IKF Graduation Requirements

[GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
]

As a minimum for graduation from Morse High School, the prospective graduate must have completed successfully a total of 23 credits at the secondary level (grades 9 through 12).

Required credits include the following:

• English -- 4 credits,

• Social Studies and History -- 3 credits, covering US History, government/civics, and personal finance,

• Mathematics-- 3 credits,

• Science -- 3 credits, including at least one year of laboratory study,

• Fine Arts -- 1 credit, which may include art, music, or drama,

• Health -- ½ credit,

• Physical Education -- 1 credit, and

• Elective Courses -- 7 ½ credits

Elective credits may be selected by the student based upon the student's interests, abilities, and the requirements of the field that the student plans to enter upon graduation.

The required credits for students participating in the CTE program are slightly adjusted below to allow for access to appropriate programming and accrual of credits.

All students who complete two years of CTE programming will have the below core requirements rather than those listed above.

• English -- 4 credits,

• Up to two of the above four English credits may be earned by successfully completing CTE English if students are unable to fit a required MHS English class into a schedule.

• Social Studies and History -- 3 credits, covering US History, government/civics, and personal finance,

• Mathematics-- 3 credits,

• One of the above three math credits may be earned by successfully completing two consecutive years in Carpentry, Automotive, or Engineering which is equivalent to one Vocational Integrated Math class,

• Science -- 3 credits, including at least one year of laboratory study,

• Once a student has completed a lab science requirement, the third science credit may be earned by successfully completing two consecutive years in Automotive, Culinary, Engineering, Health Science, Electricity, or Welding which is equivalent to one Vocational Integrated Science class,

• Fine Arts -- 1 credit, which may include art, music, or drama,

• This credit may be earned by successfully completing two consecutive years of Graphic Design or Engineering

• Health -- ½ credit

• Physical Education -- 1 credit, and

• Elective Courses -- 7 ½ credits

• If a student has earned all required math, science, and fine arts credits, each successfully completed year of any CTE course will earn the student 4 elective credits.

When earning CTE science, math, fine art, or English credits, a student will also earn up to three elective credits, thus accumulating a total of four credits per half-day in CTE coursework. Students who elect to earn a Vocational Integrated Math or Science credit for two consecutive years in a single CTE program must choose either a math or science credit. They cannot earn both types of credit from two years in one program.

While most students will satisfy graduation requirements over the course of a four-year academic program, students may also satisfy Morse High School's graduation requirements during a period of time that is either accelerated or lengthened, based on the student's distinct learning needs.

A student who is deficient in the above-listed requirements may meet those requirements through a post-graduate course, an approved Adult Education course(s), an approved summer school program, an approved correspondence course, approved tutoring, and/or enrichment opportunities approved by the principal in advance of registration. If a student is seeking Morse High School credit, prior approval is required.

Students seeking outside credits must complete the following steps:

• The student must be accepted into the outside program.

• The student must meet with his/her School Counselor, who will consult with the Department Head, to write a proposal to be approved by the building principal.

• After completing coursework, the student must submit proof of completion to his/her School Counselor. The student may participate in the next regular graduation ceremony following the successful completion of the requirements. Students who have accepted an early admission at the collegiate level may graduate with their class if they so inform the high school principal at the time of their acceptance into the early admissions program. Morse High School offers all students multiple learning options that allow students to demonstrate proficiency on expected learning standards, earn academic credit, and satisfy graduation requirements. Morse High School also encourages its students to explore a broad range of learning experiences, including outside-of-school options.

Learning options may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Academic courses offered by the school

• Dual enrollment or early college courses

• Career and technical education programming

• Online or blended learning options

• Alternative or at-risk programming

• Independent studies including apprenticeships, internships, fieldwork, long-term projects, or exchange experiences

• Adult education

In order for a student to participate in graduation, the student must have successfully completed all of the above-listed requirements.

Students are eligible for the following endorsements on their diploma should the student meet the required district, state, or national requirements for:

• RSU1's STEAM Academy Seal

• MDOE's Biliteracy Seal

• College Board's Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Seal

Adopted: June 17, 2019