalreasonswithinasemester,the
parentmustprovidedocumentationfromaphysicianthatthestudenthada
medical/dentalappointmentforsubsequentclassabsencesortardiestobeexcused.
Theschoolprincipalordesigneecanapproveanearlypick‐uporreleasebeyondthese
limitsaftertakingintoconsiderationthereasonaswellasthestudent‘sattendance
history,bothdailyandbyperiod,andthenumberofearlyreleases.
StudentswithDocumentedChronic/SeriousMedicalConditions
Students who have documented chronic/serious medical conditions canbeexpectedto
havemultipleabsencesduringtheschoolyear.Theseabsences,whenrelatedtotheir
condition,maybeconsideredexcuseduponverbalcontactwiththeparentforverificationof
reasonfortheabsence.Tobeeligibleforthewrittendocumentationwaiver,theschoolmust
have a valid release to communicate with all treating physician sothatthestudent‘s
healthandreasonfortheabsencecanbeverified.Studentswithdocumented
chronic/seriousmedicalconditionsmustfollowthePhysicianAuthorizationRequirement
containedhereininorderforabsencesformedicalreasonsofthreeconsecutivedaysor
moretobeexcusedoncethestudenthasaccumulated10excusedor5unexcusedabsences
orisunderCourtjurisdictionfortruancy.Examplesofsuchconditionsinclude:
 cerebralpalsy
 cancer
 conditionsthatrequiresuctioning
 conditionsthatrequireoxygen
 conditionsthatrequiregastrictubes
 conditionsthatrequireshunts
 insulindependentdiabetes
 seizuredisorderswithrecentseizureactivity
 severeasthmawithrecentasthmaticepisodes
 sicklecelldisease
 chronicconditionsthatcauseseverepain
 juvenilerheumatoidarthritiswithlimitedmobility
 studentsdeemed―medicallyfragile‖or―medicallycomplex‖
16 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
StudentsCoveredUndertheRilyaWilsonAct
StudentscoveredundertheRilyaWilsonAct,afternotificationofsuchcoveragebyUnitedfor
Families(UFF)atthetimeofenrollment,willbereportedtoUFFattheendofthebusiness
dayondatesofschoolabsencesand/orupontheseventh(7th)excusedabsencefromschool.
Inaddition, students covered under the Rilya Wilson Act will not bewithdrawn from
school without the written permission of United forFamilies.
StudentWithdrawalsPriortotheEndoftheYear
Studentswholeaveschoolpriortothelasttwoweeksofschoolmustenrollinanother
schoolandcompletethecourserequirements,includingexaminationsifappropriate.
Studentswhoarerequiredtoleaveschoolduringthelasttwoweeksoftheyearmust
showevidencethatthewithdrawalismandatoryandmustcompletefinalexaminations,if
appropriate,inorderto completetheyear,havefinalgrades,andforadeterminationof
promotion.Ifexaminations are given, principals are authorized to make appropriate
arrangementsfortheadministrationoftheexaminations.
Principalsmaywaivetherequirementsforearlywithdrawalwhenunusual/extenuating
circumstancesprecludefullcompliancebythestudents.Approvalpriortothestudent's
leavingismandatory.
CompulsoryAttendanceandHomeEducationPrograms
Pursuantto(F.S.1002.41)and(F.S.1003.26),studentswhoenterahomeeducation
programandhaveexhibitedapatternofnonattendancewill besubjecttoaportfolio
reviewbythehomeeducationreviewcommittee.Thecommitteewillverifyifthehome
educationprogramisincompliancewith(F.S.1002.41.)
Oncethecommitteedeterminesthatthehomeeducationprogramisincompliance,the
parentwillnolongerberequiredtosubmitaportfoliotothehomeeducationreview
committee.Theparentwillberequiredtocomplywiththerequirementsofahome
educationprogrampursuantto(F.S.1002.41),asisanyparentinvolvedinahome
educationprogram.
Iftheparentofachildwhohasbeenfoundtohaveexhibitedapatternofnon‐attendance
andwhohasbeenenrolledinhomeeducationfailstoprovideaportfolioforreviewbythe
committee,thecommitteeshallnotifythe superintendent of schools and Student
Assignment. Thesuperintendentshallterminatethehomeeducationprogramandrequire
theparenttoenrollthechildinanattendanceoptionprovidedunder(F.S. 1003.01), within
3 days. Failure of a parent or guardian to enroll achild in anattendance option after
termination of a home educationprogramshallconstitutenon‐compliancewiththe
compulsoryattendancerequirement and may result in criminal prosecution of the
parent under(F.S.1003.27).StudentAssignmentwillcoordinatetheprogrammatic
elementsofthispolicy.Whenthesuperintendenthasterminatedhomeeducation,the
parentorguardianshallnotbeeligibletore‐enrollthechildinthehomeeducationprogram
17 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
for180calendardays.
Perfect/CommendableAttendanceRecognition
Schoolsareauthorizedtodevelopperfect/commendableattendancepolicies.
WithdrawalofStudentsforNon‐Attendance
PursuanttoF.S.1003.26andF.S.1003.27,aschoolisnotauthorizedtowithdrawastudent,
ages6‐18,fornon‐attendanceunlessthefollowingcriteriahavebeenmet:
 Student meets the legal criteria by the State of Florida to beclassifiedasan
habitualtruant
 Schoolhasnotifiedtheparentofeachunexcusedabsenceaccordingtopolicyandthe
childcontinuestonotattend.
 Schoolhasnotifiedtheparentinwritingofthetotalnumberofunexcusedabsences
andthatthestudentisindangerofbeingwithdrawnfornon‐attendance.This
notificationwillalsoinformtheparentthatthestudentwilllosetheirpendingor
currentdrivingprivilegeasaresultofthewithdrawal.
 TheAttendanceStudentSupportTeamorProblemSolvingTeamhasmadeeffortsto
resolvethestudent‘snon‐attendance.
 For secondarycases,areferraltoCINS/FINShasbeeninitiatedwhenappropriate.
II. SPECIALPROGRAMS
A. ForeignExchange
Anystudentwhoisfromaforeigncountryandissponsoredbyaforeignexchange
visitorprogrammayattendaSt.LucieCountyhighschoolifthestudent:(SchoolBoard
Policy5.09)
 Agreestoattendtwoconsecutivesemesters;
 Isatleastfifteen(15yearsoldbutnomorethanseventeen(17)yearsoldonthefirst
dayofschool;
 HassufficientknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguagetoparticipateinhighschool
classes;
 Has appropriate medicaldocumentation asdescribedinSchoolBoardPolicy
5.04(1)and(2);
 Hasnotreceivedadegreeorothercertificateofcompletionfromahigh
School:
 Obtainswrittenapprovaloftheprincipal;
 AgreestofollowtheStudentProgressionPlanfortheDistrict;
 Agrees to adhere to all student assignment procedures of theDistrict;
 Agreesthatanyparticipationinextracurricularactivitieswillbegoverned
bytherulesofFloridaHighSchoolActivitiesAssociation;and
 AgreestoabidebytheCodeofStudentConductandallapplicable
practicesandproceduresofthedistrict.
 Understandsthattheyshouldnotexpecttoearnahighschooldiploma
fromSt.LuciePublicSchoolsunless:
 Theycanproduceanofficialstampedandsealedtranslatedtranscript
18 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools

thatshowscredits,and
HavemetallthegraduationrequirementsoftheStateofFlorida.
B. Homebound/Hospitalized
DefinitionofHomebound/HospitalizedStudent:
AHomebound/Hospitalizedstudentisastudentwhohasbeenmedicallydiagnosed
withaphysicalorpsychiatricconditionwhichisacuteorcatastrophicinnature,ora
chronicillness,orarepeatedintermittentillnessduetoapersistingmedical
problem(s)andwhichconfinesthestudenttothehomeorhospital,andrestricts
activitiesforanextendedperiodoftime.Theannualmedicaldiagnosisshallbebya
licensedphysicianasdefinedinChapters458and459,FloridaStatutesandis
practicingintheStateofFlorida.
CriteriaforEligibility
Astudent,whoishomeboundorhospitalized,iseligibleforspeciallydesigned
instructionifALLofthefollowingcriteriaaremet:
Isexpectedtobeabsentfromschoolduetoaphysicalorpsychiatricconditionforat
leastfifteen(15)consecutiveschooldaysortheequivalentonablockschedule,ordue
toachroniccondition,foratleastfifteen(15)schooldaysortheequivalentonablock
schedule,whichneednotrunconsecutivelyand;

Isconfinedtothehomeorhospitaland;

Willbeabletoparticipateinandbenefitfromaninstructionalprogramand;

Isundermedicalcareforillnessorinjurywhichisacute,catastrophic,or
chronicinnatureand;

Canreceiveinstructionalserviceswithoutendangeringthehealthand
safetyoftheinstructororotherstudentswithwhomtheinstructormay
comeincontactand;

Thestudentisenrolledinapublicschoolinkindergartenthroughtwelfth
grade(K‐12)oraPre‐Kexceptionalstudent,priortothereferralfor
Homebound/Hospitalizedservices.Thesereferralformsareavailable
throughtheDistrictExceptionalStudentEducationOfficeortheGuidance
Counseloratthestudent‘sassignedschooland;

Aparent/guardianorprimarycaregiversignsparentalagreementconcerning
Homebound/Hospitalizedpoliciesandparentalcooperation.
ProceduresforDeterminingEligibilityFullTime
TheminimumevaluationtodetermineeligibilityshallbeanANNUALmedicalreportfrom
alicensedphysician.ThisreportshallincludeALLofthefollowing:
 Adescriptionofthedisablingconditionordiagnosiswithanymedicalimplications
forinstructionand;
 Astatementbythetreatingdoctorthatthestudentisunabletoattendschooland;
 Adescriptionbythetreatingdoctoroftheplanoftreatmentand;
 Recommendationsbythetreatingdoctorregardingschoolre‐entryand;
 Anestimateddurationoftheconditionorprognosismadebythetreatingdoctor.
19 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
ThecompletedHomebound/HospitalizedreferralmustbesenttotheStudentServices.
Aneligibilitymeetingisscheduledatthestudent’sassignedschool.
AnIEP(individualeducationplan)isdevelopedorrevisedpriortoassignmenttothe
Homebound/HospitalizedProgramandtoaschoolbasedprogramduetoanacute,
chronic,orintermittentcondition.
Theparent,guardian,orprimarycaregivermustsignparentalagreement
concerningHomebound/Hospitalizedpoliciesandparentalcooperation.
ProceduresforDeterminingEligibilityIntermittent
TheminimumevaluationtodetermineeligibilityshallbeanANNUALmedical
reportfromalicensedphysician.ThisreportshallincludeALLofthefollowing:
 Adescriptionofthedisablingconditionordiagnosiswithanymedical
implicationsforinstructionand;
 Astatementbythetreatingdoctorthatthestudentisunabletoattendschool
and;
 Adescriptionbythetreatingdoctoroftheplanoftreatmentand;
 Recommendationsbythetreatingdoctorregardingschoolfull‐timere‐
entryand;
 Anestimateddurationoftheconditionorprognosismadebythetreating
doctorand;
 Astatementbythetreatingdoctorindicatingthatthestudentcouldattend
schoolwithaccommodationsand/or;
 Astatementbythetreatingdoctorindicatingthatthestudentcouldattend
partialdaysofschooland/or;
 Astatementbythetreatingdoctorindicatingthatthestudentcouldattendschool,
butmayrequireHomebound/Hospitalizedservicesonanintermittentbasiswhen
thestudent‘sdocumentedmedicalconditionpreventsthemfromattendingschool.
ThecompletedHomebound/HospitalizedreferralmustbesenttotheStudentServicesOffice.
Aneligibilitymeetingisscheduledatthestudent‘sassignedschool.
AnIEP(individualeducationplan)isdevelopedorrevisedpriortoassignmenttothe
Homebound/HospitalizedProgramandtoaschoolbasedprogramduetoanacute,chronic,
orintermittentcondition.
Theparent,guardian,orprimarycaregivermustsignparentalagreementconcerning
Homebound/Hospitalizedpoliciesandparentalcooperation.
C. DismissalfromtheHomebound/HospitalizedProgram
Priortoreturningtoschoolthefollowingmustoccur:
20 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
 Adoctor‘spermissiontoreturntoschool(Doctor‘sReleaseForm)mustbe
completedbythedoctor.ThisformisavailablefromtheStudentServices
Officeorschoolguidancecounselor.
 Parents/Guardiansshouldcalltheirchild’sassignedschooltorequestadismissal
staffingfive(5)dayspriortothestudent‘sreturntoschool.
 ParentsmustfaxacopyoftheDoctor‘sreleasetotheStudentServicesOffice;Fax
772‐429‐3979.
 Adismissalordiscontinuationstaffingwillbescheduledwiththestudent‘sassigned
school.
AstudentmayalsobedismissedfromtheHomebound/HospitalizedProgram
foranyofthefollowingreasons:
 Medicaleligibilityexpires.
 Thestudentisnolongerconfinedtothehospitalorhome.
 FailuretokeepscheduledappointmentsinwhichcaseanIEPmeetingwillbe
scheduledtoincludeanESEDistrictSpecialistfromtheHomebound/Hospitalized
Program,teachers,parents,andstudenttodiscussexcessiveabsencesorother
mattersthatoccur.
 StudentsenrolledintheHomebound/HospitalizedProgramwillbe
dismissedeffectivethelastdayofschool.
GeneralResponsibilities
Theparent/guardianorprimarycaregivershallcommittothefollowing:
 Ensurethestudent‘sactivitiesarerestrictedtothehomeorhospital.
 Provideaquiet,clean,wellventilatedsettingwheretheteacherandstudent
willwork.
 Ensurethataresponsibleadultispresentwheneverateacherisproviding
in‐homeinstruction.
 Establishascheduleforstudentstudybetweenteachervisits.
 Havethestudentreadyforhomeboundservicesatthescheduledtime.
 Notifythehomeboundteacherimmediately,butnolaterthantwo(2)hoursprior
toascheduledinstructionalsession,ifthestudentisunabletokeepthe
scheduledtime.
TheHomebound/Hospitalizedstaffstrivestoworkcloselywithfamilies,aswellasthe
administrativeandinstructionalstaffateachstudent‘sassignedschool.Thegoalisto
provideneededserviceswhilethestudentiseligibleandfacilitateasmoothtransitionfor
eachstudentastheyreturntotheirassignedcampus.
D. DigitalLearning/VirtualEducation
St.LucieSchoolDistrictprovidesmultipleopportunitiesforstudentparticipationinfull‐time
andpart‐timekindergartenthroughgrade12virtualinstruction.
Part‐timeVirtualInstruction
21 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Studentsmayrequestpart‐timeinstructionthroughon‐linelearningthroughMosaicDigital
AcademyorFLVS.Approvalforcoursesisgrantedthroughtheschoolguidancecounselorif
thecourseisanappropriatecourseforthestudentandthecourseenrollmentisin
compliancewiththeSt.LucieSchoolDistrictStudentProgressionPlan.Inordertoreceive
parttimevirtualinstruction,astudentingradesK‐5mustmeetatleastoneoftheeligibility
criteriainF.S.1002.455(2).Gradesthatareinprogressdonottransferbetweentraditional
schoolsandvirtualschoolstherefore,studentsprogressingthroughavirtualclassora
traditionalclassareencouragedtocompletethecourseinordertoearnthecredit.The
districtwillnotbeheldaccountablefordroppedorfailedclassesthatinterferewithatimely
graduation.
Publicschoolstudentsreceivingpart‐timeinstructionbytheFloridaVirtualSchoolin
coursesrequiringstatewideend‐of‐courseassessmentsmusttakeallstatewideassessments
requiredpursuanttoF.S.1008.22(3)(c)2.Allstatewideassessmentsmustbetakenatthe
schoolthatthestudentattends.
Additionalparttimevirtualinstructionisprovidedthroughcoursesdeliveredinthe
traditionalsettingthroughdirectinstructionthroughvirtualinstructionorthroughblended
coursesconsistingofbothtraditionalclassroomandonlineinstructionaltechniquespursuit
toF.S..1003.498.Studentsinablendedlearningcoursemustbefull‐timestudentsofthe
schoolandreceivetheonlineinstructioninaclassroomsettingoftheschool.Thefunding,
performance,andaccountabilityrequirementsforblendedlearningcoursesarethesameas
traditionalcourses.
Studentsenrolledintraditionalschoolsrequestingtotakealloftheirclasseson‐linewillbe
referredtodetermineeligibilityforoneofouravailablefull‐timevirtualoptions.
Full‐timeVirtualInstruction
St.LucieSchoolDistrictalsooperatesadistrictoperatedvirtualschool,MosaicDigital
Academy,MDAunderF.S.1002.45(1)(b).MDAoffersfull‐timeinstructiontoeligiblestudentsin
gradesKthroughtwelve.Theschoolisstaffedwithlocal,highlyqualifiedteachersproviding
apersonalizedlearningenvironment.
Inaddition,therearetwoVirtualInstructionProvidersavailableforfulltimevirtual
instructionforeligiblestudents.StudentsmayalsoenrollinTheFloridaVirtualSchoolfor
fulltimeinstruction.
Parentswillbeprovidedwithnotificationoftheopenenrollmentperiodsforfull‐timevirtual
instructionwhichwillbeaminimumof90daysandwillend30daysbeforethefirstdayof
school.Enrollmentforthesevirtualschooloptionsisonlypermittedatthebeginningofeach
semester.
StudentEligibilityforK‐12VirtualInstruction:S.1002.455,FS.
Studentsareeligibletoparticipateinvirtualinstructionif:
 Thestudentspentthepriorschoolyearinattendanceatapublicschoolinthe
stateandwasenrolledandreportedbytheschooldistrictforfundingduringthe
22 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools




OctoberandFebruaryforpurposesoftheFloridaEducationFinanceProgram
surveys.
ThestudentisadependentchildofamemberoftheUnitedStatesArmedForces
whowastransferredwithinthelast12monthstothisstatefromanotherstateor
foreigncountrypursuanttothepermanentchangeofstationorder.
Thestudentwasenrolledduringthepriorschoolyearinavirtualinstruction
programunders.1002.415.orafull‐timeFloridaVirtualSchoolprogramunder
s.1002.37(8)(a).
Thestudentisasiblingwhoiscurrentlyenrolledinavirtualinstructionprogram
andthesiblingwasenrolledinthatprogramattheendofthepriorschoolyear.
Thestudentiseligibletoenterkindergartenorfirstgradeorthestudentiseligible
toentergrades2‐5andisenrolledfull‐timeinaschooldistrictvirtualinstruction
program,virtualcharterschool,ortheFloridaVirtualSchool.
III. CURRICULUMANDINSTRUCTION
GeneralProgramRequirements(F.S.1003.42)
(1) Eachdistrictschoolboardshallprovideallcoursesrequiredformiddlegrades
promotion,highschoolgraduation,andappropriateinstructiondesignedtoensure
thatstudentsmeetStateBoardofEducationadoptedstandardsinthefollowing
subjectareas:readingandotherlanguagearts,mathematics,science,socialstudies,
foreignlanguages,healthandphysicaleducation,andthearts.
(2) Membersoftheinstructionalstaffofthepublicschools,subjecttotherulesof
theStateBoardofEducationandthedistrictschoolboard,shallteachefficientlyand
faithfully,usingthebooksandmaterialsrequiredthatmeetthehigheststandardsfor
professionalismandhistoricaccuracy,followingtheprescribedcoursesofstudy,and
employingapprovedmethodsofinstruction,thefollowing:
(a) ThehistoryandcontentoftheDeclarationofIndependence,includingnational
sovereignty,naturallaw,self‐evidenttruth,equalityofallpersons,limited
government,popularsovereignty,andinalienablerightsoflife,liberty,andproperty,
andhowtheyformthephilosophicalfoundationofourgovernment.
(b) Thehistory,meaning,significance,andeffectoftheprovisionsofthe
ConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesandamendmentsthereto,withemphasisoneachof
the10amendmentsthatmakeuptheBillofRightsandhowtheconstitutionprovides
thestructureofourgovernment.
(c) Theargumentsinsupportofadoptingourrepublicanformofgovernment,as
theyareembodiedinthemostimportantoftheFederalistPapers.
(d) Flageducation,includingproperflagdisplayandflagsalute.
(e) Theelementsofcivilgovernment,includingtheprimaryfunctionsofand
interrelationshipsbetweentheFederalGovernment,thestate,anditscounties,
municipalities,schooldistricts,andspecialdistricts.
(f) ThehistoryoftheUnitedStates,includingtheperiodofdiscovery,earlycolonies,
theWarforIndependence,theCivilWar,theexpansionoftheUnitedStatestoits
presentboundaries,theworldwars,andthecivilrightsmovementtothepresent.
Americanhistoryshallbeviewedasfactual,notasconstructed,shallbeviewedas
23 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
knowable,teachable,andtestable,andshallbedefinedasthecreationofanewnation
basedlargelyontheuniversalprinciplesstatedintheDeclarationofIndependence.
(g) ThehistoryoftheHolocaust(1933‐1945),thesystematic,plannedannihilation
ofEuropeanJewsandothergroupsbyNaziGermany,awatershedeventinthehistory
ofhumanity,tobetaughtinamannerthatleadstoaninvestigationofhuman
behavior,anunderstandingoftheramificationsofprejudice,racism,and
stereotyping,andanexaminationofwhatitmeanstobearesponsibleandrespectful
person,forthepurposesofencouragingtoleranceofdiversityinapluralisticsociety
andfornurturingandprotectingdemocraticvaluesandinstitutions.
(h) ThehistoryofAfricanAmericans,includingthehistoryofAfricanpeoplesbefore
thepoliticalconflictsthatledtothedevelopmentofslavery,thepassagetoAmerica,
theenslavementexperience,abolition,andthecontributionsofAfricanAmericansto
society.InstructionalmaterialsshallincludethecontributionsofAfricanAmericansto
Americansociety.
(i) Theelementaryprinciplesofagriculture.
(j) Thetrueeffectsofallalcoholicandintoxicatingliquorsandbeveragesand
narcoticsuponthehumanbodyandmind.
(k) Kindnesstoanimals.
(l) Thehistoryofthestate.
(m) Theconservationofnaturalresources.
(n) Comprehensivehealtheducationthataddressesconceptsofcommunityhealth;
consumerhealth;environmentalhealth;familylife,includinganawarenessofthe
benefitsofsexualabstinenceastheexpectedstandardandtheconsequencesof
teenagepregnancy;mentalandemotionalhealth;injurypreventionandsafety;
Internetsafety;nutrition;personalhealth;preventionandcontrolofdisease;and
substanceuseandabuse.Thehealtheducationcurriculumforstudentsingrades7
through12shallincludeateendatingviolenceandabusecomponentthatincludes,
butisnotlimitedto,thedefinitionofdatingviolenceandabuse,thewarningsignsof
datingviolenceandabusivebehavior,thecharacteristicsofhealthyrelationships,
measurestopreventandstopdatingviolenceandabuse,andcommunityresources
availabletovictimsofdatingviolenceandabuse.
(o) Suchadditionalmaterials,subjects,courses,orfieldsinsuchgradesasare
prescribedbylaworbyrulesoftheStateBoardofEducationandthedistrictschool
boardinfulfillingtherequirementsoflaw.
(p) ThestudyofHispaniccontributionstotheUnitedStates.
(q) Thestudyofwomen’scontributionstotheUnitedStates.
(r) ThenatureandimportanceoffreeenterprisetotheUnitedStateseconomy.
(s) Acharacter‐developmentprogramintheelementaryschools,similarto
CharacterFirstorCharacterCounts,whichissecularinnature.Beginninginschool
year2004‐2005,thecharacter‐developmentprogramshallberequiredin
kindergartenthroughgrade12.Eachdistrictschoolboardshalldeveloporadopta
curriculumforthecharacter‐developmentprogramthatshallbesubmittedtothe
departmentforapproval.Thecharacter‐developmentcurriculumshallstressthe
qualitiesofpatriotism;responsibility;citizenship;kindness;respectforauthority,life,
24 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
liberty,andpersonalproperty;honesty;charity;self‐control;racial,ethnic,and
religioustolerance;andcooperation.
(t) Inordertoencouragepatriotism,thesacrificesthatveteranshavemadein
servingourcountryandprotectingdemocraticvaluesworldwide.Suchinstruction
mustoccuronorbeforeVeterans’DayandMemorialDay.Membersofthe
instructionalstaffareencouragedtousetheassistanceoflocalveteranswhen
practicable.
Any child whose parent presents to the school principal a signed statement that the
disease,itssymptoms,development,andtreatment,andtheviewingofpicturesormotion
picturesthatteachaboutdisease,conflictwiththereligiousteachingsofthechild'sreligious
affiliation,isexemptfromsuchinstruction;andachildsoexemptedmaynotbepenalizedby
reasonofthatexemption.
ParticipationinPhysicalEducationProgram–(F.S.30.22(2)
Astudentwhobyreasonofanextendedillnessordisabilityisunabletoparticipateina
physicaleducationactivityshallbeassignedtoanalternativeactivityupontherequestofa
parent, accompanied by documentation fromtheattending physicianwhenthe
conditionisextendedornotreadilyapparent. Creditshallbeawardedcommensuratewith
theSt.LucieCountyStudentProgressionPlan.
Homework
HomeworkAssignments‐(F.S.1001.41;F.S.1001.42,)
Eachschoolshallhaveawrittenhomeworkpolicy.
 Emphasizeshomeworkasanintegralpartofthestudent‘stotalinstructionalprogram;
 Requiresthathomeworkassignmentsreinforcelearningskillsintroducedduring
classroominstruction;and
 Assuresthathomeworkisnotgiveninexcessiveamountsorfordisciplinaryreasons.
CareerandTechnicalCourses
CareerandTechnicalEducationservesadiversegroupofsecondarystudentsbyproviding
anarrayoftechnicaleducationandjobpreparatoryprogramsinthe16CareerClusters:
 Agriculture,Food,andNaturalResources
 ArchitectureandConstruction
 Arts,A.V.,TechnologyandCommunication
 BusinessManagementandAdministration
 EducationandTraining
 FinancialServices
 GovernmentandPublicAdministration
 HealthScience
 HospitalityandTourism
 HumanServices
 InformationTechnology
 Law,PublicSafety,andService
 Manufacturing
25 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools



Marketing,SalesandService
Science,Technology,Engineering,andMathematics
Transportation,Distribution,andLogistics
CareerandTechnicalProgramsconsistofasequenceofcoursesthatalignwithBrightFutures
VocationalGoldSealScholarshiprequirements,articulatedcredits,andrelatedindustrycertifications.
Whilethesecoursesarenotspecifiedasgraduationrequirements,studentsandparentsshouldbe
awareofthefollowing:
 Eligibility for Bright Futures VocationalGoldSealScholarshiprequiresa3.5GPAin3CTE
courseswithinoneCTEprogram.
 Local articulation agreements for advanced standing atthepostsecondarylevelarealigned
withprogramcompletions.
 Opportunitiestoachieveamarketableindustrycertificationsareofferedinadvancedlevel
courses.

Career and Technical Education p r o g r a m course substitutionswillremainineffectonlyfor
studentsenteringninthgradepriortothe2010‐11schoolyear.Studentsenteringninthgradein
orafter2011‐12willnotbeeligibleforprogramsubstitution. S e e t h e 2 0 1 3 ‐ 1 4 F l o r i d a C o u r s e C o d e D i r e c t o r y f o r d e t a i l s . Agriscience Foundations I (8106810), the course
in secondaryAgriscienceandNaturalResourcesprogramswillsatisfyagraduationrequirement
ofasciencewitha
laboratorycomponent.Thisisnotapartofsubstitutionforanycourse.
Acareerandprofessionalacademyisaresearch‐basedprogramthatintegratesrigorousacademic
curriculumwithanindustry‐specificcareercurriculumaligneddirectlytopriorityworkforceneeds
establishedbythe regionalworkforceboard. Careerandprofessionalacademiesshallbeofferedby
publicschoolsandschooldistricts. Studentscompletingcareerandprofessionalacademyprogramsmust
receiveastandardhighschooldiploma,thehighestavailableindustrycertification,andopportunitiesto
earnpostsecondarycreditiftheacademypartnerswithapostsecondaryinstitutionapprovedtooperatein
thestate.
The“FloridaReadytoWorkProgram”providesacomprehensiveidentificationofworkforceskillsfor
eachoccupationidentifiedforinclusionintheprogrambytheAgencyforWorkforceInnovationandthe
FloridaDept.ofEducation. Itincludesapre‐instructionalassessmentthatdelineatesthestudent’s
masterylevelonspecificworkplaceskills,andprovidesatargetedinstructionalprogramlimitedtothe
identifiedskillsinwhichthestudentisnotproficient. Instructionmustutilizeaweb‐basedprogramand
becustomizedtomeetspecificneedsoflocalemployers. AFloridaReadytoWorkCredentialshallbe
awardedtoastudentwhosuccessfullypassesanassessmentinReadingforInformation, Applied
Mathematics,and LocatingInformationoranyotherassessmentofcomparablerigor.Eachassessment
shallbescoredonascaleof3‐7. Abronze‐levelcredentialrequiresascoreof3orhigher;asilver‐level
credentialrequiresascoreof4orhigher;andagold‐levelcredentialrequiresascoreof5orhigher.This
programmaybeconductedinpublicmiddleandhighschools,communitycolleges,technicalcenters,one‐
stopcareercenters,vocationalrehabilitationcenters,andDept.ofJuvenileJusticeEducationfacilities.
26 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Theprogrammaybemadeavailabletootherentitiesthatprovidejobtraining.
IV. GradingandReportingProceduresGrading
andReportCards
Reportcardswillbeissuedquarterly. Itistheteacher‘sresponsibilitytodeterminegradesbasedonthe
followingcriteria:
 Aminimumofnine(9)academicgradesshouldbepostedeachnineweeks onateacher‘s
grade book to apply toward a student‘s grades ingrades1‐12.
 Ifateacherisusingweightedgrades,thenthereshould be at least 3 grades in eachweighted
category.
These gradesshouldincludehomework,assessments,reports,
laboratoryactivities,researchpapers,notebooks,portfolios,specialprojectsandany
specialactivitiesthatrelatetoacontentarea.Thiswouldnotincludenon‐academicgradesfor
exampleagradeforfollowingdresscode,returningasignedCodeof
Conductandsoforth.Allgradesshouldbedeterminedonstudentacademic
achievementonly.
NOTE: Forstudentswhotransferfromoutsidethedistrictthequartergrades will bedetermined by
the transfer grade and process outlined inthesectionontransferstudentsinthisdocument.



Masteryofthecourseobjectivesthathavebeenidentifiedforeachcourseinthestatecourse
descriptionandarecompatibletotheCommonCoreStateStandards/NextGeneration
SunshineStateStandardswhereapplicable.
Teacherevaluationbasedonmasteryofperformancestandardsandexitcriteria.
Parentswillhaveinternet‐basedaccesstotheirchild’srecords,includinggrades,throughour
districtParentPortal. Accessisgrantedattheschoolsitewithappropriateidentification.
UniformGradingSystem
Studentsingrades3‐12willbeawardedlettergradestoindicatestudentprogress.
Grade Point Definition
Grade
Percent
Average
A
90‐100
4
outstandingprogress
B
80‐89
3
aboveaverageprogress
C
70‐79
2
averageprogress
D
60‐69
1
lowestacceptableprogress
F
0‐59
0
failure
I
0
0
Incomplete*
W
N/A
N/A
withdrawnDualEnrollment
*Astudentwhoreceivesanincompletehastocompletetheworkwithintheguidelinesofthemake‐upwork
policycontainedherein.(See Make‐upWorkSection)Ifthestudentdoesnotmakeupallworkbythe
designatedperiodoftimethenforanymissingworkagradeofZerowillbeenteredbytheteacherand
thefinalgradewillbecalculated.NOTE:the
“I“willcalculateas
aZeroonthereportcarduntilthe“I”isreplacedwithagrade.Atthattime,anadjustedGPAwillbe
calculatedforthestudent.
CalculationofMiddle&HighSchoolGrades
FullYear
27 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
1st9weeks= 40%
2nd9weeks=40%Semesterexam=
20%
TotalFirstSemesterGrade=100%
3rd9weeks=40%
4th9weeks=40%Semesterexam=
20%
TotalSecondSemesterGrade=100%
Semester1/Semester2Only
1st9weeks= 40%
2nd9weeks=40%Semesterexam=20%
IncourseswithStateEnd‐Of‐CourseExams,,thegradingalgorithmwillchangeinalignmentwithF.S.
1008.22:
FullYear
1st9weeks= 3 5 %
2nd9weeks=35%
ComprehensiveStateEnd‐of‐CourseExam=30%
TotalFirstSemesterGrade=100%*
3rd9Weeks=35%
4th9Weeks=35%
ComprehensiveStateEnd‐Of‐CourseExam=30%
TotalSecondSemesterGrade=100%
Semester1/Semester2Only
1st9weeks= 3 5 %
2nd9weeks=35%
ComprehensiveStateEnd‐of‐CourseExam=30%
* N o c r e d i t o r g r a d e willbe earned in the first semesterincourseswithEnd‐of‐CourseStateExams
untilscoresarereceivedatappliedfor30%ofthegrade. GradePointAverageCalculations
PointValue: A=4,B=3,C=2,D=1,F=0
Lettergradesinallcoursesaregiventhesamepointvalue.ThemaximumGPAis4.0.Thesystemis
utilizedtodetermineeligibilityforgraduation,extra‐curricularactivities,andFloridaBrightFutures
ScholarshipAwards.
EachsemestertheGPAiscomputedonafour‐pointscalebyDataProcessingandrecordedonthesecond
semestertranscriptlabel.
Totalpointsdividedby10 (thisnumberisderivedbycountingeachnineweeks2timesandthe
semesterexamsone)=GPAtolettergrade
28 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
GradePointAverage
GradeGiven
3.51‐4.0
A
2.51‐3.50
B
1.51‐2.50
C
.51‐1.50
D
0‐.50
F
IfastudentreceivestworeportcardacademicgradesofFinasemesterofacourse,thesemesteraverage
isautomaticallydeterminedasan“F”exceptinEOCcourses.
Astudentwithadisability,asdefinedbys.1007.02(2),forwhomtheindividualeducationplanteam
determinesthattheend‐of‐courseassessmentcannotaccuratelymeasurethestudent‘sabilities,taking
intoconsiderationallallowableaccommodations,shallhavetheend‐of‐courseassessmentresults
waivedforpurposesofdeterminingthestudent‘scoursegradeandcompetingrequirementsformiddle
gradespromotion.
HonorsWeighting‐PointSystem
Aweightfactorof.02isassignedforeachsemesterofadvancedacademiccourseworkthatistakeninhigh
school.Aweightfactorof.04willbeassignedforeachsemesterofcollegelevel
courseworktoincludeAdvancedPlacement,DualEnrollment,AICEorIB.
The.02/.04weightfactorisaddedforeachsemesterofadvancedcourseswithagradeofCorhigher.The
cumulativeweightisaddedtothecumulativeGPAtodeterminethestudent’sweightedgradepoint
average.
Themaximumhonorsgradepointaverageisdeterminedbyaddingthecumulativehonorspointstothe
cumulativeGPAbasedonafour‐pointscale,forexample:Ifastudenttookfouradvancedcoursesduring
eachsemesterofhighschoolandearnedagradeofCorhigherineach,hishonorsweightwouldbe+.64
(32x.02=.64).Thisweightwouldbeaddedtohis/hercumulativeGPA.
ClassRank
Classrankisasystemofrecognizingstudentachievementamongthemembersofaspecificgraduating
class.Thepurposesofclassrankare:
 To honor academic excellence by rewarding students who successfullycompletea
rigorousprogramofstudies.
 Toofferincentiveforstudentstoselectscholasticallychallengingcourses
 Todeterminethevaledictorianandsalutatorianofeachclass.
 Toprovidecollegesanduniversitiestherequestedrank.  Toprovidescholarshipcommitteestherequestedrankinclassinformation.
Classrankiscomputedviatheweightedqualitypointsystemdescribedabove.Thepointsaregenerated
baseduponboththegradeearnedandtheinstructionallevelofdifficultyforeachcourse.
For courses that are repeated to make up failing grades, improve knowledge,andimprovegrade
pointaverages(GPA's)forgradeforgiveness,thehighergradewillbeusedincomputingthegradepoint
average(GPA)forclassrank.
HonorsandHighHonorsforgraduationwillbecomputedonaweightedGPAattheendofthe7th
29 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
semesterasfollows:
 HighHonors=3.8000‐4.000
 Honors=3.000‐3.7999
NOTE:GPAisnotrounded.
Classrankfortheabovestatedpurposeswillbecomputedbasedongradesearnedbytheconclusionof
thefirstninetydays(90)ofthesenioryear.Studentsmust be enrolled in aspecific St. Lucie County
high school a minimum of oneand one‐half (1/2) years/ten andone half (1/2) credits to be eligible
for officialclassrank.Othersmayrequestanapproximateclassrank.
Thestudentwhoisrankedfirstinaspecificgraduatingclasswillbethevaledictorianofthatseniorclass
andthestudentwhoisrankedsecondinaspecificgraduatingclasswillbethesalutatorianofthatsenior
class.
ValedictoriansandsalutatoriansmustbeenrolledinthesameSt.LucieCountyhighschoolandreceive
gradesinsecondsemesteroftheSophomoreyear,firstandsecondsemesteroftheJunioryearandthe
firstsemesteroftheSeniorYearinordertobeeligibleforthesedesignations.
Thefinalclassrankwillbecomputedattheconclusionofthesecondsemesterofthesenioryear.
Atransferstudenthastheoptiontobeunrankedwithoutprejudicedatthewrittenrequestofthe
parent/guardianifstudent'stransfergradesarenumerical.
Pass(P)andFail(F)LetterGrades
PASS(P)orFAIL(F)lettergrades,forwhichequivalentnumericalgradepointaveragevaluesand
percentasthoseoutlinedin(F.S.1003.437)cannotbeascertained,willbe
omittedwhencalculatingthecumulativegradepointaverageofstudentsforclassranking.
However,acoursewithalettergradeofPASS(P)willbecountedascreditforthepurposeofdetermining
creditrequirementsforgradeclassification,participationininterscholasticextracurricularactivities,and
graduation.
PASS (P)andFAIL(F)letter grades,withequivalentnumericalgradepointaveragevaluesand
percentasthoseoutlinedin(F.S.1003.437),willbeincludedwhencalculatingthecumulativegrade
pointaverageofstudentsforparticipationininterscholasticextracurricularactivities,classranking,
graduation,anddeterminingcreditrequirementsforgradeclassification.
Upon receipt ofPASS (P) and FAIL (F) letter grades for an identifiedstudent,anidentified
staffmemberforthereceivingschoolshallrequestinwritinganinterpretationofthelettergrades
fromthesendingschooldistrict(s).
Writtencorrespondencebetweenthereceivingschool'sstaffmemberand/orlettergradesverification
fromthesendingschooldistrict(s)willbeplacedintheidentifiedstudent'scumulativefolderforfuture
reference.
ParticipationInInterscholasticExtraCurricularActivities
Students entering the ninth grade must maintain a cumulative grade pointaverageof2.0or
aboveona4.0scaleinthecoursesrequiredforgraduation.(F.S.1003.43).Studentsinthe9th and
30 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
10th grademustmaintainaGPAof2.0oraboveinthesemesterprecedingparticipationin
interscholasticactivitiesoracumulativeGPAof2.0orabove.Ifthestudent‘sGPAfallsbelowthe
cumulative2.0,thestudentmustenteracontractualagreementwiththedistrict,theappropriate
extracurriculargoverningassociation, andthe student‘s parent. Thecontractmust require that
the student attend summerschool, or its graded equivalent,betweenthe9 thand10 thgradesor
the10th and11 th gradesasnecessary.(F.S.1008.25),(F.S.1006.20(2))
Additionally,astudentmustmaintainsatisfactoryconductand,ifastudentisconvictedof,orisfound
tohavecommitted,afelonyoradelinquentactwhichwouldhavebeenafelonyifcommittedbyan
adult,regardlessofwhetheradjudicationiswithheld,thestudent‘sparticipationininterscholastic
extracurricularactivitiesiscontingentuponestablishedandpublishedschoolboardpolicy.
Studentswhoareexemptfromattendingafullschooldayunder(F.S.1000.21)mustmaintainthe
gradepointaverageof2.0asrequiredby(F.S.1006.15)2.0.(g.)Grading
GradingESOLStudents
Allstudentsmustbegradedaccordingtogradelevelappropriateandequaltotheirpeers.ESOLstudents
shouldnotberetainedsolelyonthebasisoftheirlimitedEnglishproficiency.
DeterminationofStudentProgress
StudentprogressioninSt.LucieCountyPublicSchoolsisbaseduponanevaluationofeachstudent‘s
achievementintermsofappropriateinstructiongoals. Thebasisofmakingthedeterminationshould
reflectteacherjudgmentbasedonavarietyofformativeandsummativeassessments.Theprimary
responsibilityfordeterminingeachstudent‘slevelof
performanceandabilitytofunctionacademically,atthenextgradelevelisthatoftheclassroomteacher,
subjecttoreviewandapprovaloftheprincipal.
HighSchoolGradeForgiveness
Aforgivenesspolicyforrequiredcorecoursesshallbelimitedtoreplacingagradeof“D”or
“F”ortheequivalentofagradeof“D”or“F”withagradeof“C”
orhigher,ortheequivalentofagradeofa“C”orhigher,earnedsubsequently
inthesameoracomparablecourseForgivenesspoliciesforelectivecoursesshallbelimited
toreplacingagradeof“D”or“F”ortheequivalentofagradeof“D”or“F”withagradeof
“C”orhigher,ortheequivalentofagradeofa“C”orhigher,earnedsubsequentlyin
anothercourse.
Theonlyexceptiontotheseforgivenesspoliciesshallbemadeforastudentinthemiddle
gradeswhotakesanyhighschoolcourseforhighschoolcreditandearnsa“C”,“D”or“F”or
theequivalent.Insuchcases,thedistrictforgivenesspolicymustallowforthereplacement
ofthegradewitha“C”orhigherortheequivalent,earnedsubsequentlyinthesameor
comparablecourse.
Inallcasesofgradeforgiveness,onlythenewgradeshallbeusedinthecalculationofthe
student’sgradepointaverage.Anycoursegradenotreplacedaccordingtodistrict
forgivenesspolicyshallbeincludedinthecalculationofthecumulativegradepoint
averagerequiredforgraduation.
31 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Note: Mostcollegesanduniversitiescalculategradepointaverages(GPAs)basedonallcoursesattempted.
6A‐1.09941StateUniformTransferofHighSchoolCredits.
The purpose of this rule is to establish uniform procedures relating to the acceptance oftransferwork
andcreditforstudentsenteringFlorida’spublicschoolsEffectiveJuly1,2013,theproceduresshallbeas
follows:
1. Creditsandgradesearnedandofferedforacceptanceshallbebasedonofficial
transcriptsandshallbeacceptedatfacevaluesubjecttovalidationifrequired
bythereceiving school’s accreditation. If validation of the official transcript
isdeemednecessary,orifthestudentdoesnotpossessanofficialtranscriptor
isahomeeducation student, credits shall be validated through performance
during the first grading period as outlined in subsection (2) of this rule.
AssessmentrequirementsfortransferstudentsunderSection1003.4282,F.S.,
mustbesatisfied.
2. Validationofcreditsshallbebasedonperformanceinclassesatthereceivingschool.
A student transferring into a school shall be placed at the appropriate sequentialcourselevel
and should have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at the end of thefirst grading period.
Students who do not meet this requirement shall have creditsvalidated using the Alternative
ValidationProcedure,asoutlinedinsubsection(3)ofthisrule.
3. Alternative Validation Procedure. If validation based on performance as describedaboveisnot
satisfactory, then any one of the following alternatives shall be used forvalidationpurposesas
determinedbytheteacher,principal,andparent:
a. Portfolioevaluationbythesuperintendentordesignee;
b. WrittenrecommendationbyaFloridacertifiedteacherselectedbytheparentand
approvedbytheprincipal;
c. Satisfactoryperformanceincoursestakenthroughdualenrollmentoratotherpublicor
privateaccreditedschools;
d. Satisfactory performance on nationally‐normed standardized subject area
assessments;
e. Satisfactoryperformanceonastatewide,standardizedassessment;or
f. Writtenreviewof the criteriautilized for a givensubject provided by theformer
school.
Students must be provided at least ninety (90) days from date of transfer to prepare forassessments
outlinedinparagraphs(3)(d)and(e)ofthisruleifrequired.
IfastudenttransferstoaFloridaPublicHighschoolfromoutofstate,outofcountry,privateschoolor
homeschool,thestudent’stranscriptwillbereviewedtodetermineifthestudentisrequiredtotakethe
FloridaEnd‐of‐CourseAssessmentforAlgebra1inaccordancewiththeStateUniformTransferofHigh
SchoolCreditpolicy.Refertohttp://www.fldoe.org/bii/studentpro/pdf/HS‐Assessments‐State.pdfforlist
ofstate‐bystateassessmentinformationforAlgebra1.
Seegraduationrequirementsforadditionalinformationrelatedtotransferstudents.
Rulemaking Authority 1003.25, 1003.4282 FS. Law Implemented 1003.25, 1003.4282 FS.
32 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
History–New8‐28‐00,Formerly6‐1.099,Amended9‐22‐03,4‐30‐12,3‐25‐14.
The Honor’s designation will only be provided if a student earns an A, B, or C on a schoolbased exam
in an Honor’s course. The final course grade will be determined by 80% forportfolio work and 20%
forfinalexam. TheAdvancedPlacement designationwillonlybeprovided if the student has taken the
relevant Advanced Placement examination and hadearnedascoreof3orhigheronthatexam.
WithdrawalsPriortotheEndoftheYear
Studentswholeaveschoolpriortothelasttwoweeksofanysemesterwillnotbe
grantedcreditunlesstheyenrollinanotherschoolandcompletethecourserequirements,
includingexaminationsifappropriate.
Studentswhoarerequiredtoleaveschoolduringthelasttwoweeksoftheyearmustshowevidence
thatthewithdrawalismandatoryandmustcompletefinalexaminationsinordertoreceivecourse
credit.Principalsareauthorizedtomakeappropriatearrangementsfortheadministrationof
examinations.
Principalsmaywaivetherequirementforearlywithdrawalwhenunusual/extenuatingcircumstances
precludefullcompliancebythestudents.Approvalpriortothestudent‘sleavingismandatory.
EarlyExams
Examinationswillnotbegivenpriortotheregularlyscheduledtime.Studentswhofailto
takethescheduledfinalexaminationsforgoodand sufficient reasons may be allowed totake the
examinationspriortothebeginningofthenextschoolterm.
Transferstudentsmayuponwrittenrequesthavetheirfinalexamstobemailedtothereceiving
school.
Inexceptionalcases,individualarrangementsmaybemadebytheprincipalwithinthecurrentstate
regulationsandSchoolBoardPolicies.
ExamExemptions
Districtschoolboardsshallnotallowschoolstoexemptstudentsfromacademicperformance
requirementsbasedonpracticesorpoliciesdesignedtoencouragestudentattendance.Astudent‘s
attendancerecordmaynotbeusedinwholeorinparttoprovideanexemptionfromanyacademic
performancerequirement.(F.S.1003.33)
Make‐UpWorkK‐12
 Allowedforallabsences,excusedorunexcused.
 Studenthas1day(2daysifonanalternatingblock) tomakeuptheworkforeachdayabsent,
notincludingthedayofreturn,unlesstheprincipalapprovesanextensionduetounusual
circumstances. Previouslyassignedworkisdueonthedaythestudentreturnstoschool.
33 



2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Allwork,regardlessofthenumberofdaysabsent,mustbemadeuponorbeforegradesare
dueinthefinalquarteroftheschoolyear.
Studentswhoseworkisturnedinaftertheendofthegradingperiodforquartersonethrough
three,willreceivean“I”orincomplete.Iftheworkisturnedinon‐
time,thestudentwillreceivethegradeforthework(seegradeprovisionsforstudentsin
grades9‐12below).
Incompletegradesbecome“F”or“0”ifnotreplacedwiththegradeforthemakeupwork
thatwasturnedinontime.
Studentswilltakeannouncedtestsonfirstdayofreturntoschool.Studentwillbeallowed2‐
daystopreparefortestsassignedduringtheabsence.
9‐12 Provisions
 Mustrequestmakeupwork;studentswillnotbepenalizedformakeupwork
thatisrequested,butnotprovidedbytheteacher.
 Makeupworkforunexcusedabsences(U)willreceiveamaximumgradeof59%.
 Uponstudent’srequest,theteacherwillinformstudent/parentofworktobe
madeupasspecificallyasplanswillallow,butisnotexpectedtodevelopspecial
assignments.
V. PROMOTION,ACCELERATIONANDRETENTION
HighSchoolPromotionRequirements
Cohort‐BasedGradePlacement
Highschoolstudentsmustearn24or18(ACCEL)designatedcreditstograduate.Gradeplacement
willcorrespondwiththestudent’snumberofyearsinhighschooluntiltheendoftheirfourth
year.ThiswillbeknownasCohort‐BasedGradePlacementwherebythestudentbeginshighschool
asafreshmen,thesecondyearofhighschoolattendancewillcarrythedesignationofsophomore;
thethirdyearofhighschoolattendancewillcarrythedesignationofjuniorandthefourthyearof
highschoolwillcarrythedesignationofsenior.
.
*StudentsseekingACCELdiplomawillbepromotedtoseniorstatusatthebeginning
oftheirfifthsemesteriftheyhave14creditsandmeetthefollowingrequirements:
 earnedthreecreditsineitherrequiredELAorMathematicscourses


scheduledinallrequiredclassesduringtheregularsevenperiod
ontracktograduateinsixsemesters.
34 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
StudentsseekingtheACCELdiplomabutnotpromotedtoseniorstatusatbeginningofthird
year,willbepromotedatthesemesterifontrackforgraduationatthattime.
Forthepurposesofparticipatinginsenioractivities,astudentmustbedeclareda"seniorin
goodstanding."Thisdesignationrequiresthatstudentshaveearned17creditsandareon
tracktograduate.StudentsontracktoearnACCELdiplomamustmeettheabovementioned
criteriabeforeparticipatinginsenioractivities.
CreditTowardsGraduationForGrades9‐12
HighSchoolDefinitionofCreditandTransferofCreditGuidelines
Forthepurposesofrequirementsforhighschoolgraduation,onefullcreditrepresentsaminimumof135
hoursofinstructioninadesignatedcourseofstudywhichcontainsboardapprovedstudentperformance
standards. Onefullcreditmeansaminimumof120hoursofbonafideinstructioninadesignatedcourseof
studythatcontainsstudentperformancestandardsforpurposesofmeetinghighschoolgraduation
requirementsinadistrictschoolthathasbeenauthorizedtoimplementblockschedulingbythedistrict
schoolboard.
Districtsmayoffercoursesofmorethan135hoursforcredit. Schooldistrictsmaydetermine
thehoursofattendancebystudentstoreceiveacreditorhalfcredit.
Astudentmaybeawardedcreditforlessthan135hoursofinstructionifheorshehas
demonstratedmasteryofthecourserequirementsandCommonCoreStandards/NextGenerationSunshine
StateStandardsasprovidedbytheschooldistrictstudentprogressionplan. Thisclarificationincludes
awardingcreditforcoursestakeninsummerschool,throughperformance‐basedinstruction,block
schedulingorcoursemodificationsthatcombinecourses.
TheStateBoardofEducationshalldeterminethenumberofpostsecondarycredithoursearnedthrough
dualenrollmentthatsatisfytherequirementsofthedistrict’sinterinstitutionalarticulationagreement
accordingtos.1003.235,F.S.,andthatequalsonefullcreditoftheequivalenthighschoolcourseidentified
ins.1007.271(6),F.S.
Thehourlyrequirementsforone‐halfcreditareonehalfoftherequirementsspecifiedin(1)(a).(s.
1003.436(1)(2),F.S.).
Theschooldistrictmaintainsaone‐halfcreditearnedsystemthatincludescoursesprovidedonafull‐
yearbasis. One‐halfcreditshallbeawardedifthestudentsuccessfullycompleteseitherthefirstorthe
secondhalfofafullyearcoursebutfailstosuccessfullycompletetheotherhalf..Inordertoearncourse
credittowardgraduation,astudentmustdemonstratemasteryoftheBoard‐adoptedstudent
performancestandards(s.1003.436(2),F.S.).
Highschoolcreditwillbeawardedtostudentswhodemonstrate60%mastery of thecourse
performance standards as evidenced byteacher‐madetests,criterionreferencedtests,teacher
observation,classprojects,homework,orotheractivitiesasidentified bytheteacher, with the
exception of courses with state End Of CourseExamswhentheexammaybeusedtoearncredit
forthecoursethroughtheCreditAccelerationProgram(CAP).
35 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Level 1 Courses ‐ no student may be granted credit toward a highschoolgraduationfor
enrollmentinanyLevel1courseunlessthestudent‘sassessmentindicatesthatamorerigorouscourse
ofstudywould be inappropriate; inwhichcase awritten assessmentof theneedmustbeincludedin
thestudent‘sindividualeducationalplanorinastudentperformanceplan,signedbytheprincipal,the
guidancecounselor,andtheparentorguardianofthestudent,orthestudent,ifthestudentif18years
ofageorolder(F.S.1003.43).
PerformanceIndicators
Theteachermustprovidecompelling,verifiableevidencewhenstudentperformanceonappropriate
grade‐levelassessmentsisnotbelievedtobeindicativeofdailyclassroomperformance.
DocumentationofEvidence
Teacherswillassessstudentperformancebasedonassignmentsandclassroomparticipation. A
varietyofassessmentprocedureswillbeusedtodeterminemasterystandardsforpromotional
purposes.Teachersshallmaintainadequatedocumentationandevidenceofstudentwork.
Teachersareencouragedtomaintainaportfolioofstudents’dailyassignments,writingjournals,reading
samples,classroomobservation,etc.,todocumentstudentperformance.
A student portfolio contains a systematic collection of evidence used by theteachertomonitorthe
student‘sacademicgrowthoveraperiodoftime.
Portfolioassessmentshallbedefinedintermsofthefollowingcharacteristics:
 ongoing
 multidimensional,providingavarietyofmeasures
 student‐centered
 authentic,requiringstudentstoapplywhattheyhavelearned
DeficiencyReportingtoParents/GuardiansorAdultStudents
Inadditiontofamilyaccessandreportcards,parentsmustbenotifiedinwritingorby
documentedphonecallsatanytimeduringagradingperiodwhenitis
apparentthatthestudentmayfailorisdoingunsatisfactoryworkinanycourse orgrade
assignments. The teacher must maintain all documentation oftheparentcontactforoneyear.
Theopportunityforaconferencewiththeteacherorprincipal
mustbeprovidedfortheparentsorguardiansofanychildoranadultstudent who
may fail and/or be retained. For students with disabilities, parentswillbenotifiedofstudent‘s
progressonIndividualEducationalPlanannualgoalsaswellasreceivereportsofprogress
accordingtothesamefrequencyasparentsofnon‐disabledstudents.
Parents aretobenotifiedannually inwritingastotheprogressofstudentstoward
achievingstateanddistrictexpectationsforproficiencyinreading,writing,mathematics and
science including the results on state assessment test.(F.S.1008.25)
Parentsmustbeinformedthatthestateassessmentsnotthesoledeterminerofpromotionandthat
thefollowingareconsideredasadditionalevaluationstodetermineifthechildisreadingator
abovegradelevel:additionalevaluations,portfolioreviewsandotherassessments.
36 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Astudent‘sfinalreportcardforaschoolyearshallcontainastatementindicatingend‐of‐the‐year
statusregardingperformanceornonperformanceatgradelevel,
acceptableorunacceptablebehaviorandattendance,andpromotionornon‐promotion.
Eachdistrictschoolboardmustannuallypublishinthelocalnewspaper,andreportinwritingto the
State Boardof Education bySeptember1ofeach year,thefollowinginformationonthepriorschool
year:
 Theprovisionsofthissectionrelatingtopublicschoolstudentprogressionandthedistrict
schoolboard‘spoliciesandproceduresonstudentretentionand
promotion.
 Bygrade,thenumberandpercentageofallstudentsperformingatLevels1and
2orlevelsidentifiedbythestateonthereadingportionofidentifiedstate
assessment.
 Bygrade,thenumberandpercentageofallstudentsretained.
 Information on the total number of students who were promoted for goodcause.
 Anyrevisionstothedistrictschoolboard‘spolicyonstudentretentionandpromotion
fromtheprioryear.
SecondaryAssessment,Curriculum,andInstruction
St. Lucie County has developed a Comprehensive K‐12 Reading Plan thathasbeenimplemented
s i n c e t h e 2 0 0 5 ‐2006s c h o o l y e a r .This planaddressestheinstructional
materials,assessments,andinterventionsformeetingthereadingneedsofallstudents.Additionally,
thisplanaddressesthemandatoryrequirementthatallstudentsingrades6‐12,scoringatlevels1or2
ontheReadingportionofthestateassessmentbeenrolledinanintensivereadingcourse.
StudentsscoringLevel1andLevel2orlevelsidentifiedbythestateontheidentifiedstateassessmentin
mathematicsmustreceiveremediationthefollowingyear.
Studentsenteringthedistrictwithout–astateassessmentscorefromthepreviousyearmayberequiredto
takearemediationclassifthestudent‘stranscriptorotherinformationfromthepreviousschoolsuggests
thatitmaybethemostappropriateplacement(F.S.1003.413(e).
RetentionParentNotification
Theprincipalwillestablishproceduresfornotifyingparentsofastudentwhoisnotmeetingpromotion
requirements. Parentsofastudent not making satisfactoryprogressshouldbenotifiedthroughoutthe
year.
HighSchoolCreditTowardGraduationForGrades6‐8
AcoursedesignatedintheCourseCodeDirectoryasgrade9through12,whichistakenbeforeninth
grade,maybeusedtosatisfyhighschoolgraduationrequirementsandtowardFloridaBrightFutures
ScholarshipProgramrequirements.
**ForgivenessRule[FloridaStatute§1003.413(3)(e)]‐Theforgivenessruleappliestoamiddleschool
studentwhohasearnedeitheragradeofC,D,orFinahighschoolcoursetakenforhighschoolcredit.
[FloridaStatute§1003.43(5)(e);1003.413(3)(e);1003.428(4)(d)(2007)]
 StudentsmayrepeatacourseforforgivenessifagradeofC,DorFisearnedinahighschool
coursewhileinmiddleschool.
37 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
 Requiredcoursesmaybeforgiven witha gradeof“C”orhigher,earned
subsequentlyinthesameorcomparablecourse.
 AstudentwhoearnsaDintherepeatedattemptofthecoursewillreceivecreditforthe
coursebuttheoriginalfailinggradewouldnotbeforgiven.
Highschoolhonorscoursesofferedatthe8thgradewillreceiveequivalentpointswhencalculating
weightedGPAaccordingtothecriteriaforusedingrades9‐12.
RetentionandPromotionofESOLStudents
ESOL students should not be retained solelyon the basis of their limitedEnglishproficiency.
ArticulatedAccelerationMechanisms–1007.27F.S.
Articulatedaccelerationshallbeavailableandwillservetoshortenthetimenecessaryforastudentto
completetherequirementsassociatedwithahighschooldiplomaandapostsecondarydegree,broaden
thescopeofcurricularoptionsavailabletostudents,orincreasethedepthofstudyavailablefora
particularsubject.Thisshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,dualenrollment,earlyadmission,Advanced
Placement(AP),creditbyexamination,theAdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducation(AICE)andthe
InternationalBaccalaureate(IB)Program.CreditearnedthroughtheFloridaVirtualSchoolshallprovide
additionalopportunitiesforearlygraduationandacceleration.
Homeeducationstudentsmayparticipateindualenrollment,careerdualenrollment,earlyadmission,and
creditbyexamination.Creditearnedbyhomeeducationstudentsthroughdualenrollmentshallapply
towardthecompletionofahomeeducationprogramthatmeetstherequirementsofs.1002.41,F.S.
Earlyadmissionshallbeintheformofdualenrollmentthroughwhicheligiblesecondarystudentsenroll
inapostsecondaryinstitutiononafull‐timebasisincoursesthatarecreditabletowardthehighschool
diplomaandtheassociateorbaccalaureatedegree.Studentsenrolledareexemptfromthepaymentof
registration,matriculation,andlabfees.
APistheenrollmentofaneligiblesecondarystudentinacourseofferedbytheAdvancedPlacement
ProgramadministeredbytheCollegeBoard.PostsecondarycreditforanAPcourseshallbeawardedto
studentswhoscoreaminimumof3ona5‐pointscaleonthecorrespondingAPexam.Studentsshallbe
exemptfromthepaymentofanyfeesforadministrationoftheexaminationregardlessofwhetherornot
thestudentachievesapassingscoreontheexamination.Creditbyexaminationistheprogramthrough
whichpostsecondarycreditisearnedbasedonthereceiptofaspecifiedminimumscoreonnationally
standardizedgeneralorsubjectareaexaminations.TheStateBoardofEducationstatesminimumscores
requiredforanawardofcreditinthestatewidearticulationagreement.
TheAdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducation(AICE)andPreAICEisaninternationalcurriculain
whicheligiblesecondarystudentsareenrolledinprogramsofstudyofferedthroughtheAICEprogramor
thePreAICEprogramadministeredbytheUniversityofCambridgeLocalExaminationSyndicate..The
StateBoardofEducationhasestablishedrulesthatspecifythecutoffscoresandAICEExaminationthat
willbeusedtograntpostsecondarycreditatcommunitycollegesanduniversities.Studentsshallbe
awardedamaximumof30semestercredithours.Studentsshallbeexemptfrompaymentofanyfeesfor
administrationoftheexaminationsregardlessofwhetherornotthestudentachievesapassingscoreon
38 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
theexamination
IBProgramisthecurriculumwherebystudentsareenrolledinaprogramofstudiesofferedthroughthe
IBProgramadministeredbytheIBOffice.TheStateBoardofEducationhasestablishedrulesthatspecify
thecutoffscoresandIBExaminationthatwillbeusedtograntpostsecondarycreditatcommunity
collegesanduniversities.Studentsshallbeawardedamaximumof30semestercredithours.Students
shallbeexemptfrompaymentofanyfeesforadministrationoftheexaminationsregardlessofwhetheror
notthestudentachievesapassingscoreontheexamination.
Anystudentwhoearns9ormorecreditsfromoneormoreoftheaccelerationmechanismsprovidedfor
inthissectionisexemptfromanyrequirementofapublicpostsecondaryeducationalinstitution
mandatingenrollmentduringasummerterm.
AccelerationCourses–1003.429F.S.
Eachhighschoolshalladviseeachstudentofprogramsthroughwhichahighschoolstudentcanearn
collegecredit,AdvancedPlacement(AP),InternationalBaccalaureate(IB),dual
enrollmentcourses,careeracademycourses,andcoursesthatleadtonationalindustrycertification,as
wellastheavailabilityofcourseofferingsthroughvirtualinstruction.
Beginningwiththe2011‐2012schoolyear,eachhighschoolshallofferanIBProgram,anAICEProgram,
oracombinationofatleastfourcoursesindualenrollmentorAP,includingonecourseineachEnglish,
mathematics,science,andsocialstudies.Tomeetthisrequirement,schooldistrictsmayprovidecourses
throughvirtualinstruction,ifthevirtualcoursesignificantlyintegratespostsecondarylevelcontentfor
whichastudentmayearn
collegecredit,asdeterminedbytheFDOE,andforwhichastandardizedEOCassessment,asapprovedby
theFDOE,isadministered.
CreditAccelerationProgram(CAP)purposeistoallowasecondarystudenttoearnhighschoolcreditina
coursethatrequiresastatewide,standardizedEOCassessmentifthestudentattainsaspecifiedscoreon
theassessment.Notwithstandings.1003.436,F.S.,Definitionof"credit",aschooldistrictshallaward
coursecredittoastudentwhoisnotenrolledinthecourse,orwhohasnotcompletedthecourse,ifthe
studentattainsascoreindicatingsatisfactoryperformance,asdefinedins.1008.22,(3)(c)5,onthe
correspondingstatewide,standardizedEOCassessment.Theschooldistrictshallpermitastudentwhois
notenrolledinthecourse,orwhohasnotcompletedthecoursetotakethestandardizedEOCassessment
duringtheregularadministrationoftheassessment.
*Studentswhoearncreditbyexaminationmustunderstandthatcoursecreditmaynotbe
recognizedbysomeentities(i.e.*NCAAClearinghouse).Inaddition,ifastudentfailsthecourseand
electstouseapassingEOCscoretoCAPthecredit,thefailinggradewillremainonthetranscript
andcontinuetobecalculatedinthegradepointaverage.
DualEnrollmentProgramss.1007.271F.S
Thedualenrollmentprogramisdefinedastheenrollmentofaneligiblesecondarystudentorhome
educationstudentinapostsecondarycoursecreditabletowardhighschool
completionandacareercertificateoranassociateorbaccalaureatedegree.Astudentwhois
enrolledinpostsecondaryinstructionthatisnotcreditabletowardahighschooldiplomamaynotbe
39 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
classifiedasadualenrollmentstudent.
AneligiblesecondarystudentisastudentwhoisenrolledinaFloridapublicsecondaryschoolorina
Floridaprivatesecondaryschool,whichisincompliancewiths.1002.42(2),F.S.,andprovidesa
secondarycurriculumpursuanttos.1003.428,s.1003.429,ors.1003.43,F.S.Studentswhoareeligible
fordualenrollmentmayenrollindualenrollmentcoursesconductedduringschoolhours,afterschool
hours,andduringthesummerterm.However,ifthestudentisprojectedtograduatefromhighschool
beforethescheduledcompletiondateofapostsecondarycourse,thestudentmaynotregisterforthat
coursethroughdualenrollment.Thestudentmayapplytothepostsecondaryinstitutionandpaythe
requiredregistration,tuition,andfeesifthestudentmeetsthepostsecondaryinstitution’sadmissions
requirementsunders.1007.263,F.S.
Anystudentenrolledasadualenrollmentstudentisexemptfromthepaymentofregistration,tuition,
andlaboratoryfees.Vocational‐preparatoryinstruction,college‐preparatoryinstruction,andother
formsofpre‐collegiateinstruction,aswellasphysicaleducationcoursesthatfocusonthephysical
executionofaskillratherthantheintellectualattributesoftheactivity,areineligibleforinclusioninthe
dualenrollmentprogram.Recreationandleisurestudiescoursesshallbeevaluatedindividuallyinthe
samemannerasphysicaleducationcoursesforpotentialinclusionintheprogram
PleaseseetheDualEnrollmentArticulationAgreementbetweenSLPSandIRSCforrequirements,
criteriaandexpectationsforDualEnrollmentArticulationAgreements:
http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/pdf/departments/curriculum/DIArticulationAgreements.pdf
HighSchoolMembershipRequirements
Inorderforstudentstoderivethemaximumbenefitfromeducationalopportunitiesavailable,thehigh
schoolprogramoftheDistrictisintendedtobeaprogramoffull‐timeenrollmentandattendance.High
schoolstudents,whileenrolledinthedistrict,shallbeenrolledandinattendanceonafull‐time,seven
coursebasisthroughouttheacademicyear.Maximumcourseenrollment,includingDualEnrollment,
shallnotexceedsevencourses,unlessneededforcreditrecoveryorearlygraduation.
Thefollowingareexemptfromtherequirementsofthispolicy:
 Aseniorstudentenrolledbeyondfouryearsinahighschoolprogram.
 Aseniorstudentwhoisenrolledfull‐timeinDualEnrollmentcourses.Full‐timeenrollment
requiresaminimumof12collegecreditspersemester.
 Aseniorwhodoesnotneedafull‐timescheduletomeetgraduationrequirementsandthe
meetsthefollowingcriteria:
o Aminimumofa2.0GPA
o Thestudentisenrolledinanyrequiredremedialclassesrequiredbasedongraduation
assessmentsorPERT.
o Aschedulecanbedevelopedthathasnogapsduringtheday(mustarriveafterthefirst
periodofthedayorleavepriortothelastperiodoftheday).
o Thestudentmusthavehisorherowntransportationorbedroppedoffandpickedupby
anapprovedfamilymember.Studentswhoareregularlytardyordonotleavecampus
whencoursescheduleisthroughforthedaywillbescheduledforafulldayofcourses.
(Reminder,SchoolBoardPolicydoesnotpermitstudentstotransportotherstudents
duringschoolhours).
40 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Signed and notarized parent or guardian permission. B. GraduationRequirements
Graduationisthecompletionofalltherequirementstoreceiveahighschooldiploma.Graduation
requiresthesuccessfulcompletionofaminimumof24credits,an
InternationalBaccalaureatecurriculumoranAdvancedInternationalCertificateofEducation
curriculumor18creditsfortheACCELdiploma.Studentsmustbeadvisedofeligibility
requirementsforstatescholarshipprogramsandpostsecondaryadmissions.
ThecreditsmustbeearnedthroughcoursesapprovedbytheDepartmentofEducationandshallbe
distributedasfollows:
41 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
STUDENTSENTERINGGRADENINEINTHE2011‐12SCHOOLYEAR
SubjectArea
GraduationRequirementsof GraduationRequirementsofthe
the24CreditDiploma
ACCEL18CreditDiplomaOption
EnglishLanguage
4credits
4credits
Arts
Mathematics
4credits*
4credits*
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Algebra1
Algebra1
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Geometry
Geometry
Science
3credits**
3credits**
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Biology
Biology
 Twoofwhichmust
 Twoofwhichmusthave
havelabrequirement
labrequirement
SocialStudies
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinU.S.History
1creditinU.S.History
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinEconomics
.5creditinEconomics
Fineand
1credit
1credit
PerformingArts,
(Eligiblecoursesarespecified (Eligiblecoursesarespecifiedin
SpeechandDebate, intheFloridaCourseCode
theFloridaCourseCodeDirectory)
orPracticalArts
Directory)
PhysicalEducation 1credit
notrequired
(mustincludetheintegration
ofhealth)
On‐linerequired
1course
notrequired
Electives
8credits
3credits
Total
24credits
18credits
GPA
2.0on4.0scale
2.0on4.0scale
*Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforuptotwo
mathematicscredits(exceptforAlgebra1andGeometry)
**Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforonesciencecredit
(exceptforBiology).AnidentifiedrigorousComputerSciencecoursewitharelatedindustry
certificationsubstitutesforuptoonesciencecredit(exceptforBiology)
StateAssessmentRequirements:
 Studentsmustpassthefollowingstatewideassessmentsforboththe24creditandthe
ACCEL18creditdiploma:
 Grade10reading(orACT/SATconcordantscore)
 Algebra1end‐of‐course(EOC)ifAlgebraistakenafter2010‐2011ora
comparativescoreonthePostsecondaryEducationReadinessTest(P.E.R.T)
Coursesidentifiedasequivalentcoursesformathandsciencesarelisted:
http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document‐6097/dps‐2011‐69b.pdf
Coursesidentifiedasequallyrigorousarelisted:
http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document‐6096/dps‐2011‐69a.pdf
42 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
STUDENTSENTERINGGRADENINEINTHE2012‐13SCHOOLYEAR
SubjectArea
GraduationRequirementsof GraduationRequirementsofthe
the24CreditDiploma
ACCEL18CreditDiplomaOption
EnglishLanguage
4credits
4credits
Arts
Mathematics
4credits*
4credits*
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Algebra1
Algebra1
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Geometry
Geometry
Science
3credits**
3credits**
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Biology
Biology
 Twoofwhichmust
 Twoofwhichmusthavelab
havelabrequirement
requirement
SocialStudies
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinU.S.History
1creditinU.S.History
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinEconomics
.5creditinEconomics
Fineand
1credit
1credit
PerformingArts,
(Eligiblecoursesarespecified (Eligiblecoursesarespecifiedin
SpeechandDebate, intheFloridaCourseCode
theFloridaCourseCodeDirectory)
orPracticalArts
Directory)
PhysicalEducation 1credit
notrequired
(mustincludetheintegration
ofhealth)
On‐linerequired
1course
notrequired
Electives
8credits
3credits
Total
24credits
18credits
GPA
2.0on4.0scale
2.0on4.0scale
*Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforuptotwomathematicscredits
(exceptforAlgebra1andGeometry)
**Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforonesciencecredit(exceptfor
Biology).AnidentifiedrigorousComputerSciencecoursewitharelatedindustrycertification
substitutesforuptoonesciencecredit(exceptforBiology)
StateAssessmentRequirements:
 Studentsmustpassthefollowingstatewideassessmentsforboththe24creditandtheACCEL
18creditdiploma:
 Grade10reading(orACT/SATconcordantscore)
 Algebra1end‐of‐course(EOC)ifAlgebraistakenafter2010‐2011oracomparative
scoreonthePostsecondaryEducationReadinessTest(P.E.R.T)
43 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
STUDENTSENTERINGGRADENINEINTHE2013‐14SCHOOLYEAR
SubjectArea
GraduationRequirementsof
GraduationRequirementsof
the24CreditDiploma
theACCEL18CreditDiploma
Option
EnglishLanguage
4credits,ELAI,II,III,IV
4credits,ELAI,II,III,IV
Arts
(ELAhonors,AP,AICE,IBand
(ELAhonors,AP,AICE,IBand
dualenrollmentcoursessatisfy
dualenrollmentcoursessatisfy
thisrequirement)
thisrequirement)
Mathematics
4credits*
4credits*
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Algebra1
Algebra1
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Geometry
Geometry
Science
3credits**
3credits**
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Biology
Biology
 Twoofwhichmusthave
 Twoofwhichmusthave
labrequirement
labrequirement
SocialStudies
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinU.S.History
1creditinU.S.History
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinEconomicswith
.5creditinEconomicswith
FinancialLiteracy
FinancialLiteracy
Fineand
1credit
1credit
PerformingArts,
(Eligiblecoursesarespecifiedin (Eligiblecoursesarespecified
SpeechandDebate, theFloridaCourseCode
intheFloridaCourseCode
orPracticalArts
Directory)
Directory)
PhysicalEducation 1credit
notrequired
(mustincludetheintegrationof
health)
On‐linerequired
1course
notrequired
Electives
8credits
3credits
Total
24credits
18credits
GPA
2.0on4.0scale
2.0on4.0scale
*Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforuptotwomathematicscredits
(exceptforAlgebra1andGeometry)
**Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforonesciencecredit(exceptfor
Biology).AnidentifiedrigorousComputerSciencecoursewitharelatedindustrycertificationsubstitutes
foruptoonesciencecredit(exceptforBiology)
StateAssessmentRequirements:
 Studentsmustpassthefollowingstatewideassessmentsforboththe24creditandtheACCEL18
creditdiploma:
 Grade10ELA(orACT/SATconcordantscore)
 Algebra1end‐of‐course(EOC)oracomparativescoreonthePostsecondaryEducation
ReadinessTest(P.E.R.T)
44 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
STUDENTSENTERINGGRADENINEINTHE2014‐15SCHOOLYEAR
SubjectArea
GraduationRequirementsof GraduationRequirementsof
the24CreditDiploma
theACCEL18CreditDiploma
Option
EnglishLanguage
4credits,ELAI,II,III,IV
4credits,ELAI,II,III,IV
Arts
(ELAhonors,AP,AICE,IBand
(ELAhonors,AP,AICE,IBand
dualenrollmentcoursessatisfy dualenrollmentcoursessatisfy
thisrequirement)
thisrequirement)
Mathematics
4credits*
4credits*
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Algebra1
Algebra1
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Geometry
Geometry
Science
3credits**
3credits**
 Oneofwhichmustbe
 Oneofwhichmustbe
Biology
Biology
 Twoofwhichmusthave
 Twoofwhichmusthave
labrequirement
labrequirement
SocialStudies
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinWorldHistory
1creditinU.S.History
1creditinU.S.History
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinU.S.Government
.5creditinEconomicswith
.5creditinEconomicswith
FinancialLiteracy
FinancialLiteracy
Fineand
1credit
1credit
PerformingArts,
(Eligiblecoursesarespecified
(Eligiblecoursesarespecified
SpeechandDebate, intheFloridaCourseCode
intheFloridaCourseCode
orPracticalArts
Directory)
Directory)
PhysicalEducation 1credit
notrequired
(mustincludetheintegrationof
health)
On‐linerequired
1course
notrequired
Electives
8credits
3credits
Total
24credits
18credits
GPA
2.0on4.0scale
2.0on4.0scale
*Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforuptotwomathematicscredits
(exceptforAlgebra1andGeometry)
**Anindustrycertificationthatleadstocollegecreditmaysubstituteforonesciencecredit(exceptfor
Biology).AnidentifiedrigorousComputerSciencecoursewitharelatedindustrycertificationsubstitutes
foruptoonesciencecredit(exceptforBiology)
StateAssessmentRequirements:
 Studentsmustpassthefollowingstatewideassessmentsforboththe24creditandtheACCEL18
creditdiploma:
 Grade10ELA(orACT/SATconcordantscore)
 Algebra1end‐of‐course(EOC)oracomparativescoreonthePostsecondary
EducationReadinessTest(P.E.R.T)
45 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
ConcordantandComparativeScoresforRequiredGraduationStatewideAssessments
Studentscanmeetassessmentgraduationrequirementsbyreceivingascoreconcordantto
theFCAT2.0passingscoreoneithertheACTortheSATandascorecomparativetothe
Algebra1EOCAssessmentpassingscoreonthePostsecondaryEducationReadinessTest
(PERT).Thescoresrequiredarebasedontheyearthestudententeredninthgrade.Evenifa
studentachievesaconcordantscorebeforethegrade10assessment,allstudentsenrolledin
grade10arerequiredtoparticipateinthestatewideassessmentinaccordancewithsection
1008.22FloridaStatute(F.S).Additionally,ifastudenthasachievedacomparativescoreon
thePERTpriortoenrollinginortakingtheAlgebra1EOCassessment,theymusttakethe
assessmentbeforethecomparativescorecanbeused.
OnlineGraduationRequirement
BeginningwithstudentsenteringGrade9inthe2011‐2012schoolyear,atleastonecourse
withinthe24creditsrequiredinthissubsectionmustbecompletedthroughonlinelearning.
ThisrequirementdoesnotapplytostudentsreceivingtheACCELDiplomaOption. Aschool
districtmaynotrequireastudenttotaketheonlinecourseoutsidetheschooldayorin
additiontoastudent'scoursesforagivensemester.Anonlinecourse,atthehighschool
level,takenduringgrades6through8fulfillsthisrequirement.Thisrequirementshallbe
metthroughanonlinecourseofferedbyMosaicDigitalAcademy,FloridaVirtualSchool,an
onlinecourseofferedbythehighschool,oranonlinedualenrollmentcourse.Astudentwho
isenrolledinafull‐timeorpart‐timevirtualinstructionprogramunders.1002.45meetsthis
requirementThisrequirementdoesnotapplytoastudentwhohasanindividualeducational
planunders.1003.57,F.S.,whichindicatesthatanonlinecoursewouldbeinappropriateor
anout‐of‐statetransferstudentwhohaslessthan1academicyearremaininginhighschool.
LincolnParkAcademyAdditionalCourseRequirements:(LPAstudentsarerequiredto
enrollinadditionalcoreclasseshowever,astandarddiplomacannotbedeniedbasedon
failuretosuccessfullycompletethisschoolrequirement).




Science–4credits
SocialStudies–4credits
ForeignLanguage ‐ 2credits
IB/AICEDiplomacanbesubstitutedtomeetgraduationrequirements
StandardHighSchoolDiplomaDesignationss.1003.4285F.S
Studentshavetheopportunitytoearnadiplomadesignationiftheymeetthefollowing
criteria:
ScholarDesignationCriteriaforStudentsEnteringGradeNineinthe2011‐12,2012‐13
or2013‐2014SchoolYear
Inadditiontomeetingthe24creditstandardhighschooldiplomarequirements,astudent
must


Earn1creditinAlgebraII
Earn1creditinStatisticsoranequallyrigorousmathematicscourse
46 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools







Earn1creditinChemistryorPhysics
Earn1creditinacourseequallyrigoroustoChemistryorPhysics
Earn2creditsinthesameworldlanguage
Earn1creditinAP,AICE,IBoradualenrollmentcourse
PasstheBiology1EOCassessment
PasstheUSHistoryEOCassessment
AstudentisexemptfromtheBiology1orU.S.Historyassessmentifthestudentis
enrolledinanAP,IB,orAICEBiology1orU.S.Historycourseandthestudent
 TakestherespectiveAP,IB,orAICEassessment;and
 Earnstheminimumscoretoearncollegecredit.
ScholarDesignationCriteriaforStudentsEnteringGradeNineinthe2014‐2015School
Year
 Includealloftheabovecriteriaaswellasthefollowing;
 PasstheAlgebraIIEOC
 PasstheGeometryEOC
MeritDesignation


Meetthestandardhighschooldiplomarequirements
Attain1ormoreindustrycertificationsunders.1003.492,F.S
Foradditionalinformationregardinggraduationandpost‐secondaryoptions,please
gotohttp://www.fldoe.org/bii/studentpro/grad‐require.asp.
GraduationRequirementsforTransferstudents
Studentstransferringintogrades9or10mustfulfillthegraduationrequirementsof
theirclass.
Studentstransferringintogrades11or12musttakeafullscheduleofcoursestocomply
ascloselyaspossibletothegraduationrequirementsoftheirclass.
Requirementsof St.LuciePublicSchoolsarenotretroactiveforstudentswhotransfertoSt.
LucieCountylateandwhocannotmeetFloridagraduationrequirements.Thesestudents
mustmeetthegraduationrequirementsoftheStateorschoolsystemfromwhichthey
transferred.Thesestudentsshallalsobeassignedfull‐classloadseachyearandshalltakeas
manyrequiredcoursesaspractical.
IfthesestudentsmeetthefollowingcriteriatheyshallreceiveaSt.LuciePublicSchools
diploma.
 PasstheFCATorstateassessmentandpasstheAlgebra1EOC
 EarnCumulativeGPAof2.0ona4.0scale
 Eligiblefordiplomaintheirpreviousstate
 Completeallcoursesinwhichthestudentwasenrolled
47 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
Transferstudentswillnotreceiveadiplomaif:
Acoursehasbeenfailed(nostudentisrequiredtotakeconcurrentlytworequiredcoursesin
thesamediscipline).
Studentsmaycontinueinschoolforoneadditionalyeartoreceiveadiplomaifthey
donotchoosetoacceptaCertificateofCompletion.
Uponwrittenapprovaloftheprincipalordesignee,ahighschoolstudentneeding
creditsforgraduationmayattendIndianRiverStateCollegeAdultHighSchool.
LateDiploma
Studentswhomeettheassessmentrequirementsforgraduationlateareentitledtoa
diplomafromtheirlasthighschoolattended.Thereisnotimelimitationforwhena
studentmayreceivetheirdiploma. Itistheresponsibilityofthelastcomprehensivehigh
schoolthatthestudentattendedtoimplementthefollowingprocedure:
Thestudentwillneedtoproducedocumentsthat,whenreviewedbythe
school,confirmthatthegraduationrequirementshavebeenmet.
IfthestudentisusingtheSAT,ACTorPERTtoprovideconcordant/comparativescoresthe
studentmustprovidetheschoolwiththeoriginaltestresults,notacopy. Ifthetestresults
werepartofanofficialtranscript,aseparatetestscorereportisnotrequired.
Theschoolwillreviewthetestscoresandperformacreditchecktoensurethat
graduationrequirementshavebeenmetfortheyearthestudentwasoriginally
scheduledtograduate.Thescoreswillbeenteredontestscreensbytheschoolusing
schoolcode9001.Theschoolwillupdatethediplomacodeanddate.Thegraduation
dateandtheback‐dateddiplomawillbethedatethatthestudentmetthefinal
graduationrequirement.
Theschoolwillorderadiplomaoncegraduationisverified.Althoughtherewillbea
waittimeforthediploma,theupdatedtranscriptcanbeprovidedimmediately.
AllhardcopydocumentationwillbesenttotheRecordsCenterwithacoversheetfor
insertioninthestudent‘scumulativerecord.
SecondYearSenior
Any student who did not complete the graduation requirements who isentitledtoa
certificateofcompletion,mayrefusethecertificateofcompletionandelecttoremaininthe
secondaryschooloneitherafull‐timeorapart‐timebasisforuptooneadditionalyear,
andreceivespecialinstructiondesignedtoremedyhisidentifieddeficiencies.
48 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
If the student elects to receive the certificate of completion the studentforfeitsthe
opportunitytoreceiveinstructionbyremaininginthehighschoolasasecondyear
senior.
Theawardingofotherthanastandarddiplomadoesnotprecludeastudentwith
disabilitiesfromreturningtoschooluntilastandarddiplomaisawardedorthestudent
agesout.
ESEstudentswhoreceiveacertificateofcompletionhaveuntiltheendofthesemesterin
whichtheyturn22tomeetthegraduationrequirementsinordertoreceivetheirhigh
schooldiplomafromthehighschooltheyattended.
Acceleration/ACCEL
TheSt.LucieSchoolDistrictoffersmanyopportunitiestoourstudentsincluding
AcademicallyChallengingCurriculumtoEnhanceLearning(ACCEL)options.(F.S.
1002.3105) Weofferwhole‐gradeandmidyearpromotion;subject‐matteracceleration;
virtualinstructioninhighergrade‐levelsubjects;andtheCreditAccelerationProgram.
ACCELoptionsareeducationaloptionsthatprovideacademicallychallengingcurriculumor
acceleratedinstructiontoeligiblepublicschoolstudentsinkindergartenthroughgrade12.
EligibilityCriteriaforACCELoptions
Inordertoparticipateinwhole‐gradepromotionandmid‐yearpromotion,highschool
studentsmustearntherequiredcreditsrequiredforpromotion,havepassedtheirgrade
levelstateassessmentandbeonanearlygraduationplan.Insecondarygrades,studentsmay
accelerateingradelevelonlybysubjectareaaccelerationofferedattheschoolsiteor
throughvirtualeducationinordertoearnrequiredcreditsforpromotion. Studentsmust
demonstrateexcellenceinrequestedsubjectsthroughgradesandstandardizedtests(if
available).
AllstudentsrequestingACCELoptionsmustalsodemonstratesatisfactoryschool
attendancewithnomorethanfiveunexcusedabsencesperyear.
AparentseekinganACCELoptionfortheirchildshouldcontacttheschoolcounselor. Ifa
studentiseligibletoparticipate,theparentwillsignaperformancecontract,relatedtothe
requestedACCELoption,executedbythestudent,theparentandthecounselorand
approvedbytheprincipal.Iftheprincipalinitiatesthestudent’sparticipationintheACCEL
option,thecontractisnotrequiredbutmaybeusedatthediscretionoftheprincipal. Ifa
studentfailstomeettheconditionsoftheperformancecontract,theywillbedismissedfrom
theACCELoption.
Notes: Mid‐yearandWholegradepromotionoptionswillonlybeconsideredforthebeginning
ofeachsemesterandwillnotbeapprovedoncethesemesterofinstructionhasstarted.
Studentsintenthgradearenoteligibleformid‐yearpromotionduetotherequiredstate
assessmentintenthgrade.
49 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
EarlyGraduationasACCELOption
Studentswhomeetgraduationcriteriamaygraduateinthreeyearsorattheendofsecond
semesteroftheirsenioryear.(sixorsevensemestersratherthanthetypicaleight) Students
graduatingasemesterearlyremaineligibleforsenioractivitiesandarerankedwithintheir
cohortgroup. StudentsintendingtoutilizeBrightFuturesScholarshipsinthespringoftheir
senioryearmustapplybeforethepublishedAugustdeadline.
EligibilityCriteria:
 Studentmustmeetallgeneralgraduationrequirementsoftheircohort.Cohort
requirementsarebasedontheyearthestudententersninthgrade.
 Potentialearlygraduateswillbenotifiedofthepossibilityinatimelymannerso
thattheymayindicatetheirintenttograduate.
Procedures:
 Onceastudenthasbeenidentifiedaseligibleforearlygraduation,theparentand
studentwillbenotifiedinwritingthattheyhavemetcriteriaforearly
graduation.
 Theparentmustsigntheearlygraduationintentformbythedeadlineindicatedin
thenotificationletter.
 GraduationCeremonyParticipation:
 Studentsgraduatingasemesterearlywillbeeligibletoparticipateinthe
graduationceremonywiththeircohortclassandwillbeaskedtoindicatesuch
intent.
 Studentsgraduatingayearearlywillbeeligibletograduateinthe
graduationceremonynearesttheirgraduationdate. Thesestudentswillbe
rankedwiththeclassthattheyaregraduatingwith,providedtheyhave
achievedsenior
statusandindicatedintenttograduatebytheendoftheirfifthsemesterof
highschool.
GraduationExercises
Graduationexerciseswillbeheldforeachhighschoolonthedateestablishedbytheschool
calendarin afacility largeenough toaccommodateall graduating seniors and their
guests in a singleceremony.
Principalsshouldinsurethatgraduationexercisesdonotbecomeaburdenonthestudents
ortheirparents.
StudentswhomeetallgraduationrequirementsasspecifiedintheDistrictStudent
ProgressionPlanmayparticipateingraduationexercises. Graduationexercisesshallbe
consideredschoolfunctionsandshallbeconductedundertheschool‘sprincipaldirection.
Theprincipalisauthorizedtoexclude,priortoorduringgraduationexercises,anystudent
formisconductorforrefusingtofollowestablishedrulesorproceduresforgraduation
50 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
exercises.
The schoolprincipalmayplan, schedule, andconduct appropriate graduationexercises
withtheSchoolBoard‘sapproval.
VI. ProvisionforExceptionalEducationStudentsPromotion(forstudentswhoentered
9thgradepriorto2014‐2015)
StudentswithdisabilitieswhoarefollowingFloridaStandardsareexpectedtomeetthe
samepromotionrequirementsastheirnon‐disabledpeersattheappropriategradelevels
(seeGeneralEducationRequirementsforPromotion).
Studentswithdisabilities,whofollowamodifiedcurriculum,asdeterminedbytheIEP,must
mastertheappropriatestandardsforSpecialDiploma/FloridaStandardsAccessPoints.The
teacher(s)of recordis responsible fortheassessment,remediation,anddocumentationof
masteryofstandardsforaSpecialDiploma/FloridaStandardsAccessPoints.
EffectiveJuly1,2015,studentsfollowingaspecialdiplomacourseofstudyandwhowillbein
grades10‐12in2014‐2015,mayelecttoworktowardgraduatingwithaStandardDiplomaif
theymeetalloftherequirementsthatarespecifiedintheStateBoardRule.Onceastudent
makesthechangetoaStandardDiploma,aSpecialDiplomaisnolongeranoption.
s.1003.5716
STUDENTSWITHDISABILITIES.—Beginningwithstudentsenteringgrade9inthe
2014‐2015schoolyear,thissubsectionappliestoastudentwithadisability.
(a) Aparentofthestudentwithadisabilityshall,incollaborationwiththeindividual
educationplan(IEP)teamduringthetransitionplanningprocesspursuanttos.
1003.5716,declareanintentforthestudenttograduatefromhighschoolwitheithera
standardhighschooldiplomaoracertificateofcompletion.Astudentwithadisability
whodoesnotsatisfythestandardhighschooldiplomarequirementspursuanttothis
sectionshallbeawardedacertificateofcompletion.
(b) Thefollowingoptions,inadditiontotheotheroptionsspecifiedinthissection,
maybeusedtosatisfythestandardhighschooldiplomarequirements,asspecifiedin
thestudent’sindividualeducationplan:
1. ForastudentwithadisabilityforwhomtheIEPteamhasdeterminedthatthe
FloridaAlternateAssessmentisthemostappropriatemeasureofthestudent’sskills:
a. Acombinationofcoursesubstitutions,assessments,industrycertifications,other
accelerationoptions,oroccupationalcompletionpointsappropriatetothestudent’s
uniqueskillsandabilitiesthatmeetthecriteriaestablishedbyStateBoardofEducation
rule.
b. Aportfolioofquantifiableevidencethatdocumentsastudent’smasteryofacademic
standardsthroughrigorousmetricsestablishedbyStateBoardofEducationrule.A
portfoliomayinclude,butisnotlimitedto,documentationofworkexperience,
internships,communityservice,andpostsecondarycredit.
2. ForastudentwithadisabilityforwhomtheIEPteamhasdeterminedthatmastery
ofacademicandemploymentcompetenciesisthemostappropriatewayforastudent
todemonstratehisorherskills:
a. Documentedcompletionoftheminimumhighschoolgraduationrequirements,
51 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
includingthenumberofcoursecreditsprescribedbyrulesoftheStateBoardof
Education.
b. Documentedachievementofallannualgoalsandshort‐termobjectivesfor
academicandemploymentcompetencies,industrycertifications,andoccupational
completionpointsspecifiedinthestudent’stransitionplan.Thedocumentationmustbe
verifiedbytheIEPteam.
c. Documentedsuccessfulemploymentforthenumberofhoursperweekspecifiedin
thestudent’stransitionplan,fortheequivalentof1semester,andpaymentofa
minimumwageincompliancewiththerequirementsofthefederalFairLabor
StandardsAct.
d. Documentedmasteryoftheacademicandemploymentcompetencies,industry
certifications,andoccupationalcompletionpointsspecifiedinthestudent’stransition
plan.ThedocumentationmustbeverifiedbytheIEPteam,theemployer,andthe
teacher.Thetransitionplanmustbedevelopedandsignedbythestudent,parent,
teacher,andemployerbeforeplacementinemploymentandmustidentifythe
following:
(I) Theexpectedacademicandemploymentcompetencies,industrycertifications,and
occupationalcompletionpoints;
(II) Thecriteriafordeterminingandcertifyingmasteryofthecompetencies;
(III) Theworkscheduleandtheminimumnumberofhourstobeworkedperweek;
and
(IV) Adescriptionofthesupervisiontobeprovidedbytheschooldistrict.
3. Anychangetothehighschoolgraduationoptionspecifiedinthestudent’sIEPmust
beapprovedbytheparentandissubjecttoverificationforappropriatenessbyan
independentreviewerselectedbytheparentasprovidedins.1003.572.
(c) Astudentwithadisabilitywhomeetsthestandardhighschooldiploma
requirementsinthissectionmaydeferthereceiptofastandardhighschooldiplomaif
thestudent:
1. Hasanindividualeducationplanthatprescribesspecialeducation,transition
planning,transitionservices,orrelatedservicesthroughage21;and
2. Isenrolledinacceleratedcollegecreditinstructionpursuanttos.1007.27,industry
certificationcoursesthatleadtocollegecredit,acollegiatehighschoolprogram,
coursesnecessarytosatisfytheScholardesignationrequirements,orastructured
work‐study,internship,orpreapprenticeshipprogram.
(d) Astudentwithadisabilitywhoreceivesacertificateofcompletionandhasan
individualeducationplanthatprescribesspecialeducation,transitionplanning,
transitionservices,orrelatedservicesthrough21yearsofagemaycontinuetoreceive
thespecifiedinstructionandservices.
(e) Anywaiverofthestatewide,standardizedassessmentrequirementsbythe
individualeducationplanteam,pursuanttos.1008.22(3)(c),mustbeapprovedbythe
parentandissubjecttoverificationforappropriatenessbyanindependentreviewer
selectedbytheparentasprovidedforins.1003.572.
StudentswhohastomeetthegraduationrequirementsforaStandardDiplomamaydeferthe
receiptofthediplomaandcontinuetoreceiveFAPEuntilthesemesterinwhichtheyturn22.
Studentprogressfromgradetogradewillbebasedonachievement. Astudentmaynot
52 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
bepromotedbasedonageorotherfactorsthatconstitutesocialpromotion.
Ifthestudenthasadisability,theIEPteammustconvenetoreviewthefollowing
factorswhendeterminingwhetherpromotionorretentionisappropriate.
 successfulcompletionofIEPgoalsandobjectives
 chronologicalage
 gradesearnedinallcourses
 attendance
 physicalandsocialmaturity
 alternateassessment
 needforextendedschoolyear
The school principalmust conferwith the student‘s IEP team,which must include the
parent,toconsiderallofthefactorsabovewhendeterminingwhetherpromotionor
retentionisappropriate.
Studentsenrolledinoneormoreofthefollowingprogramsastheironlyexceptionality(ies)
mustfollowgeneraleducationcurriculum,withorwithoutaccommodations,andshallmeet
allofthepromotionalrequirementsforbasiceducation.
 Gifted
 SpeechImpairment
 Homebound/Hospitalized
 VisuallyImpaired
Retention
Theprincipalwillestablishproceduresfornotifyingparentsofastudentwhoisnotmeeting
promotion requirements. Parents of a student with disabilities, who is notmaking
satisfactoryprogressthroughouttheyear,shouldbenotifiedbyconveningtheIEPteam.
TheIEPshouldbereviewedtoensurethatappropriategoals,specialeducationservices,and
provisionsforprogressmonitoringareinplacetoaddressthelackofexpectedprogress. If
astudentisbeingconsideredforretention,theparentsmustbenotifiedbytheclassroom
teachernolaterthantheendofthethirdnineweekperiod.
Benchmark
Forstudentswithdisabilities,thefollowingappliesasitrelatestobenchmarktesting:



Anystudentwithadisabilityexemptedfromstateassessmentsandalternately
assessedwillbeexemptedfromthebenchmarktests.
Anystudentwithadisabilityfollowingamodified(notparallel)ESE
curriculuminanysetting,andparticipatinginstateassessments,
willtakethe
benchmarktests.Thegradewill not be averaged for a final grade.
(Classes with 7 million course codesindicateamodifiedcurriculum.
StudentswithIndividualEducationPlansspecificallyindicatingFlorida
Standards/AccessPointsbetaughtinageneraleducationsettingmaybe
consideredinthiscategory.)
Any studentwithadisability participating inanESEcoursewitha
53 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools

generaleducationcoursecodewilltakethebenchmarktestsandtheirgrade
willreceivevalueaddedpointsaccordingtothestandarddistrictcriteria.
Anystudentwithadisabilityparticipatinginthegeneraleducation
curriculuminthegeneraleducationclassroomwilltakethebenchmark
tests.Theirgradewillreceivevalueaddedpointsaccordingtothestandard
districtcriteria.
ExtendedSchoolYear
ExtendedschoolyearisbasedonrequirementsoftheIndividualswithDisabilitiesAct
(IDEA)andimplementingregulationsat34CFR‐300.309.Extendedschoolyear(ESY)
servicesmustbeconsideredbytheindividualeducationalplan(IEP)orfamilysupport
plan(FSP)teams(forchildrenagesthreethroughfiveyears)aspartoftheprovisionof
afreeandappropriatepubliceducation(FAPE)forstudentswithdisabilities.
Extendedschoolyearserviceshavebeenidentifiedincaselawasindividualized
instructionalservicesbeyondtheregular180‐dayschoolyearforstudentswith
disabilitiesreceivingspecialeducationservices. ESYisdefinedinmoredetailat34‐
CFR300.309(b)as―specialeducationandrelatedservicesthat(1)areprovidedtoa
childwithadisability;(i)beyondthenormalschoolyearofthepublicagency;(ii)in
accordancewiththechild‘sIEP;and(iii)atnocosttotheparentofthechild;and(2)
meetthestandardsoftheStateEducationAgency(SEA)
Parental requests for ESY services must be considered. However, if the ESYservicesare
requestedbytheparentbuttheIEPorFSPteamdoesnotseetheprovision of the
requested ESY services as necessary for provision of FAPE,thenawritteninformed
noticeofrefusalmustbeprovided.
DeterminationofESYServices
DeterminationoftheneedforESYservicesisanIEPorFSPteamdecision(forchildren ages
threethroughfive years)designed to ensure the provision ofFAPE.TheneedforESY
servicesmustbedeterminedforeverystudentwithadisability(Pre‐K–12),everyyear. If
needisdemonstratedintheareaofacademicskills(orforPre‐Kstudents,
developmentallyappropriatep r e ‐academicskills),communication,independent
functioning,andself‐sufficiency,and/orsocial/emotionalorbehavioralskills,astheyrelate
tocriticallifefunctions,special education orrelated services maybe required.ESYisnot
intendedtoprovideeducationbeyondthatwhichhasbeendeterminednecessarybytheIEP
orfamilysupportplanteamtoensureFAPE. Inmanycases,notalloftheservices
specifiedinanindividualstudent‘sIEPorFSPforthe180‐dayschoolyearneedtobe
providedaspartofESYservices.TheIEPteamwilldeterminetheservicesneededduring
ESYandthegoalsandobjectivesthataretobeaddressed.Theteamwillreviewthe
worksheetentitled:
CriteriathatcanbeusedtodeterminewhetherastudentiseligibleforESYservicesinclude,
butarenotlimitedto:
 Regression/recoupment
 Criticalpointofinstruction
 Emergingskills
 Natureorseverityofdisability
54 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools



Interferingbehaviors
Rateofprogress
Specialcircumstances(e.g.,transitionfromschooltowork)
Itisimportantthatavarietyofcriteriaorfactorsbeconsideredinordertoensure
provisionofFAPE. Forexample,itwouldbeinappropriatetorelyonregression/
recoupmentdatatomakeadeterminationofneedforaPre‐Kstudent,whilediscussionof
interferingbehaviorsoremergingskillsmightbesignificantforthatchild.
Theconsiderationofbothformalandinformalevaluations,aswellasdocumentationof
individualstudentperformance,arevaluableinassistinganIEPorfamilysupportplan
teamindeterminingneedandextentofESYservicesforastudent.
EligibilityforESYservicesand/orthedurationofservicescannotbelimitedbasedon
thetypeordegreeofdisability. Thefactthatastudenthasmadeprogresstoward
annualgoalsorhasmetannualgoalsduringtheschoolyearalsodoesnotexcludea
studentfromreceivingESYservices.
WhatCriteriaareINAPPROPRIATEforDeterminingESYServices?
ESYservicesarerequiredforthosestudentswithdisabilitieswhorequirethese
servicesinorderforFAPEtobeprovided.ESYisNOT:
 Childcare
 Respitecare
 Intendedtomaximizeeducationalopportunityorpotentialgrowth
 Basedonspecificareaofdisability,levelofservice,ortypeofclassroom
placement
 Onesizefitsall
 Alongerschoolday
IEPAnnualGoalProgressReports
AnnualGoalProgressReportsforindividualeducationplan(IEP)annualgoalsand
educationplan(EP)goalsmustbeprovidedtoparentstocommunicatestudentprogress
towardannual goals. IEPprogressreportsmustbeprovidedatleastasoftenasthatof
generaleducationstudentsintheirassignedschoolormorefrequentlyasidentifiedbythe
IEP. Thisrequirementisinadditiontotheacademicprogressreportsandreportcards
(Rule6A‐6.03028). Theminimumfrequencyforreportingprogressforstudentswith
disabilitiesisevery4½weeks. Theminimumfrequencyofreportingprogressfor
studentsinthegiftedprogramisevery9weeksforgradesK–5,every18weeksforgrades
6‐8,andevery36weeksforgrades9‐12.
GraduationOptions
AstudentmayexithighschoolwitheitheraStandardDiplomaorSpecialDiplomaOption1
orSpecialDiplomaOption2. Ifastudentdoesnotfulfillcriteriaforadiploma,thestudent
mayexitwithaCertificateofCompletion.Theselectionofadiplomaoptionmusttakeplace
atanindividualeducationplan(IEP)conferenceduringtheeighthgradeorpriortothe
studentturningfourteenyearsofage. Parentsmustbeinvolvedinthedecisionmaking
55 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
processwhenselectingadiplomaoption.They must be informed about course/credit
requirements for each diploma optionandthepostsecondaryoptionsavailablewitheach
diploma.
Studentswithdisabilities,whoreceiveacertificateofcompletion,haveuntiltheendofthe
semesterinwhichtheyturn22tomeetthegraduationrequirementsinordertoreceive
theirhighschooldiplomafromthehighschooltheyattended.
Studentsenrolledinoneormoreofthefollowingprogramsastheironlyexceptionality(ies)
mustfollowgeneraleducationcurriculum,withorwithoutaccommodations, andshall
meet allof thepromotionalrequirements as theirnon‐disabledpeersleadingtowarda
standardorhonorsdiploma.
 Gifted
 SpeechImpairment
 Homebound/Hospitalized
 VisuallyImpaired
StandardDiploma
Astandardhighschooldiplomawillbeawardedtostudentswhomeetthecredit
requirementsanddemonstratemasteryoftheStateStudentPerformanceStandardsthat
apply,havethestaterequiredgradepointaverageandpassthestaterequiredtest.The
requirementsforastudentwithadisabilitytoreceiveastandarddiplomaarethesameas
forastudent without adisability.
Requirements forStandardDiplomaforStudentswithDisabilities:
Studentswithdisabilitiesshouldbeawardedcredittowardastandarddiplomaunderthe
followingconditions:
 Assignmenttoastandardcoursetaughtbyaspecialeducationteacherwiththe
samestudentperformancestandardsasthoserequiredofnon‐exceptional
studentsinthe DistrictStudentProgressionPlan;or
 Assignmenttoabasiceducationclassforinstructionthatincludes:
 accommodationsspecifiedintheIEPtoaccommodatethestudent‘s
disability.
 Thedistrictshalldeterminewhichofthesestrategiestoemploybasedupon
56 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
anassessment of the student‘s needs and shall reflect this decisioninthestudent‘s
individualeducationplan.

The aforementioned requirements for graduation apply equally to
studentsinexceptionalstudenteducationprograms,whowillreceiveastandard
diploma;however,Section(F.S.1003.438),andRule6A‐6.0312,FAC,
authorizedistrictschoolboardstomodifycoursesandprogramsforstudentsin
specialeducationprograms.

As outlined below, basic courses shall be modified by providing
necessaryaccommodationstoassurestudentswith disabilitiesthe
opportunitytomeetthegraduationrequirementsforastandarddiploma.
Vocationalcoursesandprogramsofstudyshallbemodified,asnecessary,to
assurestudentswithdisabilitiestheopportunitytomeetgraduation
requirementsforastandarddiploma.

Accommodations to basic courses shall not include modification to the
curriculum frameworks, course description, or student performance
standards.

Whenmodifyingvocationalcourses,theparticularoutcomesandstudent
performancestandards,whichastudentmustmastertoearncredit,mustbe
specifiedonthestudent‘sindividualeducationplan.Accommodationstobasicor
vocationalcoursesmayincludeanyofthefollowing:
 Theinstructionaltimemaybeincreasedordecreased,
 Instructionalmethodologymaybevaried,
 Special communication systems may be used by the teacher or the
students,
 Classroom and districttest administration procedures and other
evaluationprocedures may be modified as specified in Rule 6A‐
1.0943, FAC, toaccommodatethestudent‘sdisability.
 When modifying basic courses, one of thefollowing strategies shall be
used(asspecifiedinRule6A‐6.0312,FAC):
 AssignmentofthestudentwithdisabilitiestoanESEclassforinstructionin
abasiccoursewiththesamestudentperformancestandardsasthose
required of non‐exceptional students in the district student progression
plan,or
 Assignmentofthestudentwithdisabilitiestoabasiceducationclassfor
instructionwhichismodifiedtoaccommodatethestudent'sinstructional
needsduetotheirdisability.
 Thedistrictshalldeterminewhichofthesestrategiestoemploybasedon
anassessmentofthestudent‘sneedsandreflectthisdecisioninthe
student‘sindividualeducationplan.
57 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools

The IEP committee shall document on the IEP developed during the
student'seighthgradeschoolyear,ortheIEPdevelopedduringtheyearprior
toreachingagefourteen,whichevercomesfirst,whetherthestudentis
pursuing acourseofstudytowardaStandardorSpecialDiploma.This
recommendationshallbereviewedannually.

Nothingcontainedinthisplanshallbeconstruedtolimitorrestricttherightofa
studentwithdisabilitiessolelytoaSpecialDiploma:Anystudentwithdisabilities
shallbeaffordedtheopportunitytofullymeetallrequirementsof
Section1003.43, FloridaStatutes,throughtheproceduresestablishedtherein,
andthereby qualifyfor a Standard Diploma as prescribed in Rule 6A‐1.095,
FAC,upongraduation.Parentsofeach student shall be notified through theIEP
processofthediplomaoptionsavailable.
Studentswithdisabilitiesworkingtowardsastandarddiplomashallberequiredto
passtheFCATorstateassessmentbasedoncohortorearntherequiredconcordant
scoreontheACTorSAT.
TheIEPshallindicatetheotherstandardizedteststhestudentwilltakeincluding
butnotlimitedtospecificcontentstateassessments..
Testaccommodationsareallowableasprescribedbythestateandproducers
oftestsforastandardhighschooldiploma.
StudentswithdisabilitiesshallmeettheAlgebraIorequivalentrequirement.
Studentswithdisabilitiesmustmaintaina2.0gradeaveragefora
standarddiploma.
WaiverofStatewide,StandardizedAssessmentResultsforStudentswithDisabilities
Section1008.22(3)(c)1.,FloridaStatute(F.S.),requiresthatschooldistrictsprovide
instructiontopreparestudentswithdisabilitiestodemonstratesatisfactoryperformancein
thecorecontentknowledgeandskillsnecessaryforsuccessfulgrade‐to‐gradeprogressionand
highschoolgraduation.Assessmentresultsmaybewaivedunderspecificcircumstancesfor
studentswithdisabilitiesforthepurposeofreceivingacoursegradeorastandardhighschool
diploma.ThisincludestheFloridaStandardsAssessment,allend‐of‐courseassessmentsand
theFloridaStandardsAlternateAssessment.Specificrequirementsregardingthewaiver
processarefoundins.1008.22(3)(c).,F.S.
Thepurposeoftheconsiderationforawaiverofstatewide,standardizedassessmentresultsis
foreligiblemiddleandhighschoolstudentstoearnacoursegradeorastandardhighschool
diploma.
EligibilityCriteriaforWaiverConsideration
Tobeconsideredforastatewide,standardizedassessmentresultswaiver,thefollowing
criteriaMUSTbemet:
58 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools




Thestudentmustbeidentifiedasastudentwithadisability,asdefinedins.1007.02
F.S.
Thestudentmusthaveanindividualeducationalplan(IEP).
Thestudentmusthavetakenthestatewide,standardizedassessmentwithappropriate
accommodationsatleastonce.
Inaccordancewiths.1008.22(3)(c)2.,F.S.,theIEPteammustmakeadeterminationof
whetherastatewidestandardizedassessmentaccuratelymeasuresthestudent’s
abilities,takingintoconsiderationallallowableaccommodationsforstudentswith
disabilities.
TheIEPteammustconvenetoanalyzetheinformationneededtoconsiderwhetherastudent
iseligibleforawaiverofstatewide,standardizedassessmentresultsforthepurposeof
receivingacoursegradeorastandarddiploma.TheIEPteammustdocumenttheteam’s
analysisofthestudent’sperformancedatausedtomakethedecisiontograntordenyawaiver
ofstatewide,standardizedassessmentresults.
IEPTeamsmustconsidereachstudentindividuallyforeachassessmentforwhichthestudent
maybeeligibletowaivethestatewide,standardizedassessmentresults.Morethanone
statewide,standardizedassessmentcanbeconsideredduringanIEPteammeeting;however,
eachwaiverofassessmentresultshouldbeconsideredindividuallyanddocumented
separately.
TheIEPteammaymeetatanytime,afterthestudent’sfirstadministrationoftheassessment,
toverifythatthecriteriahavebeenmetandmustdocumenttheteam’sdeterminationand
informationanalyzedinmakingthedecision.
Theteammayreviewevidencethatincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
 Classroomworksamples
 Coursegrades
 Teacherobservations
 Relevantclassroomdataderivedfromformativeassessments
 Intensiveremediationactivitiesontherequiredcoursestandards
 Higher‐level,relatedcoursework(honors,advancedplacement,etc.)
 Relatedpostsecondarycourseworkthroughdualenrollment
 Otherstandardizedacademicassessments,suchastheSAT,theACT,or
PostsecondaryEducationReadinessTest(P.E.R.T.).
 Studentworkportfolio
InformingtheParent(s)andStudent
Section1003.4282(11)F.S.,states:Beginningwithstudentsenteringgrade9inthe2014‐2015
schoolyear…(c)Anywaiverofthestatewide,standardizedassessmentrequirementsbythe
individualeducationplanteam,pursuanttos.1008.22(3)(c),mustbeapprovedbytheparent
andissubjecttoverificationforappropriatenessbyanindependentreviewerselectedbythe
parentasprovidedforins.1003.572.
Independentreviewersmayincludeappropriatelylicensedbehavioranalysts,speech‐language
pathologists,oroccupationaltherapists,physicaltherapists,psychologistsandclinicalsocial
workers.
59 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
TrackingProgress
 Documentationofmasteryofstandardswillbemaintained.Trackingstudent
progressthroughachecklistofcoursestandardsallowsforcumulative
documentationandhelpsguideservicesandinstructionaldecisionsthatwill
leadtoincreasedpositivestudentoutcomes.
 Cumulativedocumentationmayincludeasimplechecklistinwhichteachers
initialanddateeachrequiredstandardatthetimethatsatisfactoryperformance
isdemonstrated,orthedocumentationmaybebasedonamoreelaborate
portfoliofeaturingworksamplesreflectingsatisfactoryperformanceofeach
requiredstandard.
 ForstudentswhoareassessedontheFloridaAlternateAssessmentandare
pursuingastandarddiplomainaccordancewithRule6A‐1.09963(3)(d),F.A.C.,
“agraduationportfolioofquantifiableevidenceofachievementis
required.”
StudentswhoareassessedontheFloridaAlternateAssessmenthavespecificrequirements.
StateBoardofEducationRule6A‐1.09963(3)(d),FloridaAdministrativeCode,(F.A.C.)states
thefollowing:
 Thedevelopmentofagraduationportfolioofquantifiableevidenceof
achievementisrequired.
 Theportfoliomustincludealistingofcoursesthestudenthastaken,grades
received,studentworksamplesandothermaterials,thatdemonstrategrowth,
improvement,andmasteryofrequiredcoursestandards.
 Multi‐mediaportfoliosthatcontainelectronicevidenceofprogress,including
videos,andaudiorecordings,arepermissible.
 Communitybasedinstruction,MOCPs[modifiedoccupationalcompletion
points],workexperience,internships,communityservice,andpostsecondary
credit,ifany,mustbedocumentedintheportfolio.
OtherOptions
Studentswhodonotpassarequiredstatewide,standardizedassessmentandarenotfound
eligibletowaivertheresultshavethefollowingoptions:
 Returntohighschooltocontinueworkingtowardpassingtheassessmentor
meetingthecriteriaforawaiveroftheresultsuntilreachingtheageof22
 Receiveascorecomparable(aconcordantscore)tothepassingscoreforthe
requiredstatewidestandardizedassessmentontheSAT,ACTorP.E.R.T.
 Receiveassessmentremediationthroughadulteducation
 Prepareforthehighschoolequivalencytestthroughadulteducation
 ReceiveaCertificateofCompletion
60 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
SpecialDiplomaOption1
Aminimum2.0gradepointaveragerequirementisapplicabletostudentsearninga
SpecialDiplomaentering 9thgradeduringthe2010–2011schoolyearandthereafter.
Completion ofSunshine State Standards/Next Generation Standards AccessPointsand
forstudentsentering9th gradepriortothe2008–2009schoolyear,24creditsincluding:
SpecialDiplomaOption1
SubjectAreasESECourses
LanguageArts(IncludesallreadingandEnglish
courses.Studentsmustbeenrolledinalanguagearts
courseeachofthe4years.)
Mathematics
(Includes9‐12mathandmathaccesspointcourses)
Science
(Includes 9‐12 science and science access point
courses)
SocialStudies(Includes9‐12 socialstudiesandsocial
studiesaccesspointcourses)
LifeManagement
½ credit
VisualPerformingArts
½credit
PhysicalEducation
1credit
Electives
Maybecomprisedofvocational,specialskillscourses,
supported courses, miscellaneous courses,chorus/band,
learning strategies, physical education,
andotherbasiceducationcoursesincludingcommunity‐
basedinstruction.
PracticalArts
8½credits
Credits
4credits
3credits
3credits
3credits
½ credit
SpecialDiplomaOption2
Includesprocedures fordeterminingandcertifyingmastery ofdemonstrated
academic, employmentandcommunity competenciesin accordancewithRule
6A1.0996,FAC.
TheSchoolBoard‘srequirementsfordemonstrationofmasteryofspecifiedacademic,
employmentandcommunitycompetenciesensure:
 The student has achieved all the annual goals and short‐term objectives as
werespecifiedontheIEPrelatedtotheemploymentandcommunity
competencies.
61 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools











The student is employed in a community‐based job, for the number of
hours perweekspecifiedinthestudent‘strainingplan,fortheequivalentof
one(1)semester,andpaidaminimumwageincompliancewiththe
requirementsoftheFairLaborStandardsAct.
Thestudenthasmasteredtheemploymentandcommunitycompetencies
specifiedinthe training plan. The training plan is developed and signed
by the student,parent,teacher,andemployerpriortoemploymentand
identifiesthefollowing:
Theexpectedemploymentandcommunitycompetencies
Thecriteriafordeterminingandcertifyingmasteryofthe
competencies
Theworkscheduleandtheminimumnumberofhourstobeworkedper
week
Adescriptionofthesupervisiontobeprovidedbyschooldistrict
staff
Studentmasteryofperformancestandardsmaybedocumentedthrough
gradesandskillschecklists.Monthlytimecardsandemployerevaluationsare
required.Writtendocumentationofstudentmasterymustminimallyinclude
thedateeachstandardwasmastered,andsignedbytheteacherwhoverifies
mastery.Writtendocumentationshallbemaintainedinthestudent‘s
cumulativefile.
Diplomaprocedures‐Studentsmayselectandmovebetweentwospecial
diplomaoptionsandbetweencoursesofstudyleadingtoStandardorSpecial
Diplomas,asappropriate.
The IEP committee shall document whether the student is pursuing a
course of
studyleading toward a Standard or Special Diploma on the IEP developed
duringthestudent'seighthgradeyear,ortheIEPdevelopedduringtheyear
priortothestudent'sfourteenthbirthday,whicheveroccursfirst.Thisdecision
mustbereviewedannually.
Nothingcontained in this plan shallbeconstrued to restrictthe right of
anexceptionalstudentsolelytoaSpecialDiploma.Theparentsofastudent
eligiblefora Special Diploma for students with disabilities shall be notified
in writing of theoptionsavailableunderthisrulepriortotenthgradeFCAT
testing.
SubjectAreaESECourses
LanguageArts
Math
EmployabilitySkills
Elective/Vocational
TotalCreditsRequired: 12
2credits
2credits
1credit
7credits

Anystudentwithdisabilities,uponwrittenrequestbyhis/herparentor
guardian,shallbeaffordedtheopportunitytofulfillalloftherequirements
62 2015‐2016St.LuciePublicSchools
foraStandardDiplomaasdesignatedbyFloridaStatutesandStateBoardof
Education Rule 232.246. The awarding of other than a Standard Diploma
doesnotprecludeastudentwithdisabilitiesfromreturningtoschooluntila
standarddiplomaisawardedortheendofthesemesterinwhichthestudent
turns22yearsofage.
PlacementofTransferESEStudents
Individualeducationplans(IEPs)andeducationalplans(EPs)fortransferringexceptional
students(StateBoardofEducationRule6A‐6.0334)
AstudentinanESEprogram,whohadanIEPorEPineffectinapreviousFloridaschool
districtandtransferstoSt.LucieCounty,will,inconsultationwiththeparents,beprovided
afreeandappropriatepubliceducation(FAPE). Serviceswillbecomparabletothose
describedinthestudent‘sIEPorEPfromthepreviousFloridaschooldistrictuntilSt.Lucie
CountyPublicSchoolseither:
 Adoptsthestudent‘sIEPorEPfromthepreviousdistrict;or
 Develops,adopts,andimplementsanewIEPorEPthatmeetstheapplicable
requirementsofRules6A‐6.03011through6A‐6.0361,F.A.C.
IfastudentinexceptionaleducationhasanIEPorEPthatwasineffectina
previousschooldistrict,inanotherstateorUnitedStatesTerritory,transferstoSt.Lucie
Countywithinthesameschoolyear,St.LucieCountyPublicSchoolswill,inconsultation
withtheparents,providethestudentwithFAPE(includingservicescomparabletothose
describedinthestudent‘sIEPorEPfromthepreviousschooldistrict),untilSt.LucieCounty
PublicSchools:
 Conductsaninitialevaluationpursuanttosubsections6A‐6.0331(4)and(5),F.A.C.,
ifdeterminednecessary;and
 Develops,adopts,andimplementsanewIEPorEPthatmeetstheapplicable
requirementsofRules6A‐6.03011through6A‐6.0361,F.A.C.
St.LucieCountyPublicSchoolsisnotrequiredtoobtainparentalconsentfortheinitial
provisionofservicesfortransferringstudentsinexceptionalprogramsdetermined
eligibleforservicesinFloridaunderthisrule.
Tofacilitatethetransitionofatransferstudentwithadisability,St.LucieCountyPublic
Schools willtake reasonable steps topromptly obtain the student‘srecords,including
the IEPor EPandsupporting documents and any otherrecords relating to the
provision of special education or related services to thestudent,fromthepreviousschool
districtinwhichthestudentwasenrolled.
63