Educational Options at Medina High School
(Flexible Credit)

Medina High School course offerings include courses in the academic disciplines of English, mathematics, science, world language, and social studies as well as in art, music, business, health and physical education, industrial arts, and career/technical education. The majority of students will find an ample number of courses to meet their needs.

For the few students who have real need or strong desire to advance beyond the content of the curriculum or to study an area not well covered in the regular curriculum, extended instructional programs are possible. Considerable care must be exercised by parents, student and school authorities to be sure that real learning is probable and that the student does not neglect more basic subject matter which might be available in existing courses.

The Board believes that opportunities for students to reinforce, supplement and enrich their education outside the regular school program should be made available to Medina students through Educational Options.

The use of Educational Options represents one method by which expanded learning opportunities can be provided. Educational Options may permit expanded community involvement in the education process, may increase the opportunities for students to match the pace of technological developments, and may provide a broader base for earning promotion and credits necessary for graduation.

The Board approves the following forms of Educational Options for Medina students in Grades 9-12:

1. Correspondence courses
2. Independent Study
3. Service Learning
4. Credit through Examination
5. Advanced Placement Courses
6. Post Secondary Educational Options
7. Work Credit
8. Middle School Credits
9. Career/Technical Center
10. Technology School
11. Night School
12. Career Based Intervention
13. Internship
14. Physical Education Opt-Out
15. Physical Education Flex-Out 

 The Board authorizes the superintendent, or his/her designee, to approve an Educational Option for a student upon evidence that these prescribed standards are met.

 DEFINITION OF OPTIONS

 
1. Correspondence courses refer to an educational activity involving the use of systematic instruction through the mail or electronic media provided by a pre-approved institution. Evaluation of pupil performance shall be under the direction of the approved institution. Medina High School will transfer these courses using a letter grade issued by the approved school of correspondence and equivalent credit to Medina High School courses. All correspondence courses will be posted toward graduation. A list of approved institutions can be obtained through the Medina High School Guidance Offices. Students wanting to engage in Correspondence Courses need to apply through a Credit Flexibility Application. Student is responsible for all financial fees.

2. Independent study refers to an educational activity involving advanced or in-depth work in an approved area of study. Instruction and evaluation of pupil performance, related to the area of independent study undertaken, shall be under the direction of a member of the professional staff who is highly qualified in that area of study. Students wanting to engage in an Independent Study need to apply through a Credit Flexibility Application. Student is responsible for all financial fees.

3. Service learning refers to an educational activity that provides students the opportunity to earn course credit by volunteering within the Medina and greater Medina community. Although other options will be considered, the most widely used aspect of service learning is working as a teacher’s aide in an elementary school classroom within the School District. Students seeking to earn Service Learning Credit in this manner will be placed with an elementary school teacher of their choice. Students must commit at least 160 hours of service in the elementary school classroom and/or activities related to the elementary school classroom. Students must submit a record of those hours to their appropriate school counselor at the completion of each grading period. Students can earn 1 credit after 160 hours. Students wanting to engage in Service Learning need to apply through a Credit Flexibility Application.

4. Credit through Examination refers to an educational activity by which the student wishes to earn credit for a course in which they have had no Medina High School instruction and may earn credit by exam. Examinations for Grade 9-12 are criterion-referenced tests from ACT or end of course examinations developed by Medina City Schools’ professional staff. Student must demonstrate 80% or higher mastery on the exam in order to earn credit. The grading scale will be as follows, all scores will be truncated to whole numbers: 

 The following courses will be available during the 2011-2012 school year for Credit through Examination:  

Students are encouraged to review the state academic content standards on the Ohio Department of Education website www.ode.state.oh.us keyword: ACADEMIC CONTENT STANDARDS.

Students may also want to review the current Medina High School course indicators for the instructional courses taught at Medina High School.   MHS Course Indicators

Applications for Credit through Examination are available in the Medina High School Guidance Offices. If a student fails to meet the 80% or higher mastery level on an exam of a required subject, the Medina High School course will be scheduled. Students attempting to test out of a 1st semester course or a full year course need to adhere to the following dates:

Registration Deadline:

July 14, 2011
Medina High School main office
Payment fee: $50.00

Examination Dates:

August 3, 2011 or August 10, 2011
Medina High School media center
8:00am

Students will be provided the opportunity to earn credit through examination for a semester or full year course in which they are currently enrolled after the start of the 1st semester. The intent is to allow progression of a student to whom proficiency is already in existence. The student will remain in the Medina High School instructional course until proficiency is determined. Students attempting to test out of a 1st semester or full year course after the start of the school year needs to adhere to the following dates:

Registration Deadline:

September 14, 2011
Medina High School Guidance Offices
Payment fee: $50.00

Examination Dates:

September 28, 2011
Medina High School media center
3:00pm

Students will be provided the opportunity to earn credit through examination for a course in which the student is not currently enrolled or for 2nd semester only courses. Students will not be allowed to earn credit through examination for the 2nd semester of a full year course. For 2nd semester courses, if a student fails to meet the 80% or higher mastery level on an exam of a required subject area, the Medina High School course will be scheduled. Students attempting to test out of a 2nd semester course need to adhere to the following dates:

Registration Deadline:

November 30, 2011
Medina High School Guidance Offices
Payment fee: $50.00

Examination Dates:

December 14, 2011
Medina High School media center
3:00pm

Students will be provided the opportunity to earn credit through examination for 2nd semester courses in which they are currently enrolled after the start of the 2nd semester. The intent is to allow progression of a student to whom proficiency is already in existence. The student will remain in the Medina High School instructional course until proficiency is determined. Students attempting to test out of a 2nd semester course after the start of 2nd semester needs to adhere to the following dates:

Registration Deadline:

February 15, 2012
Medina High School Guidance Offices
Payment fee: $50.00

Examination Dates:

February 29, 2012
 Medina High School media center
3:00pm

5. Advanced Placement courses refer to an educational activity that is a cooperative effort between high schools and colleges. It is a way for high schools to give academically stronger students an education appropriate to their abilities and interests, with reasonable assurance that these studies will not be repeated in college. Some colleges and universities award immediate sophomore standing to students presenting qualifying grades in enough Advanced Placement examinations. By taking AP courses, students can save time and money and open more college opportunities. Currently Medina High School offers 8 AP courses taught by Medina High School faculty at an introductory college level. All students have the opportunity to take the AP examination in May at a cost determined by College Board. If the student achieves a qualifying score on the AP exam, college credit and/or some kind of advanced status in college courses may be given. Medina High School will award high school credit for AP courses in one of two options: (1) credit with instruction at Medina High School or (2) credit without instruction at Medina High School. In option (1), the course is a scheduled class period at Medina High School with credit and a letter grade being assigned in accordance with Medina High School policies. Option 1 always takes precedence over option 2 for credit and grading purposes. In option (2), credit will be issued based on the following conversions recommended by the College Board and the Ohio Board of Regents:

*Courses traditionally offered as an instructional course at Medina High School
**Colleges and Universities may or may not issue more or less semester (quarter) credit based on the AP exam score. 

Letter grades will be assigned as follows using the AP weighted course equivalent grading scale (5.0/4.0 = A)

*Medina High School will not recognize AP exam scores of 0, 1 or 2 for credit or letter grades.

6. Post Secondary Educational Options refers to an educational activity presently available throughout Ohio in which high school students may attend a college or university of their choice while enrolled in high school. This program is intended to provide expanded opportunities for appropriately qualified high school students. Courses can be taken strictly for college credit (Option A) or college/high school credit (Option B). Under Option A students are financially responsible for all tuition and related costs, while under Option B the local school district pays tuition and related costs. Each February Medina High School will host a mandatory PSEOP meeting for interested students. Information from the University of Akron, Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain Community College will be available at this time.

7. Work credit refers to an educational activity that provides students the opportunity to earn credit for work experience. Juniors and Seniors in good standing may be eligible to begin their work program during the last part of the day. Students in grades 9 and 10 must work after school or on weekends. All students can be eligible for the maximum of 2 credits per school year with each credit earned after 160 hours. Work is described as either for pay or volunteer. It is the responsibility of the student to provide pay stubs, proof of employment and employment information to their school counselor at the completion of each grading period. Work Credit is a course a student schedules during the Spring Registration or Fall Schedule Change period.

 8. Middle School Credit refers to an educational activity that provides middle school students the opportunity to earn high school credit while still in middle school. In the Medina City School District students are awarded high school credit for all approved high school courses even if the courses are taken at the various Medina middle schools. Approved high school courses are taught by a certified high school instructor. A current list of middle school courses that are offered for high school credit can be obtained through the Medina High School Guidance Offices.

9. Career/Technical Center refers to an educational activity for Juniors and Seniors to attend the Medina County Career Center which offers over 27 career technical programs along with a wide variety of college prep electives and academics. Through the combination of advanced technical education, college-prep academics and industry-based certifications, students complete the Career Center with the skills they need to pursue a career and/or further their education at the university level. Students will receive their diploma from Medina High School and a Technical Certificate from the Career Center. Additional information may be obtained through the Medina High School Guidance offices.

10. Technology School refers to an educational activity that is designed to meet the needs of students who are not successful in a conventional school setting. Technology School will provide a solely online curriculum, provided by the Tri-Rivers Educational Computer Association (TRECA), to students during the traditional high school hours through classroom time at Medina High School. Additional information may be obtained through the Medina High School Guidance offices.

11. Night School refers to an educational activity that is designed to meet the needs of students who are not successful in a conventional school setting. Night School will provide a structured environment designed to meet academic, social and vocational needs of students through classroom time in the late afternoon and evening hours. This program is available to students who have completed a minimum of 10 credits toward graduation. Additional information may be obtained through the Medina High School Guidance offices.

12. Career Based Intervention refers to an educational activity that is designed to provide a meaningful career-oriented educational program for at-risk students. The program combines job experience with work-related classroom experience while completing requirements toward graduation. This program also allows the student to transition to the Medina County Career Center.

 13. Internship refers to an educational activity in which the student and a community member/business partner to develop a specific skill, complete research or master a process. Previous examples include Cleveland Clinic Offices of Civic Education summer internship programs and the Medina County Intern Program. Other internships will be considered. Students wanting to engage in Internship opportunities need to apply through a Credit Flexibility Application.

14. Physical Education Opt-Out refers to an Educational Option for students to meet the state requirements for physical education without earning credit. Students who will participate in interscholastic athletics, marching band, or cheerleading for at least two (2) full seasons as defined in the Medina High School handbook, while enrolled in grades 9-12, and as documented by the athletic director, or principal, or athletic coach may be excused from the high school physical education requirement. Students electing such an excuse shall complete the physical education requirement but will not earn credit for physical education. One-half credit of elective credit will need to be earned to fulfill graduation requirements for the students given graduating year. Two full seasons will fulfill the requirements of two physical education courses. Students completing only one season will need to complete one physical education course. Physical Education Opt-Out is an option that a student registers for during the Spring Registration or Fall Schedule Change period. The students coach, marching band director or cheerleading advisor will confirm completion at the end of the season. Physical Education opt-out began Fall 2010 seasons.

15.  Physical Education Flex-Out refers to an Educational Option for students to meet the state requirements for physical education.  Credit and a letter grade will be awarded. Students will need to purchase and complete within 18 weeks The Nutrition and Activity Journal developed by PEFit. Students wanting to engage in Physical Education Flex-Out need to apply through a Credit Flexibility Application. Students wanting to use activities such as private dance instruction, club sports or other suitable forms of activity should review options through Independent Study.