The application deadline for summer Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) testing is July 15th. All CDM tests will be administered on July 28 and July 29. Interested students and parents must submit an application by July 15, 2015 to be eligible. To submit an application please go to http://www.haywood.k12.nc.us/resources/parentscommunity/ to access the application and for complete information regarding the CDM process.
A letter was sent home to parents earlier to provide this information. Beginning in 2015, students are able to earn credit for a course without spending a set number of hours taking the course in a classroom. Under the state’s new Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) option, uniquely qualified students may “test out” or bypass a course if they have already mastered the content. The program provides an opportunity for students to challenge themselves with the next level of rigor in a subject, and possibly graduate early.
All students in NC Public Schools in grades 9-12 are eligible to request an opportunity to earn credit by demonstrating mastery for available courses. Middle school students may request a CDM opportunity for high school courses offered in grades 6-8. The decision to pursue this option must be a shared decision between parent and student. This is a rigorous program that a student may only pursue once per course. Students and parents must complete an application in order to begin the Credit by Demonstrated Mastery process, which will occur in two separate phases.
In Phase I, students will take the appropriate exam for the subject. Students must score a Level V on an EOC, greater than 94% on a Final Exam, or a minimum of a 93 on the CTE Exam. Students passing Phase I criteria will continue to Phase II. In Phase II students will create an artifact that reflects deep understanding of the content standards, including the ability to apply the skills and knowledge expected at the end of the course. This may require a presentation, project, interview, portfolio, etc., as established by the school system. Upon acceptable completion of the artifacts, the CDM committee will make a recommendation for the student to earn credit.
If the student is successful, the course will be recorded on the transcript with a grade of “Pass”. The course will count toward meeting graduation requirements, but no numerical grade or quality points will be granted. The Grade Point Average will not be affected. For more information, please go www.haywood.k12.nc.us/resources/parentscommunity/or call 828-456-2400.
Contact:
Dr. Bill Nolte, Associate Superintendent
Dr. Carol Douglas, Secondary Supervisor