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District staff propose OSBA-aligned graduation policy updates, debate honors diploma GPA language
Summary
Staff recommended adopting Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) model language to update the district's graduation policy, add a local honors diploma, and change the "alternative certificate" name to "certificate of attendance." Board members discussed whether the honors diploma GPA should be weighted or unweighted.
District staff recommended that the board update its graduation requirements policy (IKF) to align to the OSBA model language and to add local language for an honors diploma.
The recommended changes incorporate recent state law updates referenced by staff, including half-credit requirements for civics and personal finance, higher education/career pathway credits, and references to foster-care and recovery-school provisions. Staff recommended replacing the term "alternative certificate" with "certificate of attendance" in policy documents.
Staff also proposed an honors diploma for the district with criteria described in the packet: a 3.5 GPA, six credits in advanced coursework (AP, advanced-level, or dual-credit), participation in the 11th-grade statewide assessment, and a total of 27 credits (25 graded). Board members questioned whether the 3.5 GPA requirement should specify weighted or unweighted GPA. One board member noted the state page referenced a 3.5 GPA but did not specify unweighted; another argued that listing it as unweighted could discourage students from taking AP courses because weighted GPAs reward rigor. Staff offered to provide district examples showing how weighted and unweighted GPAs would affect honors eligibility.
On essential skills and related changes, staff said essential-skills requirements are currently paused through the 2027-2028 period and proposed holding off on requiring language changes until the state clarifies future expectations. Staff recommended adopting OSBA language on several technical points, including allowing English-language learners to demonstrate proficiency in a student's language of origin when the district has a documented practice of acceptance.
Staff concluded by asking the board to adopt the OSBA-recommended diploma language and insert a paragraph about the proposed local honors diploma; they said they would bring data on weighted vs. unweighted GPA and return with a draft policy for board action.
Board members did not vote on policy changes at the meeting; staff will return with a revised draft and supporting data.
