6:310 High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students

Credit for Non-District Experiences

A student may receive high school credit for successfully completing any of the listed courses or experiences even when it is not offered in or sponsored by the District:

1. Distance learning course, including a correspondence, virtual, or online course
2. Courses in an accredited foreign exchange program
3. Summer school or community college courses
4. College or high school courses offering dual credit at both the college and high school level
5. Foreign language courses taken in an ethnic school program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education
6. Work-related training at manufacturing facilities or agencies in a  Tech Prep Program.
7. Credit earned in a Vocational Academy

The student must seek approval from the Superintendent or designee to receive graduation credit for any non-District course or experience. The Superintendent or designee shall determine the amount of credit and whether a proficiency examination is required before the credit is awarded. As approval is not guaranteed, students should seek conditional approval of the experience before participating in a non-District course or experience. The student assumes responsibility for any fee, tuition, supply, or other expense. The student seeking credit is responsible for (1) providing documents or transcripts that demonstrate successful completion of the experience, and (2) taking a proficiency examination, if requested. The Superintendent or designee shall determine which, if any, non-District courses or experiences, will count toward a student’s grade point average, class rank, and eligibility for athletic and extracurricular activities. This section does not govern the transfer of credits for students transferring into the District.

Substitutions for Required Courses

Vocational or technical education; registered apprenticeship program. A student in grades 9-12 may satisfy one or more high school courses (including physical education) or graduation requirements by successfully completing related vocational or technical education courses or a registered apprenticeship program if:

1. The Building Principal approves the substitution and the vocational or technical education course is completely described in curriculum material along with its relationship to the required course; and
2. The student’s parent/guardian requests and approves the substitution in writing on forms provided by the District.

Advanced placement computer science. The advanced placement computer science course is equivalent to a high school mathematics course. The transcript of a student who completes the advanced placement computer science course will state that it qualifies as a mathematics-based, quantitative course.

Substitutions for physical education. A student in grades 11-12, unless otherwise stated, may submit a written request to the Building Principal to be excused from physical education courses for the reasons stated below. The Superintendent or designee shall maintain records showing that the criteria set forth in this policy were applied to the student’s individual circumstances, as appropriate. 

1. Enrollment in a marching band program for credit;
2. Ongoing participation in an interscholastic athletic program;
3. Enrollment in academic classes that are required for admission to an institution of higher learning; or
4. Enrollment in academic classes that are required for graduation from high school, provided that failure to take such classes will result in the student being unable to graduate
5. WILCO

A student who is eligible for special education may be excused from physical education courses pursuant to 7:260, Exemption from Physical Education.

Volunteer service credit. A student participating in the District’s Volunteer Service Credit Program, if any, may earn credit toward graduation for the performance of community service. The amount of credit given for program participation shall not exceed that given for completion of one semester of language arts, math, science, or social studies.

Re-Entering Students

Individuals younger than 21 years of age may re-enter high school to acquire a high school diploma or an equivalency certificate, subject to the limitations in Board policy 7:50, School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools. Re-entering students may obtain credit through the successful completion of the following (not all of these may be available at any one time):

1. District courses
2. Non-District experiences described in this policy
3. Classes in a program established under Section 10-22.20 of the School Code, in accordance with the standards established by the Illinois Community College Board
4. Proficiency testing, correspondence courses, life experiences, and other nonformal educational endeavors
5. Military service, provided the individual making the request has a recommendation from the U.S. Commission of Accreditation of Service Experiences

The provisions in the section Credit for Non-District Experiences, above, apply to the receipt of credit for any non-District course.

LEGAL REF.:        105 ILCS 5/2-3.44, 5/2-3.108, 5/2-3.115, 5/2-3.142, 5/10-22.43a, 5/27-6, 5/27-22.3, and 5/27-22.05. 
                                110 ILCS 27/, Dual Credit Quality Act
                                 23 Ill.Admin.Code §§1.425(e), 1.440(f), and 1.470(c).

CROSS REF.:    6:180 (Extended Instructional Programs), 6:300 (Graduation Requirements), 6:315 (High School Credit for Students in Grade 7 or 8), 6:320 (High School Credit for Proficiency), 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools), 7:260 (Exemption from Physical Education)

ADOPTED:            November 22, 2004

REVISED:             November 12, 2009
                               May 26, 2015
                               January 23, 2017
                               January 28, 2019