Educational Options
Board of Education Policy # IGCD

The Board recognizes that an effective educational program is one that provides opportunities for student learning both within the classroom and for specific reasons, beyond the traditional classroom and school day. These expanded opportunities are viewed as educational options to supplement the regular school program.

The intent of educational options is to allow educators, other professionals, parents and others to work together to provide opportunities for students to learn in an independent or individual setting and to study or work with recognized experts in specific fields.

Educational options may be made available to pupils.
The superintendent may approve an education option upon evidence that:

• The parent has approved participation for any student under the age of eighteen;
• An instructional plan has been submitted prior to student participation.
• The instructional plan shall include:
  • Instructional objectives;
  • An outline including major instructional activities and materials;
  • A description of criteria and methods for assessing pupil performance;
  • A licensed teacher shall provide instruction and evaluate student performance in tutorial programs and independent studies;

The following educational options may be approved upon meeting the established requirements.

• Correspondence course - 1 credit – Systematic instruction by mail for make-up courses.
• Independent study - 1 credit - Instruction provided by a licensed teacher.
• Summer school - 1 credit - Instruction in an approved summer program for make-up.
  or to take courses not offered at Fort Loramie High School.
• Post-secondary options - Instruction provided by an approved college/university.

Early Graduation Policy
Board of Education Policy # IKFA

Occasions and circumstances periodically occur in which it would be in the best interest of an individual student to graduate early. Specifically this would include: marriage, pursuit of higher education, or severe family hardship. In such cases, the following criteria are to be satisfied in order for early graduation to be approved by the building principal.

• A student will be required to attend a minimum of seven semesters.
• All required courses would be taken through the Fort Loramie High School Program.
• The student will petition for early graduation prior to the seventh semester of high school.
• The parent or guardian will provide written approval.
• The graduation requirements to be met will be those required of the class of which the individual entered High School.
• The individual petitioning for early graduation consideration maintains the privilege of attending and participating in all extra-curricular events including commencement exercises.

Early Graduation Procedure
A student who has successfully met all the criteria and wishes to graduate early will follow the designated procedure to insure early graduation.

• Complete and return the Early Graduation Form prior to the seventh semester of high school.
• Establish a meeting date and attend along with parent, guardian, or spouse. This must occur prior to the seventh semester of high school education. The High School Principal and Guidance Counselor will verify that all criteria have been successfully completed.
• Having verified that all necessary courses have been successfully completed, the High School Principal will recommend early graduation for the student to the Superintendent of Schools.
• Upon the approval of the Board of Education, the student will be granted permission for early graduation at the conclusion of the seventh semester of high school education.

Post Secondary Enrollment Options

The Ohio General Assembly has passed legislation creating the Post Secondary Enrollment Program. This program provides various education options for all public high school students.

Board of Education Policy # IGCH

Option A allows eligible high school students to enroll in approved institutions of higher education. Under this option, college credit and/or high school credit may be earned upon successful completion of college course work. The financial responsibility under Option A rests with the student or parent/guardian.

Option B allows eligible high school students to enroll in approved institutions of higher education. Under this option, high school credit may be earned upon successful completion of college course work. The financial responsibility under option B rests with the Local Board of Education.

Specific Guidelines

• School districts must notify high school students and their parents of the program and the options available to qualifying students by March 1 of each school year.
• The law requires a student to indicate to school officials intent to participate by April 1, for the upcoming school year.
• The law further specifies that school districts must provide counseling services to students and their parent/guardians prior to any student's participation in the program to provide information on the positive and negative aspects of the program.
• Students must have a 3.00 GPA in their current high school courses that are similar to the college courses to be eligible for this program.
• Students must meet specific requirements developed and established by the accepting college and pass an entrance exam depending on the institution.
• Students shall enroll in enough courses at the high school and college to be a considered a full-time student.

Counseling services to include but not limited to:

1. High School student status as determined by Ft. Loramie High School in grades 9-12.
2. Acceptance by college, not determined by Ft. Loramie High School.
3. Options required by SEC. 3365.04 of ORC.
4. Financial arrangements for tuition, books, materials and fees.
5. Process of granting academic credits.
6. Criteria for any transportation aid.
7. Available support services.
8. Scheduling concerns.
9. Consequences of failing or not completing a course.
10. The effect of program participation on student’s ability to complete district graduation requirements.
11. Academic and social responsibilities of students and parents under this program.
12. Information/encouragement of college counseling services.
13. Encourage all students exhibiting the ability to consider this program.
14. Five semesters or 7 1/2 quarter hours college (=) equal one Carnegie unit high school.
15. The grades for the Post-Secondary Options classes are not calculated into the quarterly Honor Roll.
16. The grades received in the Post-Secondary Options courses are included and calculated into the GPA. Courses taken during the second semester of the senior year are not calculated into the GPA, but credit is awarded.

The above description only presents the basic information about the program.
A student and parent/guardian will be required to participate in a counseling session with the guidance counselor to further clarify the information during the month of March to be able to participate in the program.

A student must be enrolled in a total of 6 credits per semester through a combination of high school credits and college credits. Summer courses are not considered part of the program.

Fort Loramie schools reserve the right to review course selections and will provide assistance to the student to determine if a course meets graduation requirements.