The Cranston Public Schools Diploma System

General Overview of Proficiency- Based Graduation Requirements (PBGR) 24 Credits 24 Credits Required Courses Required Courses Working Portfolio and Graduation Portfolio/Presentation Working Portfolio and Graduation Portfolio/Presentation Community Service (20 hours over 4 years) Community Service (20 hours over 4 years) Standardized Assessments: NECAP Standardized Assessments: NECAP Comprehensive Course Assessments (Final Exams) Comprehensive Course Assessments (Final Exams) Individualized Learning Plans (ILP) Individualized Learning Plans (ILP)

PBGR: Credits 24 credits 24 credits Credit is awarded for final grade of D (65) or higher (However, 4 year colleges require a grade of C minus or higher) Credit is awarded for final grade of D (65) or higher (However, 4 year colleges require a grade of C minus or higher) Depending on the course, student will receive 1.0,.5, or.25 credit(s) Depending on the course, student will receive 1.0,.5, or.25 credit(s)

PBGR: Required Courses Students must complete: Students must complete: 4 credits in English 4 credits in Math 3 credits in Science 3 credits in Social Studies (1 credit must be US History).5 credit in Computer Technology.5 credit in Fine Arts 1 credit Physical Education (.25 each year) 1 credit Health Education (.25 each year) 7 additional credits in elective courses

PBGR: The Working Portfolio The Working Portfolio consists of artifacts and accompanying reflections The Working Portfolio consists of artifacts and accompanying reflections Artifacts are assignments/assessments/common tasks that show evidence of proficiency in communication, problem-solving, technology, research, health, and the fine arts Artifacts are assignments/assessments/common tasks that show evidence of proficiency in communication, problem-solving, technology, research, health, and the fine arts Artifacts are uploaded into the digital portfolio system (RIEPS) Artifacts are uploaded into the digital portfolio system (RIEPS) After school support is available for assistance with portfolio assignments After school support is available for assistance with portfolio assignments

PBGR: The Graduation Portfolio/ Presentation Completed in Senior Year Completed in Senior Year Students select a specific number of artifacts from their Working Portfolio to become part of their Graduation Portfolio Students select a specific number of artifacts from their Working Portfolio to become part of their Graduation Portfolio Students present their Graduation Portfolios to a panel of 3 or 4 adults in March/April of Senior Year. Students present their Graduation Portfolios to a panel of 3 or 4 adults in March/April of Senior Year.

PBGR: NECAP Every student is required to participate in the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) during their junior year Every student is required to participate in the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) during their junior year Students are expected to score at least Partially Proficient on the Math and English Assessments Students are expected to score at least Partially Proficient on the Math and English Assessments

PBGR: Comprehensive Course Assessments Students are required to complete final exams in all courses. Students are required to complete final exams in all courses. Final exams represent a percentage of the students’ final grade in the course. Final exams represent a percentage of the students’ final grade in the course.

PBGR: Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) Students must participate in the ILP Goal Setting activities in the high school advisory program. Through the ILP students develop and reflect on academic, career, and personal/ social goals. Students must participate in the ILP Goal Setting activities in the high school advisory program. Through the ILP students develop and reflect on academic, career, and personal/ social goals.

PBGR: Community Service Students must complete 20 hours of community service over 4 years of high school. It is anticipated that all students complete the community service requirement by the 2 nd quarter of grade 12. Students must complete 20 hours of community service over 4 years of high school. It is anticipated that all students complete the community service requirement by the 2 nd quarter of grade 12. Details on the new community service component of PBGR are still being finalized. Details on the new community service component of PBGR are still being finalized.

Admission to Four Year Post Secondary Institutions Requirements differ from PBGR requirements Requirements differ from PBGR requirements General rule: Students should strive to earn no lower than a C minus (70) in a challenging program of studies General rule: Students should strive to earn no lower than a C minus (70) in a challenging program of studies Consult Cranston Public Schools’ Program of Studies for course descriptions to determine appropriate course of study for admission to technical, 2 year, or 4 year post secondary institutions (available at Consult Cranston Public Schools’ Program of Studies for course descriptions to determine appropriate course of study for admission to technical, 2 year, or 4 year post secondary institutions (available at

Basic Admission Requirements for Public Four Year Institutions: Courses and Credits 4 credits of English 4 credits of English 3 credits of Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) 3 credits of Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) 2 credits of Social Studies 2 credits of Social Studies 2 credits of lab Science (Foundations of Physics, Chemistry and Biology) 2 credits of lab Science (Foundations of Physics, Chemistry and Biology) 2-3 credits of Foreign Language (Level 1 and Level 2) 2-3 credits of Foreign Language (Level 1 and Level 2).5 credits of fine arts.5 credits of fine arts 4.5 credits in additional electives 4.5 credits in additional electives Resources on specific colleges and programs are available at Resources on specific colleges and programs are available at

Basic Admission Requirements for Public Four Year Institutions: Standardized Assessments PSAT in sophomore year for practice (best for honor level students) PSAT in sophomore year for practice (best for honor level students) PSAT in fall of junior year for additional practice and qualification for National Merit Scholarship PSAT in fall of junior year for additional practice and qualification for National Merit Scholarship SAT or ACT in spring of junior year SAT or ACT in spring of junior year SAT Subject Test (if needed) as soon as possible after completion of advanced courses (spring of junior year/fall of senior year) SAT Subject Test (if needed) as soon as possible after completion of advanced courses (spring of junior year/fall of senior year) SAT/ACT in fall of senior year SAT/ACT in fall of senior year

High School Programs: Cranston Area Career and Technical Center CACTC offers the following programs: CACTC offers the following programs: –Aquaculture- Finance/Marketing –Child Development- CISCO Networking – Culinary & Pastry Arts- Pre-Engineering/Robotics – CAD/Drafting- Graphic Communications –Computer Technology- Medical Pathways, – Residential Building Repair & Remodeling Application process begins in the fall of Freshman year Application process begins in the fall of Freshman year Open House/Parent tours in January Open House/Parent tours in January For more information visit For more information visit

High School Programs: The New England Laborers’/ Construction Career Academy Charter School Students can attend the New England Laborers Construction Career Academy in Freshman year. Students can attend the New England Laborers Construction Career Academy in Freshman year. Programs available: Programs available: –Construction Craft Technology –World of Work Exploration For more information visit their website at charter.cpsed.net

The Freshman Year Schedule Students will be required to fill a 7 period schedule. All students will take: Students will be required to fill a 7 period schedule. All students will take: - English 9 - Social Studies (World History 1 or Democracy in Action) - Math - Science (Foundations for Physics) -Phys Ed 9 /Health 9 - If schedule allows-students should complete the fine art/ technology requirement in freshman year

Remainder of schedule will depend on students’ needs and goals College bound students should select a World Language (Spanish, French, or Italian) College bound students should select a World Language (Spanish, French, or Italian) Some students will be required to take Targeted or Intensive Reading (These are Federally mandated courses) Some students will be required to take Targeted or Intensive Reading (These are Federally mandated courses) Complete Fine Art requirement and Technology requirement in Freshman year if possible Complete Fine Art requirement and Technology requirement in Freshman year if possible Students who qualify for Special Education Services will need to be scheduled for the appropriate support class. Students who qualify for Special Education Services will need to be scheduled for the appropriate support class.

How to stay informed at the high school level: Attend high school freshman orientation in the summer Attend high school freshman orientation in the summer Attend high school Open Houses each year. Attend high school Open Houses each year. Sign up for High School List Serv to receive updates Sign up for High School List Serv to receive updates Read High School newsletters and mailings Read High School newsletters and mailings Read notices on quarterly report cards and progress reports Read notices on quarterly report cards and progress reports