Clear Creek ISD has approved new options allowing students to advance a grade level or earn course credit without prior instruction, following board approval at its March 23 meeting.
What you need to know
In accordance with state law, the district will offer board-approved assessments allowing first- through eighth-grade students to test to accelerate to the next grade and sixth- through 12th-grade students to earn course credit by exam, or CBE, according to district documents.
To qualify, students must demonstrate proficiency through one of the following:
- A minimum score of 80 on a University of Texas or Texas Tech CBE
- A qualifying score on a world languages exam
- At least 80% on another board-approved exam
Students and guardians must meet with a school counselor to confirm eligibility, complete an application and obtain approval, according to district documents.
Zooming in
For kindergarten acceleration, a student who is 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 may qualify for first grade by scoring at least 80% on district-approved readiness tests or CBEs in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.
Additional requirements may include:
- A letter of recommendation from the child’s preschool or kindergarten teacher
- Completion of a two- to four-week placement period to observe academic, social and emotional readiness
- Approval from a grade placement committee, which includes a school counselor, principal, advanced academic facilitator and a teacher familiar with the grade-level content
- Written parent or guardian consent
Also of note For world language and cultures exams, students may earn credit by meeting one of the following:
- Score at least 80 on a University of Texas or Texas Tech CBE
- Earn a qualifying score on an advanced placement exam
- Meet proficiency standards on assessments from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, known as ACTFL, the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages, known as AAPPL, or the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview, known as ASLPI
AAPPL credit is based on performance across four areas: listening/speaking, writing, reading and listening comprehension. Students must meet proficiency in all areas, and credit is awarded based on the lowest score achieved, according to district documents.
For grades six through 12, a score of three or higher on certain AP language exams results in equivalent high school credit, according to district documents.
