< Back to IV. High School Student Progression Procedures

1. Assign final averages as follows:

Note: There is no rounding for a grade of D, students must earn a minimum 1.0.

2. Assign points to each grading period (GP) grade, the EOC and the final exam as follows:

3. Final grade will be determined based on the following formulas:

General:

1) When there is not a state End Of Course Exam (EOC) the district EOC/CGA, when available, will count as 20% of the year long, stand-alone half credit, orsecond semester final grade (of a two semester course)

2) Each teacher arrives at a grading period grade based upon examinations as well as written papers, class participation and other academic performance criteria and must include the student’s performance or nonperformance at his or her grade level.

3) For courses without a district - EOC or state - EOC, the final grade will be calculated based on the 4 quarter grades. The exceptions would be a Dual Enrollment or an Access course for which the final grade will need to be entered by the teacher.

4) For courses with a State End of Course Exam (EOC) grades will be calculated based on state designated formulas.

5) For the purpose of grading period grade, students transferring from school to schoolshall have the withdrawal gradesfrom the previous school averaged with grades by the receiving school.

6) Students who have transferred into Duval County Public Schools and have a missing quarter grade may have the grades of their first grading period within this district counted twice for the purposes of determining the final grade averages and the ranking of seniors. A student enrolled in Duval County Public Schools, but who has not been enrolled in the sending or receiving school the minimum fifteen (15) days in a traditional or A/B or eight (8) days on a semesterized (four-by-four) class during a grading period, may be assigned an independent study to complete the course work or the principal may utilize appropriate achievement data from the subject level tests to determine course credit.

7) Standard mathematical procedures for rounding offshall be used in computing final grade averages. When computing grade point averages for the final course averages, divide to the hundredth’s place (two digits to the right of the decimal point). If the hundredth’s digit is 5 or greater, “round up” to the 10th’s place (1st place behind the decimal). If the hundredth’s digit is less than 5, then leave the 10th’s digit as is.

8) Note: There is no rounding for a grade of D,students must earn a minimum 1.0. The school districtshall maintain a one-half credit earned system, (except in the case of a course with a state-EOC). A one-half credit shall be awarded if the student successfully completes either the first or the second half of a one credit course but fails to successfully complete the other half. If the student successfully completes either the first or the second half of a one credit course but fails to successfully complete the other half of the course and the averaging of the grades in each half would result in a passing grade, the student shall be awarded the whole credit.

Grade point averages (GPA) affecting high schoolstudents include the Graduation or State GPA and the Ranking or District GPA.

1. GRADUATION GPA

a) Requirements

A specified grade point average is a requirement for graduation.

• Students who entered 9th grade during the 1997-1998 school year and thereafter must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA in courses required for graduation.

b) Procedures

Beginning in the 2002-2003 school year, regardless of the year the student entered ninth grade, calculation of the graduation (orstate) GPA:

i. is always cumulative and includes credits earned and attempted at the time of the calculation.
ii. is updated automatically with any change.
iii. uses final grade averages for completed courses taken that count toward high school graduation.
iv. replaces a grade of “D” or “F” earned in a high school course or a grade of “C” earned in a high school course taken while in middle school when a course is repeated as long as the higher grade is a “C” or better (1003.43 F.S.).
v. is computed to the fourth decimal place (ten thousandths). vi. is based on an unweighted scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0).

c) Forgiveness Policy

For the purpose of high school graduation only, when the 24, or 18, credits required by state law for high school graduation have been earned, but the GPA requirement has not been met, the forgiveness policy takes effect and recalculation occurs based on the following criteria:

i. Beginning in 2007-2008 school year a grade of “C,” “D,” or “F” in a high school course taken in middle school can be replaced with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in the same or equivalent course (including Level 1 coursesin Reading and Math forstudents following Standard Diploma Option 2 or any special diploma option) (1003.43 F.S.).

ii. The forgiveness policy for elective courses is limited to replacing a grade of “D” or “F” for a course taken in high school or beginning in 2007-2008 school year a grade of “C”, “D”, or “F” in a high school course taken in middle school with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in another course (1003.43 F.S.).

iii. Any course grade not replaced (a. and/or b. above)shall be included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average required for graduation (1003.43 F.S.).

iv. Out-of-state and/or private school gradesshall be included in the student’s cumulative GPA.

NOTE:. All courses and grades must be included on the student’s transcript. The authority for the school district to adopt forgiveness is for the express purpose of assisting students in meeting the minimum GPA requirement to graduate.

2. RANKING GPA
Ranking GPA is used to determine a student’s position in the class based on grades. Percentile rank is used to determine the position of a student’s GPA in the distribution of all students in a class based on grades. For example, a student who has a class rank of 57 out of 280 students would in the 20th percentile of the class. Students entering 9th grade during the 2018-2019 school year and before will be ranked by position in the class based on grades; these students will also be ranked based on percentile. Students who enter 9th grade in the 2018- 2019 school year shall be ranked by percentile only during their senior year. Students entering 9th grade in the 2019-2020 school year and thereafter will be ranked based on percentile. The recognition of valedictorian and salutatorian will continue for students entering 9th grade in 2018-2019 and thereafter during their senior year. Grades transferred into the district shall be weighted according to Duval County Public Schools policy for GPA calculation.

a) Timeline

i. following a Standard Diploma Option students shall be ranked eight times (1) at the completion of the 9th grade; (2) at the end of September in the 10th grade; (3) at the completion of the 10th grade; (4) at the end of September in the 11th grade; (5) at the completion of the 11th grade; (6) 132 at the end of September in the 12th grade; and (7) mid-February in the 12th grade; and (8) at the completion of the 12th grade. Mid-year graduates are not included in the final ranking at the completion of the 12th grade. Students entering 9th grade in the 2018-2019 school year and before shall be ranked based on position in the class and percentile. Students entering 9th grade during the 2019-2020 school year and thereafter shall be ranked based on percentile.

ii. Valedictorian and Salutatorian status is determined when students are ranked at the end of their graduation year.

b) Procedures

i. Calculation of the ranking (or district) GPA is based on the following criteria:

The grades used in computing the ranking GPA at the close of the 9th, 10th, and 11th grade shall be the final grade average in all courses taken that count toward high school graduation.

ii. The grades used in computing the ranking GPA at the end of the graduation year shall be as follows:

a) The GPA shall be computed using the final grade average in all coursestaken for high school graduation that are used to calculate the State Graduation GPA. Final grades for FLVS and Dual Enrollment courses taken off campus must be applied to a student’s academic record prior to ranking for inclusion in the ranking process.

b) The GPA shall be computed to the fourth decimal place (ten thousandths).

c) All grades in courses identified in the DCPS Course Title File as Level 3 (advanced courses, shall be weighted on the following scale: A-5, B-4, C-3, D-2, F-0. Grades in all other courses shall be weighted on the following scale A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, F-0 (1003.437 F.S.).

d) At the time of final senior rankings, the two students with the highest rank based on weighted GPA, who have been enrolled at the school since the beginning of their junior year, will be designated as Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The student with the highest weighted GPA will be ranked as number one (#1) and will be recognized as such, but the Valedictorian/Salutatorian designation will be tied to the students who have been enrolled at the school for at least two years. A school may elect to recognize both a 3-year, 24-Credit Valedictorian and Salutatorian as well as the traditional 4-year Valedictorian or Salutatorian. In the event students with the highest rank based on weighted GPA, who have been enrolled at the school since the beginning of their junior year, have the exact same GPA, these students will be recognized as Co-Valedictorian (same highest GPA) and/or Co-Salutatorian (same next highest GPA).

The grades used in computing the ranking GPA at the close of the 9th, 10th, and 11th grade shall be the final grade average in all courses taken that count toward high school graduation.

iii. The grades used in computing the ranking GPA at the end of the graduation year shall be as follows:

a) The GPA shall be computed using the final grade average in all courses taken for high school graduation that are used to calculate the State Graduation GPA. Final grades for FLVS and Dual Enrollment courses taken off campus must be applied to a student’s academic record prior to ranking for inclusion in the ranking process.

b) The GPA shall be computed to the fourth decimal place (ten thousandths).

c) All grades in courses identified in the DCPS Course Title File as Level 3 (advanced courses, shall be weighted on the following scale: A-5, B-4, C-3, D-2, F-0. Grades in all other courses shall be weighted on the following scale A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1, F-0 (1003.437 F.S.).

d) At the time of final senior rankings, the two students with the highest rank based on weighted GPA, who have been enrolled at the school since the beginning of their junior year, will be designated as Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The student with the highest weighted GPA will be ranked as number one (#1) and will be recognized as such, but the Valedictorian/Salutatorian designation will be tied to the students who have been enrolled at the school for at least two years. A school may elect to recognize both a 3-year, 24-Credit Valedictorian and Salutatorian as well as the traditional 4-year Valedictorian or Salutatorian. In the event students with the highest rank based on weighted GPA, who have been enrolled at the school since the beginning of their junior year, have the exact same GPA, these students will be recognized as Co-Valedictorian (same highest GPA) and/or Co-Salutatorian (same next highest GPA).

The primary purpose of the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program is to provide students with an intercultural and international educational experience. Visiting students are able to improve their knowledge of the foreign culture and language skills by active participation in family, school, and community life.

A Duval County student involved in the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program may be excused from school attendance for all or part of a year and receive credit toward graduation forspecific courses approved prior to attendance in the program and for courses completed satisfactorily in a foreign country.

Organizations and institutions sponsoring students must be approved by the U.S. Department of State to be eligible to participate in the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program. The International Communication Agency’s “Criteria for Teenager Exchange Visitor Programs” shall be used as the official guidelines for the program with the exception of Section 6.1 that pertains to the number of students that can be enrolled in any one Duval County Public School.

1) PRINCIPAL’S RECOMMENDATION FOR CANDIDACY

To become a candidate for the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program, the student must meet the following requirements:

a) receive a recommendation from the school principal to apply for candidacy in the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program;

b) be screened for the following qualifications:

i. academic ability,
ii. adaptability to strange surroundings,
iii. ability to get along with various types of people,
iv. a genuine interest in bettering relations among people, and
v. maturity;

c) be accepted by a Foreign Exchange Visitor Program;

d) have at least a “B” average or better in academic subjects; and

e) be at least 15 but not more than 19 years of age on the date of application.

2) COURSE TRANSFER AND GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Any course taken in a foreign country under the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program and submitted for credit toward high school graduation shall be accepted under the following conditions:

a) The course is convertible to a course currently offered in Duval County Public Schools in accordance with conversion tables available through the districtschool counseling office.

b) Courses to be submitted for credit toward graduation must be approved in advance of enrolling in the foreign school. Any necessary change must be authorized in advance by the home school principal or his/her designee.

c) The student and parent or guardian must sign a written agreement indicating the course(s) to be taken while enrolled in the program.

d) When applicable, the student must pass an End-of-Course exam for a course required for credit.

To be eligible for promotion to the next grade level or graduation and, if appropriate, to obtain a high school diploma, a student must satisfactorily meet the grade level promotion requirements or the graduation requirements of the Duval County School Board and the State Department of Education.

3) APPLICATIONPROCEDURE

a) Students interested in the Foreign Exchange Program and who meet Duval County Public Schools eligibility requirements should submit a completed application to the sponsor of one of the Foreign Exchange Visitor Programs

b) Students accepted for entry in a Foreign Exchange Visitor Program shall need a recommendation (based on eligibility requirements) from their high school principal and a listing of required coursesto meet promotional/graduation requirementsin order to complete the application procedure.

4) NOTIFICATION OF DECISION

The student and his/her parent shall be notified by the counselor of the principal’s decision. One copy of the Terms of Agreement with the principal’s recommendation shall be given to the student and one copy shall be placed in the student’s cumulative folder.

5) VERIFICATION OF COURSES COMPLETED

It shall be the responsibility of the student and his/her parents to provide the school principal with an official transcript ofscholastic work completed immediately upon returning from a foreig

6) OTHER NECESSARY PROCEDURES, REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS

a) The high school principal or designee should meet and review the policy and guidelines with the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program sponsors prior to the student’s departure.

b) The application procedure and conference with the school counselor which should include specifically listing the courses required for promotion/graduation should be completed prior to the end of the school year preceding participation in the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program.

c) Only non-profit organizations and institutionsshould be recognized assponsors for the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program

d) All approved applications for participation in the Foreign Exchange Visitor Program should be coordinated with the high school principal or designee.

e) At the time of application, itshall be determined whether the student shall attempt to complete all graduation requirements and receive a diploma with his/her class. If so, the counselor should complete a senior records check for the student and parents to sign.

f) The school does not accept responsibility for other arrangements not directly related to the normal rights and privileges of students enrolled in Duval County Public Schools.

The School Board recognizes the importance of intercultural and international education as part of a school program.

Foreign exchange visitor programs improve America’s knowledge of a foreign culture by allowing country students and their communitiesto experience international understanding on a personal basis. Further, these programs improve the foreign student’s knowledge of American culture and language skillsthrough active participation in family,school, and community life.

Any student from a foreign country sponsored by a non-profit Foreign Exchange Visitor Program who fulfills all eligibility requirements (applicable federal, state, and district regulations) as approved by District School Counseling may attend a Duval County high school at the discretion of the Duval County School Board and further approval by the appropriate high school principal. Eligible students shall be assigned to Grade 11.

Organizations and institutionssponsoring students must be approved by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and have J visa status in order to be eligible to participate in the non-profit Foreign Exchange Visitor Program. Duval County School Board does not issue I-20 visas. The USIA “Regulations Governing Designated Foreign-Exchange Visitor Programs” are the Federal guidelines under which all foreign exchange student-sponsoring organizations must operate.

Duval County School Board reserves the right to discontinue relations with exchange organizations that have demonstrated a lack of responsibility to district policies and/or student concerns,

1) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

a) Sponsors: Applications may be made by non-profit, CSIET-approved organizations desiring to sponsor foreign studentsin Duval County schools. Any organization sponsoring a student mustsupply the name, address, and telephone number of a local representative who is a resident of Duval County or of a surrounding county not more than 120 miles from the designated student placement. The local representative must be available to be contacted at any time in case of emergency or other problem.

b) Local Representative: The foreign exchange company shall ensure that all local representatives

i. are adequately trained and supervised,
ii. make no student placement outside a 120 mile radius of his/her home to ensure that the representative can quickly respond to both routine and emergency matters arising from a student’s participation in their exchange program,
iii. maintain a regular schedule of personal contact with the student and host family, and
iv. ensure that the high school has contact information for himself/herself and the U. S. offices of the foreign exchange company

c) Students: Students must meet the following eligibility requirements prior to acceptance:

i. agree to be in attendance for one school year;
ii. agree, acknowledge, and sign Grade Placement document;
iii. be at least 15 but not more than 18 ½ years of age on the date of enrollment in the program or have not completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary education (exclusive of kindergarten);
iv. have sufficient knowledge of the English language to participate in high school classes;
v. have appropriate medical insurance coverage
vi. provide a hold harmless clause for the Duval County School Board and Public School system signed by the student and his/her parents;
vii. be accepted by a suitable host family; and
viii. obtain written authorization from the districtschool counseling office

NOTE: Students will be placed in Grade 11 unless otherwise determined by the district school counseling office prior to the approval of the school placement notification. Only students whose sending school verifies a legitimate educational necessity for a high school diploma and submits the request with the application shall be considered for senior status and graduation. Students who have graduated from high school in their home country are not eligible to enroll in a Duval County Public School.

d) Host Family: The host American family must:

i. be composed of responsible parental figure(s),
ii. be capable of providing a comfortable and nurturing home environment,
iii. possess a good reputation and character (attested to by securing two personal references for the family and passing the DCPS background screening if not required by the foreign exchange company), iv. possess adequate financial resourcesto undertake hosting obligations, and
v. have a student living at home attending a secondary school. Exceptions shall be made only when the sponsoring organization has investigated the situation and can satisfy the district that the student will have ample opportunity to meet and spend considerable time with age level peers outside of the school day. The sponsoring organization will provide an individualized, detailed plan which describes how the family will fulfill this commitment if there is no secondary age student living in the home. In such cases the principal and district designee shall make the final decision.

Additionally, the host family placement for each student participant shall be secured by the foreign exchange company prior to the student’s departure from the home country. Under no circumstances shall a foreign exchange company facilitate the entry into the United States of a student for whom a school placement has not been secured.

2) PROCEDURES FOR ADMISSION OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS

a) The non-profit sponsoring organization must apply for and obtain approval for admission of the student through the district school counseling office. Completed applications must be received by June 15. No application will be accepted after June 15th for the following school year unless June 15th falls on a weekend, in which case the deadline will be the Monday immediately after the June 15th . The application shall include the student’sschool transcript, pertinent information about the student, the host family’s application with references, evidence of acceptance by the host family, the student’s health record with all necessary immunizations, the acknowledgement of Grade 11 placement and non-eligibility for graduation unless a legitimate need for graduation is determined prior to the student’s acceptance, an assurance of appropriate medical insurance coverage, and a hold-harmless statement indicating that the Duval County Public Schools will in no way be held liable or responsible for this student in any manner. Approval for admission will be contingent upon

i. completion of application
ii. acceptance by district school counseling of foreign exchange students for a particular school year.

b) Notification: A copy of the Duval County School Board Foreign Exchange Program policy shall be sent to the national organizations and known local coordinators of non-profit organizations no later than March of each school year. Written approval or denial for admission shall be sent to the coordinator of the sponsoring organization by the district school counseling office by July 15. The exchange student must be accompanied by the sponsoring organization coordinator and a member of the host family when enrolling at the approved school. Formal entrance to school shall be at the beginning of the school year. An orientation designed to acquaint the student with the American school and with the rules governing the behavior of all students shall be provided by the school staff. The student shall follow school rules and shall participate fully in the educational programprovided.

c) Supervision: It is the sponsor’s responsibility to make all travel and accommodation arrangements, including securing the host family. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to resolve problems that arise between the student, the host family, and/or the school including, if necessary, the changing of host families or the early return home of the exchange student because of personal difficulties. The principal shall notify the local representative of the sponsoring organization and the district school counseling office if the host family is reported to be neglecting the needs of the exchange student.

d) Financial Support: All expenses, including school and school-related expenses are the responsibility of the sponsoring organization, the host family, and the student. Foreign Exchange students are not eligible for lunch subsidies. Any fund-raising for the support of foreign exchange students shall be in accordance with School Board policies.

e) Employment: Exchange students are not permitted to take regular part-time jobs during theirstay in the United States. However, non-competitive small jobs, not to exceed ten hours a week, such as tutoring, grass cutting, and baby or people sitting, shall be allowed. Consequently, exchange students shall not be enrolled in cooperative programs at the school.

f) Athletic Eligibility: Students shall be governed by the Florida High School Activities Association rules and regulationsregarding participation in inter-scholastic athletic competitions.

g) Completion: Upon completion of the stay in Duval County, the student shall be issued an official transcript of all work completed. A certificate of participation shall also be awarded. Schools are encouraged to honor the foreign exchange student’s program completion and award the certificate at an award ceremony.

h) Monitoring: CSIET-approved programs are monitored by the District School Counseling Office for

i. non-profitstatus
ii. quality of foreign exchange student recruited (e.g., English proficiency, attitude, behavior)
iii. appropriateness of host family placement (e.g., secondary age student in home, financial capability of the additional person in the household, family stability, security clearance).

Programs proven to have violated requirements of student eligibility shall not be eligible to submit applications for students to attend Duval County Public Schools for a period of three school years. Programs with a second violation shall be permanently removed as approved programs.

3) PROCEDURES FOR SCHEDULING

a) Grade level placement for foreign exchange students is the 11th grade on the American educational system. Schools will be notified by district school counseling if the student has been assigned to Grade 12. Schools do not have the authority to change a foreign exchange student’s grade level. The only foreign exchange students eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies are those approved by district school counseling as Grade 12. All other foreign exchange students may be recognized during the ceremony and/or other school-based programs.

b) Foreign exchange students are scheduled into a standard English III class, or its equivalent, so that they shall be in contact with fluent speakers of the language and exposed to American literature.

c) Foreign exchange students are scheduled into American history.

d) Math, science, and other social studies classes are assigned by matching these courses as nearly as possible with the ones in which the student was previously enrolled.

e) The student may be scheduled into a world language class at the appropriate level of his/her own native language (e.g., Spanish) or into a class of his/her “second language” studied in his/her own country (e.g., French in Iraq).

f) Individual teachers are apprised of the arrival of a foreign exchange student and furnished as much information as possible as to the capabilities/limitations of the student.

g) If the district school counseling office, at the time the application is being reviewed, determines that there is a legitimate need for the foreign exchange student to receive a high school diploma, all state and county graduation requirements must be met, and the following conditionsshall apply:

i. The student shall be assigned to Grade 12 by the district school counseling office. The school shall be notified of the student’s seniorstatus and provided with an appropriate transcript.
ii. A secondary school transcript, translated into English, with credits earned and the number of clock hours each credit represents must accompany the student’s application to Duval County Public Schools or a diploma shall not be an option for this student.

According to section (s.) 1003.4282 Florida Statutes (F.S.), students must meet certain academic requirements to earn a standard high school diploma from a public school, including passing required courses, earning a minimum number of credits, earning a minimum grade point average, and passing certain required statewide assessments. These requirements are published on the website of the Florida Department of Education at their website.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program

District and State End of Course (EOC) Assessments

NOTE: For a student with a disability who is seeking a Standard Diploma ESE Access Points a minimum score of three (3) or greater must be achieved on the Florida Standards Alternate Assessment (FSAA) Algebra I and Grade 10 English/Language Arts ELA [or a score of four (4) or greater in reading and math on the Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA)] unless waived through IEP teams. FSAA waived results require an individual portfolio

NOTE: The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) cancelled State End-of-Course (EOC) assessments during the spring of the 2019-2020 school year due to school closures as a result of COVID-19. Final grades were averaged using four quarter grades for full credit courses and two quarter grades for half-credit courses; additionally, this grade formula was used in 2020-2021 per the FDOE Emergency Order 2021-EO-02 if the EOC score resulted in a lower final grade.

NOTE: Students enrolled in select US Government courses will be administered the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in order to satisfy postsecondary requirements. This assessment will not impact high school graduation and is offered during the fall and spring semesters. According to section 1003.4282(3)(d), F.S., as amended by Senate Bill 1108 (2021), “Beginning with the 2021–2022 school year, students taking the United States Government course are required to take the assessment of civic literacy identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.25(4). Students earning a passing score on the assessment are exempt from the postsecondary civic literacy assessment required by s. 1007.25(4).” At this time, there is no alternate version of the test, so students in the Access U.S. Government course (7921015) are not required to participate.

Every student should have the opportunity to participate in quality physical education. The Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) defines physical education as “the development and maintenance ofskills related to strength, agility, flexibility, movement, and stamina; the development of knowledge and skills regarding teamwork and fair play; the development of knowledge and skills regarding nutrition and physical fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle; and the development of positive attitudes regarding sound nutrition and physical activity as a component of well-being.” Program outcomes will include: a) instruction in a variety of motorskills that are designed to enhance the physical, mental, and social/emotional development of every student; b) fitness education and assessment to help students understand, improve and/or maintain their physical well-being; c) the development of cognitive concepts about motorskill and fitness; d) opportunities to improve their emerging social and cooperative skills and gain a multi-cultural perspective; and e) the promotion of regular amounts of appropriate physical activity now and throughout life.

1) All high school physical education courses will be taught by appropriately certified teachers.
2) All high schoolstudents will be expected to participate in physical education activities to meet state standards and programoutcomes.
3) Physical education teachers will work cooperatively with parents, physicians, school counselors, and administrators to design/adapt physical activities to meet the needs of allstudents.
4) Physical therapy is a related service and therefore is not considered physical education. However, the PE requirement forstudents with disabilities following specialstandards can be met through participation in adaptive or specially designed PE as determined in their IEPs.
5) Students must meet the one-credit requirement in physical education for graduation. Schools may not require that students complete the one credit physical education requirement in ninth grade.

a) Forstudents entering Grade 9 for the first time in 2007-2008 and thereafter, the one credit HOPE-Core course is required for graduation. It is recommended that the HOPE- Core course be taken in Grade 11.

6) One credit in Adaptive Physical Education (1500300)satisfiesthe PE requirement for those students with disabilities seeking a standard diploma who entered 9th grade for the first time in 2006-2007 or before who cannot be assigned to Personal Fitness (1501300) pursuant to physical education guidelines in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA2004) and Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act (Section 1: Course Code Directory System Graduation Requirements for Basic, Adult and Special Programs).

State Waivers:

1) Beginning July 2017, the only approved waivers from the HOPE physical education requirement are by participating for two years and earning two credits in a JROTC area in courses that have a significant drill component (1003.43(1)(j) F.S.). Requires waiver # 1500450 AND 1500460 OR by participation in two seasons of an interscholastic sport at the junior varsity or varsity levels. Requires waiver # 1500410, 1500420.

NOTE: Florida Virtual School may not be an appropriate credit recovery option for the extended school year program if the student needs to recover a whole credit because of time requirements.

1) Subject to availability of space, students may earn up to two credits through Florida Virtual School toward graduation from a Duval County public school. These credits are used to assist students to graduate at the end of the fourth year of high school.

2) Each student shall have the written approval of the principal or his/her designees prior to enrolling in a Florida Virtual School course for credit.

3) Approval for the enrollment of Duval County Public Schools’ students in these courses may be granted only for students in the fourth year of high school. Each student must also:

a) enroll in the maximum number of courses possible in his/her school program during the school year and have completed the district’s summer school program, if offered, the summer before enrolling in Florida Virtual School for that year (requirement may be waived by the principal upon determination that ability to complete the district’s summer program, if offered, was beyond the control of the student), and

b) enroll in a course(s) previously attempted and failed. (This requirement may be waived by the principal when special circumstances determine it appropriate.)

4) Students who have completed four years of high school and have earned all, but the remaining 1-2 credits may earn them through Florida Virtual School with prior approval of the principal. If not earned while the student is enrolled as a full-time student in high school, FLVS credit(s) must be earned by August 31st of the same calendar year in which the student completes his/her last year in high school. These students may be granted a regular high school diploma from the student’s home school. The diploma shall record the student’s graduation year as the last calendar year in which the student is enrolled as a full-time student in high school.

5) Each course taken for the purpose of receiving Duval County Public Schools’ credit toward graduation shall be comparable in content to the same course offered in the Duval County Public Schools in order for the student to apply FLVS credit toward meeting Duval County Public Schools’ graduation requirements.

6) Each course taken for the purpose of receiving Duval County Public Schools’ credit toward graduation shall be based on demonstrated mastery of the student performance standards in the course of study (6A-6.0201 FAC).

7) The home schoolshall record the course and grade in the Student Information Management System (SIMS) on the official transcript, and follow up to make sure the appropriate withdrawal code is entered.

8) Approval for a FLVS course will be completed online. A copy of the approval shall be filed in the student’s cumulative record at the school.