Smart Core Waiver Form - Arkansas Department Of Education printable pdf download

SMART CORE WAIVER FORM

(GRADUATING CLASS OF 2016 AND AFTER)

Name of Student:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Parent/Guardian: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of District: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of School: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Smart Core is Arkansas’s college- and career-ready curriculum for high school students. College and career readiness in Arkansas means that students

are prepared for success in entry-level, credit-bearing courses at two-year and four-year colleges and universities, in technical postsecondary training,

and in well-paid jobs that support families and have pathways to advancement. To be college and career ready, students need to be adept problem

solvers and critical thinkers who can contribute and apply their knowledge in novel contexts and a variety of situations. Smart Core is the foundation for

college and career-readiness. All students should supplement additional rigorous coursework within their career focus.

Failure to complete the Smart Core Curriculum for graduation may result in negative consequences such as conditional admission to college and

ineligibility for some scholarship programs.

Parents or guardians may waive the right for a student to participate in Smart Core and instead to participate in the Core curriculum. By signing this Smart Core

Waiver Form, you are waiving your student’s right to Smart Core and are placing him or her in the Core Curriculum.

CORE CURRICULUM

English – 4 units

English 9th grade

•

English 10th grade

•

English 11th grade

•

English 12th grade or Transitional English 12

•

Mathematics – 4 units (or 3 units of math and 1 unit of Computer Science*)

Algebra I (or Algebra A & Algebra B - each may be counted as one unit of the 4 unit requirement)

•

Geometry (or Geometry A & Geometry B - each may be counted as one unit of the 4 unit requirement)

•

(All math units must build on the base of algebra and geometry knowledge and skills.)

Science – 3 units (or 2 units with lab experience and 1 unit of Computer Science*)

Biology - 1 unit (All students must have 1 unit in Biology, IB Biology, ADE Biology, ADE Approved Biology Honors, or Concurrent Credit Biology.)

•

Physical Science, Chemistry, or Physics – at least 1 unit

•

other ADE approved science

•

Social Studies – 3 units

Civics - ½ unit

•

World History - 1 unit

•

U.S. History - 1 unit

•

other social studies – ½ unit

•

Oral Communications – ½ unit

Physical Education – ½ unit

Health and Safety – ½ unit

Economics – ½ unit (may be counted toward Social Studies or Career Focus)

Fine Arts – ½ unit

Career Focus – 6 units

*Computer Science – (optional) A flex unit of Computer Science and Mathematics, Essentials of Computer Programming, AP Computer Science, or IB Computer

Science may replace the 4

math requirement or the 3

science requirement. Two distinct units of the computer science courses

listed above may replace the 4

math requirement and the 3

science requirement. If the 4

math requirement and the 3

science requirement have been met through other coursework, any of the computer science courses listed above may be used

for career focus credit.

(Comparable concurrent credit may be substituted where applicable.)

Beginning with the entering 9th grade class of the 2014 – 2015 school year, each high school student shall be required to take at least one digital learning

course for credit to graduate. (Act 1280 of 2013)

By signing this form, I acknowledge that I have been informed of the requirements and implementation of the Smart Core Curriculum and am choosing to waive the

Smart Core curriculum for my child. I understand the potential negative consequences of this action as outlined on this form.

_________________________________________________

__________

_____________________________________________

___________

Parent/Guardian Signature

Date

School Official Signature

Date

Arkansas Department of Education— May 14, 2015