At the Sept. 8 meeting the Naperville School District 203 Board of Education discussed policy language (Policy 6.310 in the packet) limiting how courses from outside colleges, correspondence programs or special-function schools count toward high school graduation. Staff told trustees that the district evaluates transfer and alternative credits case by case to ensure alignment to Illinois learning standards and graduation requirements.

Board member Melissa Kelly Black asked about a policy provision that limits a maximum of two units toward graduation for coursework taken outside the district. Staff explained that the district routinely evaluates transcripts from other institutions, including international transcripts, and confirms alignment to state learning standards before granting credit. Staff said dual-credit courses and approved dual enrollment are handled differently because those typically are formal partnerships and the district recognizes the credit as its own.

Staff also noted a range of alternative learning options already used to serve students: the district’s ombudsman program, the Naperville Bridge, Edgenuity, and other approved programs used for English-language learners or students with unique needs. District staff said counselors and building teams work with families to match students to appropriate alternatives while ensuring the district can certify graduation requirements. Staff cautioned that broadly accepting any external course without vetting would create a burden to verify alignment and quality and could undermine the district’s ability to endorse a diploma.

Trustees asked staff to provide comparative information and prior policy language and to consider whether the numeric limit in current draft policy reflects current practice. No formal vote was taken on the policy language at the Sept. 8 meeting; staff said some policies under the press updates will return for action at the Sept. 22 meeting.