Starting in 2015, students will be able to earn credit for a course without spending a set number of hours taking the course in a classroom.

Under the state’s Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) option, uniquely qualified students may “test out” or bypass a course if they have already mastered the content.

The program provides another opportunity for students to learn new content, to challenge themselves with the next level of rigor in a subject, and even graduate early. This option is not designed to replace existing accelerated pathways, such as the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program.

The CDM option is available to all students in North Carolina under State Board of Education policySBE-GCS-M-001, Section 13.

Eligibility

CDM shall be available for all NC students in grades 9-12 for high school courses and in grades 6-8 for high school courses offered in the middle school (Math I & Math II)

Granville County Public Schools will offer CDM for certain courses that are taught face-to-face (physically) on any Granville County high school campus.

• In November 2015, students and parents will receive information on how to opt into the program and select courses. Families must complete and return the CDM Student-Parent Agreement (available below in Resources) to their school principal by December 11, 2015.

• From February 15-26, 2016, students will take an exam (known as Phase 1) during the school day to demonstrate they have mastered the standards in the selected course at their base school.  Students with a score of 94 percent or above in non-EOC courses, a score of 93 percent or above in CTE courses, or a Level 5 for EOC courses will continue to Phase 2. Student results will be shared with families March 2016.

• In March 2016, students who continue to Phase 2 will be asked to create a presentation, project, or participate in another form of interview or evaluation with a school-based committee to demonstrate a deep understanding and knowledge of the content. The outcomes of Phase 2 will be shared with students April 2016.

Course selection

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Healthful Living, and some Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are not eligible. Download a list of eligible courses in the Resources section.

How credits will appear on transcripts

• Students will not receive a letter grade for the course.

• Students who successfully complete the process will receive a “pass” result on their transcripts for the course, and will be eligible to enroll in the next level course in that subject area.

• Students who do not earn the course credit will not be penalized. Results of the assessment processwill not be reflected in the student’s grades or school transcript.

• Students may make one attempt to earn credit per course. Retests are not offered.

Questions?

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document below for common topics. For all other questions, contact your school counselor or email thomast@gcs.k12.nc.us.