PURPOSE AND SCOPE  

IDEA Public Charter School (IDEA) is committed to ensuring that all students graduate from high school in four years. Credit recovery programming is one way in which we provide support for students  who have failed a course or are otherwise off-track academically. This policy outlines IDEA’s credit recovery policies, including eligibility criteria, allowable courses, allowable formats for instruction, scheduling, staffing, course completion, grading, the appeals process, and special consideration for English Learners and students with disabilities.  

This policy rescinds and supersedes all previous policies, memoranda, and guidance put forth by IDEA related to credit recovery.  

CREDIT RECOVERY DEFINITION 

Credit recovery is a structured academic program that provides students with an opportunity to retake and earn credit for courses they previously failed. The purpose of credit recovery is to help students get back on track for graduation by demonstrating mastery of essential course content through targeted instruction and/or the completion of relevant learning activities from an approved course of study. Credit recovery is designed to address specific gaps in knowledge and skills, allowing students to demonstrate competency and regain credit without repeating the entire course.

ELIGIBILITY AND IDENTIFICATION

Any student who fails a course that is required for graduation is eligible for credit recovery. IDEA will review transcripts at the end of each semester to identify students who require credit recovery. A school administrator will then develop a credit recovery plan for each student and communicate with both the student and the family to ensure that students are informed about their progress toward graduation and their credit recovery options.  

CREDIT RECOVERY COURSE CONTENT

The credit recovery course content will focus on the most essential concepts, skills, and standards from the original course to ensure students gain the critical knowledge necessary for success in future coursework and graduation. Rather than reteaching the entire course, credit recovery is designed to target key learning objectives and address specific areas where students may have struggled. This focused approach allows students to efficiently demonstrate mastery of foundational course content.

ALLOWABLE COURSES 

Credit recovery is available for any course required for graduation, including core academic subjects (English, mathematics, science, and social studies), career and technical education (CTE) courses, and other required electives such as art, health, music, physical education, and foreign language. Students may be eligible to recover credit in any course where a failing grade has prevented them from earning the necessary credit toward graduation. The goal of credit recovery is to provide flexible pathways for students to stay on track for timely graduation.

ALLOWABLE CREDIT RECOVERY FORMATS

Credit recovery may be offered through a variety of formats to best meet student needs and ensure flexibility. These formats include online credit recovery programs, teacher-led in-person classes, blended learning models (combining online and in-person instruction), after-school sessions, summer school, and independent study options with teacher oversight. The specific format will be determined based on student needs, course availability, and staffing capacity, with the primary goal of providing accessible, high-quality opportunities for students to recover credits and stay on track for graduation.

ENSURING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY THROUGH MASTERY-BASED LEARNING

To ensure the integrity of credit recovery courses and the quality of student learning, all credit recovery programs at IDEA will be mastery-based (also known as competency-based). Students must demonstrate mastery of essential course content and skills before receiving credit, regardless of the instructional format. Progress through the course is based on evidence of learning, not seat time, ensuring students fully understand the material before advancing. Assessments, performance tasks, and other demonstrations of knowledge will be used to verify student competency and uphold academic standards. This approach guarantees that credit recovery results in meaningful learning and readiness for future academic success.

STAFFING AND OVERSIGHT OF CREDIT RECOVERY

Credit recovery courses will be overseen by qualified staff members responsible for ensuring that students engage with high-quality course content aligned to essential standards. Staff members will be responsible for monitoring student progress, providing instructional support as needed, and assessing student mastery of the required content. For each credit recovery course offered, the school will ensure there is a clear curriculum or course outline, reliable assessment tools, and defined mastery criteria. Teachers or designated instructional staff will verify that students have met mastery requirements before awarding course credit, maintaining consistency and academic integrity across all credit recovery formats.

GRADING AND AWARDING OF CREDIT

Credit recovery courses are graded on a pass/fail basis, with the primary focus on demonstrating mastery of essential content. To pass a credit recovery course, a student must earn a 70 percent or higher on the final grade in the course. 

The original failing grade will remain on the student’s transcript; however, successful completion of credit recovery will result in the awarding of credit needed for graduation. Credit recovery grades will not replace the original grade in GPA calculations but will fulfill graduation requirements and allow students to remain on track academically.

APPEALS PROCESS 

A parent or student has the right to request an amendment to a course grade they believe is inaccurate. The request must be made to the Principal in writing within 10 business days after the grade is shared with the student and family. The Principal will gather additional information related to the grade, review the information in totality, and issue a decision in writing within 10 business days after receiving the appeal. 

If the parent is not satisfied with the decision made by the Principal, he or she may appeal in writing to the CEO within 5 days after receiving the decision. The CEO will issue a final decision within 10 business days after receiving the appeal. 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS 

English Learners and students with disabilities are eligible for credit recovery under this policy. For students with disabilities, participation in credit recovery will be determined in consultation with the Special Education team and will take into consideration the student’s IEP goals, accommodations, and learning needs. While credit recovery courses may not fully incorporate all components of the IEP, reasonable accommodations and supports will be provided to ensure equitable access to the course content and a fair opportunity to demonstrate mastery. 

For English Learners, any decision regarding credit recovery participation and supports will be made in collaboration with the English Learner Coordinator, with consideration for language proficiency and appropriate instructional supports.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS