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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 14-06 WA Graduation Policy Amendment HB5 WESTLAKE ACADEMY RESOLUUTION 14-06 A RESOLUTION OF THE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVING AND ADOPTING ANAMENDMENT TO THE GRADUATION POLICY. WHEREAS, the state legislature passed HB5 in the 83`d legislative session mandating the adoption of a new graduation plan which requires an amendment to the policy governing students graduating from Westlake Academy; and, WHEREAS, Westlake Academy has researched, discussed and created a rigorous graduation plan that meets not only the state mandate, but also the Westlake Academy's mission, vision and values, to prepare college bound students to meet the demands of a ever-changing global society; and, WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees finds that the passage of this Resolution is in the best interest of the citizens of Westlake as well as the students, their parents, and faculty of Westlake Academy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WESTLAKE ACADEMY: SECTION l: That, all matters stated in the recitals hereinabove are found to be true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference as if copied in their entirety. SECTION 2: That, the Board of Trustees Westlake Academy, hereby approves the new graduation policy for Westlake Academy to begin with the 2014-2015 freshman class attached to this resolution as Exhibit "A': SECTION 3: If any portion of this resolution shall, for any reason, be declared invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof and the Council hereby determines that it would have adopted this Resolution without the invalid provision. Resolution 14-06 Page 1 of 6 SECTION 4: That this resolution shall become effective from and after its date of passage. PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS Ath DAB' OF April 2014. Laura Wheat, President ATTEST: Aq Kel Edw ;, Board Secretary Thomas E Brymer, uperintendent APPROVED AS TO FORM: Janet Bubert or L. Stanton Lowry, School Attorney Resolution 14-06 Page 2 of 6 Exhibit A TOWN OF WESTLAKE WESTLAKE ACADEMY BOARD OF TRUSTEES POLICY Policy No. 6.04A: Date Board Adopted: May 12, 2014 Date Board Amended: N/A Effective Date: May 12, 2014; contingent upon approval by TEA Policy Category: Student Achievement Policy Name: Graduation Policy Policy Goal: Establishing graduation requirements and defining the commencement participation requirements, and Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor Graduate criteria. Policy Description: Graduation requirements - As reflective of the Academy's rigorous and enriching IB curriculum and a desire to foster college readiness, students who graduate from Westlake Academy will complete a program of study which includes high academic standards and additional credit hours making them eligible for the Distinguished Level of Achievement award. This policy applies to students entering ninth grade during the 2014-2015 school year, or later, and may apply to students currently in grades nine through twelve, upon request. Only students who have completed all graduation requirements identified in this policy will receive a Westlake Academy diploma. Those requirements are as follows: • Completion of a minimum of 26 credit hours as required completing the curriculum requirements to graduate under the Foundation High School Program with a multi-disciplinary endorsement and a distinguished level of achievement. • Satisfactory performance on required state end of course assessments. • Completion of requirements to sit for and receive an IB Diploma. To receive a Westlake Academy high school diploma students shall complete all course work as identified by the State Board of Education, which includes a minimum of 26 Resolution 14-06 Page 3 of 6 hours of course work, reflecting the state's higher level of academic achievement. The course requirements are: Course Description (End of Course Exam) Credits English I (EOC) 1.0 English 11 (EOC) 1.0 Algebra I (EOC) 1.0 Geometry 1.0 Algebra 11 1.0 E Biology (EOC) 1.0 Chemistry or Physics 1.0 Human Geography 1.0 0 U.S. Government 0.5 Cn Economics 0.5 World History 1.0 Physical Education 1.0 0 Fine Arts 1.0 Language B 2.0 0 Electives 6.0 U- IB English 1 1.0 IB English 11 1.0 IB History of the Americas (U.S. History EOC) 1.0 Advanced Math (Pre-Calculus) 1.0 Advanced Science (113 Science) 1.0 IB Science 1.0 (D IB History of the Americas 1.0 E IB Math 1.0 0 -a Theory of Knowledge 1.5 B IB Group 6 2.0 Extended Essay 0.5 Personal Project 1.0 Speech 0.5 To receive the Multi-disciplinary Endorsement, students must meet one of the following criteria: four credits in the core subject areas, or pass four AP or IB courses. Resolution 14-06 Page 4 of 6 ** To receive the Distinguished Level of Achievement designations, students must have four math credits, and four science credits, including Algebra 11. *** Students enrolling in Westlake Academy after 10th grade are exempt from this requirement. Eligibility for Commencement — Westlake Academy seniors who have satisfied all Westlake Academy requirements for graduation are eligible to participate in the graduation ceremonies; however, disciplinary infractions may jeopardize a student's opportunity to participate in the commencement ceremony consistent with the student code of conduct and any determination made by the Executive Principal. For students who have not successfully completed all coursework, an exception may be made in the event that a senior lacks one (1) credit towards the graduation requirements. The student must have a plan approved by the Executive Principal to complete the credit prior to the beginning of the next school year. No other exceptions to participation in the graduation ceremony will be granted unless required by law. Academic Recognition - Westlake Academy will encourage and recognize academic achievement through the establishment of a class Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor Graduates. Valedictorian and Salutatorian — Graduating seniors with the top two Cumulative Grade Point Averages (CGPA) will be recognized. In the event of a tie for Valedictorian, the students will share the honor and no Salutatorian will be designated. Additionally, valedictorian and salutatorian eligibility requires attendance at Westlake Academy for six consecutive semesters preceding graduation. Further, the Superintendent or his/her designee may deem a student ineligible who is in violation of Westlake Academy's student code of conduct, other school requirements, Town code, or State codes. Honor Graduates - A graduating senior whose weighted CGPA, is 90% or above will be determined to be an Honor Graduate and will be duly recognized at commencement (please see Board Policy on Grading and Assessment for the calculation of the CGPA). The Executive Principal and his/her designee are granted the authority to include students whose CGPA is 90% or above at the end of the final semester. Rank in Class - Rank in class is determined by CGPA and will used for the purposes of: • Reporting to Texas colleges and universities for automatic admission. • Reporting to all colleges if students are in the top quartile. • Reporting to all colleges and universities or other institutions for scholarship applications. • Determining Valedictorian and Salutatorian. A student's class rank will be made available to the student or the student's parent, upon request. Resolution 14-06 Page 5 of 6 Operational guidelines consistent with the above policy directives will be detailed and published in the Program of Studies and/or the College Application Handbook on an annual basis. In the event a student does not complete all Westlake Academy graduation requirements by the end of the student's twelfth (12th} grade year due to unexpected circumstances, the student may seek Board approval for and the Board may approve an alternate graduation plan consistent with the State's foundation high school program requirements, if it is determined to be in the best interest of the student. This policy is applicable beginning with students in the class of 2018 **Revisions enacted due to provisions pass by House Bill 5 approved during the 83rd Legislative Session Resolution 14-06 Page 6 of 6