1. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 1 April 16, 2009 Credit Recovery Best Practices in Dropout Prevention Jackson Convention Center

2. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 2 Credit Recovery Policy Policy Number 2905 Adopted by State Board of Education May 19, 2008 Accessible online at http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/SBE_policymanual/2905.htm

3. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 3 Definition Credit recovery is defined as a course- specific, skill-based learning opportunity for students who have previously been unsuccessful in mastering content/skills required to receive course credit or earn promotion.

4. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 4 Admission Local Educational Agency (LEA) shall establish an application process that requires parental consent. LEAs shall establish minimum criteria to determine eligibility for participation in the Credit Recovery Program. Students who have already received credit for a course are not eligible unless they have not passed the end of course test(s) required for graduation. LEAs shall determine the number of Credit Recovery Courses that a student can take.

5. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 5 Instruction LEAs shall determine the instructional methodology used for the Credit Recovery Program (i.e., online program, Mississippi Virtual Public School (MVPS), direct instruction, computer assisted instruction, etc.). LEAs shall provide professional development for teachers and facilitators involved with the Credit Recovery Program.

6. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 6 Content and Curriculum Credit Recovery Curriculum shall be based on the Mississippi Curriculum Frameworks competencies and objectives.

7. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 7 Grades LEAs are responsible for establishing specific procedures for evaluation of student progress and determining grades.

8. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 8 Examples District A: The district does not allow students in a credit recovery course with a grade below 40. Parents are counseled about providing resources and motivation for students. The method of delivery is computer software online. The vendor of choice provides training for teachers and staff. Certified teachers help with the content and non-certified staff provide facilitation. The credit recovery course must be completed in nine weeks with 80 percent mastery.

9. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 9 Examples District B: The district does not allow students in a credit recovery course with a grade below 50. The credit recovery grade is factored with the original failing grade in order to determine the student’s final grade.

10. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 10 Examples District C: A screening is administered for motivation, aptitude, and need. Students are allowed five months to complete credit recovery courses online. Teachers are trained to facilitate the online courses. The classes are asynchronous, meaning that the students don’t have to be online at a certain time.

11. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 11 Examples District D: Students complete credit recovery courses online. The school district allows time during school and after school to work on the curriculum. Students are also allowed to log on computers from home.

12. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 12 Examples District E: The district uses credit recovery for high school students who are over-aged for their grade level, who have behavioral problems, and/or who have been retained at least once in grades 9, 10 or 11. Classes are offered after school between 3:30 and 6:30 and during the summer. The courses are taught using an online platform.

13. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 13 Examples District F: Credit Recovery uses an online software in a computer lab that is monitored by a certified teacher. The district screens the students for the reading level required for the computer based program. The program is offered after school only for courses required for graduation. The district flags the courses earned through credit recovery on the permanent record, but not the quarterly grade report. MSIS is notified when a student earns credit through a credit recovery program. No minimum failure score is required to qualify for the program. The credit recovery course most utilized is in the area of mathematics.

14. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 14 Credit Recovery Course Code 80100 School Districts have two options for addressing credit in the MSIS.

15. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 15 Option A A student receives a failing grade for a course(s) and will be enrolled in Credit Recovery. - Enter the Credit Recovery Course code 80100 - Change the grade in the system after the student completes the Credit Recovery course. - Indicate that change of grade was due to Credit Recovery.

16. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 16 Option B A student receives an Incomplete (I) for a course and will be enrolled in Credit Recovery. - Enter the Credit Recovery course code 80100 - Change the incomplete (I) in the system after the student completes the Credit Recovery course. - Indicate that the change was due to Credit Recovery.

17. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 17 MSIS Change of Grades The course code 80100 should be entered one time per school year regardless of the number of Credit Recovery courses a student is taking. Effective school year 2009-2010, the MSIS will require users to indicate the reason for all change of grades and Incompletes.

18. Copyright © 2009 Mississippi Department of Education 18 MVPS This summer, MVPS will pilot 500 seats in 7 subjects for Credit Recovery. Based on the Pilot, a state policy will be developed in the high needs subjects areas.