Elective credit(s) toward high school graduation is available and may be granted through paid work experience, providing students the opportunity to learn and master the state financial educational learning standards.
Credit(s) are earned based on the following conditions:
1. The student is legally eligible for paid employment and is at least 16 years of age;
2. 1.0 credit is earned for no less than 360 hours of paid work; 0.5 credit is earned for no less than 180 hours of paid work. A maximum of two credits may be earned.
3. The student’s High School and Beyond Plan is updated to reflect the paid work experience and earned credit(s).
4. The paid work experience is approved in advance, in writing by the principal or principal designee. Approval is contingent upon submission of the following:
a) Identifying the work-based sponsor (employer) who will serve as the point of contact for the District and will supervise the student during employment.
b) A student written narrative that describes how the paid work experience will develop knowledge and skills for basic education; an understanding of work and finance; and how performance, effort, and decision-making affect future career and educational opportunities as provided in RCW. 28A.150.210(4).
c) A plan that includes how the student will demonstrate or be assessed on:
i. Grade-level proficiency of the state financial education learning standards for employment, income, or financial decisions adopted in RCW 28A.300.469;
ii. Increased proficiency in the state financial education learning standards from pre-employment to post-employment experience.
iii. Paid work hour verification is to be completed by the District no less than once per semester.
5. Students may earn credit(s) under this section for work experiences scheduled as part of their school day, outside of their regular school day, outside of the regular school calendar, or through WAC 180-51-050 and WAC 180-51-051
6. The learning experience must be reported using the specific state course code and course designation code per OSPI guidance.
This policy does not impact the legal requirements of employment of minors in accordance with chapters 296-125 and 296-131 WAC, particularly on issues of occupational health and safety, discrimination, harassment, worker/employer rights and responsibilities, and work rules for minors, including hours limitations for 16 – 17 year old workers.
This policy does not modify the District’s policies to increase student access to credit for worksite learning which includes cooperative worksite learning for nonelective credit as referenced in WAC 392-410-315; or through mastery-based education as referenced in WAC 180-51-051.
Paid work experience scheduled as part of the student’s school day may be claimed for apportionment in alignment with Chapter 392-121 WAC.
