Students taking courses designated as rigorous can waive related graduation requirements. For example, taking AP Language & Composition meets ELA requirements. Students, families, and counselors must follow the process below to ensure students meet graduation requirements as they pursue rigorous course options.
MPS Rigorous Course Waiver Procedure
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Counselor meets with student to go over schedule and cross check against Pre Approved Rigorous Course List (listed below).
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If a course is not on the list, Counselor will advise student that a Rigorous Course Waiver will be needed to grant high school credit for the course. Counselor will provide a list of alternative courses that are pre-approved to the student.
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If the student chooses a non-approved course, the Counselor will give the student the Rigorous Course Waiver Application form and instruct the following:
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The Student must completely fill out the top of the form with all information requested.
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The Parent must sign the form consenting to the waiving of any academic standards to be waived if the application is approved.
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The Student must return the form to their site counselor by March 1 for fall courses and November 1 for spring courses.
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Upon receiving the application, the Site Counselor must submit a copy of the application via email to the District Lead Counselor and the Director of Secondary Education or designee within 5 business days of receiving the application.
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The Director of Secondary Education or designee will make a determination of whether or not the application is approved within 10 business days of receiving the application.
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The Director of Secondary Education or designee will email a copy of the determination to the Site Lead Counselor, the District Lead Counselor, the District Content Specialist and the applicant.
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A positive determination requires the District Lead Counselor to add the course to the published list of pre-approved courses.
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A negative determination will require the Director of Secondary Education or designee to provide a statement of why it is not approved including a list of standards not adequately met.
Appeals
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The Student may appeal with the consent of a parent via email or standard mail to the Chief Academic Officer with a copy (cc) to the District Lead Counselor within 10 business days of the receipt of the denial.
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The CAO has 10 business days to affirm or deny the appeal in writing via email or standard mail.
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The Student, with consent of the parent, may appeal the CAO decision to the Superintendent within 5 business days upon receipt of the CAO’s decision.
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The Superintendent has 5 business days to affirm or deny the appeal in writing via email or standard mail.
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The Student, with consent of the parent, may appeal the Superintendent’s decision to the Board of Directors by petition delivered to the Clerk of the Board.
Available Courses
If a course is not on a pre-approved list, the student should complete the Rigorous Course Waiver Application Form below. This process is written out above for reference.
Courses at High Schools
Courses at Colleges