Credit By Proficiency » Credit By Proficiency

Credit By Proficiency

In January 2007, the State Board of Education expanded its Credit for Proficiency policy as a key part of the new Oregon Diploma. Specific recommendations to support wider use of proficiency options associated with the new diploma were developed by the appointed Credit for Proficiency Task Force in 2008. As a result, OAR 581-022-1131 Credit Options was revised and adopted by the Board on April 17, 2009.
 
Key Features of the revised OAR
  • Clock Hours: Each school district or public charter school shall offer students the option for earning each credit required for the diploma or a modified diploma by successfully completing classroom or equivalent work in a course of at least 130 clock hours.
  • Standards: Classroom or equivalent work must meet Common Curriculum Goals and academic content standards as required by OAR 581-022-1210.
  • Other Credit Options: A school district or public charter school may grant credit to a student if the student demonstrates defined levels of proficiency or mastery of recognized standards by any one or more of the following options:
  1. Successfully completes classroom or equivalent work designed to measure proficiency or mastery of identified standards in class or out of class, where hours of instruction may vary;
  2. Successfully passes an appropriate exam designed to measure proficiency or mastery of identified standards;
  3. Provides a collection of work or other assessment evidence which demonstrates proficiency or mastery of identified standards;
  4. Provides documentation of prior learning activities or experiences which demonstrates proficiency or mastery of identified standards.
  5. Local Policy: The school district or public charter school must identify by district or school policy which options are available to students for earning credit.
Credit Options Implementation Resources
The Oregon Student Accounting Manual has also been revised to offer school districts a method by which to account for students who may be enrolled in an out-of-class credit for proficiency opportunity. (See pages 42 & 43 on Credit for Proficiency and Expanded Options in the following link -  Click here)
 
Key documents designed to aid in developing and implementing appropriate credit options policy:
 
For additional information on the Oregon Diploma, see the Oregon Diploma Webpage.