5460 - GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

It shall be the policy of the Board to acknowledge each student's successful completion of the instructional program appropriate to the achievement of District goals and objectives as well as personal proficiency by the awarding of a diploma at fitting graduation ceremonies.

A student must earn twenty-six (26) credits, including the credit requirements set by State statute, to be eligible to receive a diploma, provided all other requirements as determined by the State and the Board are met. The Board requires the following credit requirements for a diploma:

In addition to the credit requirement, a student must successfully complete the following to earn a high school diploma:

1. A civics assessment in accordance with State statute.
2. Academic & Career Planning (ACP) portfolio in accordance with District requirements listed each year for grades 9-12 
3. A student graduating prior to 2028 must also have participated in curriculum relating to financial literacy in order to earn a diploma.

In accordance with State law, a Board may not grant a high school diploma to any student unless, during the high school grades, the student has been enrolled in a class or has participated in an activity approved by the Board during each class period of each school day, or the student has been enrolled in an alternative education program (defined in 115.28(7)(e)1), Wis. Stats.) or is participating in a Board-approved program that allows a student enrolled in the high school grades who has demonstrated a high level of maturity and personal responsibility to leave the school premises for up to one (1) class period each day if the student does not have a class scheduled during that class period.

Students with disabilities, At-Risk students and English language learners (ELL) may be provided alternate education programs for high school graduation. Such alternate education programs must be identified in the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 program, English as a Second Language (ESL) program or At-Risk plan. These plans must have administrative approval. Successful completion of such alternate education programs will result in the issuance of a Jefferson High School diploma with the student's designated class. 

Students who fulfill all graduation requirements before the completion of their seventh semester will be governed by Policy 5464 - Early Graduation. 

The Board may waive graduation requirements, except for the core requirements, in exceptional cases to suit the needs of a student subject to Wis. Admin Code, PI 18.03 and PI 18.04.

Graduation Credit as a Middle School Student

The Board permits students in 7th or 8th grade to earn credit towards a high school diploma in any class taken that is approved by the Board for such purpose, provided that the student is academically prepared based on performance on approved student assessments. Any course designated for high school credit at the middle school level must be taught by a teacher with high school certification in the subject matter and must be taught using curriculum and assessments equivalent to those used in the subject at the high school level.

Courses taken by middle school students for high school credit shall appear on the students’ high school transcript, along with the grade received however the grade and class will not be factored into the students’ high school grade point average.

The Board directs the District Administrator to develop appropriate courses after determining annually whether sufficient student interest and appropriate staffing justifies offering such course(s). The District Administrator shall establish procedures to determine whether a middle school student is academically prepared to take any course approved for high school credit.

Alternative Education Diploma

The Board authorizes the District Administrator to establish an alternative diploma program for students who meet the requirements of State law but not the additional elective credit requirements established for attainment of a regular high school diploma from the District. An alternative education program is defined as an instructional program, approved by the Board, that utilizes successful alternative or adaptive school structures and teaching techniques and that is incorporated into existing, traditional classrooms, or regularly scheduled curricular programs or that is offered in place of regularly scheduled curricular programs. "Alternative educational program" does not include a private school or a home-based private educational program. (See Policy 2451 - Program or Curriculum Modifications.)

The IEP team and any other necessary members will review the student's academic progress and the alternative achievement standards for graduation criteria.

Students With Disabilities

Students with disabilities who properly complete the programs specified in their I.E.P. and have received the recommendation of the I.E.P. Committee may participate in graduation activities and may be awarded a diploma (provided the student satisfied the District's high school graduation requirements). (see Policy Policy 5460.01 - Diploma Deferral)

GED Option 2 Program (GEDO #2)

An alternate path to a District diploma is the completion of the high school's GED Option 2 program. This program has strict enrollment requirements and allows a student who is at least seventeen (17) years of age to work towards successful completion of the GED testing program. Once the student completes all of the requirements, the student is awarded a District diploma and is eligible to participate in the subsequent graduation ceremony. Participation in this program is contingent upon DPI approval of the District's program and compliance with the requirements of Wis. Admin Code PI 5.

Graduation Activities and Ceremony

A student may be denied participation in graduation activities for disciplinary reasons and/or for non-payment of fees. The District Administrator and high school principal may establish additional requirements for participation in the graduation activities and may organize said activities to have the appearance and decorum deemed reflective of the District.

Policy Reporting and Review

The principal of the high school shall prepare a report describing the District's policies on high school graduation standards, including a list of courses required under State law and the number of hours in each school term required to earn one (1) credit for those courses. Additionally, any change to the District's policies shall also be reported to the Department of Public Instruction or other appropriate agency after it has been approved by the Board and signed by the Board president, the District Administrator, and the principal.

It shall be the policy of the Board to periodically review and revise this policy specifying the criteria for awarding a diploma.

Revised 10/9/23
T.C. 3/14/24
Revised 9/6/24
T.C. 1/27/25

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