2410 - High School Graduation Requirements

The board will establish graduation requirements, which at a minimum satisfy those established by the State Board of Education. The board will approve additional graduation requirements as recommended by the superintendent or designee. Graduation requirements in effect when a student first enrolls in high school will remain in effect until that student graduates. The board will award a regular high school diploma to every student enrolled in the district who meets the requirements established by the district. Only one diploma will be awarded with no distinctions being made between the various programs of instruction that may be pursued. 

I. Requirements for Graduating 

Each student must meet the following requirements to graduate from high school: (1) complete the credit requirements specified in the procedure accompanying this policy; (2) demonstrate career and college readiness by completing a high school and beyond plan; and (3) meet the requirements of at least one graduation pathway option described in the procedure accompanying this policy. 

II. Implementation 

The superintendent or designee will develop procedures for implementing this policy according to applicable state law. 

I. Publication of Graduation Requirements 

Prior to registering in high school, and each year thereafter, each student and their parents or guardians shall be provided a copy of the graduation requirements (those in effect when the student enrolled in ninth grade). Graduation requirements may be included in the course catalog. 

II. Credit Requirements 

Period of Eligibility to Earn Credits 

Credit towards high school graduation will be earned in grades nine through twelve. The student and student’s family may request the district to award high school credit towards fulfilling graduation requirements to a student who has completed high school courses in seventh or eighth grade if one of the following applies: 

Students who have taken and successfully completed high school courses under the above circumstances shall not be required to take an additional mastery/competency examination or perform any other additional assignment to receive credit. 

At the request of the student and the student’s parent or guardian, high school credit earned before high school may be transcribed with a nonnumerical grade, such as “pass” or “credit.” A nonnumerical grade will not be included in the student’s high school grade point average calculations. High school credit earned prior to high school and transcribed with a nonnumerical grade will apply to fulfilling high school graduation requirements. 

Before the end of eleventh grade, a student and the student’s parent or guardian must inform the school if they do not want credit for the course or courses taken before attending high school or if they want the credit to be transcribed with a nonnumerical grade. 

Awarding of High School Credit 

High school credit will be awarded for successful completion of a specific unit of study. Successful completion of a specific unit of study means: 

1. Earning a passing grade according to the district’s grading policy; 
2. Demonstrating proficiency/mastery of content standards as determined by the district; 
3. Successful completion of an established number of hours of planned instructional activities to be determined by the district. 

The district shall establish a process for determining proficiency/mastery for credit-bearing courses of study. 

Credits From Other Programs 

The principal or designee is responsible for determining which credits will be recognized by the district for students enrolling from another state approved learning program (public school, approved private school or home school) or from an out-of-state or out-of-country program. The district will accept credits from another Washington public school or accredited state private school or accredited out-of-state public or private school to the extent the credit matches a district graduation requirement – or the credits may be counted as elective credits. The district will evaluate credits from unaccredited programs or home schools as described below for home school students. Decisions of the principal or designee may be appealed to the superintendent or designee within fifteen school days of the initial decision. 

Subject and Credit Requirements for Graduation 

The following conditions shall be met by each candidate for graduation: 

Alternative Programs

The Richland School District will consider accepting credits toward high school graduation for learning experiences conducted away from school or by persons not employed by the school district. Consideration will be granted only upon evidence that the petitioners have satisfied requirements outlined in these rules and regulations.

A proposal for approval of out-of-school learning activities is expected to be submitted prior to the experience, shall be at no additional cost to the district, and shall include at least the following information:

1. Name of program;
2. Length of time for which approval is desired;
3. Objectives of the program;
4. The state learning goals, and related state learning standards are part of the program/planned learning experience;
5. Description of how credits shall be determined in accord with WAC 180-51-050(1);
6. Content outline of the program and/or major learning activities and instructional materials to be used;
7. Description of how student performance will be assessed;
8. Qualifications of instructional personnel;
9. Plans for evaluation of the program;
10. How and by whom the student will be supervised.

The district will keep a list of approved programs on file. The superintendent or designee will communicate the reasons for approval or disapproval to those making the request.

Running Start

The Running Start program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend community college classes (100 level or above) for part or all their schedule. Students must be of junior standing or above to be eligible for the program. Rising juniors, those who have completed their sophomore year and have yet to begin their junior year, may enroll for up to ten quarter credits, or the semester equivalent, during the summer academic term.

Students earn college credit, which is also converted and applied to their high school transcript.

The district will provide general information about the Running Start program to students in grades ten, eleven, and twelve and the parents and guardians of those students. The information will include information about the opportunity to enroll in the program through online courses available at community and technical colleges and other state institutions of higher education, enrollment opportunities during the summer academic term, and the college high school diploma options under RCW 28B.50.535.

In order to enroll in the Running Start program, students need to do the following:

1. Check with their high school counselor and/or determine the options for demonstrating college-level placement via assessments or courses taken. At a minimum, college-level skills in reading and writing are required.
2. Speak with their counselor to assess credits needed for graduation, then decide which courses they would like to take at the college. Note that part-time Running Start students will need to coordinate college classes so that they do not interfere with their high school classes. Full-time Running Start students will generally not be enrolled in courses at the high school, even when the community college they attend is not in session. A student enrolled full-time at a college may use .2 FTE to enroll at the high school for the purpose of accessing college courses online. Students are permitted to enroll in a combined annual average of 1.2 FTE between the high school and the college.
3. Obtain a Running Start verification form from the college or their high school counselor. Work with high school counselor and/or college to verify course decisions and coverage of tuition via state funding for selected courses. Parent consent is required if the student is under 18 years old.
4. Register for classes via the college’s online registration system. First time Running Start students will need to enroll in the college before completing the registration process. The verification process in “C” needs to occur to ensure state funding for college courses.
5. Work with school counselor to ensure transmission of the authorization form to the college prior to established deadlines to ensure continued enrollment.

Credit for Career and Technical Work-Based Learning

The district regards work experience as a part of the educational program of students as part of the secondary school curriculum rather than just a device to relieve a staffing shortage. The district may grant credit for work experience based upon the criteria in Policy 2417.

College in the High School

The college in the high school program is a dual credit program located on a high school campus or in a high school environment in which a high school student may earn both college credit and high school credit by achieving a passing grade in a college level course. A college in the high school program will be governed by a local contract which will include qualifications for students to enroll in the program.

Additionally, applicable information regarding students in the program includes the following:

1. Students who have not yet received a high school diploma, and are eligible to be in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades may participate.
2. Students will receive credit for the courses they complete. If a student completes a course for which there is not a comparable course with the district, then an administrator will determine how many credits the student will receive for the course. Such a determination shall be issued in writing by an administrator prior to the student beginning the course.
3. Students may be required to pay a tuition fee to receive college credit for a course. Students will not be required to pay a tuition fee for high school credit.

National Guard High School Career Training

The district may grant credit for National Guard high school career training in lieu of either required or elective high school credits. Approval by the district will be obtained prior to a student's participation in a National Guard training program as follows:

1. MIL Form 115 or an equivalent form provided by the National Guard will be completed and filed with the district.
2. The number of credits toward high school graduation to be granted will be calculated and agreed upon by the student and an authorized representative of the district. Such an agreement will be noted on MIL Form 115 or an equivalent form.
3. The district may grant credit toward high school graduation upon certification by a National Guard training unit commander that the student has met all program requirements

Home School Credit

Guidelines for granting high school credit for home schooling are as follows:

1. To gain credit for a course of study, a student shall provide:
   1. A journal that reflects the actual work completed during a home-study course of study.
   2. Exhibit(s) of any specific projects completed (e.g., themes; research papers, art and/or shop projects); and/or
   3. Any such other performance-based exhibits of specific course-related accomplishments.
2. B. To gain credit for a course of study, a student must demonstrate proficiency at a minimum of 80% of the objectives of the course. Such testing will be available as an ancillary service of the district if it is regularly available to all students. If not, the parent may engage district-approved personnel to conduct such an assessment at a cost to be determined by such personnel.
3. Credit is granted for the following approved schools:
   1. Community colleges, vocational-technical institutes, four-year colleges/universities, and approved private schools in the state of Washington; and
   2. Other schools or institutions that are approved by the district after evaluation for a particular course offering.

III. High School and Beyond Plan Requirement

The district will follow all requirements in WAC 180-51-220 to satisfy the High School and Beyond Plan Requirements.

IV. Graduation Pathway Options

A student may choose to pursue one or more of the pathway options described below to demonstrate career and college readiness if the option chosen is in alignment with the student’s high school and beyond plan.

The district will provide annual notice, in a way that conforms with Board Policy 4218 – Language Access to students in grades eight through twelve and their parents or legal guardians with comprehensive information about the graduation pathway options offered by the district.

At least annually, the district will examine data on student groups participating in and completing each graduation pathway option that the district offers. At a minimum, the data on graduation pathway participation and completion will be disaggregated by the student groups described in RCW 28A.300.042 (1) and (3), and by:

• Gender;
• Students who are the subject of a dependency proceeding pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW;
• Students who are experiencing homelessness as defined in RCW 28A.300.542 (4); and
• Multilingual/English Learners

If the results of the analysis required under the statute show disproportionate participation and completion rates by student groups, then the school district will identify reasons for the observed disproportionality and implement strategies as appropriate to ensure the graduation pathway options are equitably available to all students in the school district.

Statewide High School Assessment

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting or exceeding the graduation standard established by the State Board of Education on the statewide high school assessments in English language arts and mathematics.

Dual Credit Courses

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by completing and qualifying for college credit in dual credit courses.

“Dual credit course” means a course in which a student is eligible for both high school credit and college credit at the level of 100 or higher upon successfully completing the course. Examples of such courses include running starts, college in the high school courses, and career and technical education dual credit courses.

Before course scheduling or course registration for the next school term, the district will provide the following information to students in grades nine through twelve and their parents: information about each available dual credit program and any financial assistance available to reduce dual credit course and exam costs for students and their families. The information will be provided by email and other communication methods. To the extent feasible, the information will be translated into the primary language of each parent or legal guardian.

High School Transition Courses

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by earning high school credit in a high school transition course in English language arts and mathematics. A high school transition course is a course offered in high school where successful completion by a high school student ensures the student college-level placement at participating institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016. High school transition courses must satisfy core or elective credit graduation requirements established by the State Board of Education.

AP/International Baccalaureate Programs

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting the requirement of A or B below in the AP, international baccalaureate, and Cambridge international courses in English language arts or mathematics that the state board of education designates as eligible to be used to meet this standard:

1. Earning high school credit with a grade of C+ or higher in each term in the eligible AP, international baccalaureate, and Cambridge international courses in English language arts or mathematics course; or
2. Earning at least the minimum score of three on advanced placement exams, four on standard-level and higher-level international baccalaureate exams, or scores of E(e) or higher on A and AS level Cambridge international exams for the corresponding courses.

SAT or ACT Scores

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting or exceeding the scores established by the state board of education for the mathematics portion and the reading, English, or writing portion of the SAT or ACT.

Performance-based Learning Experience

Complete a performance-based learning experience through which the student demonstrates knowledge and skills in a real-world context, providing evidence that the student meets or exceeds state learning standards in English language arts and mathematics as detailed in Policy and Procedures 2415.

Combination of Options

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting any combination of at least one English language arts option and at least one mathematics option described above.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by meeting standard in the armed services vocational aptitude battery by scoring at least the minimum established by the military for eligibility to serve in a branch of the armed services at the time the student takes the assessment. The state board of education will post eligibility scores on its website at least annually by September 1st.

Career and Technical Education Courses

A student may demonstrate career and college readiness by completing a sequence of career and technical education courses that are relevant to a student’s postsecondary pathway that meet the minimum criteria identified in WAC 180-51-230(h) and RCW 28A.700.030.

V. Student’s With an Individualized Education Program (IEP)

A student’s IEP team must determine whether the graduation pathway options described above are appropriate for the student.

The following process will be followed to help a student with an IEP graduate:

1. By the age of 14, the student will participate with the IEP Team (including a special education teacher, general education teacher, parents, student, and other school personnel and agency representatives who will assist the student in achieving the goals of the IEP) in a discussion of transition service needs that focuses on the student’s course of study.
2. As an outcome of the discussion, the IEP will include appropriate graduation requirements based on the student’s individual needs and abilities consistent with the student’s transition plan. Modifications to the district’s standard graduation requirements may include the following:
   1. Attainable alternate classwork or individualized activities substituted for standard requirements;
   2. An extension of time for the student to remain in school to complete graduation requirements. The student may remain in school up to and including the school year in which the student reaches twenty-two years of age.
3. The student will, in cooperation with his or her parent or guardian and the IEP team, determine the following:
   1. The projected date by which all graduation requirements will be met; and
   2. The projected date and conditions under which the student will participate in the graduation ceremony.
4. The student will have an IEP that incorporates all issues and decisions from the above procedures. Any decision that modifies the district’s standard graduation requirements will be made through the IEP process. Annually or as needed, the IEP will be reviewed or revised to accommodate the student’s progress and development.

VI. Seal of Biliteracy

To be awarded the Washington Seal of Biliteracy, graduating high school students must meet the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in English by (1) meeting statewide minimum graduation requirements in English as established by the Washington State Board of Education and (2) meeting state standards on the reading and writing or English language arts assessment; and
2. Demonstrate proficiency in one or more world languages. For purposes of this section, “world language” is defined as a language other than English, including American Sign Language, Latin, and Native American or other indigenous languages or dialects. The fact that a language is not written is not a barrier to receive the Seal of Biliteracy. Proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following methods:
   1. Passing a foreign language Advanced Placement exam with a score of three or higher;
   2. Demonstrating intermediate-mid level or higher proficiency on the American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) guidelines using assessments approved by OSPI for mastery/competency-based credits; and demonstrating proficiency using reading assessments approved by OSPI (when developed);
   3. Qualifying for four mastery/competency-based credits by demonstrating proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading the world language at intermediatemid level or higher on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines according to Policy 2409, Credit for Competency-Proficiency; or
   4. Demonstrating proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading the world language through other national or international assessments approved by OSPI. OSPI and the federally recognized Tribes in Washington have a language proficiency system in place to determine tribal language proficiency with students for the Seal of Biliteracy.”

VII. Graduation Ceremonies

If students fulfill graduation requirements by the end of the last term of their senior year, they may participate in graduation ceremonies. Each student will be awarded a diploma after satisfactorily completing local and state requirements. Upon request, each graduating student will receive a final transcript. Students will be notified of this opportunity at least one month prior to the close of the school term. Participation in graduation ceremonies may be revoked by the school principal as a form of discipline. The graduation ceremony will not last longer than 90 minutes, with 15 minutes allotted for student speeches.

Any student receiving services under an IEP who will continue to receive such services between the ages of 18 and 22 will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies and activities after four years of high school attendance with his or her age-appropriate peers.

The District will allow students who are members of a federally recognized tribe to wear traditional tribal regalia or objects of Native American cultural significance along with or attached to a gown at the graduation ceremony or related school event. Additionally, the District will not require such students to wear a cap if it is incompatible with the regalia or significant object they have chosen to wear. Otherwise, the district has discretion to determine the conduct for graduation ceremonies as described below.

Students transferring from a Richland School District high school to another Richland School District high school must take a minimum of four classes the final semester of their senior year at the new school to be eligible to receive the diploma of that school. Exceptions to this may be granted by the principal.

1. The comprehensive high schools will recognize the students ranked in the top 4% of the graduating class by grade point average (GPA) as Summa Cum Laude. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will be recognized as Magna Cum Laude. The class Valedictorian(s) is the student(s) with the highest GPA. The class Salutatorian(s) is the student(s) with the second highest GPA. The following criteria will be used in determining eligibility for consideration as the Valedictorian(s) and Salutatorian(s) of the graduation class:
   1. Students must have successfully completed five core college level courses from AP/IB, Running Start Core Classes, or College in the High School.
   2. Students must have been enrolled and attend four classes on campus at a Richland School District high school for at least one full semester of their high school career.
   3. All courses attempted on transcript will be used in the Valedictorian/Salutatorian grade calculation.
   4. All official grades received as of May 1st will be used in the calculation of the grade point average for Valedictorian/Salutatorian.
   5. All classes dropped or converted to Pass/Fail or Audit after the mid-point of the term (semester or quarter), will be calculated as an F for consideration as Valedictorian/Salutatorian.
2. The alternative learning high schools will identify the student in the graduating class with the highest GPA and at least one semester of full-time enrollment to be class Valedictorian.
3. Foreign exchange students will walk through the graduation line and may be recognized during the ceremony. They will receive a diploma if they have met Richland School District graduation requirements.

VIII. Awarding Diplomas Posthumously

See RSD Policy 2405 Memorials and Commemorations for acknowledgement of deceased students at graduation.

IX. Withholding of a Diploma

The district may withhold a student's diploma based on the student’s damage to property in accordance with Board Policy 3520 – Student Fees, Fines, or Charges.

Any student discipline will be in accordance with Board Policy 3200 - Student Conduct Expectations and Reasonable Sanctions. Student discipline may include denying the student’s participation in graduation ceremonies. Such exclusion from graduation ceremonies is regarded as a school suspension. In such instances, the district will grant the diploma.