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INSTRUCTION AND CURRICULUM
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
BOARD POLICY 08.113
In support of student development goals set out in KRS 158.6451 and the Kentucky Academic Standards, students must complete a
minimum of twenty-two (22) credits, including demonstrated performance-based competency in technology, and all other state and
local requirements in order to graduate from high school in the District.
Students wishing to receive a regular diploma must pass a civics test made up of one hundred (100) questions selected from th e civics
test administered to persons seeking to become naturalized citizens and prepared or approved by the Board. A minimum score of sixty
percent (60%) is required to pass the test and students may take the test as many times as needed to pass. Students that hav e passed a
similar test within the previous five (5) years shall be exempt from this civics test. This shall be subject to the requirements and
accommodations of a student's individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 Plan.
In keeping with statutory requirements, the District shall accept for credit toward graduation and completion of high school course
requirements an advanced placement or a high school equivalent course taken by a student in grades 5, 6, 7, or 8 if that stud ent attains
performance levels expected of high school students in the District as determined by achieving a score of "3" or higher on a College
Board Advanced Placement examination or a grade of "B" or better in a high school equivalent.
Students shall complete an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that focuses on career exploration and related postsecondary education and
training needs.
The high school student handbook shall include complete details concerning specific graduation requirements.
OTHER PROVISIONS
The Board may grant different diplomas to those students who complete credits above the minimum number as established by the
Kentucky Board of Education. Diplomas will identify the diploma program chosen by the student. In addition, the Board may awa rd a
diploma to a student posthumously indicating graduation with the class with which the student was expected to graduate.
The Board, Superintendent, Principal, or teacher may award special recognition to students.
Consistent with the District’s graduation practices for all students, an alternative high school diploma shall be awarded to students with
disabilities in compliance with applicable legal requirements. In addition, former students may submit to the Superintendent a request
that the District provide them with an alternative high school diploma to replace the certificate of attainment they received at time of
graduation from the District.3
A student who is at least seventeen (17) years of age and who is a state agency child, as defined in KRS 158.135, shall be el igible to
seek attainment of a High School Equivalency Diploma.
The District shall report individual student data regarding the completion of each graduation qualifier and each graduation prerequisite
to the Kentucky Department of Education.
The Board may substitute an integrated, applied, interdisciplinary, occupational, technical, or higher-level course for a required course if
the alternative course provides rigorous content.
EARLY GRADUATION CERTIFICATE
Students who meet all applicable legal requirements shall be eligible for early graduation in relation to receipt of a graduation diploma
and an Early Graduation Certificate. Students wishing to follow an early graduation pathway shall notify the Principal of their intent
prior to the beginning of grade nine (9) or as soon thereafter as the intent is known, but within the first thirty (30) school days of the
academic year in which they wish to graduate. A Letter of Intent to Apply shall be entered into the student information syste m by
October 1 of the year the student declares intent to graduate early.4
Students working toward receipt of an Early Graduation Certificate shall be supported by development and monitoring of an ILP to
support their efforts.
To graduate early and earn an Early Graduation Certificate, a student shall:
1. Score proficient or higher on the state-required assessments; and
2. Meet the college readiness exam benchmarks established 13 KAR 2:020 for placement in credit-bearing courses without the
need for remediation.