W. Va. Code R. § 126-42-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-42-6 - High School Programming

6.1. Grades 9 through 12 Standards-focused Instruction and Graduation Requirements.

Chart V: Grades 9-12 Standards-focused Instruction and Graduation Requirements
Foundations for High Quality Developmentally Appropriate High School Programming (Grades 9-12)
The completion of high school coursework will prepare all students for post-secondary education, employment, enlistment, entrepreneurship, and everyday living. Students should consult with their chosen post-secondary educational/training institution and scholarship program requirements when choosing course options and electives. The required courses outlined below build strong content knowledge and extend disciplines by engaging students in work of quality and substance. In Grades 9 and 10, students build foundational knowledge and skills. In Grades 11 and 12, students enter into the personalized aspect of their PEP, focusing carefully on selected coursework that leads to successful completion of their personal and academic goals. Each student's coursework will be designed to lead directly to placement in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses, completion of an industry-recognized certificate or license, a workforce training program, or job placement. Students who do not demonstrate mastery of the approved content standards shall be provided extra assistance and time through personalized learning and support.
22 total credits required --- 12 Prescribed --- 10 Personalized Beginning with the 2024-2025 freshman cohort graduation requirements will increase to 23 credits with the addition of a prescribed credit in Personal Finance. 2024-2025 freshman cohort graduation requirements: 23 total credits, including 13 prescribed, and 10 personalized.
Subject	Graduation Requirements	Personalized Course Options
English Language Arts (ELA) 4 credits	3 Prescribed Credits English 9 English 10 English 11 1 Additional Personalized Credit from Course Options Note: An Advanced Placement (AP®), Dual Credit, or International Baccalaureate (IB®) ELA course may be substituted for an equivalent ELA credit. English Language Arts (Policy 2520.1A)	Courses Required to be Offered One credit from English 12 or Transition English Language Arts for Seniors or Creative Writing and Reading or Technical English Language Arts
		Additional Course Options English Language Arts College Courses County-created and Approved English Language Arts Courses based on student need and interest ensuring state standards for English are met
Mathematics 4 credits Note: Beginning with the 2024-2025 freshman cohort. Math 1 Lab and Algebra 1 Support will no longer count toward a Mathematics graduation requirement. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year counties may offer one credit of Introduction to Mathematical Application (Grades 9-12). Students may take Data Science as a personalized Matliematics credit.	2 Prescribed Credits Algebra 1 or Math 1 Geometry or Math II 2 Additional Personalized Credits from Course Options Note: An AP®, Dual Credit, or IB® Mathematics course may be substituted for an equivalent Mathematics credit. Mathematics (Policy 2520.2B)	Courses Required to be Offered Algebra ll/Math III Trigonometry/Pre-calculus/Math IV, Applied Statistics, Transition Mathematics for Seniors
		Additional Course Options Introduction to Mathematical Applications AP® Computer Science A Advanced Mathematical Modeling Calculus Statistics Quantitative Reasoning Mathematics college courses Computer Science and Mathematics County-created and Approved Math Courses higher than Math III or Algebra II Financial Algebra/Mathematics Data Science
Science 3 credits	2 Prescribed Credits Earth and Space Science Biology 1 Additional Personalized Credit from Course Options Note: An AP®, Dual Credit, or IB® Science course may be substituted for an equivalent science credit. Science (Policy 2520.3C)	Courses Required to be Offered Chemistry Human Anatomy and Physiology Physics Physical Science
		Additional Course Options Environmental Science Forensics Science college courses Computer Science - GIS County-created and Approved Science Courses CTE Courses: AC Energy and Power (Courses 1-4) Animal and Plant Biotechnology CASE Principles of Agriculture Science-Plant Principles of Engineering Human Body Systems Natural Resources Management Therapeutic Services (Courses 1, II, and III) CASE Food Science and Safety
Sociai Studies 4 credits	3 Prescribed Credits World Studies or an AP® Social Studies Course United States (US) Studies* or US Studies Comprehensive, or AP® US History Civics (includes personal finance) or AP® Government and Politics** 1 Additional Personalized Credit from Course Options Note: Students who take US Studies must utilize Contemporary Studies as their Personalized Credit unless they are utilizing JROTC Courses l-IV. **Students who utilize AP® Government and Politics or Dual Credit Civics must be provided instruction in the personal finance standards found in Civics. Beginning with the 2024-2025 freshman cohort Personal Finance will be removed from Civics to become a separate graduation requirement. Social Studies (Policy 2520.4)	Courses Required to be Offered Contemporary Studies Economics Geography World Studies
		Additional Course Options AP® Social Studies Courses IB® Social Studies Courses Financial Literacy Psychology Social Studies college courses Dual Credit Courses Sociology JROTC (Courses l-IV) County-created and Approved Social Studies Courses
Personal Finance 1 Credit Beginning with the 2024-2025 freshman cohort, Personal Finance is a required credit.	1 Prescribed Credit Personal Finance (1451) West Virginia Career-Readiness Programs of Study/Standards for Career Technical Education (Policy 2520.13)	Note: While the Personal Finance credit will go into effect with the 2024-2025 freshman cohort, counties may choose to implement this requirement early. Students must take this course during their junior or senior year.
Physical Education (PE) 1 credit	1 Prescribed Credit PE 9-12, Integrated PE, or counties may choose to offer Extracurricular/1 nterscholastic PE both graded and non-graded. Wellness Education (Policy 2520.5)	Additional Course Options JROTC 1 and II will fulfill the 1 credit PE requirement Dual Credit Courses Other PE courses based on student need and interest paired with the integrated online course
Health 1 credit	1 Prescribed Credit Health 9-12 Wellness Education (Policy 2520.5)	Additional Course Options Health College Courses Dual Credit Courses
The Arts 1 credit	1 Personalized Credit Note: An AP®, Dual Credit, or IB® Arts course may be substituted for any Arts credit. The Arts (Policy 2520.9)	Courses Required to be Offered Four sequential courses in music (both choral and instrumental), visual art (general art and/or studio art), dance, theatre
		Additional Course Options Arts Offerings Arts College Courses The following CTE courses will fulfill the 1 credit Arts requirement: * Fundamentals of Illustration (1851) * Fundamentals of Graphic Design (1857) * Illustration (1861) * Graphic Design Applications (1859) * Ornamental Metal Work (1982) * Digital Imaging/Multimedia 1 (1431) * Drafting Techniques (1727) * Floriculture (0213) * Digital Photography (1515) * Millwork or Cabinet Making (2126 or 2127 or 2128 or 2129)
Personalized Education Plan (PEP) 4 credits	4 Personalized Credits 4 credits in a CTE Program of Study or 4 credits that lead to post-secondary goals	Each student's PEP will identify a career cluster and either a CTE program of study or course work that will lead directly to college placement, attainment of an industry-recognized certificate or license, a workforce training program, or job placement (Appendix D). Best practices encourage students to experience the following: an AP®, IB®, dual credit, and/or Advanced Career (AC) course with corresponding examination, 2 credits in one world language, an additional science, a computer science, an online/digital learning experience. Grow Your Own (GYO) WV Teaching Pathway, entrepreneurial experiences, and/or 4 credits culminating in acquisition of industry-recognized CTE credential focused on career aspirations.
Career and Technical Education	See section 6.3: Career and Technical Education Career Technical Education (Policy 2520.13)	Course Required to be Offered One CTE course that teaches parenting skills
		Recommendation Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, counties shall expand career exploration and offer CTE courses and CTE programs of study in Grades 9 and 10.
Community Readiness		Counties may allow students with the most significant cognitive disabilities to earn 4 credits in Community Readiness Training aligned with the post-secondary goals in the student lEP.
Electives	County Board of Education Members (CBEM) have the authority to set graduation requirements beyond the state minimum for schools in their counties. Students may typically earn up to 32 credits on a block schedule and up to 28 on a traditional schedule over their high school careers.	When choosing electives, students should consult with their chosen post-secondary educational institution and review scholarship program requirements to make sure the electives are appropriate and acceptable.
Computer Science	Technology and Computer Science (Policy 2520.14)	Course Required to be Offered One course in Computer Science
		Additional Course Options Computer Science in the Modern World AP® Computer Science Courses Information Technology (IT) Information Management Web Development Other courses based on student need and interest CTE Computer Science/IT Courses County-created Computer Science/IT Courses College Computer Science Courses
World Languages	World Languages (Policy 2520.7)	Recommended College- and Career-Readiness Course Options: Most four-year colleges and universities require the completion of at least two credits of the same world language before or during post-secondary studies. Students need to consult with their post-secondary educational institutions concerning world language requirements.
		Courses Required to be Offered Three levels of one world language Students who demonstrate proficiency in two languages (English and one additional) can receive the Seal of Biliteracy.
		Additional Course Options Other world languages and additional levels based on student need and interest AP® World Language World Language college courses
Driver Education	Driver Education (Policy 2520.8)	Course Required to be Offered One course in Driver Education
Social and Emotional Advisory System for Student Success		Required Through a Comprehensive School Counseling System, high schools will implement a continuous advisory system that provides students with meaningful supportive relationships and maximizes each student's personalized learning experience. The advisory system will be evidence- and standards-based to include the development of each student's PEP (see Appendix D), career portfolio, social other skills that enhance school success, and build competent, engaged citizens.

6.2. High School Scheduling.

6.2.a. High schools' schedules shall allow for mastery of the content standards of each course. When developing schedules, the principal and a team of teachers will determine the adequate amount of time necessary to achieve mastery of the approved content standards for each program of study and effectively address the academic needs of all students. If the staff develops a schedule with courses less than 8100 minutes and academic achievement is not at or above state proficiency for a minimum of two years, the school will review and adjust its schedule based on student need and be approved by the CBEM.

6.2.b. Students shall have access to at least four AP® courses annually (at least one from the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies). All AP® courses must have a syllabus approved through the College Board and shall be taught by a teacher who has completed the required professional learning (see Appendix B.). Access to AP® courses may also be attained via West Virginia Virtual School (WVVS) AP® courses. Grades earned in an AP® course must be weighted on students' transcripts.

6.2.c. Students who do not meet the college- and career-readiness benchmarks on the West Virginia General Summative Assessment for English language arts and/or mathematics prior to their senior year may be enrolled in a designated transition English Language Arts course and/or a designated transition mathematics course even if they already have the required number of credits in that area. Students may enroll in a higher level course with agreement between the student, the student's parent/guardian, and the school to ensure the best interests and needs of each student are met.

6.3. Career and Technical Education (CTE).

CTE

The high school must offer students in Grades 9-12 engaging and empowering career development learning opportunities that include: Structured, on-going CTE experiences for career awareness, exploration, decision-making, and career preparation exposing students to all 16 career clusters. These offerings may be delivered within a Simulated Workplace/project-based hands-on environment. A CTE program of study is aligned with the approved 16 career clusters and consists of four courses identified for WVDE-approved CTE programs of study (refer to Policy 2520.13). Each CTE program of study shall provide students a Simulated Workplace environment and the opportunity to obtain an industry recognized credential as part of the instructional program when applicable. Multi-county Centers, county CTE centers, and comprehensive high schools must provide students with access to programs of study based on the student population. Centers/schools with a population of: * 0-400 students must offer a minimum of three of the 16 nationally approved career clusters; * 401-800 students must offer a minimum of four of the 16 nationally approved career clusters; or * 801+ students must offer a minimum of five of the 16 nationally approved career clusters. Students in Grades 9 and 10 must have access to at least one CTE course. Students in Grades 11 and 12 must have access to four units in a CTE program of study and two CTE electives. A CTE completer is defined in Policy 2520.13, Explanation of Terms. Counties' and/or schools must allow for mastery of the state-approved CTE content standards while ensuring industry certifications or licensing minute requirements are met. Counties be mindful of transportation times to and from county and multi-county CTE centers when developing those schedules. Approved West Virginia Career Clusters Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Architecture and Construction Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication Business Management and Administration Education and Training Finance Government and Public Administration Health Sciences Hospitality and Tourism Human Services Information Technology Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Manufacturing Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics West Virginia Specific Career

6.4. Grades 9 through 12 Alternative Means to Earn High School Credit.

6.4.a. CBEM shall provide alternative means for students to earn high school credit.

6.4.a.1. Students may substitute one of the following equivalent courses in place of a course as listed in the applicable high school program of study:

1) an AP® course;

2) an IB® course;

3) an AC course; or

4) a dual credit or college course in accordance with approved county policy. The student's parent/guardian must approve by signing the student's PEP.

6.4.a.1.A. Such substitution requests must be approved by the county superintendent (or designee) and principal. The decision as to whether a substitute course will count as credit must be based on its applicability to the student's 5-year PEP, post-secondary goals, and/or program of study. Schools shall provide information regarding the availability of advanced courses to students and parents and strongly encourage students to take such courses based upon student interests and post-secondary goals.

6.4.a.1.B. Students and their parent/guardian must be advised of the decision of the superintendent (or designee) and the impact of the substitute course on the student's preparation for college, other post-secondary education, or gainful employment identified in the student's PEP.

6.4.a.1.C. To ensure this process has been followed, the parent/guardian and student each must sign and receive a copy of, or have access to, the digital copy of the modified PEP.

6.4.a.1.D. Students may not receive dual credit for an AP® course.

6.4.a.2. Any student who successfully completes a high school level course (one meeting the high school approved content standards and taught by a content-certified teacher) prior to Grade 9 shall receive full credit for that course toward graduation requirements. The student's permanent record for Grades 9-12 shall indicate completion of the courses. The grade for any credit-bearing course taken prior to Grade 9 becomes part of the student's permanent record and is calculated in the student's high school grade point average (GPA).

6.4.a.3. All students will receive appropriate grades and/or credit for all work completed while attending school, regardless of the duration of their enrollment period. Students cannot receive credit for the same course twice. When a student retakes a failed course, both grades shall be transcribed and the county grading policy will determine how these courses are calculated in the GPA.

6.4.a.3.A. No teacher may be required to change a student's grade on either an individual assignment, a report card, or transcript unless there is clear and convincing evidence that there was an error, per W. Va. §18-5-46.

6.4.b. West Virginia Option Pathway. The Option Pathway provides the opportunity for at-risk students, ages 16-21, who are enrolled in and attending a West Virginia public high school or attending a West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition (WVSDT) juvenile or adult instructional education program, to stay in school, complete a state-approved CTE program of study as defined in Policy 2520.13, pass the entire WVDE-approved high school equivalency assessment and receive a high school diploma.

6.4.c. Students who are enrolled in a WVSDT school should be offered the same marketable job skill opportunities that are provided to students in nonresidential settings as is practicable. WVSDT schools deliver rigorous personalized learning options while offering flexible scheduling and still meeting graduation requirements.

6.4.c.1. A WVSDT school operated by the WVBE will transfer graduation credits earned to a county for the awarding of a high school diploma. It is mandatory for counties to accept and recognize the transferred credit(s) toward the completion of the graduation requirements and issuance of a high school diploma.

6.4.c.2. Career Integrated Experiential Learning (CIEL), as defined in Policy 2444.4, is an alternate pathway for at-risk students.

6.4.d. A student who transfers into a West Virginia school from another state or county public school with different graduation requirements may not be able to complete the requirements for graduation. In such cases, the student's credits shall be evaluated by the county superintendent or designee in the receiving county to determine if one or more county and/or state requirements can be substituted with an equivalent course. Any courses requiring a waiver must be reviewed and approved by the State Superintendent of Schools or designee.

6.4.e. Counties may develop tests for the purpose of accelerating students by proving proficiency through assessment.

6.4.f. Counties may develop a policy that allows for credit-bearing workplace readiness experiences.

6.4.g. Virtual learning may be used to provide students opportunities to enroll in classes through the WVVS or a county virtual instruction program (refer to Appendix C, Virtual Learning).

W. Va. Code R. § 126-42-6