Students in grades 9-12 will be permitted to challenge a course by examination. Department course objectives and procedures for challenging courses will be a part of student orientation and outlined in secondary school handbooks.
Procedures
Students should check with the counselors' office to see if there is a regular procedure set up for a challenge test in the subject areas in question. If a challenge test procedure exists, the student should follow that procedure. If no challenge test exists, the procedure outlined below will apply.
1. Student will secure an application form from the counselors' office.
2. The completed form will be forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction.
3. The Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, working with the Principal, will set up a review committee: two teachers from the department in which the subject will be challenged, the student's counselor, and one administrator. The Director of Curriculum Services will serve as chairperson of the review committee.
4 Upon recommendation of the review committee, an examination will be given to students requesting such consideration in subjects offered by the local high school.
5. If the examination is approved, the date will be set, and arrangements for the development of the test will be established by the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction. Examinations in subjects offered by the school will be administered by an instructor of that subject at the school site.
6. A grade of an "A" or "B" on the examination is required to earn credit for the course. The determination of an "A" or "B" grade will be made by the examiners in consultation with the department head and the review committee.
The above procedure of giving credit for a course offered in the high school curriculum by testing will be coordinated by the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction.
Test Content and Administration
It shall be the responsibility of department chairperson to collaborate with teachers in the development of appropriate district-wide testing procedures and materials for the classes that may be challenged within their department. Departmentally developed performance objectives shall determine the content and the type of evaluation to be used. The examination may be written, oral, by demonstration, or by any combination thereof. The type of test administered should be dependent upon the course outline. It is further the responsibility of the department chairperson or designee to supervise the administration, correction and verification of tests pertaining to the department.
Regulation ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: September 9, 1997 Alhambra, California