I.               GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION, POLICIES, PROCEDURES

                  1. ACADEMIC

                  Instruction

                  Graduation Requirements Policy

                  I. Introduction

                  To graduate from the Wolcott Public Schools a student must have earned a minimum of 21 units and must have met the Carnegie Unit distribution requirement.  Students must also meet five performance standards in language arts, mathematics, science,* social studies* and technology.  The district’s performance standards in these areas shall take effect for the class of 2006 and all classes thereafter. In addition, all students must take the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) during Grade 10, as state law requires.

                  New legislation requires the classes of 2006 and beyond to demonstrate competency in the skills identified by the Board of Education as necessary for graduation; assessment including the CAPT exam.  *Beginning with the class of 2012 and beyond.

II.             Carnegie Unit Distribution Requirement

The following courses must be passed:

A. English 4 units

B. Mathematics 3 units

C. Social Studies 3 units including 1.0 in United States History and .5 in Civics

D. Science 3 units

E. Physical Education 1 unit

F. Health 1 unit

G. Arts, Applied Education, Technology Education 1 unit (total or combined)

III. District Performance Standards

A. Definition: prior to the completion of their senior year and within the context of the course in which they are enrolled:

1. Reading:

a) The students will read an article or story and respond critically in writing to a question called a prompt.

b) Students will edit their writing to show their ability to use Standard English conventions.

2. Mathematics: students shall complete multi-step mathematical problems that require demonstration of basic math operations.

3. Science: students will demonstrate mastery of science process skills.

4. Social Studies: students will demonstrate the ability to analyze primary source materials and respond to a
prompt based upon their analysis.

5. Technology: students shall show the ability to integrate and use technology to receive, access, organize,
process, and transmit information by successfully completing a course in one of the following areas:

*See Course of Studies for technology designated courses.

B. Exemptions

*There is no exemption regarding the technology requirement.

1. Students will be exempt from the district performance standard if they have:

a) Achieved CAPT levels three or above in Reading, Mathematics, Science and Writing Across the Disciplines,
OR

b) Achieved a combined total score (verbal, math and writing) of 135 or better on the PSAT,

OR

c) Achieved an SAT score of 450 Critical Reading, 450 Mathematics and 450 Writing or a combined total score of 1,350 or better.

2. Transfers:

a) If a student transfers into the Wolcott Public Schools after completing at least three years in a high school in another state, he/she may be exempt from Wolcott’s performance standards requirement for graduation.

b) The Superintendent shall be authorized to grant exemptions to the graduation requirements for students transferring into the district if unusual, extenuating circumstances would make it impossible for the student to graduate with his/her class.

3. Special Needs: students identified for special services may be exempt from district performance standards for graduation as described in this policy if so indicated in their Individual Education Program.

C. Implementation

1. Students will have at least four opportunities over the course of their junior and senior years to complete the performance standards in Reading, Mathematics, Science and Writing Across the Disciplines.

a) Students who have not satisfactorily demonstrated the district’s performance standard in Reading, or who do not qualify for an exemption, will be required to receive tutoring at the Instructional Center during their senior year. Students will be required to pass the district performance standard by the conclusion of senior year.

b) Students who have not satisfactorily demonstrated the district’s performance standard in mathematics, or who do not qualify for an exemption, will be required to receive tutoring at the Instructional Center during their senior year. Students will be required to pass the district performance standard by the conclusion of senior year.

c) Students who have not satisfactorily demonstrated the district’s performance standard in science, or who do not qualify for an exemption, will be required to receive tutoring at the Instructional Center during their senior year. Students will be required to pass the district performance standard by the conclusion of senior year.

d) Students who have not satisfactorily demonstrated the district’s performance standard in Writing Across
the Discipline, or who do not qualify for an exemption, will be required to receive tutoring at the
Instructional Center during their senior year. Students will be required to pass the district performance
standard by the conclusion of senior year.

2. Technology: students who have not satisfactorily demonstrated the district’s performance standard in technology within designated courses must complete the work readiness course and develop a portfolio of
skills demonstrating the ability to integrate and use technology to receive, access, organize, process, and transmit information acquired by the conclusion of senior year.

D.  Notification

1. Of teachers:  upon receipt of the CAPT scores, the Guidance Department will notify the teachers of junior students not meeting district performance standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies as defined by this policy.

2. Of students:  the Guidance Department will notify, in writing, juniors who do not meet CAPT level three or above to remind them of the performance standard requirements for graduation.  At the beginning of the school year, each senior shall be notified by his/her guidance counselor of his/her status relative to meeting the performance standards for graduation.

3. Of parents:  the Guidance Department will also notify, in writing, the parents of junior and senior students who have not met the district performance standard in any area and thus must pass one or more of the district performance tasks.     

IV Options if Requirements are not met

Seniors who are not eligible for graduation with their class due to a failure to meet the district graduation requirements in one or more areas as described above, may select one of the following options:

A. Return in September as a fifth year student and successfully meet the performance standard.

B. Enroll in summer school and successfully meet the performance standard.

C. Make arrangements for re-testing to meet the performance standard.

ACADEMIC GRADING:

                  School grades are as follows:

                  90 –100  -  Excellent

                  80 – 89   -  Above Average

                  70 – 79   -  Average

                  65 – 69   -  Below Average

                  Below 65 - Failing

                                    TENTATIVE MARKING PERIOD DATES                                   INTERIM REPORTS

                                    1st Marking Period closes November 2, 2009                                       September 29, 2009

                                    2nd Marking Period closes January 21, 2010                                        December 9, 2009

                                    3rd Marking Period closes March 30, 2010                                           February 25, 2010

                                    4th Marking Period closes June 11, 2010                                               May 10, 2010

CAPT (Connecticut Academic Performance Test)

Students not achieving level 3 or above on the CAPT in Reading, Mathematics Science* and Writing Across the Disciplines* are required to retake these tests in order to demonstrate achievement of district performance standards necessary to meet the Board of Education Graduation Requirements Policy.  If students fail to achieve a 3 after two attempts, they will be required to pass an Alternative Assessment during their Senior year.  *Beginning with the class of 2012 and beyond.

CLASS RANK

Class rankings are compiled on the basis of final grades that the student earned in his/her courses at the end of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years.  A mid year rank is computed for seniors for college and scholarship applications.  Class rank is computed for the purpose of answering questions asked on college application forms, scholarship questionnaires and employment requests, among other reasons.

Wolcott High School uses a differentiated, weighted system, one of several methods approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, to determine a student’s standing in class.

The rank is determined by taking each student’s final grade and multiplying by a weighted factor which takes into account the academic level of the course.  These weighted grades are then totaled and divided by the total number of credits attempted.  The resulting grade point average is then placed in rank order.

                  RANK IN CLASS EXAMPLE

                                    Course Levels                           Weighting Factor

                                    AP/COOP Courses                                1.15

                                    Honors Level 1                                       1.10

                                    Level 2                                                      1.05

                                    Level 3                                                      1.00

                                    EXAMPLE OF WEIGHTED GRADE DETERMINATION

Example:    Sum of Weighted Grades = 461.56

                    Divided by Total Credits = 461.56/5.25 = 87.92

                    WEIGHTED AVERAGE IS 87.92

TRANSCRIPTS

All student transcripts will reflect both the weighted and the un-weighted academic average.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION  -  PROMOTION POLICY

A Carnegie Unit (C.U.) is a standard for measuring time spent on academic subjects.  One C.U. will be granted to students who pass a full year course.  Classes meeting less frequently are granted units accordingly.

Grade 9 to 10         -                An accumulation of 5.0 C.U. for sophomore status

Grade 10 to 11       -                An accumulation of 10 C.U. for junior status

Grade 11 to 12       -                An accumulation of 15 C.U. for senior status

Graduation                -                An accumulation of 21 C.U. which must include the following:       

English                       4 C.U.

                                                        Math                          3 C.U.

                                                        Science                      3 C.U.

                                                         Social Studies         3 C.U.*

                                                         Wellness (Health/PE)   2 C.U.

                                     * Must include one C.U. in U.S. History and .5 credit of Civics.

HONOR ROLL

An Honor Roll is published at the end of each marking period.  It is calculated as an un-weighted numerical average using credit value per marking period.  Rankings are as follows:

                                    High Honors                             Every grade 90 or above

                                    First Honors                              Average 90 or above (no grade lower than 70 in any subject)

                                    Second Honors                        Average 85 or above (no grade lower than 70 in any subject)

ACCESS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION

Students attending Wolcott Public Schools receive the ongoing attention of professional personnel to help support their successful learning.  Students whose academic progress, behavior, or attendance is considered unsatisfactory or at a marginal level of acceptance, may be referred to the Planning and Placement Team.  Parents or school personnel may request assistance from the school’s Early Intervention Team in addressing these issues.  The team works collaboratively with the classroom teachers and parents to develop and document strategies to assist the student within the regular education program.  If the student’s problems or difficulties persist, a referral to the PPT is made.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

Final examinations are regarded as very important course requirements.  Therefore, students are expected to be present for their examinations at the scheduled times.  Students and parents are asked not to request changes except for the most compelling reasons.  Makeup exams will be given only to students who are ill or in case of absolute emergency.   The Attendance Office must be notified within 24 hours in order to be considered for exam make-up.  To receive credit for a course, a student MUST take the final examination.

EXEMPTIONS

A student in an Advanced Placement (AP) course, who takes the national AP exam, will be exempt from taking a June final exam.  The Teacher of the AP course will assess the course work of the exempted student and this assessment will serve as the final exam grade on the report card.  In AP Studio Art, all students must complete the required portfolio.  If a student chooses not to take the national AP exam, the student must take a June final exam in the course.

Students registered in a University of Connecticut Co-Op course will be administered the final   Co-Op assessment test prior to exam week.  Teachers will grade this assessment, which will be the final exam grade on the student’s report card.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

Ordinarily, students receiving an “I” in a subject must make up missed work within two weeks.  However, under extraordinary circumstances, missed work must be completed within a reasonable time frame as determined by the teacher.