2415 - Performance-Based Pathway for High School Graduation

The board is committed to providing graduation pathways that are student-focused, adaptable, rigorous, and meaningful ways for students to demonstrate appropriate readiness in support of their individualized career and college goals. As part of that commitment, the Richland School District offers multiple pathway options, including a performance-based pathway for high school graduation. 

The performance-based pathway includes the following components: 

1. Proposal created by the student, or a learning contract for a performance-based pathway opportunity developed by a school or the district, 
2. Student Learning experience, 
3. Product created by the student based on the learning experience that must demonstrate that the student has met learning standards in English Language Arts or math, and 
4. Evaluation of the student product, performed locally, involving at least one teacher endorsed in the relevant subject area(s) using state-developed proficiency targets and associated rubrics. 

The superintendent or designee will develop a process in accordance with the accompanying procedures for: 

1. Approving student proposals and performance-based pathway opportunities developed by a school or the district; 
2. Assessing student products; and 
3. Addressing the safety of the student learning experience. 

At least annually, the district will examine data on student groups participating in and completing each graduation pathway option offered by the school district according to RCW 28A.655.260. 

Approving Student Proposals/Learning Contract 

A student proposal for a performance-based pathway is created by the student with an advisor's help. The district or schools may also develop and facilitate performance-based pathway opportunities, for example a school may work with a local employer to provide student internships that serve as a performance-based learning experience. A student may opt to sign a learning contract to meet the graduation pathway requirement through an opportunity created by a school or the district. Both student proposals and student learning contracts must include: 

Approval of Student Proposals and Learning Contracts

Student proposals will be approved by an educator or panel of educators, including teachers, counselor, or administrators, identified by a high school principal or the superintendent. Performance-based learning contract opportunities (developed by the school or district) will be approved by the School Board or its designee. The student proposal or the learning contract opportunity will be approved if it is found that: 

1. The student learning experience and resulting product will provide the student adequate opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills that address the learning standards identified in the proposal. 
2. The student learning experience complies with district policies that address student safety and district risk management, including parent/guardian approval if appropriate. 

Assessing Student Products 

Whether a student meets the graduation pathway requirement through a performance-based pathway option is a local decision made by the evaluator(s) based on the student’s demonstration of meeting ELA and/or math standards identified in the student proposal or the learning contract. 

The evaluation may be performed by a single evaluator or a panel of evaluators and may be a collaboration between schools or between multiple districts. External partners may participate as evaluators, provided that the evaluation involves at least one certificated teacher endorsed in the relevant subject area or areas (or teacher with other applicable qualifications, as permitted by the Professional Educator Standards Board). 

The evaluation must use state evaluation tools, including rubrics and proficiency targets.