Students differ widely in interests, abilities, and personal goals. For this reason, the following are stated as minimums to allow flexibility in the planning of individual student programs.  These basic uniform requirements are established for graduation from the Millard Public Schools. In addition to specified credit requirements, students must successfully meet District Assessment requirements as outlined in Board of Education Rule 6315.1, complete a Personal Learning Plan, and beginning with the Class of 2025 complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) according to District and state requirements.

A. A grade of four (4) or better must be maintained in any course used to fulfill graduation requirements. 

B. Electives courses are offered in the subject areas previously listed and in business marketing & management, communication & information systems, world language, family & consumer sciences, skilled & technical sciences, art, drama, debate, journalism, and music.

C. In order to provide flexibility in such situations as transfers and special needs, waivers may be submitted by staff and approved by the principal. 

D. A student must complete credits as described herein in order to graduate and receive a diploma from the Millard Public Schools. 

II. Assessments: In addition to 230 credits required for graduation, students must also successfully meet the College and Career Readiness metric for the high school Essential Learner Outcomes of College and Career Readiness assessments. Assessment requirements, including the process to be followed when a student does not initially meet the Essential Learner Outcomes of College and Career Readiness metric for each outcome, are found in Rule 6315.1.

III. Personal Learning Plan (PLP): In addition to 230 credits and successfully meeting the College and Career Readiness metric for the high school Essential Learner Outcomes of College and Career Readiness, students must also complete a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) according to District requirements.

IV. Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Beginning with the Class of 2025, each student must submit to the United States Department of Education a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to graduation. A public high school student shall not be required to complete the FAFSA if:

A. A parent or legal guardian of or a person standing in loco parentis to such student signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education indicating that such
parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis authorizes such student to decline to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid;

B. The school principal or the school principal's designee signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education authorizing such student to decline to complete
and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for good cause as determined by the school principal or the school principal's designee; or

C. A student who is nineteen years of age or older or is an emancipated minor signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education stating that such student declines to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

V. Graduation: Upon successful completion of the required credits, assessments, Personal Learning Plan, and beginning with the Class of 2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a student shall be eligible for a graduation diploma from the Millard Public Schools.

VI. Annual Review: 

This rule shall be reviewed annually by the Educational Services Division and the Data, Assessment, Research, and Evaluation Department and brought to the Board of Education when changes are necessary.

I. Credits: A minimum of 230 credits is required for graduation.

II. Assessments: In addition to 230 credits required for graduation, students must also successfully meet the College and Career Readiness metric for the high school Essential Learner Outcomes of College and Career Readiness assessments. 

III. Personal Learning Plan: A student must complete a personal learning Plan (PLP), meeting district requirements.

IV. Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Beginning with the Class of 2025, each student must submit to the United States Department of Education a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to graduation. A public high school student shall not be required to complete the FAFSA if:

A. A parent or legal guardian of or a person standing in loco parentis to such student signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education indicating that such parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis authorizes such student to decline to
complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid; 

B. The school principal or the school principal's designee signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education authorizing such student to decline to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for good cause as determined by the school principal or the school principal's designee; or 

C. A student who is nineteen years of age or older or is an emancipated minor signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education stating that such student

V. Each student’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP) shall include the courses of study as outlined in Rule 6320.1 with such adjustments (additions or substitutions) to the programs and courses as listed below. Such adjustments are made to avoid duplication in the program of study required for IB DP students.

Health Education: Healthy Living will be available for enrollment during grades 9-12 for IB DP students. Students waived out of Healthy Living must pick an additional Human Resources course. The Theory of Knowledge I course can only meet the Human Resource Course 5 credit requirement. 

These adjustments are only applicable to students enrolled in the full International Baccalaureate Diploma program with intentions to test for and secure the IB Diploma.

I. Credits: A minimum of 230 credits is required for graduation.

II. Assessments: In addition to 230 credits required for graduation, students must also successfully meet the College and Career Readiness metric for the high school Essential Learner Outcomes of College and Career Readiness assessments.

III. Personal Learning Plan: A student must complete a Personal Learning Plan (PLP), meeting District requirements.

IV. Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Beginning with the Class of 2025, each student must submit to the United States Department of Education a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to graduation. A public high school student shall not be required to complete the FAFSA if:

A. A parent or legal guardian of or a person standing in loco parentis to such student signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education indicating that such parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis authorizes such student to decline to
complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid;

 B. The school principal or the school principal's designee signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education authorizing such student to decline to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for good cause as determined by the school principal or the school principal's designee; or

C. A student who is nineteen years of age or older or is an emancipated minor signs and submits the appropriate form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education stating that such student declines to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

V. Each student’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Program shall include the courses of study as outlined in Rule 6320.1 with such adjustments (additions or substitutions) to the programs and courses as listed below. Such adjustments are made to avoid duplication in the program of study required for AFJROTC students.

These adjustments are applicable to students enrolled in the AFJROTC Program during the corresponding academic year as Millard Public Schools’ courses are required and as applicable to the Cadet Year. Cadet Years equal the number of years within the AFJROTC Program and are not related to the grade level in high school (i.e., Cadet Year 1 could be a student in ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade).

All AFJROTC courses are required in the sequence outlined in the High School Curriculum Handbook and Registration Guide regardless of grade level when entering the AFJROTC Program and will count as elective credit if a student has already fulfilled a graduation requirement listed on the above chart.

Transfer Credits are defined as any credit not earned at a Millard Public Schools high school. Millard Public Schools reserves the sole right to grant credit for work completed at or through other institutions according to the following conditions. 

I. Transfer Credits for New to Millard High School Enrollments 

A. As accredited schools, Millard high schools will accept transfer credits from Cognia or State accredited schools in order to ensure appropriate academic placement of incoming students based on the following procedures. 

1. Transfer credits from accredited schools will be considered on a course by course basis and will be considered for approval by the high school principal or designee where the transferring student enrolls pending review of the official high school transcript. 

2. Transfer from non-accredited schools may be considered on a course by course basis on a pass-fail basis. 

3. Approval will be based upon course work completed that meets the following standards including, but not limited to: 

i. Length of enrollment in previous school setting(s), 

ii. Course content that meets or exceeds Nebraska State Standards and Millard Public Schools Standards and Indicators; 

iii. Successful completion of course requirements including receipt of a passing grade. 

B. Course grades, including weighted grades, from other school districts will be applied only as defined in Millard Public Schools policy and rule. 

C. Upon approval, courses will be placed on the Millard Public Schools transcript under the name of the credit awarding institution following the format for Millard Public Schools. 

II. Transfer Credits from International Schools 

A. The family or guardian enrolling the student is responsible for providing an official transcript in English from any non U.S. diploma awarding school. 

B. Transcripts from schools located outside of the United States will be evaluated in the same manner as internationally and nationally accredited public schools within the United States (Cognia or State Accreditation). 

C. Transcripts from Department of Defense (DOD) schools located outside of the United States will be evaluated in the same manner as nationally accredited public schools within the United States (Cognia State Accreditation). 

D. International Baccalaureate (IB) classes will be evaluated in the same manner as nationally accredited public schools within the United States due to standardization of the curriculum. 

E. When course grades/credits are received from schools that lack a grade scale, a mark of credit or no credit will be applied. 

III. Transfer Credits for Summer School courses from Cognia or State Accredited Schools for Students Currently Enrolled in Millard Public Schools must be Pre-Approved 

A. Students may seek approval to physically attend a Summer School program outside of Millard Public Schools due to: 

1. Being out of town for the summer months, 

2. Having a conflict with the Millard Public Schools summer school dates, or 

3. Courses needed are not available within Millard Public Schools summer sessions. 

B. Credit may be approved if the credit awarding institution and the course are pre-approved by the student’s counselor and the high school principal or designee. 

C. Currently enrolled high school students may earn summer school credits by physically attending courses offered by Cognia or State Accredited High Schools during their ninth through twelfth grade years. 

D. Approval will be based upon course work completed that meets or exceeds the following standards including: 

1. Course content that meets or exceeds Nebraska State Standards and Millard Public Schools Standards and Indicators, 

2. The District approved course sequence of study as defined within the High School Curriculum Handbook and Registration Guide, 

3. Non duplication of previously earned courses and credits, 

4. Instructional time within a school setting which meets or exceeds Millard Public Schools summer school instructional minutes, 

5. Successful completion of course requirements including receipt of a passing grade. 

E. No more than a total of ten credits (one semester = 5 credits) per summer will be approved or accepted for summer school courses. The ten credit limit includes courses taken within Millard Public Schools Summer School and those outside of the District. 

F. Course grades, including weighted grades, from other school districts will be applied only as defined in Millard Public Schools policy and rule. 

G. Upon course completion, students will be responsible for having the credit granting school send an official transcript to the high school registrar. 

H. Upon receipt and verification of the official transcript, courses will be placed on the Millard Public Schools transcript under the name of the credit awarding school following the format for Millard Public Schools. 

I. Costs associated with these courses are the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. 

IV. Transfer Credits from Cognia or State Accredited High School On-line Classes for Currently Enrolled Fulltime Students s must be Pre-Approved 

A. Credit may be approved if the credit awarding institution and the course are pre-approved by the student’s high school counselor and the high school principal or designee. 

1. Courses may be taken for credit recovery or to expand learning opportunities. 

B. Currently enrolled high school students may earn up to a cumulative total of 20 credits (one semester = 5 credits) from Cognia or State Accredited High School on-line classes. The cumulative total of 20 credits: 

1. May be earned during ninth through twelfth grade years, beginning no sooner than the summer prior to a student’s first semester of ninth grade, and 

2. May only be approved for 5 credits per semester. 

C. Approval will be based upon: 

1. Course content that meets or exceeds Nebraska State Standards and Millard Public Schools Standards and Indicators, 

2. The District approved course sequence of study as defined within the High School Curriculum Handbook and Registration Guide, 

3. Successful completion of course requirements including receipt of a passing grade, 

4. Non duplication of previously earned courses and credits. 

D. Credit that will not be approved through on-line courses include: 

1. Physical Education, Science lab courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science: Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science: Physics) or performing arts courses; 

2. Advanced Placement courses; 

3. International Baccalaureate courses. 

E. Upon course completion, students will be responsible for having the credit granting source send an official transcript to the high school registrar. Upon receipt and verification of the official transcript, courses will be placed on the Millard Public Schools transcript under the name of the credit awarding school following the format for Millard Public Schools. 

F. Costs associated with these courses are the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. 

V. Partial Enrollment in Millard and Non-accredited Institutions 

A. At the time a student drops below 50% enrollment, a diploma intent form will be completed by the student to indicate if he or she intends to earn a Millard Public Schools diploma. 

B. For students who maintain a partial enrollment, Millard High Schools will accept transfer credits from Cognia and State accredited schools and will consider credits from a non-accredited school on a course by course basis for up to 50% of credits required to earn a diploma from Millard Public Schools. 

C. All transfer students must fulfill Millard Public Schools requirements to earn a Millard diploma. 

VI. Transfer Credits through the University of Nebraska at Omaha must be Pre-Approved 

A. In rare circumstances, credit for post-secondary institution courses may be approved if pre- approved by the student’s counselor and the high school principal or designee. 

B. Courses eligible for consideration are limited to the area of Mathematics. 

C. Approval will be based upon: 

1. Completion of highest level available weighted mathematics courses prior to meeting the Millard Public School graduation credit requirement, 

2. Fulfilling, not exceeding, the 30 mathematics credit required for graduation, 

3. The ability to schedule the course in a manner that will not interfere with the completion of other Millard Public Schools graduation requirements. 

D. Upon course completion, students will be responsible for having the credit granting source send an official transcript to the high school registrar. 

E. Upon receipt and verification of the official transcript, the course will be placed on the Millard Public Schools transcript as a transfer course (TRN 999) in order to reflect the title of the college mathematics course. 

F. Costs for tuition and textbook(s) associated with these courses are the responsibility of the Millard Public Schools . 

G. Costs for and means of transportation are the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. 

VII. Transfer Credits for Expelled Students

A. Students expelled from the District are not required to attend or participate in the District’s alternative courses or programs. For such students only, the District will accept at the conclusion of the expulsion and reinstatement of the student, any nonduplicative, grade- appropriate credits earned by an expelled student during the term of the expulsion, from any Nebraska accredited institution or institution accredited by one (1) of the six (6) regional
accrediting bodies in the United States.

VIII. Application Process for Transfer Credit for Students Currently Enrolled in Millard Public Schools 

A. The student completes a Millard Public Schools External Transfer Credit Application. 

B. The student attaches course description and/or syllabus (preferred) to the Application as well as a statement explaining the reasons for taking the course outside of a Millard Public Schools high school 

C. The student submits the Millard Public Schools External Transfer Credit Application to the high school principal 

D. The high school principal or designee begins the review process according to the criteria noted in the above associated section. 

E. Upon completion of review, the high school principal or designee communicates the findings to the student. 

F. A copy of the approved/disapproved Application is placed in the student’s cumulative folder. 

IX. Appeal Process 

A. The student or parent(s) may submit a written appeal to the Director of Secondary Education within seven days of notification of non-approval. 

1. The appeal should identify extenuating circumstances for consideration. 

2. The Director of Secondary Education and the Director of Student Services will review the appeal, the original application, and supporting documentation within seven days after the receipt of the written appeal. 

3. The Director of Secondary Education will notify the student and parents of a decision. 

B. In the event the Directors do not approve the credit request, the student or parent(s) have the right to submit a written appeal to the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services within seven days of notification of non-approval by the Directors. 

1. The appeal should identify extenuating circumstances for consideration. 

2. The Associate Superintendent will review the written appeals, the original application, and supporting documentation within seven days after receipt. 

3. The Associate Superintendent will notify the student and parents of a decision.

At the request of a parent or guardian, the District shall issue a certificate of attendance to a student who receives special education services under the Special Education Act, who has reached seventeen years of age, and who has not completed his or her individualized education plan. The District shall allow a student who receives a certificate of attendance under this Rule to participate in the high school graduation ceremony of such high school with students receiving high school diplomas. A student may receive only one certificate of attendance and may participate in only one graduation ceremony based on such certificate. The receipt of a certificate of attendance pursuant to this Rule shall not affect the District’s obligation to continue to provide special education services to a student receiving such certificate.

This Rule does not preclude a student from receiving a high school diploma by meeting the District’s graduation requirements pursuant to Neb. Stat. § 79-729 or in his or her individualized education plan or receiving a diploma of high school equivalency under Neb. Rev. Stat § 79-730 upon completing the requirements of such statute. The District may allow a student who has previously participated in a graduation ceremony based on a certificate of attendance to participate in an additional graduation ceremony when such student receives a high school diploma.