Credit By Demonstrated Mastery

Policy Overview2014-2015

What is Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM)?

• NC State Board of Education Policy GCS-M-001.13

• Approved in December 2012• Revised in December 2013• Implementation required in the 2014-15

school year

What does the policy state?

According to SBE Policy:• Credit by Demonstrated Mastery is the

process by which LEAs shall, based upon a body-of-evidence, award a student credit in a particular course without requiring the student to complete classroom instruction for a certain amount of seat time

What does the policy mean?The CDM policy: • Recognizes that any student may have a learning path with

unique, individual circumstances that has allowed him/her to gain a deep understanding of content of a particular course or subject area without the traditional school setting

• Offers NC students the opportunity to personalize and accelerate their learning by earning course credit through a demonstration of mastery of course material without sitting through the course

• Allows students to show mastery through assessments, products, demonstrations, performances, and presentations

How is mastery defined?

• Mastery is defined as a student’s command of course material at a level that demonstrates a deep understanding of the content standards and application of knowledge

• Mastery is demonstrated through a multi-phase assessment process

Who may attempt CDM?

• All NC students in grades 9-12 may attempt CDM for eligible high school courses

• Students in eighth grade may attempt CDM for eligible high school courses

• Students in grades 6-8 may attempt CDM for those high school courses that are taught in middle school (Math I, Spanish I and II, and French I and II in I-SS)

• I-SS students may only attempt CDM for eligible high school courses taught in I-SS

When might CDM be appropriate?Examples:• A student who has owned a horse for many

years, has been responsible for its care, has participated in equestrian events, and has read and researched topics related to equines might be able to receive credit for Equine Science I through CDM and take Equine Science II instead

• A native speaker of French who has strong grammar, writing, and conversational skills might be able to demonstrate mastery of entry level French courses

What high school courses are eligible for the CDM process?

Students may attempt CDM for • Courses which have an EOC test (Math I,

Biology, and English II)• Standard level high school courses

(unless specifically excluded)• Sequential courses (next course in

sequence)

What high school courses are not eligible for CDM?

Courses that are excluded from the CDM process include:• Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and

International Baccalaureate (IB) courses• CTE Advanced Studies courses and those

that are work-based, have a clinical setting, etc.

• ELL courses• Healthful Living required courses; CPR

What is included in the multi-phase assessment process?

Phase I assessments include:• End-of-Course (EOC) tests for Math I,

Biology, and English II• CTE Post-Assessments• NC Final Exams (NCFEs)• Locally developed final assessments

What is the time frame forPhase I assessments?

• NCDPI determines the testing window for Phase I assessments

• February 16-27, 2015 is the Spring testing window to determine course registration for Fall 2015

• Phase I assessment results will be shared with students/families by March 4, 2015

What are the required scores on Phase I assessments?

Students must obtain a minimum score of:• 94th percentile (Level 5) on EOC tests

o Math I – 264 scale scoreo Biology – 261 scale scoreo English II – 165 scale score

• 93 on CTE Post-Assessments• 94 on NC Final Exams• 94 on locally developed final assessments

What comes next in the multi-phase assessment process?

If the student does not obtain the minimum required score on the Phase I assessment:• Students/families are notified• The CDM process ends; Phase I results may not be

appealed• There is no effect on the student’s GPA• The attempt is not recorded on the student’s

transcript• The student may register for the attempted course

and complete the required seat time for credit

What are next steps if the student is successful on the Phase I assessment?

If the student does obtain the minimum required score on the Phase I assessment, he/she:• Receives the Phase II assignment and

scoring rubric• Completes the components of the Phase II

assessment• Submits the Phase II artifact(s) by March 20,

2015 for review by the School Review Team

What are the components of the Phase II assessment?

Phase II assessments are dependent upon the nature and content of the course, but components may include:• Research• Synthesis and analysis of text• Written essay or paper• Oral presentation• Demonstration

What happens after the School Review Team evaluates the Phase II

assessment?

• Students/families are notified of the Phase II resultso If the student does pass Phase II,

student/family meets with school counselor to discuss registration and other course options; CDM is earned for the course

o If the student does not pass Phase II, the student may appeal the Phase II decision within ten days

What is the Appeals Process?

• Phase I results may not be appealed• Phase II decisions may be appealed:

o Student/family submits written appeal to School Review Team within 10 days of receipt of Phase II results

o Appeals Team reviews and finalizes appeal decision within 10 days

o Appeals Team reports decision to student/family

o Decisions of the Appeals Team are final

What are important points to consider about the CDM Process?

• Courses that carry quality points are not eligible for CDM; therefore, no quality points may be earned through the CDM process

• The student’s GPA is not affected by CDM • There is no transcript record of failed

attempts• Credit earned through CDM will be accepted

by the NCCCS and UNC systems• Acceptance of CDM earned credits may vary

with colleges and universities outside of NC

What are important points to consider about the CDM Process?

• Collegiate athletic eligibility may be affectedo NCAA Division I and Division II colleges and

universities do not recognize test-out credits in terms of meeting college entrance requirements

o CDM is discouraged for potential collegiate athletes

• At this time, students who request credit through CDM without completing the course will not be eligible for articulated credit

How does one start the process?

• Students/families who are interested in attempting CDM should:o Seek advice from content area teacher and

school counseloro Discuss with counselor all possible

ramifications of the CDM processo Complete and submit application to school

counselor by specified deadline

What is the timeline for the 2014-2015 CDM Process in I-SS?

• Principals share CDM information with faculty/staff

• CDM information for staff, students, and families is posted and updated on district’s and schools’ websites

• Schools counsel individual students/families who are interested in applying for CDM

• Students submit completed CDM applications to school counselors by January 9, 2015

What additional CDM resources are available?

Available resources include:• Frequently Asked Questions• Long Term Considerations• NCDPI CDM wiki -

http://cdm.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Home• Additional resources will be posted at:

http://iss.schoolwires.com/Page/679