3235 -GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The Board of Education encourages a rigorous and fair standard for student performance. To be awarded a high school diploma, students must successfully complete the requirements of the applicable North Carolina course of study and earn any additional unit credits as set forth in 3235.1.
3235.1 COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Ninth graders entering high school in 2009 and later must pass the Future-Ready Core course of study as defined by the State Board of Education. A listing of the requirements for the Future-Ready Core course of study is available in the guidance office of each middle and high school and posted on the DPS website.
Future Ready Core students must earn a total of 28 units as specified in their course of study to graduate. At Durham School of the Arts, students must earn a total of 24 units. With Board approval, a high school that implements an alternate schedule may adjust the numbers of credits required to receive a high school diploma.
Students who meet all graduation requirements and wish to graduate early are encouraged to notify their guidance counselor.
Students on the Future-Ready Core course of study must pass certain End of Course (EOC) tests with a score of Level III or Level IV in order to meet the district graduation standards and receive a high school diploma. A list of required EOC tests can be found in the guidance office and posted on the DPS website.
Students who meet specific eligibility criteria and have the approval of a school-level team, the principal, and the superintendent or his/her designee may participate in the General Diploma program. General Diploma students must meet North Carolina graduation requirements. The Superintendent shall adopt procedures to monitor the implementation of the General Diploma including regular reporting to the Board of Education. A listing of the requirements for the General Diploma is available in the guidance office of each high school and posted on the DPS website.
The Occupational Course of Study is available for those students with disabilities who are specifically identified for this program.
3235.2 REVIEW PROCEDURES FOR HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATION STANDARDS
For any student who does not score at Level III or above on an EOC required for meeting a district graduation standard the following review procedures will apply to determine whether the district graduation standard has been met:
1. A teacher, parent, or administrator may initiate a district graduation standard review hearing.
2. Upon a request by the parent or teacher, or at the discretion of school administration, and when deemed appropriate by the LEA, a review committee will be convened to review a request for meeting the district graduation standards.
3. The review committee will be appointed by the school, and will be comprised of teachers, principals, and special education staff as appropriate. Special education personnel must be included if the student is identified as a Student with Disabilities. English as a second language staff must be included if the student is identified as LEP.
4. The committee will review documentation presented by teachers on behalf of the student, including but not limited to: student work samples; test data other than the EOCs; information from parents; information from the IEP, if applicable; and any other information tending to verify that the student is proficient.
5. The student’s parent shall be invited to the review and allowed to speak on the student’s behalf. The parent may submit additional information for review.
6. The recommendation of the review committee is subject to the principal’s authority to grade and classify students (G.S. 115C-288(a)).
3235.3 HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT FOR COURSES TAKEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students in grades 6-8 may earn credit towards high school graduation by successfully completing courses that are described in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for grades 9-12. Any such courses offered in middle school must be aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and be explicitly approved by the State Board of Education. Students must achieve level 3 or 4 on the EOC, if available, to earn high school credit. A student’s high school GPA will be calculated using only courses taken during grades 9-12.
High School course credit may be earned for courses taken in middle school through approved online programs.
3235.4 NORTH CAROLINA SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Board of Education encourages participation in the North Carolina Scholars Program. Students who successfully complete the requirements of the Scholars Program will receive special recognition of that achievement.
3235.5 TRANSFER OF CREDIT FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Any full or partial unit of credit earned in a high school having state or regional accreditation shall be accepted toward graduation by the Durham Public Schools. Durham Public Schools reserves the right to evaluate units transferred from non-accredited institutions.
3235.6 ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION
No senior shall be permitted to appear in cap and gown and take part in the graduation exercises unless that student has completed all requirements for a diploma or a certificate.
3235.7 SENIOR CLASS ROLLS
Senior class rolls will be released only by the Superintendent’s office.
3235.8 GRADUATION CERTIFICATES
To be awarded a high school diploma, students must successfully complete the requirements of one of the North Carolina Courses of Study, and earn any additional unit credits as set forth in 3235.1.
Students with disabilities who have not met the requirements for high school diploma will receive a graduation certificate and shall be allowed to participate in graduation exercises if they meet the following qualifications:
1. Are enrolled in the OCS, and have met the course requirements but may not have successfully completed all testing requirements.
2. Are enrolled in the OCS, and have met the course requirements for graduation but may need longer to complete the required hours of employment; or
3. For whom the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) is too rigorous and who are enrolled in the content courses specifically designed to meet their needs.
Legal Reference:
G.S. 115C-36, -81; State Board of Education Policies GCS-N-004 and GCS-N-010
Adopted: July 29, 1992
Revised Effective: July 1, 1999
Revised Effective: January 25, 2001
Revised Effective: July 1, 2003
Revised Effective: January 27, 2005
Revised Effective: January 22, 2009 (3235.1)
Revised Effective: June 17, 2010
Revised Effective: November 18, 2010
Revised Effective: March 24, 2011
