Flagler schools update student-progression plan: diploma-plus option added, some certificates removed

District staff presented a revised student-progression plan to the Flagler County School Board on Sept. 23 that includes a new “diploma plus” option, removes the state-era certificate-of-completion option and adjusts assessment and grading language to align with recent Florida statute changes.

The presentation focused on changes intended to identify advanced students earlier, clarify home-education requirements and align local practice with state rules. “This is a document that we're working through,” said Mister Reeves, a district staff presenter, as he walked the board through the edits. The board and staff discussed academic-credit changes, grading categories and diploma options for students with disabilities.

Why it matters: the progression plan governs promotion, graduation and alternative pathways for every student in the district. Changes to how advanced placement is identified, how marching band counts toward credits and how students with significant cognitive disabilities are credentialed affect course placement, graduation planning and postsecondary options.

Key changes and details - Advanced-course eligibility: staff replaced a Level 5 end-of-year trigger with a 95th percentile (referred to in staff remarks as the “90 fifth percentile”) to identify students earlier for accelerated opportunities and interventions. - Virtual instruction: the district moved instruction for the K–5 virtual program to district-employed instructors while retaining the FLVS platform; staff said this allows greater local accountability and face-to-face support. - Grading categories: district staff removed mandatory weights for elementary homework categories to avoid inadvertent noncompliance while a task force reviews elementary grading practices; Scott (district staff) said the move gives teachers more flexibility and that a cross-functional task force will standardize elementary grading practices. - Home education: the plan clarifies state-linked rules for home-educated students who wish to earn a district diploma, including timing for enrollment to qualify for graduation pathways. - Diploma and credentials: the plan adds a “diploma plus” segment intended to ensure students have postsecondary-ready components in addition to a diploma. Staff also removed the certificate-of-completion option where statute no longer allows it; Doctor Howley (district staff) explained that access-point students remain on the general curriculum via alternate access and that removal of the certificate affects very few students locally. - Marching band credit: new statute-driven language now allows two years of marching band to satisfy either a full physical education credit or a performing-arts credit. - Concordant scores and assessments: staff updated concordant-score references for Algebra I and 10th-grade ELA per the state’s most recent tables.

Discussion and context Board members pressed staff for clarity about how many students use alternative credentials; staff reported that for the Class of 2024 two ESE students received a certificate-of-completion (both hospital-homebound) and said the district will pull usage numbers for board review. Staff emphasized the district’s goal of graduating students with a substantive diploma and offering GED or CTE options where appropriate.

Next steps and implementation Staff indicated the progression plan will return for final board action after the workshop process. Several changes are already in practice where statutes set effective dates; others will be phased in with accompanying updates to board policy and student-record procedures.

Ending note: The plan touches promotion, grading, virtual instruction, special-education pathways and graduation requirements — areas board members said merit continued review as the district implements statutory changes and the new diploma-plus language.