Board hears first reading of revised policy to expand mastery-based and CTE credit options

Chelsea Bridal presented a first reading of proposed revisions to Policy 2413, Equivalency Credit Opportunities, explaining the draft adds mastery-based credit and clarifies Career and Technical Education (CTE) and experiential learning credit options. "Mastery based credit is really giving students an opportunity to earn credits through state assessments...and it also opens the door for students to...earn credit if they feel like they've already mastered a concept," Bridal said. The revision would document equivalency credits in the district course catalog and clarify that students may earn credit through approved experiential education or site-based learning that is tied to CTE standards and a supervising sponsor. When a board member asked whether work-based experiences such as employment could count, Bridal said work experiences can qualify only when tied to an approved CTE course and standards and supervised accordingly. Bridal also said the draft increases CTE credit opportunities and updates how information is shared with students and families. The matter was presented as a first reading and no vote was taken; the board will consider it again in a subsequent meeting.