PLEASE NOTE: We've had a delay in the release of the Annual Reporting system, however, programs and districts will have sufficient time to complete all reporting requirements.
WAC Change Guidance for Open Doors Programs for 2018-2019
- Overview of changes
- Student Eligibility
- Instruction
- Award of Credit
- Calendar Hours
Overview of Changes
In an effort to continue to align the state rules (WACs) to best practices, the following changes and adjustments were made and are in effect for the 2018-2019 school year.
Student Eligibility
The WAC has been amended to include both ways of determining credit deficiency - both by credits earned to credits expected, and by credits earned to credits attempted.
Instruction
Instruction may now included competency-based Academic and/or Vocational training.
Competency-based credit rules have been in effect since 2011. Check with your school board policy on processes in your district for awarding competency-based credits. WSSDA has a model policy for school districts without a policy in place.
Award of Credit
The determination of credit and posting on a quarterly basis has been changed to reflect a community college calendar:
- September through December
- January through March
- April through June
- July through August
In addition to existing credit-awarding practices, credits will be awarded at the end of each quarter, in accordance with the following guidelines, if the student has been enrolled for at least one month of the quarter:
- A maximum of 1.0 high school subject area credit will be awarded when a student passes a standardized high school equivalency certificate (GED) test in the subject matter. Additional credits may be awarded if the student has completed a course(s) of study to prepare for the test.
- A 0.5 high school subject matter credit will be awarded when a student makes a statistically significant standardized assessment post-test gain in a specific subject area during the quarter, for scores that begin at or above the 9th grade level.
These changes were implemented to recognize that the GED is now aligned to the Common Core Standards recognized by Washington State, and that many programs are awarding credit based on demonstrated competency.
Calendar Hours
Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, programs must have a minimum of one thousand (1000) planned hours of instruction for the school year.
A minimum of two (2) hours and a maximum of six (6) hours may be counted per instructional day.
The school year is defined as September 1 through August 31.
Remember! Planned hours of instruction mean hours that instruction is available to students. This is not the same as expected student participation hours. That said, the more instruction, the greater the achievement!
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