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2413P - Course Equivalency Procedure

Equivalency is the determination of high school courses which satisfy more than one subject area requirement. The determination is a local District decision based on relevant law, Board Policy, Regulations, and the District’s standards. 

The following subject areas are eligible for equivalency credit consideration:

  • Arts (visual and performing)
  • English (reading, writing and communications)
  • Health and Fitness
  • Mathematics
  • Occupational Education (now known as Career and Technical Education) CTE encompasses a variety of subject areas in the pathways of Agriculture and Science, Business and Marketing, Health and Human Services, Technology Education, and Trade and Industry.
  • Science (physical, life, earth)
  • Social Studies
  • World Languages (includes American Sign Language)

Step 1: Building Request for Equivalency Evaluation (Spring or Fall)

  1. There will be two submission opportunities. The spring deadline is May 15. The fall deadline is November 30. Teachers are encouraged to submit in the spring to allow ample opportunity to address any gaps and resubmit in the fall.
  2. Teacher(s) will submit a course outline and evidence of state standard alignment using form 2413F2 to their department head, and then to the building principal for their signatures and comments. Principals will share the equivalency requests through their building curriculum process.
  3. The principal will submit the request using form 2413F1, 2413F2, and the course outline/syllabus to the Executive Director of High Schools by the specified deadline.

Step 2: District Screening of Request:

A. For all equivalency requests, the content specialist will collaborate with the requesting teacher to:

  • Use Form 2413F2 to review the EALRs/GLEs and/or appropriate recognized national standards.
  • Review how learning is assessed in the course.
  • Revise or strengthen the course proposal if needed.
  • The content specialist may convene the department heads or other highly qualified educators as needed.

B. Equivalency Committee Meetings

  • Fall
    • October 1 – Notice to building Principals describing November Equivalency Committee meeting.
    • November 15—Due date for Fall requests
    • November 30 (or as close to that date as possible) – Equivalency Committee meeting
  • Spring
    • April 1—Notice to building Principals describing May Equivalency Committee meeting.
    • May 15—Due date for Spring requests, and Fall resubmissions.
    • May 30 (or as close to that date as possible) – Equivalency Committee meeting.
  • Equivalency Committee Decision-making Procedures
    • Five (5) voting members are required for a quorum.
    • An 80% approval required for granting equivalency
    • Proxy votes must be received prior to the Equivalency Credit Committee meeting.

C. The committee will determine whether the course meets equivalency standards for spring requests by June 30, or for fall requests, prior to the first winter break. With each request, the committee will determine that either the request:

  • Meets Standard for Equivalency—course will be listed as an equivalency in the course guide for the following school year
    or
  • Does Not Meet Standard for Equivalency—feedback is given regarding gaps and areas that need to be addressed if an equivalency is to be requested again.

If a proposed course did not meet standard for equivalency, the teacher(s) will have an opportunity to address the gaps and request another evaluation. 

Step 3: Updating District-Approved Equivalency List

  • The approved list will be published by prior to the publication of each school’s course catalog and will apply to the following school year.
  • Changes in equivalency course crediting designations will apply only to the following year’s freshman students. Students who will be sophomores, juniors and seniors will be allowed to use the previously published equivalencies.

A District committee will evaluate equivalency requests. This committee will meet periodically throughout the year as needed and will include the following members:

  • Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Services
  • Executive Director of High Schools
  • Director of Career and Counseling
  • Content Specialist
  • High School Counselor representatives
  • Principal or Assistant Principal
  • Teacher representative(s) as needed

Adopted:

2/4/2011

Related Regulation: