Introduction
To graduate from the Wolcott Public Schools, a student must have earned a minimum of twenty-one (21) Carnegie Units and must have met the Carnegie Unit distribution requirement. Students must also meet three (3) performance standards in reading, mathematics, and technology. The district's performance standards in these areas will 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 Connecticut law requires.

Carnegie Unit Distribution Requirement
The following courses must be passed:

• English - 4 units
• Mathematics - 3 units
• Social Studies - 3 units including 1.0 in United States History and .5 in Civics
• Science - 3 units
• Physical Education - 1 Unit
• Health - 1 Unit
• Arts, Applied Education, Technology Education - 1 Unit (total or combined)

  
  District Performance Standards
  Definition: Prior to the completion of senior year and within the context of the course in which they are enrolled:
  

• Reading: The students will read an article or story and respond critically in writing to a question called a prompt. Students will edit their writing to show their ability to use Standard English conventions.
• Mathematics: Students shall complete multi-step mathematical problems that require demonstration of basic math operations
• 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).

  Exemptions:

• There is no exemption regarding the technology requirement.
• Students will be exempt from the district performance standard if they have:
• achieved CAPT levels three or above in reading and mathematics, or
• achieved a combined total score (verbal, math and writing) of 135 or better on the PSAT, or
• achieved an SAT score of 450 Verbal and 450 Mathematics, or a combined total score of 900 or better.

  Transfers:

• If a student transfers into the Wolcott Public Schools after completing at least three years in a high school in another state, s/he may be exempt from district performance standards requirement for graduation.
• The superintendent is 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 her/his class.

  Special Needs:
  Students identified for special education services may be exempt from district performance standards for graduation as described in this policy if so indicated in their Individual Education Program.
  
  
  Implementation:
  Students will have at least four (4) opportunities over the course of their junior and senior years to complete the performance standards in Reading and Mathematics.
  
  Students who have not satisfactorily demonstrated the district's performance standard in Reading and/or 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.
  
  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.
  
  Notification:
  Upon receipt of the CAPT scores, the Guidance Department will notify:

• the teachers of junior students not meeting district performance standards in Reading and Mathematics as defined by this policy;
• 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, and
• 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.

  Options:
  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 (1) of the following options:

• return in September as a fifth year student and successfully meet the performance standard;
• enroll in summer school in a program approved by the Wolcott High School Administration and successfully meet the performance standard, or
• 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
  
  
  Incomplete Grades
  Students receiving an "I" in a subject must make up missed work within two (2) weeks. Under extraordinary circumstances, missed work must be completed within a reasonable time frame as determined by the teacher.

  Tentative Marking Periods	Interim Reports
  1st Marking Period closes November 9, 2004	October 5, 2004
  2nd Marking Period closes January 26, 2005	December 5, 2004
  3rd Marking Period closes April 5, 2005	March 2, 2005
  4th Marking Period closes June 16, 2005	May 13, 2005

  
  Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT)
  Students not achieving Level 3 or above on the CAPT in Reading and Mathematics are encouraged to retake these tests in order to demonstrate achievement of district performance standards necessary to meet the Board of Education Graduation Requirements Policy.

  
  Class Rank
  Class rankings are compiled on the basis of final grades the student earned in her/his courses at the end of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years and at midyear in the senior year. A final rank is completed at the end of the senior year. 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 accumulated. The resulting grade point average is then placed in rank order.
  
  Promotion Policy
  A Carnegie Unit (CU) is a standard for measuring time spent on academic subjects. One CU 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 CU for sophomore status
  Grade 10 to 11 - An accumulation of 10 CU for junior status
  Grade 11 to 12 - An accumulation of 15 CU for senior status
  Graduation - An accumulation of 21 CU which must include the following:
  
  English 4 CU
  Math  3 CU
  Science 3 CU
  Social Studies  3 CU*
  PE/Health  2 CU
  * Must include one CU 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 unweighted numerical average. 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)
  
  
  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 student who are ill or in case of absolute emergency. 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.
  
  
  Special Education Access
  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 are 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.