Middletown Public Schools                                                                                                No. 8000

 

 

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

 

PHILOSOPHY & INTENT

The Middletown Public Schools are committed to providing a comprehensive high school  diploma system which enables all students to achieve proficiency in rigorous academic and  applied learning standards. Proficiencies in academic, social, and civic areas shall be based on the  Middletown High School Student Learning Expectations. The requirements for a  Middletown High School diploma shall be as set by the School Committee and published  annually in the High School’s Program of Studies. Such requirements shall be consistent with  Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Regulations. 

 

Graduation by proficiency is based on mutual, shared accountability. The school district  is accountable for providing an educational program designed to give all students multiple and  varied opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. Students are accountable for participation in,  and completion of, their program. To that end, all students in Middletown shall have access to  rigorous curriculum and instruction, as well as scaffolded support, designed to achieve  proficiency as shall be required of them to graduate. 

REQUIREMENTS

Academic Requirements:

Students will need to successfully complete the following course credits in the designated  content areas: (1 course credit = a full year of study)

For the Class of 2026 and each successive class:

English 4 credits

Mathematics 4 credits

Social Studies 3 credits

Science 3 credits

Technology/Engineering ½ credit

Phys Education 2 credits (4, ½ year courses)

Health 1 credit (2, ½ year courses)

Unified Arts ½ credits

 

For the Class of 2028 and beyond, students will need to complete the additional graduation requirements:

 

Social Studies 3.5 credits, to include .5 Civics course

2 years of a World Language for a College Readiness Pathway Diploma

Algebra 2 for a College Readiness Pathway

 

OR

 

Parents must sign consent for a Career Readiness Pathway Diploma

A Career Readiness Pathway Diploma waives the World Language and/or Algebra 2 requirement. 

 

In doing so, the parent acknowledges that the Career Pathway Diploma will not meet the college admissions criteria for state institutions.

 

Personalized Learning Courses 5.5 credits

Total: 24 credits

Community Service Requirements:

All students will complete 20 hours of approved community service learning. Students  must also successfully complete all required reflective writings based upon their community  service.

Proficiency-Based Requirements:

1. All students will successfully complete a Capstone Project, which is an exhibition based on  student choice that involves independent research, problem solving, and a written and oral  presentation before a panel. Successful completion will be a demonstration of proficiency in  four applied learning standards and the standards in at least one content area. The target year  for Capstone Project will be the senior year.

2. All students in the class will successfully complete an electronic Graduation Portfolio, which  contains acceptable entries from all content areas. The entire Graduation Portfolio shall  document evidence that the student has demonstrated proficiency in each of the MHS Student  Learning Expectations (SLEs).

All Middletown High School students will:

1. Exhibit content mastery by showing proficiency on identified learning targets in every course.

2. Communicate effectively in a variety of formats; reading, writing, speaking and listening.

3. Research and critically analyze in order to create new understanding both independently and  collaboratively.

 

4. Think critically, creatively and effectively in order to solve real world problems.

 

5. Apply learning behaviors that are conducive to achieving individual and group goals; such  as time management, high level questioning, persistence, responsibility and active  participation.

 

6. Understand and contribute to the community and global society as a responsible citizen.

 

7. Apply technology skills to access, analyze and interpret information and communicate  findings to various audiences.

 

8. Empower their own learning by setting short and long-term goals, monitoring progress towards goals and reflecting on successes and improvements in order to be college and career  ready.

Individualized Learning Plan Requirement:

All students will successfully complete an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP). All ILP's  will be shared with advisory teachers and parents throughout the school year. ILP's will be  completed during advisory time and will be linked to the Comprehensive Guidance Program's  goals. The ILP will document the students goal setting, survey results, course  planning/selection, and readiness for transition into college or career.

 

COUNCIL DESIGNATIONS

Beginning with the MHS class of 2021, three Council Designations will be available for students earning a diploma.

 

As part of the revised diploma system outlined in the Secondary School Regulations, the  Council Designations serve as a means to personalize the diploma. Each Council Designation  externally validates achievements of high school students, through flexible and personalized high  school learning experiences, to allow public recognition of specific skills and to incentivize  students to meet additional high standards beyond those needed to earn a high school diploma.

 

The following three Council Designations have been adopted by the Council on  Elementary and Secondary Education and will be made available to students who meet the  defined criteria for each, beginning with the graduating class of 2021:

●       The Commissioner’s Seal Council Designation certifies that a student is proficient in  standards aligned to high school expectations in English Language Arts and  Mathematics, as confirmed by external evidence.

●       The Seal of Biliteracy Council Designation certifies that a student has demonstrated  skill in the use of the English language and one or more other world languages.

●       The Pathway Endorsement Council Designation certifies that a student has  accomplished deep learning in a chosen area of interest and is prepared for employment  or further education in a career path. 

(http://www.ride.ri.gov/StudentsFamilies/RIPublicSchools/DiplomaSystem.aspx#164 41117-performance-assessments)

Students who meet the Council-defined criteria for each respective Council Designation  will have a designation notation included on their diplomas and high school transcripts. Students  may meet the criteria at any time and will be noted on a student's transcript as soon as they meet  the criteria. Council Designations are contingent on earning a high school diploma. Specific  requirements for each designation will be outlined in the Middletown High School Program of  Studies, the Middletown High School Student handbook and on the RI Department of Education website,  www.ride.ri.gov.

CAREER PATHWAY ENDORSEMENTS

CTE Accredited:

PLTW: Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing

Other Pathways:

Humanities: History/Culture, Literature

Unified Arts: World Languages, Visual Arts and Music

All pathway endorsements require:

●       an internship

●       advanced coursework

●       a proficiency-based graduation requirement aligned to the pathway

 

TRANSITION EXPERIENTIAL PATHWAY

Students who meet criteria for modified standards by the IEP team, including parents,  may work toward a Transition Experiential Pathway. Students who qualify for this pathway  must have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Career Development Plan (CDP). The student  must complete 22 course credits. Students must demonstrate approved proficiency levels  through common tasks, assessments, and portfolios as outlined by the course and  defined/measured in the IEP. This specific pathway must be selected by the end of their  sophomore year and must be agreed upon by an IEP team. All students who select a Transition  Experiential Pathway must complete a transition plan, document a career/and or internship  experience through the Career Development Plan (CDP) and complete a Capstone Project based  on this experience. Students will also participate in state assessments (PSAT, SAT, or Alternate  Assessment) and develop an Individual Learning Plan.

ROLE OF STATE ASSESSMENTS

All students must participate in the state assessment program. State assessments will be  administered in accordance with a timeline established by the Rhode Island Department of  Education.

TRANSFERRING STUDENTS

The following guidelines shall apply to students who transfer into Middletown High  School:

1. Students entering prior to the start of their senior year must complete all academic  requirements as detailed in this policy. A Capstone Project must also be successfully  completed. The Graduation Portfolio and Community Service must also be successfully  completed, with prorated requirements. If the entering student completed entries in their  electronic portfolio from a RI Electronic Portfolio System district, then all entries will be  transferred to the MHS portfolio.

2. Students entering after the start of their senior year must complete all academic requirements  as detailed in this policy. Depending on students' start date, they may request a Capstone  Project waiver. In addition, in place of a Capstone Project, the student may use a completed  proficiency-based requirement from their previous high school, so long as that requirement  of their previous high school was approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education.  Students choosing to exercise the option to follow the proficiency-based guidelines of the  previous high school must notify the principal, in writing (cosigned by a parent/legal  guardian if the student is under the age of 18), at the time of enrollment. Regardless of choice,  students entering after the start of their senior year will complete a Graduation Portfolio with  prorated requirements.

3. Military dependent students who transfer fall under RI General Laws 19-92, Interstate  Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) to meet their graduation  requirements. The parent/legal guardian should notify the high school principal to discuss

the status of the student and share information from the sending school’s diploma  requirements.

4. Individual situations not addressed by this policy will be handled on a case-by- case basis at  the school level. The approval of the Superintendent of Schools is required for deviation from  this policy.

COMMUNICATION & PROGRESS MONITORING

All students entering Joseph H. Gaudet Middle School shall be notified of the proficiency based graduation requirements. Written notice will be provided to their families and posted on  the district web site. The same information shall be shared with students and families of those  entering Middletown High School.

Students who successfully complete a full credit of Algebra 1 and/or a World Language during middle school will have it memorialized on their high school transcript. 

The World Language credit will count towards the two year requirement for a College Readiness Diploma.  The Algebra credit will be noted, but does not count towards the 4 year math requirement to graduate.

 

Advisory teachers for 7th and 8th grade students will review all graduation requirements  with their advisees. The same will occur in all advisories at Middletown High School. MHS  advisory teachers will monitor their advisees’ progress toward successful completion of a  Capstone Project and Graduation Portfolio throughout their four-year experience.

 

 

APPEALS

Students who believe that they have been improperly denied a diploma may appeal the  decision by citing the reason(s) in writing addressed to the Principal of Middletown High School. The appeal shall cite specific reasons for disagreement, and if the student is under the age of 18,  it must be cosigned by a parent/legal guardian.

 

If the appeal is denied by the Principal of Middletown High School, the appeal may be  presented following normal appeal procedure through the Superintendent, the School  Committee, and if necessary, the State Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

 

 

 

 

First Reading - January 18, 2007

Second Reading and Adoption - February 15, 2007

Revised – March 19, 2009

First Revision - January 25, 2018

Second Revision and Adoption – February 8, 2018

First Revision - January 22, 2026

Second and Final Reading - February 26, 2026

One Year Review Due - February 2027