JECDA-AR: Transcript Evaluation Procedures
Code: JECDA-AR
Revised/Reviewed: 6/09/10; 10/11/17; 9/28/22
Orig. Code: JECDA-AR
The principal or designee will conduct an evaluation of transfer student transcripts and other documentation as may be required to: determine the value of course credits earned; acceptance or rejection of credit and grades; the number of years of school attendance or equivalent; and subsequent placement of students in district schools.
Awarding of Credits
1. Students, including dependents of an active duty or deployed member in the uniformed service of the United States, transferring from a standard Oregon public school, another state’s standard school or a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, will receive credit for previously completed courses and attendance on the same basis credit and attendance are accepted for such courses completed in district schools.
2. Students transferring from another district-approved alternative education program or a private alternative education program registered with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) or other state’s department of education will receive credit for previously completed courses and attendance on the same basis credit and attendance are accepted for such courses completed in district schools.
3. Students transferring from an alternative education program not registered as provided above, may receive credit for those courses that have the same or substantially similar course content and hours of instruction as existing district courses.
4. Students transferring from an accredited private school will receive credit for previously completed courses and attendance on the same basis credit and attendance are accepted for such courses completed in district schools.
Credits earned for classes of a sectarian nature will not be accepted. Students may be required to submit course descriptions, or other documentation as may be deemed necessary, to determine whether a course is primarily sectarian in nature.
5. Students transferring from a nonaccredited private school may receive credit for those courses that have the same or substantially similar course content and hours of instruction as existing district courses.
6. Students transferring from homeschool-based courses under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 339.035, online or other distance learning may receive credit for previously completed course work and attendance by:
a. Successfully passing an appropriate challenge exam;
b. Providing portfolio/work sample evidence which demonstrates equivalent knowledge or skill;
c. Providing documentation of prior learning activities or experiences (e.g., certification of training, hours of instruction, letters, etc.).
Credit approval will be granted only when the student has demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that he/she has achieved the same level of knowledge or skill as would have been accomplished by successful completion of the district course(s) for which credit has been requested.
7. Students may be required to submit course descriptions or other documentation as deemed necessary, including hours of instruction, to assist district officials in determining credit and attendance to be accepted. Such information may be gathered by phone.
Validation of Credit
- The district may, at its discretion, require validation of credit from students transferring from nonaccredited schools and nonregistered alternative programs, by requiring that the student complete an assessment or provide equivalent portfolio/work sample evidence.
- The district may conditionally accept credit from students transferring from nonaccredited schools and nonregistered alternative programs. Students not meeting course requirements at the four-week mark, may be required to undergo further written or oral assessment.
- Students unable to validate credit will be scheduled/rescheduled at the appropriate grade/course level and the credit(s) in question denied.
Grade-Level Placement
Students will be placed in the grade level or course best suited to their needs, based on the district’s evaluation of the student’s transcript and/or other documentation, assessment, portfolio/work sample evidence, etc., as may be required by the district.
If the student is unable to provide appropriate documentation, the principal or designee will make the grade level determination based upon district-administered assessment(s) as deemed appropriate.
Grades/GPA Academic Awards
-
Students transferring from the following programs may receive, subject to procedures established by the district, the grades/GPA value earned from the student’s previous school(s), program(s) for purposes of determining a student’s cumulative GPA, academic recognition and awards (e.g., Top 10, valedictorian, salutatorian, etc.):
- Standard Oregon schools, other states’ standardized schools or a DoDEA school;
- Another district’s approved alternative program;
- A private alternative program registered with ODE or another state’s department of education;
- An accredited private school.
The district may include other schools and programs such as nonaccredited, nonregistered and homeschool-based courses, online or other distant learning methods as deemed appropriate.
Appeals
Transcript evaluation decisions may be appealed to the superintendent or designee.
