ALTERNATIVE AND MAKE-UP CREDIT ACQUISITION

REQUIREMENT: Downingtown students may acquire credit through traditional or alternate means. A minimum of seventy five percent (75%) of a student’s credit requirement in each category must come from traditional means of credit acquisition.

Traditional Credit Sources:

· Courses scheduled throughout the school year

· Summer school original credit

Alternate Credit Sources:

· Teacher-Directed Independent Study

· Higher Education Courses

· Correspondence Courses

· Tutoring

· Testing out

ALTERNATE CREDIT SCURCES:

PROCESS: Alternate credit must be applied for and approved prior to starting any course work. An “Alternative Credit Application” must be completed and signed by the student and parent. The student may need to provide a detailed description of the course curriculum. The application should be submitted to the student’s counselor. The approval of the counselor, department curriculum leader, and the principal are necessary for final approval. The following sources are considered for alternate credit.

Teacher-Directed Independent Study: The student must find a teacher certified in the specific area. If the course is a replacement of a Downingtown Area School District course, the student must cover the entire curriculum. The teacher and student will work out how and when the course requirements are met. It is expected that the student will do the work on his/her own and the teachers will provide direction, oversight, and grades. A maximum of ½ credit can be given for independent study.

Higher Education Courses: Courses offered at an accredited post-secondary school may be taken in place of a Downingtown course or used for enrichment. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the post-secondary school and meet its requirements to register for courses. The student is also responsible to pay for all costs associated with taking the course and his/her transportation. A final grade sheet from the school is necessary to receive the credit. Generally, one Downingtown credit is awarded for a three or four credit college course.

Correspondence Courses: Correspondence courses may be used to replace a Downingtown course or for enrichment. Applications for approved correspondence programs are available in Guidance and must be approved prior to enrollment. All costs and requirements of the course are the responsibility of the student. The correspondence program will give the final grade.

Online Courses: Online courses may be used to replace a Downingtown course or for enrichment. Applications for approved correspondence programs are available in Guidance and must be approved prior to enrollment. All costs and requirements of the course are the responsibility of the student. The online provider will give the final grade.

Tutoring: A certified teacher must conduct tutoring hours. The following is required for original credit:

1 credit	44 hours
½ credit (.5)	22 hours
1/3 credit (.33)	15 hours

The student and the tutor will agree on the schedule and location of the tutoring sessions. It is expected that the tutor will assign work between tutoring sessions and grade the completed work. The entire curriculum must be covered including mid-term and final exams. The tutor will assign the final grade. Teachers are usually paid on an hourly rate for tutoring, and all costs associated with the tutoring are the responsibility of the student.

MAKE-UP CREDIT

The credit is judged to be traditional or alternate based upon the status of the original attempted credit. Students may re-take a course through one of the means listed below to obtain credit for a course failed, or to improve a grade for a course passed. If a course is taken for grade improvement, both grades will be used to calculate the GPA, but only one (1) credit will be awarded.

Summer School: Applications are available in the Guidance office prior to the start of each session. All costs and transportation are the responsibility of the student.

Correspondence Courses: Applications for pre-approved online courses are available in the Guidance office. Not all courses are available to be made-up through online courses. All costs are the responsibility of the student.

Online Courses: Applications for pre-approved correspondence courses are available in the Guidance office. Not all courses are available to be made-up through correspondence courses. All costs are the responsibility of the student.

Tutoring: Students need to complete an “Alternative Credit Application” prior to obtaining a tutor. This application is available in the Guidance office. The following is required for make-up credit:

1 credit	22 hours
½ credit (.5)	11 hours
1/3 credit (.33)	8 hours

The student and the tutor will agree to the schedule and location of tutoring sessions. It is expected that the tutor will assign work between tutoring sessions and grade the completed work. The curriculum should be reviewed and the final exam should be given. The tutor will assign the make-up grade. Teachers are usually paid on an hourly rate for tutoring, and all costs associated with the tutoring are the responsibility of the student.