Revised 6/2007

Using the Graduation Requirements Agreement

All High School students and their parents should be counseled at the first meeting using the Graduation Requirements Agreement. This form is in FRED by going to "view" active students and clicking on the student number. It is intended to direct the High School student’s progress through an IEM Charter School leading to graduation. Every ES must complete this form for each high school student and obtain the student’s and parent’s signatures. Information should then be inputted in FRED by going to "All Students", clicking on the student number, adding the information regarding the expected grad date, ceremony participant (if appl.), and after grad plans. After inputting the information, mark it complete on the ES Checklist in FRED. This form should then be kept in your student's file for future reference.This agreement may be changed at any time by completing a new form and obtaining new signatures.

Decisions about how to complete high school graduation requirements will be determined by the student’s future plans. The ES should have an unofficial transcript from the previous high school at the very first meeting if the student is transferring from another institution. If the student plans to attend a 2 year or 4 year college or university, the student should complete regular courses and earn Carnegie units. This is also true if there is any chance at all the student may transfer to a traditional high school or other charter school. Demonstrations do not earn units. Consequently, colleges and other high schools do not accept demonstrations to fulfill graduation requirements. The parent, student and ES must initial one method for each growth area. A student can "mix and match" choices, that is, they can choose Carnegie units in the area of Reading/Writing for instance, and a demonstration in Life Skills. But, choices cannot be “mix and matched” within one growth area.

As is stated on the form, parents are responsible to know the course requirements for any other school the student may transfer into before graduation. The family must be counseled that if there is ANY possibility that the student will go to a traditional high school or college, the wisest course would be to elect Carnegie Units. It also should be noted that any high school is allowed to accept or refuse any grades and credits from any other high school at any time in California, so even if Carnegie units are chosen, it is not guaranteed that a student’s transfer credits will be accepted. We do not want to scare the parents, but there is a remote chance that a high school may choose to not accept our credits. It is their choice just as we have the choice of accepting or not accepting any other high school's credits. All parents must be informed.

Parents must save all of their high school student's work. The ES should also keep copies in their records of exams, quizzes, and papers. These will help verify work in transfer situations and in situations where it is requested for college entrance.