N.H. Code Admin. R. Ed 306.27

Current through Register No. 16, April 18, 2024

Section Ed 306.27 - High School Curriculum, Credits, Graduation Requirements, and Co-curricular Program

(a) The local school board shall require that the curriculum content developed for each high school outlines district and graduation competencies and is consistent with RSA 193-C:3, III.

(b) The required curriculum content shall comply with the following:

(1) The program of studies shall include those courses in which students demonstrate achievement as well as other educational experiences and instructional activities required by Ed 306;

(2) Courses shall be planned for the attainment of specific educational district and graduation competencies leading to the high school diploma;

(3) The instructional program shall include:

a. Procedures for diagnosing learner needs;

b. Methods and strategies for teaching that incorporate learner needs;

c. Resource-based learning opportunities;

d. Techniques for the evaluation of student outcomes, including performance assessment of district competencies; and

e. The provision of remedial instruction as needed.

(4) Districts shall develop local policies that identify how the district shall engage students in creating and supporting extended learning opportunities that occur outside of the physical school building and outside of the usual school day in which students demonstrate achievement as well as other educational experiences and instructional activities required by Ed 306;

(5) The extended learning opportunities in (4) above shall:

a. Consist of activities designed to:

1. Provide acknowledgement of achievement or supplement regular academic courses; and

2. Promote the school's and individual students' educational goals and objectives;

b. Be governed by a policy adopted by the local school board that:

1. Provides for the administration and supervision of the program;

2. Outlines how certified school personnel will oversee, although not necessarily lead, facilitate, or coordinate, an individual student's program;

3. Requires that each extended learning proposal be aligned with district and graduation competencies consistent with RSA 193-C:3 that students are expected to demonstrate for graduation, and be approved by the school prior to its beginning;

4. Specifies that students will be able to attain acknowledgement of achievement through mastery of district or graduation competencies for extended learning activities, including, but not limited to, independent study, private instruction, team sports, performing groups, internships, community service, and work study; and

5. Requires that acknowledgement of achievement shall be based on a student's demonstration of district or graduation competencies, as approved by a certified educator;

c. Incorporate student participation in selecting, organizing, and carrying out extended learning activities; and

d. Be available to all students; and

(6) A co-curricular program shall be offered that provides opportunities for all students to participate in activities designed to meet their needs and interests, including, but not limited to:

a. Intramural and interscholastic athletics;

b. Performing groups;

c. Academic clubs and societies;

d. Student government;

e. Activities and services that afford students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate; and

f. Any other activities that:

1. Supplement and enrich regular academic courses;

2. Provide opportunities for social development;

3. Encourage participation in the arts, athletics, and other cooperative groups; and

4. Encourage service to school and community.

(c) The local school board shall require that a program of studies shall be offered for each high school that enables each student to engage in and demonstrate achievement outlined for graduation as well as other educational experiences and instructional activities as follows:

(1)Ed 306.31, relative to an arts education;

(2)Ed 306.33, relative to a business education;

(3)Ed 306.34, relative to a career and technical education;

(4)Ed 306.35, relative to a career education;

(5)Ed 306.37, relative to an English/language arts and reading program;

(6)Ed 306.38, relative to a family and consumer science education;

(7)Ed 306.39, relative to a school counseling program;

(8)Ed 306.40, relative to a health education program;

(9)Ed 306.41, relative to a physical education program;

(10)Ed 306.42, relative to digital literacy program;

(11)Ed 306.43, relative to a mathematics program;

(12)Ed 306.44, relative to a computer science education;

(13)Ed 306.45, relative to a science education;

(14)Ed 306.46, relative to a social studies program;

(15)Ed 306.47, relative to a technology and engineering education;

(16)Ed 306.48, relative to a world languages program; and

(17)Ed 306.27(b)(4), relative to extended learning opportunities.

(d) Each high school shall offer maximum student opportunities, in and out of the classroom, while at the same time specifying a basic number of courses that each high school shall offer.

(e) A student shall receive acknowledgement of achievement of the competencies contained within the course, shall be awarded course credit, and shall be eligible to take another course when the following is met:

(1) The student demonstrates knowledge and skills on an assessment approved by the local school district for a particular course; or

(2) The student demonstrates knowledge and skills on an assessment approved by the department if the local school district has not developed an assessment.

(f) Department approved assessments shall include assessments that measure achievement of the competencies contained within the course.

(g) The local school board shall require that graduation be based on mastery of required graduation competencies as demonstrated through the accumulation of credits as outlined in Table 306-3 and by a certified educator. Each high school shall determine how completion of a classroom course, career and technical education courses, independent study, distance learning course, or extended learning opportunity can support student achievement and demonstration of district or graduation competencies.

(h) Credits shall be based on the demonstration of district and or graduation competencies not on time spent achieving these competencies. The credit shall equate to the level of rigor and achievement necessary to master competencies that have been designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to progress toward college level and career work.

(i) Students may receive acknowledgement of achievement for graduation competencies through student demonstration of a collection of work or other assessment evidence gained through prior learning activities.

(j) The items in (c) above shall not limit opportunities to develop programs that meet the needs of each student.

(k) The programs of studies in (c) above may be offered and coordinated individually or through interdisciplinary studies.

(l) Students shall engage with and apply English and mathematics graduation competencies during every year they are enrolled in high school even if graduation competencies for English and mathematics have been demonstrated. Such engagement may occur through integration of these graduation competencies in courses focused on content areas other than English or mathematics. Such engagement shall support students to be college and career ready in mathematics and English/language arts. Nothing contained in this section shall preclude a school or district from offering courses and other learning opportunities in addition to the minimum outlined in Ed 306.

(m) There shall be a minimum of 20 credits for a regular high school diploma, unless the local school board has set a requirement of more than 20 credits for a regular high school diploma, in which case the local credit requirement shall apply. The local school board shall require that each high school offers courses or learning opportunities as specified in (c) above.

(n) The following shall apply relative to the required program of studies:

(1) Consistent with Ed 306, the local school board shall verify in writing to the commissioner that each high school shall offer a total of at least 43 courses distributed as shown in Table 306-1 when the school seeks approval or renewal of approval under Ed 306.28;

(2) Each high school may use any relevant title to identify a particular course;

(3) Local school boards may propose innovative ways to meet or exceed the requirements in Table 306-1, pursuant to Ed 306.29;

(4) Local school boards shall ensure that courses necessary to meet the requirements for attaining graduation competencies as defined on Table 306-3 are offered to district students enrolled in high school at no additional cost to the student;

(5) The required courses in program areas offered by each high school shall be distributed as specified in Table 306-1 below:

Table 306-1 Required Program Areas and Courses

Required Program Areas	Courses
Arts education	3 courses
Business education	3 courses
Family and consumer science	3 courses
Digital literacy	½ course or demonstrated proficiency
World languages	5 courses
Health education	½ course
Physical education	2 courses
Technology education	4 courses
English	6 courses
Mathematics	6 courses
Science	5 courses
Social studies	5 courses
Computer science	2 courses

(6) Course requirements under Ed 306.27(l)(5) may be met through school identified and sanctioned distance education programs under Ed 306.22 subject to the following:

a. Students shall be provided courses in a classroom setting that will enable them to demonstrate achievement of graduation competencies. Students shall not be required to take these courses in order to demonstrate achievement of graduation competencies but may engage in distance education programs to demonstrate achievement. Duplicate, equivalent, or additional courses in those program areas may be offered through distance education, extended learning opportunities, or other alternative methods;

b. Distance education courses or other alternative courses or programs to be counted toward the 43 courses required by Ed 306.27(l)(5) shall meet the district or graduation competencies and shall be identified in the school's program of studies;

c. The school shall provide all equipment, software, and internet connectivity necessary to participate in distance education programs that are to be counted toward the 43 courses required by Ed 306.27(l)(5);

d. In the cases where the school has determined that there is no other way to provide a required course, the costs of registration shall be borne by the school district for courses or alternative programs to be counted toward the 43 courses required by Ed 306.27(l)(5); and

e. At least one staff member shall be identified and available to assist students having difficulty with distance education courses and other alternative programs;

(7) Introductory level courses offered at regional career and technical centers and available to all high school students may be counted toward the 43 courses required by Ed 306.27(l)(5) to be offered at each host or sending high school in the region. Such courses shall be identified in the school's program of studies. Career program level courses, not available to all students, shall not be counted toward the high school requirement, including career level courses offered at a regional career and technical center that is co-located with the high school. Graduation competencies acquired and demonstrated through career courses may be counted toward a student's requirements for a high school diploma under Ed 306.27(t);

(8) Nothing in this section shall prevent a high school from offering classroom courses, distance education courses, independent study programs, career and technical center courses, or extended learning opportunities in addition to the courses required by Ed 306.27(l)(5). Schools shall not be required to pay for student registration or similar fees for these additional courses or programs; and

(9) Nothing in this section shall prevent a student from achieving and demonstrating any number of graduation competencies through classroom courses, career and technical center courses, distance education, independent study, or extended learning opportunities to meet the graduation requirements of Ed 306.27(t) consistent with local district policies.

(o) The local school board of each high school shall award a regular high school diploma to those students who achieve and demonstrate all graduation competencies as encompassed in at least 20 credits.

(p) The local school board shall require that a high school have in place competency assessments for all courses offered through the high school.

(q) The local school board of each high school shall award a regular high school diploma to all students, with and without disabilities, who have achieved and demonstrated their local high school's required graduation competencies.

(r) The school board of a district which does not operate a high school may award a high school diploma if the following are met:

(1) The district has contracted with a public academy, as defined in RSA 193:23, II, to be the high school for the district, as authorized by RSA 194:2; and

(2) Students have attended a school other than the public academy;

(s) The awarding of different types of diplomas shall be governed by the following:

(1) A school shall award a regular diploma for achievement and demonstration of the graduation competencies;

(2) A school may award a special diploma that recognizes academic achievement;

(3) Graduation competencies achieved and demonstrated in adult education, including but not limited to night school, may be used to earn a regular diploma; and

(4) Students may earn certificates of completion or equivalency diplomas, but these shall not be equal to a regular high school diploma.

(t) The district shall provide learning opportunities that enable students to achieve the district's graduation competencies. Graduation competencies shall align with the skills, knowledge, and work-study practices required for success in college and careers.

(u) Students shall demonstrate competencies contained in at least the equivalent of 20 credits. Students shall engage in learning concerning competencies in the areas of English/language arts and mathematics for every year they are in high school until graduation, regardless of if English/language arts or mathematics graduation competencies have been achieved. Such engagement may occur through integration of these graduation competencies in courses focused on content areas other than English or mathematics as long as English or mathematics competencies are clear expectations of the course. Such engagement shall support students to be college and career ready in mathematics and English/language arts. Nothing contained in this section shall preclude a school or district from offering courses and other learning opportunities in addition to the minimum outlined in Ed 306.

(v) The 20 credits required for graduation shall be distributed as specified in Table 306-2:

Table 306-2 Required Subjects and Credits for High School Graduation

Required Subjects	Credit(s)
Arts education	½ credit
Digital literacy	½ credit
English	4 credits
Mathematics	3 credits, including algebra credit that can be earned through a sequential, integrated, or applied program
Physical sciences	1 credit
Biological sciences	1 credit
US and NH history	1 credit
US and NH government/civics	½ credit
Economics, including personal finance	½ credit
World history, global studies, or geography	½ credit
Health education	½ credit
Physical education	1 credit
Open electives	6 credits
Totals	20 credits

(w) Graduation competencies shall include competencies from the content areas as distributed in Table 306-3 in which students demonstrate proficiency as determined by the local school district:

Table 306-3 Required Credits for Graduation and Graduation Competencies

Required Graduation Competencies by Content Areas	Credit(s)
Arts education	½ credit
Digital literacy	½ credit
English	4 credits
Mathematics that encompasses algebra, mathematical modeling, statistics and probability, complex applications of measurement, applied geometry, graphical presentation and interpretation, statistics an data analysis	3 credits, d
Physical sciences	1 credit
Biological sciences	1 credit
US and NH history	1 credit
US and NH government/civics	½ credit
Economics, including personal finance	½ credit
World history, global studies, or geography	½ credit
Health education	½ credit
Physical education	1 credit
Open electives	6 credits
Totals	20 credit

(x) The rigor and number of graduation competencies shall align with the equivalent of the credits as outlined in Table 306-3.

(y) In addition to the graduation competencies aligned with credits as outlined in Table 306-3, students shall also demonstrate achievement of additional competencies through the equivalent of 6 elective courses, career and technical education courses, or extended learning opportunities of their choosing. These additional competencies required for graduation should align with student interests and should prepare the student for successful transitions into careers and college.

(z) The graduation competencies in digital literacy education shall be met by either:

(1) The equivalent of a ½ credit course comprised of the creation by a student of an individual student digital portfolio to demonstrate proficient, ethical, and responsible use of digital tools, including, but not limited to, technology and communication tools, in the context of core subjects; or

(2) A course in digital literacy education at the high school level through which a student can achieve and demonstrate

(aa) The local school board shall adopt a policy relative to counting achievement and demonstration of graduation competencies from course work earned in one content area toward meeting any graduation competencies in another content area.

(ab) Any graduation competency in a subject area may be earned through interdisciplinary learning, subject to the following conditions:

(1) Graduation requirements met by interdisciplinary learning opportunities shall be clearly designated on student transcripts; and

(2) The high school principal may approve a particular interdisciplinary course if the high school principal determines that:

a. The course has been adopted by a faculty team; and

b. The course addresses equivalent district or graduation competencies for the subject areas which are covered by the course.

(ac) Local school board policies relative to the awarding of achievement and demonstration of district or graduation competencies for distance education as described in Ed 306.22, shall require that:

(1) Students may earn achievement and demonstration of the graduation competencies through the successful completion of such courses; and

(2) Achievement and demonstration of district or graduation competencies shall be granted only if the high school principal determines that the distance learning course meets the academic standards required by the high school for students to demonstrate achievement of district or graduation competencies.

(ad) In each high school, the minimum yearly course load for a student shall be the equivalent of 4 credits, except that this requirement may be modified for:

(1) Students with an individualized education program (IEP) that has been developed in accordance with Ed 1109;

(2) Students for whom early graduation has been approved as provided in (ad) below; or

(3) Those individuals in special or unusual circumstances as provided by local school board policy.

(ae) A local school board shall adopt policies pertaining to early graduation for individual students. Such policies shall require parental involvement for students under the age of 18. Consistent with local policy, the high school principal shall approve such requests if the high school principal determines that all state and local graduation requirements will be met and that early graduation is related to the career or educational plans of the student making the request. Upon demonstration of all graduation competencies, awarding of appropriate credits, and approval by the high school principal, the student shall be awarded a high school diploma.

(af) The principal shall evaluate the transcripts of students who transfer into a secondary school from another educational program, or state, to determine previous educational experiences toward meeting graduation competencies.

(ag) Upon receipt of a written request from the local school board, the commissioner of education shall waive a particular graduation requirement and shall permit the local board to award a high school diploma to a student if the commissioner determines that:

(1) Such action is in the best interests of the student; and

(2) At least one of the following circumstances exists:

a. The student has a debilitating illness which limits school attendance;

b. The student has a physical disability which precludes participation in physical education;

c. The student moved into a New Hampshire school district from out of state during grade 12 and was not able to schedule a particular graduation requirement; or

d. Another condition exists beyond the control of the student similar to the conditions described in a., b., or c. above.

(ah) Each local high school shall provide reasonable accommodations for cocurricular activities as appropriate in order to allow for full access and participation by students with disabilities.

(ai) The local school board shall require, and each district shall establish, and provide instruction in, Holocaust and genocide education as described in Ed 306.49, implemented not earlier than in 8th grade and continuing through grade 12 as a component of a course in social studies, world history, global studies, or US history. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent developmentally appropriate instruction in Holocaust and genocide studies prior to 8th grade or as a component of other learning areas.

N.H. Code Admin. R. Ed 306.27

Amended by Volume XXXIV Number 16, Filed April 17, 2014, Proposed by #10556, Effective 3/27/2014, Expires3/27/2024.

Amended by Volume XXXIX Number 37, Filed September 12, 2019, Proposed by #12845, Effective 8/9/2019, Expires 8/9/2029.

Amended by Volume XLI Number 6, Filed February 11, 2021, Proposed by # 13159, Effective 1/15/2021, Expires 1/15/2031.

Amended by Volume XLII Number 28, Filed July 14, 2022, Proposed by #13394, Effective 6/10/2022, Expires 6/10/2032