Cobb County School District Administrative Rules

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

The Cobb County School District (District) shall provide secondary school curriculum, instructional, and support services that reflect the high school graduation and state assessment requirements and assist all students in developing their unique potential to a function in society.

Requirements for regular high school graduation from the District shall meet or exceed all rules and standards as set forth by the State Board of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

This Administrative Rule specifies programs of study that shall be offered by the District for students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in the 2002-2003 school year and for subsequent years, according to the State rule 160-4-2-.47.

RULE:

A. INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AND DELIVERY SERVICES:

The District shall provide instructional support and delivery services. These services shall

include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Beginning in ninth grade, students will be provided a continuous guidance component

to:

a. Familiarize students with graduation requirements;

b. Help students identify the likely impact of individual career objectives on the

program of work studies they plan to follow; and

c. Provide annual advisement sessions to report progress and offer alternatives in

meeting graduation requirements and career objectives.

2. Record keeping and reporting services that document students’ progress toward

graduation and include information for the school, parents/guardians and students.

3. Diagnostic and continuous evaluation services that measure individual student

progress in meeting competency expectations for graduation.

4. Instructional programs, curriculum and course guides and remedial opportunities to

assist each student in meeting graduation requirements.

5. Appropriate curriculum and assessment procedures for students who have been

identified as having disabilities that prevent them from meeting the prescribed

competency performance requirements.

B. APPLICATION:

This Rule is effective for students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in 2002-

    2003 and subsequent years. For prior years, refer to the following Forms:
    1. Form IKF-4 (Graduation Requirements: Students Enrolling in the Ninth Grade Prior to
        the 1993-1994 School Year).
    2. Form IKF-5 (Graduation Requirements: Students Enrolling in the Ninth Grade in the
        1993-1994 School Year).
    3. Form IKF-6 (Graduation Requirements: Students Enrolling in the Ninth Grade in the
        1995-1996 School Year).
    4. Form IKF-7 (Graduation Requirements: Students Enrolling in the Ninth Grade in the
        1998-1999 School Year).

C. DEFINITIONS:

1. Core Courses:

Courses identified as "c" or "r" in Rule 160-4-2-.03 “List of State-Funded K-8

Subjects and 9-12 Courses” for the specified program of study. For diploma seals

with distinction, fine arts courses are also considered core.

2. Elective Courses:

Any courses identified as "e" in Rule 160-4--2-.03 “List of State-Funded K-8 Subjects

and 9-12 Courses” that a student may select beyond the core requirements to fulfill

the unit requirements for graduation.

3. Program of Study:

Selected courses as specified by the State Board of Education that, when successfully

completed, will result in a specific seal of endorsement on the High School Diploma.

a. College Preparatory (CP) Program:

A program of study requiring 22 units. Completion of this program is signified by a

High School Diploma with a College Preparatory Seal.

b. College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+) Program:

A program of study requiring 24 units and a grade-point average in the core

courses of 3.0 or above on a four-point scale or 80 numeric grade-point average

or above. Completion of this program is signified by a High School Diploma with a

College Preparatory Seal of Distinction.

c. Technology/Career-preparatory (TC) Program:

A program of study requiring 22 units. Completion of this program is signified by a

high school diploma with a Technology/Career-preparatory Seal.

d. Technology/Career-preparatory with Distinction (TC+) Program:

A program of study requiring 24 units and a grade point average in the Core

Courses of 3.0 or above on a four point scale or 80 numeric grade point average.

Completion of this program is signified by a high school diploma with a

Technology/Career preparatory Seal of Distinction.

4. Early Admissions:

A program in which a high school student enrolls as a full-time postsecondary

student and pursues a postsecondary degree in lieu of a high school diploma.

5. Required Courses:

Specific courses identified as "r" in Rule 160-4-2-.03 “List of State-Funded K-8

Subjects and 9-12 Courses” that each student in a program of study shall pass to

graduate from high school.

6. Seal:

An attachment placed on a high school diploma indicating the successful completion

of one or more programs of study.

7. Secondary School Credential:

A document awarded to students at the completion of the high school experience:

a. High School Diploma:

The document with appropriate seal(s) awarded to students certifying that they

have satisfied attendance requirements, unit requirements and the state

assessment requirements as referenced in Rule 160-3-1-.07 “Testing Programs –

Student Assessment.”

b. High School Certificate:

The document awarded to students who:

(1) Have met the 22 unit requirements in specified areas of study; and

(2) Have not passed the state assessment requirements as referenced in

State Board Rule 160-3-1-.07.

c. Special Education Diploma:

The document awarded to students with disabilities assigned to a special

education program who have not met the state assessment requirements

referenced in Rule 160-3-1-.07 “Testing Programs-Student Assessment” or who

have not completed all of the requirements for a high school diploma but who

have nevertheless completed their Individualized Education Programs (IEP).

8. Unit:

One unit credit awarded for a minimum of 150 clock hours of instruction or 135

hours of instruction in an approved block schedule.

9. Unit, Summer School:

One unit of credit awarded for minimum of 120 clock hours of instruction.

D. REQUIREMENTS:

The District includes a passing score on the State assessment requirements as

referenced in Rule 160-3-1-.07, attendance, and Carnegie units of credit as

requirements for graduating from any District high school. The District has based local

graduation requirements on State Rule 160-4-2-.47 and requires the following:

1. State Assessment:

a. Students who enroll meet the graduation requirements for the graduating class

they enter and the state assessment requirements as referenced in Rule

160-3-1-.07 “Testing Programs - Student Assessment.”

b. Students who enroll from applicable accredited and/or home study programs are

required to take and pass End of Course tests in order to receive course credits for

courses with End of Course tests.

c. Students who enroll in the ninth grade for the first time in the 2002-2003 school

year and withdraw and re-enroll shall meet the graduation requirements specified

in this Rule and the assessment requirements specified in Rule 160-3-1-.07.

d. Students with disabilities will be accommodated as discussed in Rule 160-3-1-.07

and other applicable authority.

2. Attendance:

a. Attendance is required for high school students in accordance with State law and

State Board of Education Policies.

b. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of two and a half units of credit each

semester as they progress toward high school graduation. For exceptions to this

Rule, see Administrative Rule IDCJ (Released Time).

3. Units of Credit:

a. All District high schools shall make available to all students the programs of study

for the required College Preparatory, College Preparatory with Distinction,

Technology/Career-preparatory and Technology/Career-preparatory with Distinction

programs of study.

b. Dual Seal:

To receive both the College Preparatory (CP) or College Preparatory with

Distinction (CP+) and the Technology/Career-Preparatory (TC) or

Technology/Career-Preparatory with Distinction (TC+) seal, a student shall

complete the requirements as specified in this Rule for each seal.

c. A course shall count only once for satisfying any unit of credit requirement for

graduation.

AREAS OF STUDY

SEE SECTION C, “DEFINITIONS” FOR EXPLANATION OF COLUMN HEADINGS	CP	CP+	TC	TC+
English/Language Arts*	4	4	4	4
Mathematics*	4	4	3**	3**
Science*	3	3	3	3
Social Studies*	3	3	3	3
Health and Physical Education	1	1	1	1
Computer Technology and/or Fine Arts and/or Technology/Career preparatory and/or Foreign Language	1	1	1	1
Foreign Language*	2	2	0 **	0**
Technology/Career-preparatory units*** (from core Technology/Career-preparatory courses)	0	0	4 ****	4 ****
Locally required or elective units	4	4	3**	4**
State Electives from Core Areas - (Courses with a single asterisk) and/or Fine Arts	0	2	0	1
TOTAL UNITS MINIMUM	22	24	22	24

*Core Courses

** Technology/Career-preparatory students may want to utilize an elective unit for a Foreign Language or a fourth unit of mathematics depending upon the student's program of study and the student's intentions to enter a University System of Georgia institution or other post-secondary institution. Determination of the appropriate number of mathematics units for each Technology/Career-preparatory program of study shall be determined by the District.
***Technology/Career-preparatory includes Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)

****Technology/Career-preparatory: To receive the Technology/Career-preparatory (TC) or Technology/Career-preparatory with distinction (TC+) seal, a student shall complete at least four Technology/Career-preparatory units, three of which must be concentrated in one occupational or related program areas. One of the four units may include the Program of Education and Career Exploration (PECE), Coordinated Vocational Academic Education (CVAE) or Related Vocational Instruction (RVI).

See Form IKF-3 (Graduation Requirements: Class of 2003 and subsequent

years) for more detail.

d. Course Credit:

Credit may be earned in the following ways:

(1) Regular School Program:

(a) Unit credit shall be awarded only for courses that include concepts and

skills based on the Georgia curriculum for grades 9-12 as approved by the

State Board of Education.

(b) Special Education Students:

The individualized Education Program (IEP) shall specify whether core

                       courses taken as part of an IEP shall receive core unit credit.
             (2) Dual Enrollment:
                 See Administrative Rule LBD (Cooperative Programming with Higher Education).

(3) Work Experience:

Work Experience credit is awarded during the school year only for on-the-job

experience phase of the career and technology cooperative, internship, and

apprenticeship programs:

(a) Traditional Schedule:
Students may earn from .5 up to a maximum of 1.5 units per semester,

depending upon his/her individual schedule, grade level, graduation status,

and job placement.

(b) Block Schedule:

Students may earn a maximum of two units per semester, depending upon

his/her individual schedule, grade level, graduation status and job

placement.

(4) Distance Course Delivery:

(a) Definition:

Distance course delivery is course delivery where the majority of
instruction occurs when student and instructor are not in the same place.

Distance Course delivery methods may employ online, correspondence

study or audio, video, or computer technologies.

(b) Requirements:

1) Students may earn credit toward graduation through distance delivery

provided the courses meet District curriculum and assessment

requirements.

2) Students seeking a diploma from the Cobb County School District must

meet the enrollment requirements of Administrative Rule IED

(Scheduling for Instruction – High School Minimum Class Enrollment

Requirements).

3) Credit for courses delivered through distance delivery methods may be

applied toward the graduation requirements for all diplomas (Form IKF-2

[Flow Chart for CCSD Student Requests for Taking Courses Out of District

and/or Outside of Regular School Day]).

4) Hardship Cases:

The Superintendent or designee shall exercise discretion in approving

credit for courses delivered through non-traditional methods or waiving

provisions stated above for hardship cases on an individual basis.

Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, credit will be given for online

courses for elective credit based only on the following provisions:

1) Web-delivered courses are taken through online providers.

2) Approval for credit for courses provided by online providers is based on

the following criteria:

a) Before the student enrolls in the course, the course is approved

using the Request for Approval to Take Correspondence or Online

Courses Form IKF-1 (Request for Approval to Take Correspondence or

Online Course).

b) While the student is enrolled in a District school, completion of one

credit as recorded on an official transcript will be required before the

local school officials authorize enrollment in another online course.

c) The course provider is accredited by a regional accrediting

institution.

d) The course includes a final evaluation component, and the course

provider provides evidence that the administration of the final

examination has been appropriately proctored.

e) If a course is approved for a graduating senior, the

local school must receive the transcript no later than the last

day before final exams.

(d) Correspondence Courses:

Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, credit will be given for

correspondence courses for elective credit when the student complies with

the following provisions:

1) Before the student enrolls in the course, the course is approved using

Form IKF-1 (Request for Approval to Take Correspondence or

Online Course).

2) While the student is enrolled in a District school, completion of one

credit as recorded on an official transcript will be required before the

local school officials authorize enrollment in another correspondence

course.

3) The course provider is accredited by a regional accreditation

institution.

4) The course includes a final evaluation component, and the course

provider provides evidence that the administration of the final

examination has been appropriately proctored.

5) If a course is approved for a graduating senior, the local school must

receive the transcript no later that the last day before final exams.

(e) NovaNET Courses:

The District provides course credit recovery opportunities through the

NovaNET online curriculum delivery system. If a student transfers after

the beginning of the semester and the school cannot accommodate the

student’s schedule, NovaNET can be used to allow the student to

complete the coursework for the first time credit.

(f) eHigh/Georgia Virtual:

1) eHigh provides year-round online courses to high school students

enrolled in the District. Online course offerings and enrollment

information may be found on the eHigh School Website at

www.cobbk12ehighschool.org (Form IKF-2).

2) The Georgia Virtual School provides year-round online courses to high

school students in those courses not offered by eHigh School. Online

course offerings and enrollment information may be found on the Georgia

Virtual School Website at www.gavirtualschool.org (Form IKF-2).

(5) High School Courses Taken in Middle School:

(a) Middle school students entering seventh or eighth grades in 2002-2003

who have completed high school courses (including both years of foreign

language) with 70 or above by the end of the 2002-2003 school year will

be awarded unit credit and the grade will appear on their transcripts.

These students will have the option of rescinding this credit until April 1st

of their freshman year in high school.

(b) Middle School Students Entering Seventh Grade in 2003-04 and

Subsequent Years:

1) Upon successful completion of high school courses taken at the middle

school level with a final grade average of 70 or above, a student will

receive a "P" for Pass on his/her high school transcript.

2) Courses awarded "P" for "Pass" will count toward graduation but will

not be calculated into the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA).

(6) Night School:

The District offers tuition-based course opportunities for high school juniors and

seniors after the regular school day. Course delivery may be traditional

classroom or NovaNet.

(7) Summer School:

The District offers tuition-based course opportunities for all high school

students during the summer recess. Course delivery may be traditional

Classroom or NovaNet.

E. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (Class of 2003 and Subsequent Years):

The State Board of Education offers four diplomas: College Preparatory (CP), College

Preparatory with Distinction (CP+), Technology/Career (TC) and Technology/Career

with Distinction (TC+) (See Form IKF-3). Courses listed below in the program meet

the entrance requirements for public post-secondary institutions in Georgia. Students

who are planning to attend a school other than a Georgia public institution should check

the specific requirements of the school they wish to attend. In order to receive a

diploma, students must also pass the graduation exit exam requirement.

1. General Provisions:

a. Courses that earn unit credit in English/language arts, mathematics, science,

social studies, health, physical education, foreign languages, military science,

music, visual arts, dance, theatre arts, computer science, education, humanities,

personal/interpersonal/social skills and Technology/Career-preparatory are listed in

State Board of Education Rule 160-4-2-.03 “List of State-funded K-8 Subjects

and 9-12 Courses.”

b. Students may select courses listed in State Board Rule 160-4-2-.03 within the

following guidelines:

(1) Required Courses:

Any course identified as "r" is required and must be successfully completed.

Another course cannot be substituted for them.

(2) Core Courses:

Any course identified as "c" is a core course and may be selected to count as

one of the core unit requirements. Courses identified as "c" in

Technology/Career-preparatory areas will count as one of the four core

Technology/Career-preparatory courses for a TC or TC+ program of study.

(3) Elective Courses:

A course identified as "e" is an elective course that may be selected beyond

the core requirements to fulfill the unit requirements.

2. English/Language Arts:

At least one-half unit of credit in American literature/composition shall be required.

All courses that may satisfy the remaining units of credit are identified with a "c."

The other courses identified with an "e" are electives. Grammar/composition shall be

a component of all courses and shall be integrated into the course of study, not

isolated.

3. Fine Arts:

One elective required of all students may be selected from courses in fine arts. For

students working toward diplomas with distinction, two additional elective units are

required for CP+ programs and one additional elective unit is required for TC+

programs. These electives may be chosen from fine arts.

4. Foreign Language:

a. Two units of credit of the same foreign language shall be required for the College

Preparatory (CP) and College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+) programs of

study.

b. Students whose native language is not English may be considered to have met

the foreign language requirement by exercising the credit in lieu of enrollment

option if they are proficient in their native language. A formal examination is not

necessary if other evidence of proficiency is available.

c. One elective required of all students may be selected from courses in foreign

languages.

d. American Sign Language:

(1) For a student who is hearing impaired, American Sign Language may be

taken as an elective or as a core course to fulfill the requirements of the

CP CP+ seal. A demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language shall be

accepted as a foreign language if it is determined that a student has a hearing

loss which significantly impacts upon his/her ability to learn a foreign

language. The IEP Committee shall state in the IEP that American Sign

Language is substituting for two units of foreign language.

(2) For students who are not hearing impaired, American sign Language may be

taken for one unit of elective credit or for a third unit of foreign language

credit.

5. Health and Physical Education:

For each program of study, one unit of credit of health and physical education is

required. Students shall combine one-half or one-third units of credit of Health

(17.011), Health and Personal Fitness (36.051), or Advanced Personal Fitness

(36.061) to satisfy this requirement. Health and physical education courses may

be taken as electives for all programs of study. Courses in physical education

shall be taken to enhance lifelong fitness and physical activities rather than

development of athletic performance.

6. Mathematics:

a. College Preparatory (CP) and College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+):

(1) For the CP and CP+ programs of study, four units of credit of approved

mathematics are required. The student record shall show credit or equivalency

for each of the following core courses:

(a) Algebra I (27.061);

(b) Euclidean Geometry (27.063) or Informal Geometry (27.062);

(d) An additional course listed in the CP Mathematics (27.06) or Advanced

Mathematics (27.07) categories or Statistics (27.051).

(2) For students who take Applied Problem Solving (27.0451) and Applied

Algebra (27.0461), the records shall show credit for:

(a) Applied Problem Solving (27.0451) Applied Algebra (27.0461), Euclidean

Geometry (27.063), Informal Geometry (27.062) or Applied Geometry

(27.049); and

(b) Algebra II (27.064).

(3) This latter program of study will fulfill admission requirements for some

institutions in the University System of Georgia.

b. Technology/Career-preparatory (TC) and Technology/Career-

preparatory with Distinction (TC+):

(1) The TC and TC+ programs of study require that a student earn at least three

units of mathematics which shall include, as a minimum, Algebra I or its

equivalent.

(2) To meet the requirements for Algebra I or its equivalent, a student shall

earn:

(a) A unit of credit in Algebra 1 or a locally developed course equivalent

to Algebra I that has been approved by the State Board of Education; or

(b) Two units of credit by passing both Applied Problem Solving (27.0451)

and Applied Algebra (27.0461); or

and Concepts of Algebra (27.056).

7. Science:

Students shall earn at least three (3) units of credit in science.

a. College Preparatory (CP) and College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+):

Students earning the CP or CP+ seal shall satisfactorily complete:

(1) A physical science unit (physical science, chemistry or physics) (40.0);

(2) A biology unit; and

(3) One additional science unit.

b. Technology/Career-preparatory (TC) and Technology/Career-preparatory

with Distinction (TC+):

Students earning the TC or TC+ seal shall meet the requirements for the College

Preparatory (CP) or College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+) seal or shall pass

any three units of science including one physical science, one life science or two

units of applied biology/chemistry.

c. Science courses that meet the science requirement for graduation shall be

year-long courses with the exception of the third unit of credit. All courses

meeting the science requirements for graduation must be laboratory-based.

8. Social Studies:

a. College Preparatory (CP) and College Preparatory with Distinction (CP+):

At least three units of credit shall be required in social studies with the following

requirements:

(1) One unit of credit of United States History (45.081);

(2) One unit of credit of World History (45.083);

(3) American Government (45.057) – (one-third or one-half unit);

(4) Principles of Economics (45.061) – (one-third or one-half unit).

b. Technical Career-Preparatory (TC) and Technical Career-Preparatory

with Distinction (TC+):

At least three units of credit shall be required in social studies, with the following

requirements:

(1) One unit of credit of U. S. History (45.081);

(2) One unit of credit of World history (45.083) or World Geography (45.071).

(3) American Government (45.057) – (one-third or one-half unit);

(4) Principles of Economics (45.061) – (one-third or one-half unit).

9. Technology/Career-preparatory:

To receive the TC or TC+ seal, a student shall complete at least four

Technology/Career-preparatory units, three of which must be concentrated in one

occupational or related program of study. One of the four units may include the

Program of Education and Career Exploration (PECE), Coordinated Vocational

Academic Education (CVAE), Related Vocational Instruction (RVI), or a Work-based

Learning Program course (Cooperative Ed., Internship or Youth Apprenticeship.