345.6 - Graduation Requirements
345.6
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The Appleton Area School District awards high school graduation diplomas to recognize those students who have fulfilled the academic requirements of the District. In order to graduate from high school and to receive a diploma, a student in the District must meet the requirements set out in this policy. The policy requirements are grounded in the District’s standards, curriculum, and Wisconsin State Statute 118.33.
Beginning with the graduating class of 2004, no student may be granted an Appleton Area School District diploma unless the student has been enrolled in a Board-approved activity for each class period of each school day during the high school grades, has satisfied the following criteria, and has been recommended to the School Board for a diploma by the District Superintendent.
1. At least 23 high school credits as follows:
| Graduating Class of 2017 and beyond | Graduating Classes of 2015 & 2016 |
|---|---|
|
English Language Arts (ELA): 4.0 Credits
Science: 3.0 Credits
Social Studies: 3.0 Credits
Mathematics: 3.0 Credits Health: 0.5 Credit
Fine Arts: 1.0 Credit Physical Education: 1.5 Credits (0.5 credit per year over 3 years)
Financial Literacy: 0.5 Credit Elective: 6.5 Credits |
English Language Arts: 4.0 Credits Physical Science: 1.0 Credit Life Science: 1.0 Credit Government: 1.0 Credit American History: 1.0 Credit Global Requirement: 1.0 Credit Mathematics: 2.0 Credits Health: .50 Credit Fine Arts: 1.0 Credit Physical Education: 1.5 Credits Pers. Financial Management: .50 Credit Electives: 8.5 Credits |
OR
2. Successfully meet other academic criteria as specified.
OR
3. Have the recommendation of the Student Services Team.
A student may be eligible for a diploma if he/she does not satisfy these requirements if he/she has been enrolled in a Board-approved alternative program and the District Superintendent determines that the student demonstrated a level of proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA), social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, and health education, equivalent to the proficiency that the student would have attained if he/she had completed the regular credit requirement.
Recognizing that some students may require special consideration in their efforts to achieve a high school education, the Board may grant a diploma upon satisfactory completion of Board-approved equivalent or accommodation programs, which meet such student needs and are in conformance with Wisconsin State Statute 118.33.
Successful completion of a student’s IEP, which may include alternate assessments, supersedes all other requirements.
AND
Beginning with the graduating class of 2016-2017, a high school diploma may only be granted once a student has taken and successfully achieved a passing score on the 100 question civics examination as outlined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Students with limited English proficiency may take the examination in the student’s language of choice. This requirement for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or service plan shall be modified or waived to the extent provided by the student’s IEP or service plan and/or by applicable law.
Legal References:
Wisconsin State Statutes 118.01, 118.33, and 121.02(1)(p)
Wisconsin Administrative Code Pl 18
Adoption Date: January 23, 1989
Amended Dates: November 27, 1989, April 23, 2001, April 14, 2003, October 27, 2014, November 23, 2015, August 22, 2016, and November 23, 2020
345.6-Rule
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Procedures
Students in the Appleton Area School District have access to courses that provide a balanced academic background, which meet a broad array of interests and needs. Students in grades 9-12 will be expected to successfully complete those courses (required and elective) necessary to meet the 23 required credits as established by the Board and listed in the policy and, beginning with the graduating class of 2016-2017, a high school diploma may only be granted once a student has taken and successfully achieved a passing score on the 100 question civics examination as outlined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Students with limited English proficiency may take the examination in the student’s language of choice. This requirement for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in effect shall be modified or waived to the extent provided by the student’s IEP and/or by applicable law.
Should a student NOT meet the criteria identified for 23 required high school credits a Student Services Team will determine if that student has fulfilled sufficient criteria to be granted a high school diploma. The Student Services Team will be comprised of a building administrator and not fewer than 3 teachers appointed by the building principal. Information considered by the Student Services Team for possible recommendation for graduation may include, but is not limited to:
- Receipt of a passing grade in a subject
- Development of a portfolio that illustrates proficiency and growth
- Attainment of District academic standards
- Completion of preparation to move to either post-secondary education or workplace
- Testimony to the student’s success in classwork, co-curriculars, and community service
- Completion of a course sequence
- Demonstration of citizenship qualities necessary for life in the community
School administrators and staff shall help prepare students to satisfy the criteria, consistent with established District policies and procedures. The high school principal shall provide for a regular review of a student’s progress toward meeting the established diploma criteria and shall keep students and their parents/guardians informed of the student’s progress. Before a student is granted a high school diploma, the high school principal shall determine whether the student has satisfied the diploma criteria outlined in the policy and any other District policy applicable to high school graduation. The high school principal shall submit a list of students meeting the graduation requirements to the Board.
The high school and middle school principals shall be responsible for informing students and their parents/guardians of the requirements of this policy. The policy and its implementation procedures shall be published in high school and middle school student and parent handbooks annually.
Adoption Date: January 23, 1989
Amended Dates: November 27, 1989, April 23, 2001, April 14, 2003, October 27, 2014, November 23, 2015, August 22, 2016, and November 23, 2020
- Series 300: Instruction
