Credits
BRIEF SUMMARY
In high school, everyone takes a combination of classes that are required for graduation. Some students may take extra classes in one area if they’re interested or if their school counselor feels it will help their chances of getting into the college of their choice. Knowing how many credits one has earned, especially before graduation, is necessary for those who want to make sure they’ll have the appropriate amount of credits needed.
KEY POINTS
- Nearly all high schools require a certain amount of credits in order for students to reach academic standards, pass state and college readiness tests and go on to higher education.
RESOURCES
- GPA’s Class Ranks Weighted grades Counselor discussion Feb. 2018
- Credit Tracking Forms
SHARED WISDOM
- Q: I have run into an issue entering transcripts for students that have transferred from Illinois schools. On their transcripts, the grade they were given for the final semester (during the COVID closures) was a “P” for pass. Our school did not use the pass/fail option for grades. How are all of you at the High School level dealing with entering their grades and ensuring that their g.p.a.’s are correct?
- A: This is a tricky situation but common. The current definition of a “Credit” means demonstration of proficiency against the academic standards in a course that meets the following requirements:
(1) The course is an approved course and complies with the approved course description.
- A: This is a tricky situation but common. The current definition of a “Credit” means demonstration of proficiency against the academic standards in a course that meets the following requirements:
(2) For those courses for which Indiana academic standards are defined, the course is consistent with Indiana academic standards.
(3) For those courses for which there is a Core 40 end of course assessment, the required proficiency is at or greater than that required to pass the assessment. Multiple credit may not be awarded for the same course unless the approved course description permits multiple credits to be awarded.
Students can be awarded grades/credits based on proficiency. You can record the credit as is, but if the student needs a grade to meet a specific requirement such as an Honors Diploma or Scholarship, you may want to try to award a grade using a proficiency test of some sort (ECA, Final etc.). That way having a COVID-19 Pass does not hinder the student moving forward. (Michelle Clarke, IDOE, August 2020)
Q: When you get a student who enrolls in your school with a transcript outside out the US, what resources are you using to accurately award credits?
-
- A: Maybe this would be what you’re looking for? It looks to be old, but maybe better than nothing: http://www.uft.org/files/
attachments/evaluating- foreign-transcripts.pdf
- A: Maybe this would be what you’re looking for? It looks to be old, but maybe better than nothing: http://www.uft.org/files/
- High School credits earned in Middle School: Follow Up Responses from Counselor Talk (Oct. 2017), IDOE Memo from 8/17, a High School Credits in Middle School, another school’s policy, and a form used by another School for 8th grade HS credit taken.
- From Counselor Talk, November 2017:
Course Retake/Course Replacement
A grade retake/replacement occurs when a student retakes a class that he/she has already taken to hopefully receive a better grade.
The student received a grade of F in the class.
The student received a grade of C- or below and wishes to meet the grade requirements for an Academic Honors Diploma.
The student has not passed at least one of the end of course exams required for graduation and seeks to become eligible for waiver consideration.
A class may be retaken only if one or more of the following conditions exist:
A student seeking to retake a class will make an application with the guidance department. The student shall state the reason for the requested retake on the application. The guidance department will review the application. The principal shall have the authority to grant final approval for a student to retake a class.
The following conditions apply to retaking a class:
No online classes will be accepted in replacement of high school courses used for an Academic Honors Diploma without administrative approval.
The grade earned (either higher or lower) when the class is retaken will be placed on the transcript and replace the original grade in the calculation of the GPA.
The grade that is earned in the retake class will be used in the calculation of the GPA, but the new GPA shall render the student ineligible for such awards as valedictorian, salutatorian, or top ten award.
The original grade will remain on the transcript with the credit for that class being transferred to the second class. A student may take advantage of this option up to two times in his/her high school career.
CONTENT FEEDBACK
If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.