San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education
Board Policy 6146.11
Alternative Credits Toward Graduation
This Board Policy applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.
In order to meet individual student needs and encourage all students to complete their high school education, the Governing Board desires to provide flexibility in the completion of prescribed courses in accordance with law.
(cf. 6143 – Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.1 – High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.3 – Reciprocity of Academic Credit)
(cf. 6200 – Adult Education)
With the active involvement of parents/guardians, administrators, teachers, and students, the Board shall adopt alternative means for students to complete the prescribed course of study required for high school graduation. These alternative means shall be made available to students, parents/guardians, and the public. (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 1220 – Citizen Advisory Committees)
(cf. 6020 – Parent Involvement)
Students may fulfill any course requirement for graduation through the following:
- High School Credit Recovery through Office of Extended Learning and Support
- Coursework Outside SFUSD/Credit earned at a postsecondary institution (Education Code 48800, 51225.3)
(cf. 6172.1 – Concurrent Enrollment in College Classes)
- Independent Study (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6158 – Independent Study)
- Middle School Courses
- Career technical education classes offered in high school (Education Code 51225.3)
(cf. 6178 – Career Technical Education)
- Practical Demonstration of Skills and Competencies (Education Code 51225.3)
- Additional Options may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Chief Academic Officer, site principal and counselor.
Upon receiving advance, written application by the student or his/her parent/guardian, the Superintendent or designee shall determine whether completion of the proposed alternative means would satisfy course requirements for graduation and what documentation shall be required, if any, to verify the student’s successful completion, as outlined in Administrative Regulation. The Superintendent or designee shall make the final determination as to whether the student’s completion of an alternative means is sufficient to satisfy the District’s graduation requirements.
As appropriate, the Superintendent or designee shall determine the grade to be assigned to students for the completion of any of the above alternative means. When a grade is assigned by a private school, postsecondary institution, or other educational institution for completion of coursework, that same grade shall be awarded by the District provided that the Superintendent or designee has determined the alternative course to be substantially equivalent to a District course.
(cf. 5121 – Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
35160 Authority of governing boards
35160.1 Broad authority of school Districts
48412 Certificate of proficiency
48645.5 Course credit, juvenile court schools
48800-48802 Attendance at community college; advanced education
51220 Areas of study; grades 7-12
51225.3 Requirements for graduation
51240-51246 Exemptions from requirements
51420-51427 General Educational Development test
51440 Veterans’ education, evaluation and credit toward high school graduation
51740-51741 Authority to provide instruction by correspondence
51745-51749.3 Independent study
51760-51769.5 Work experience education
52300-52499.66 Career technical education
VEHICLE CODE
12814.6 Teen driver’s act
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
1600-1635 Alternative credit
10070-10075 Work experience education
11500-11508 Regional occupational centers and programs
11520-11523 Proficiency examination and certificate
11700-11703 Independent study
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
2301-2414 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov