Page 22 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook
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for postsecondary education and careers. The Atlanta Board of Education believes coursework beyond that required by the State of Georgia fully prepares students for college and career. The superintendent is authorized to issue administrative regulations to implement this policy. For additional information regarding this policy please see Board Policy IHF.
Students may satisfy graduation requirements by taking equivalent AP/IB/ Dual Enrollment courses. Core courses and PE electives are listed by the Georgia Department of Education here: State-Funded List of K-8 Subjects and 9-12 Courses. https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/ Curriculum-and-Instruction/Documents/State-Funded-List-of- Subjects-and-Courses-Supported-by-SBOE-Rule-160-4-2-20.pdf
Accelerated Career Diplomas
The Accelerated Career Diploma offers qualified students an alternate path to high school graduation. Participating students choose to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a college Associate Degree, or a Technical Diploma, or two (2) Technical Certificates of Credit in a specific career pathway in a program or course approved by the SBOE. The list of Accelerated Career Pathways can be found here: https://www.tcsg.edu/completion2career/
To participate in any graduation exercises or ceremonies, APS seniors must meet all of the requirements specified in policy IHF and in administrative regulations issued by the Superintendent for an APS high school diploma or a special education diploma. Students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) indicate that they
are unable to meet these requirements shall be allowed to participate
in graduation exercises and ceremonies. Students must satisfy the requirements established for their graduating class, which is determined by the date of enrollment in the 9th grade. For additional information, please contact your school counselor. Information also may be obtained by visiting:
www.atlantapublicschools.us
Graduation Ceremony
Student participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, the principal may prohibit a student’s participation if the student is found to have violated any provision of the Code of Conduct. Participation in the graduation ceremony is voluntary; therefore, a graduation fee or senior dues may be charged to cover associated costs. However, students will be given written notification of this fee and description of costs at the beginning of the school year in which they are to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian
Each traditional high school, including individual small schools comprising educational complexes, will designate a valedictorian and salutatorian for each graduating class.
Valedictorian: The student who has earned the highest class rank in the graduating class and who has met the eligibility requirements specified below.
Salutatorian: The student who has earned the second-highest class rank in the graduating class and who has met the eligibility requirements specified below.
Eligibility
• The eligible student will have been enrolled in the school from which they will graduate by the end of the first semester of their junior year.
• The eligible student will have transferred five or fewer units from a school or program that is not accredited in accordance with state board rule 160-5-1-.15 Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades and IHA-R(1) Grading Systems – Grading Expectations.
• The eligible student will have a weighted numeric grade-point average of 90 or above.
• Students selected as valedictorians and salutatorians must complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second semester
of their senior year. Students who have been selected but fail to complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second semester for any reason shall become ineligible, and the next eligible candidate will be selected as the valedictorian or salutatorian.
Selection
• Class rankings to determine the valedictorian and salutatorian will be generated based on grades earned by the end of the first semester of the senior year.
• Class ranking is established based on the weighted numeric grade-point average calculated in accordance with policy IHC, Class Rankings.
• The official class ranking list will be the student information system- generated ranking of the weighted numeric grade-point averages of all eligible students in the graduating class.
• Co-valedictorians and co-salutatorians will be identified if there is an exact grade-point average tie for either the highest or second-highest class rank. See Administrative Regulation IHC-R(1).
Parent and Student Resources
Campus Portal for Parents
Parents/guardians of students in grades K-12 have access to class schedules, attendance records and grades through Campus Portal
for Parents (CPP) which is an easy-to-use, secure communications tool. Additionally, CPP enables parents/guardians to verify household information, including their email address, home address and telephone numbers. Contact your child’s school to get your CPP activation key or visit www.atlantapublicschools.us for more information.
Family Engagement
Pursuant to Policy LEBA, The Atlanta Board of Education believes that attentive, engaged, and empowered families are a key to the success of our students and our system. In order to achieve our mission, Atlanta Public Schools must foster an authentic and transparent environment
in which parents and other caregivers have the opportunity to be active participants in the life of our schools, and family engagement should be an integral part of the work of every district staff member.
To achieve this goal, the Superintendent shall recruit, engage, develop, and retain employees who believe that all families want what is best for students and are responsive to their needs.
• Cultivate a safe and caring environment that welcomes the diversity of all families;
• Demonstrate an attitude of inclusiveness and equity through regular, two-way communication with families that is respectful, accessible, and culturally relevant;
• Support and collaborate with families in understanding the strengths and needs of students while fostering their lifelong relationship with learning; and,
• Empower families and all stakeholders as partners by valuing their voices in decision-making about students and schools.
For more information on the Office of Family Engagement, contact Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement, Keasha Copeland, at keasha.copeland@atlanta.k12.ga.us or 404-802-2802.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Most schools have a parent-teacher organization — either a PTA (which is part of the National Parent Teacher Association) or a PTO (which is an independent parent-teacher organization). Through initiatives and activities sponsored by these groups, parents/guardians work with faculty to enhance the school environment and improve student achievement. At most schools, elections are held in the spring, membership drives begin at the start of the new school year,
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