Questions? Email Sarah Morales, CPS' Curriculum Manager for Credit Flex.
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Credit Flexibility
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Cincinnati Public Schools offers students opportunities to earn high school credit through a credit flexibility program.
"Credit flex" shifts the focus from evaluating student learning based on "seat time" to assessing students' demonstrated academic and skill level or performance.
With "credit flex," students have options to show what they know, earn credit(s), and move on to higher-order content. It is especially useful in providing rich learning opportunities for students whose interests (and /or performance) extend beyond the regular curriculum.
It is important to note that there are specific guidelines that students must follow to be considered for participation in Cincinnati Public Schools' credit flexibility program.
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How Does it Work?
- Credit will be reported on student transcripts in the same way that seat-time credit is recorded, but requires a different EMIS code.
- Credit will be awarded once the experience or course is completed; therefore, these options will not be considered for athletic eligibility. Students still will need to be enrolled in and passing five courses (not including PE) per grading period to be eligible by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) standards.
- Credit flexibility gives students and families more control and choice, but involves more personal responsibility. CPS is not responsible for any costs associated with a proposed credit flex experience or course.
- CPS may be able to provide low- or no-cost credit flex opportunities. Current no-cost options are listed on this document.
- To receive credit, all courses, as applicable, must be aligned to the Ohio Academic Content and Technical Standards.
- Credit Flexibility Guidance documents
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How Can Students Apply?
Students may earn credit through credit flexibility by following this process, which must occur before beginning the Credit Flex experience or program:
- Find a teacher willing to supervise and/or co-design an educational program who is fully credentialed for the course OR a teacher who is willing to supervise a pre-approved blended learning course .
- The supervising teacher submits the CPS Application for Credit Flexibility, for approval by the Curriculum Manager for the content area of the course. The Curriculum Manager will then inform the teacher and school counselor that the experience was approved and create the course.
- Demonstrate mastery of course learning outcomes on an assessment (including but not limited to: portfolios, projects, traditional exams).
- Report completion of the course to your school counselor. They will confirm with your supervising teacher, then record the credit you’ve earned on your transcript.
If a teacher is supervising multiple students in the same Credit Flex experience, please complete this form only once and link to a list of student names in the last name field.
Review Board Policy No. 2370 — Credit Flexibility/Educational Options