Granting Credit Towards Graduation for Courses Taken Outside of the Chicago Public Schools Day Program

THE INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RECOMMENDS

That the Chicago Board of Education (“Board”) amend Board Report 96-0828-PO6 Granting Credit Toward Graduation For Courses Taken Outside of the Chicago Public Schools Day Program. The policy was amended to update the list of regional accrediting associations, current district organizational structure, and the implementation of the policy. The policy was posted for public comment from June 15, 2021 to July 16, 2021.

POLICY TEXT

I. Correspondence Courses

A student enrolled in a correspondence course may receive high school credit for work successfully completed, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1. The course is given by an institution: I) accredited by one of the seven regional accrediting association or II) approved by the district’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or their designee. The seven regional associations are:
   • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
   • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
   • Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges
   • Middle States Commission on Higher Education
   • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
   • Higher Learning Commission
   • WASC Senior College and University Commission
2. The student is in the ninth grade through twelfth grade;
3. The principal has given written approval in advance to the student to take the specified class; and
4. The student assumes responsibility for all fees for the course, where applicable. Students/guardians should explore free and paid options for correspondence courses with a HS Counselor.

A maximum of three (3) high school credits may be counted toward the requirements for a student's high school graduation.

Home schooled students who enter the Chicago Public Schools may receive more than three (3) high school credits earned through an accredited correspondence institution toward the student's graduation requirements. In this case, determination of possible high school credit will be within the authority of the high school principal.

II. University Courses

A student who successfully completes courses at a college or university may receive high school credit, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1. The class is approved in advance by the principal; and
2. The student assumes responsibility for all fees where applicable. Students/guardians should explore free and paid options for college/university college courses with a HS Counselor.

Given these conditions, credit for any college or university course may be counted toward the requirements for the student's high school graduation. This includes free courses taken through the district’s Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Programs.

III. Alternative Courses Offered by the Chicago Public Schools in Afternoon, Evening, or on Weekends.

For Chicago Public Schools where afternoon, evening, or Saturday courses are offered and meet the same standards as the day courses, the amount of awarded credit shall be equivalent to the amount of awarded credit for courses successfully completed during the day school program.

The CEO or their designee will establish an annual assessment that ensures the equitable distribution of course offerings and program locations for all alternative courses offered by CPS.

Student Appeal Process
Principals must approve credit in advance of the student's enrollment in any correspondence, college/university, or other alternative course. If the principal does not approve the credit, the student has the right to appeal the principal's decision to the school’s Network Chief Officer. The Network Chief Officer is the final arbiter of whether or not the course will be credited toward graduation.