IV.E.8 West Warwick High School Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements

WWHS Mission Statement

The mission of West Warwick High School is to create a caring learning community with rigorous academic and professional standards. These standards will provide students and staff with a safe and healthful, positive and personalized environment. The educational community will encourage mutual, lifelong learning so that all students and staff may achieve their full potential as productive, ethical and responsible members of the community.

 WWHS Graduation Expectations for Student Learning

 Upon graduation it is expected that all students will:

ACADEMIC

1.   Communicate effectively through speaking and writing.

2.   Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, decision making and problem solving.

3.   Read with purpose.                                                                                                       

4.   Reach logical and reasoned conclusions.

5.   Use a variety of technological and informational resources.

6.   Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the fine arts.

SOCIAL

7.   Initiate the process of developing a career plan.

8.   Demonstrate appropriate skills needed to succeed in society.

9.   Comply with rules and regulations and assume responsibility for behavior.

10.  Demonstrate the habits necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

CIVIC

11.  Respect the worth and dignity of all individuals.

12.  Recognize and value the diverse ethnicity of the school and community.

13.  Participate in school and community activities.

 Possible Pathways to Graduation

 The West Warwick Public Schools provides our students with two options for meeting their graduation requirements. The chart below illustrates the two possible graduation pathways.

Carnegie Credit Requirements

 Beginning with the class of 2008, students will need to successfully complete the following Carnegie credits in the designated content areas: (1 credit = a full year of study)

Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, US history/civics, the fine arts and technology according to the Grade Span Expectations as outlined by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Students will be able to meet the English Language Arts, mathematics, science, US history/civics, and technology proficiencies within the present Carnegie Unit requirements. Students will need to take additional musical, visual or drama art courses to meet the art proficiencies solely through courses at WWHS. Additional information regarding the art proficiencies can be found in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide. Students can use outside activities to illustrate their art proficiencies as outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide.

Graduation Portfolio Presentation or Capstone Project Presentation

All students, dependent upon their graduation pathway, will either present their Graduation Portfolio or their Capstone Project to a review panel. The Review Panel will adhere to the technical guidance outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide.

Comprehensive Course Assessments

All students at WWHS will participate in the performance assessment portion of the Comprehensive Course Assessment. Guidance counselors and the Principal (or his/her designee) will use the Comprehensive Course Assessments to help determine a student's proficiency level as outlined in the Grade Span Expectations. Comprehensive Course Assessments will not be the sole or the primary assessment to establish a student's proficiency level in accordance with the Grade Span Expectations. Guidance counselors and the Principal will adhere to the technical guidance outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide regarding the use of Comprehensive Course Assessments.

Transition Process for Students Entering or Exiting the System

The issue of transfer students in and out of the West Warwick Public Schools will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the guidance counselor and the Principal (or his/her designee). The issue of assessing a student's proficiency level when they transfer into or exit West Warwick High School will be based on any and all data available. The guidance counselor and the Principal will use the process outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide to determine a student's proficiency level and proper pathway towards graduation. The student, their legal guardian, the guidance counselor and the Principal (or his/her designee) will determine a pathway towards graduation or an exit transition plan for the student regarding an appropriate plan of action in the best interest of the student.

Progress Monitoring of Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements

The Individual Learning Plan (ILP), Quarterly Report Cards and Rhode Island Electronic Portfolio System reports will be communicated to the student and their legal guardian as outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide. All students will receive progress monitoring benchmarks on a yearly basis giving feedback regarding their progression towards meeting their WWHS Diploma System requirements. Intervention plans will be created as outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide for students not meeting their PBGR benchmarks. This plan will be communicated annually to the student's legal guardian via written communication as outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide.

Faculty Appeals Process

Faculty members at WWHS must participate in a variety of activities to ensure a comprehensive Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements system. Faculty members can appeal any decisions concerning task development and comprehensive course assessments (regarding issues of fairness and bias, alignment and validation) as outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide.

Student Appeals Process

Students through their legal guardian can appeal any decisions concerning a student's graduation status. All appeals will be initiated through the student's guidance counselor and will follow an escalation path outlined in the WWHS Graduation Technical Assistance Guide.

Policy Adopted:                        August 7, 2007