A part of the Ohio Core legislation includes the addition of credit flexibility to Ohio’s high schools.

“The philosophy behind credit flexibility is to increase the opportunities for students to earn high school course credit beyond the traditional classroom experience,” said Superintendent Dr. David Axner. “In our district, we are committed to providing a customized educational experience and credit flexibility will expand those options.”

Schilling said seat time in a classroom is not the only measure of student learning. Knowledge may be demonstrated in a number of ways and the ability to earn credit in a number of ways, ensures our system is designed for learning.

The credit flexibility program will evolve over time.

“The State has provided local Boards of Education with guidelines, but our committee will tailor the program to our students’ needs,” said Executive Director of Learning and Teaching Eydie Schilling. “The scheduling of our students impacts staffing and we must plan carefully for credit flexibility.”

According to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), under the new plan, students may earn credits by:

1) Completing coursework;

2) Testing out of or demonstrating mastery of course content; or

3) Pursuing one or more “educational options” (e.g., distance learning, educational travel, independent study, an internship, music, arts, after-school/tutorial program, community service or other engagement projects and sports).

Credit flexibility is intended to motivate and increase student learning by providing access to real world experiences and using multiple measures of a students’ learning.

A committee of high school staff members and central office curriculum administrators is in the process of planning, researching, and scheduling the timelines for specific subject implementation of the program.

Additional information on the program details will be made available prior to the beginning of high school scheduling in early 2010.