PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION:
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and closure of all Maryland schools since March 16, 2020, and a shift to implement Continuity of Learning (COL) through distance learning in FCPS, staff are requesting, in accordance of Board Policy 515 and Regulation 500-36, for the Board to waive Board Policy 405 Graduation Requirements, specifically the locally required number of credits (25). The state requirement is for 21 credits.
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
On April 14, 2020, the State Board of Education approved the following waivers requested for all local school systems:
Board Policy 405 in FCPS currently requires 25 credits for graduating seniors, including the 21 state required credits and an additional 4 credits (1 in math and 3 in student selected career pathway electives). The Maryland State Board of Education’s actions taken on April 14, 2020 allow local Superintendents to waive additional credit requirements above the state’s required 21 credits. After a thorough review of individual student status by FCPS counselors and administrators, this would allow approximately 20 additional FCPS seniors in this graduation cohort to be part of the graduating class of 2020.
PROCESS STATEMENT:
Upon approval of the state board to allow local Superintendents to waive additional graduation requirements for graduates in their school systems, the School Administration and Instructional Leadership Director for High Schools worked with high school principals and guidance staff to determine an estimate of high school seniors who would be positively impacted by this adjustment. The waiver would allow up to 20 more students in the senior cohort to graduate with their class of 2020.
PRESENTER(S) & TITLE(S):
Kathleen Schlappal, School Administration and Instructional Leadership Director of High Schools
SUBMITTED BY:
Jamie Aliveto, Ed. D., Executive Director of System Accountability and School Administration
Mike Markoe, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent
In accordance with Maryland’s Open Meetings Act, General Provisions Article § 3-305(b), (9), the Board will meet in Closed Session at 9:10 a.m. via teleconference to receive an update on negotiations with the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA).