Credit flexibility options are designed for those students who demonstrate the ability, interest, and maturity to accept personal responsibility for their learning in a selected curricular area and have the opportunity to pursue it outside of Sylvania High School with a Sylvania approved program. The purpose of the credit flexibility option is to develop learners who devise their own research, learning objectives, and a plan whereby they will attain those objectives outside of the traditional classroom.

The policy will provide a personalized educational opportunity for students in grades 7-12 in which they will identify, acquire, and demonstrate the proficiency of their knowledge through agreed upon standards to earn graduation credit. Students will engage in activities beyond the boundaries of a classroom by taking part in an alternative learning experience to traditional “seat time” of classroom work, in which they will demonstrate identified learning standards. Students will be required to complete a Proposal for Credit Flexibility form in which they will define their educational goals, identify the standards they will demonstrate, and create a timeline for completion. Students may work independently or with a credit flexibility partner. Individuals and organizations wishing to partner with the student in an instructional plan will need to seek approval from the Sylvania City Schools.

Credit Flexibility Requirements:

Written plan or agreement between the students, parents and the Sylvania Secondary Director of Teaching and Learning and a Memo of Understanding with off-site program providers. The teacher of record must meet Ohio Department of Education certification requirements.

Grades will be reported to the guidance office and will be recorded on the student’s report card and transcript.

All credit flex classes must be added and dropped within the same timelines of dropping and adding other classes as stated in the Program of Studies otherwise the student will receive an F for the class if work is not completed.

How to Apply for a Credit Flexibility Program:

Credit Flexibility forms are available for download on the district website or from the district’s Curriculum Office located on the third floor of 4747 N Holland Sylvania Rd.

Students must complete proposals for the following school year and return them to the district’s Curriculum Office by March 31st.

Students will be notified of the status of the proposal after evaluation by the Secondary Director of Teaching and Learning.

Students are responsible for completing all assignments agreed upon in the Plan for Assessment to Receive Credit and Grades in order to receive a grade and credit.

Credit Flexibility Options and Procedures

Testing-out of a class (PDF) (RTF)

This option exists for students who believe they are ready to demonstrate all of the competencies required for a course. Students selecting this option must first complete a Test-out Request. Arrangements will then be made for the student to demonstrate proficiency. The demonstration of proficiency may include but is not limited to taking the Sylvania High school exams for the course, completing written essays and research papers, developing examples of subject area projects, and other items as specified in the proposal agreement. The Sylvania High School teacher of record will evaluate student work. Final grades and credits will be recorded on the student’s transcript and calculated in the student's GPA. A panel consisting of a highly qualified teacher in the subject matter, building administrator, and counselor will conduct grading appeals, if requested. A student who does not wish to accept the outcome of the credit flex plan may choose to enroll in the class via the traditional Sylvania High School classroom model. The grade of the credit flex plan would then be replaced by the grade from the Sylvania High School class. Students must fill out a Test-out Request form.

Creating a Flex Plan for a class

This option is for students who wish to develop a plan of study to address course objectives outside the traditional classroom. Prior approval for the proposal is required; there will be no awarding of retroactive credit. Off-site instruction providers must receive prior approval by the Secondary Director of Teaching and Learning. In their proposal, students must extensively detail the goals/objectives of their proposed course, list methods of instruction, timeline segments of learning, and describe assessment measurements. The Sylvania High School Department Chair or designee will evaluate student work. Final grades and credits will be recorded on the student’s transcript and calculated in the students GPA and class rank. Students must fill out a Credit Flexibility Proposal (PDF) (RTF).

Selecting a Sylvania Board approved Educational Option

Educational Options are designed to meet the special needs of students not available in the regular curriculum or not possible in the school day. Students may choose to participate in any of the following alternate means to earn credits: distance learning, on-line coursework, independent study, tutorial programs, summer school, mentorship programs, and early college entrance. Many of these options involve fees that will be paid by the parents to a third party provider. Some of these options may require the student to meet admission standards at a university or other educational option provider. Students must fill out an Educational Options Plan (PDF) (RTF).

Appeals Process

All Credit Flex plans are reviewed by the Secondary Director of Teaching and Learning. A student has a right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the superintendent or designee within one week (7 calendar days) of notification. The decision by the superintendent or designee shall be final.