Testing Out of Classes - Dexter High School

Testing Out Information – 2020-21 School Year

According to the guidelines of the Michigan Merit Curriculum, students are allowed to “test out for credit” in courses. High schools may offer credit to students for courses they have not enrolled in if they meet the criteria established by the high school. There are a number of different ways students may show they meet or exceed the content expectations associated with the course. At Dexter, different courses may require different types of performance assessments.

We are also cognizant that the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) has raised content expectations for our courses. These are known as High School Content Expectations (HSCE). Consequently, students taking the “test out for credit” must demonstrate mastery of the content of a course just as a student who has already taken the course.

Dexter High School will provide two opportunities annually for students to test out. Students must be currently enrolled at the high school or will be the following school year.

February Test Out Window

Students wishing to test out of a course must notify the high school of their desire to test out by filling out the Request to Test Out form with Mrs. Bastion in the main office by January 8, 2021.

FEBRUARY TESTING OUT DAYS AND DATES

Math or English Language Arts	Tuesday	February 2	3:30-6:45pm	Rm. 34 or other
Science or Social Studies Course	Wednesday	February 3	3:30-6:00pm	Rm. 34 or other
World Language or Other Course	Thursday	February 4	3:30-6:00pm	Rm. 34 or other

June Test Out 'Window

Students wishing to test out of a course will notify the high school of their desire to test out by filling out the Request to Test Out form with Mrs. Bastion in the main office by May 21, 2021.

JUNE TESTING OUT DAYS AND DATES

Math or English Language Arts	Tuesday	June 22	9:30am-12:45pm	Main Office
Science or Social Studies Course	Wednesday	June 23	9:30am-12:00pm	Main Office
World Language or Other Course	Thursday	June 24	9:30am-12:00pm	Main Office

If the student is attempting to test out in courses testing on the same day we will work out an individual arrangement with that student. Please Note: A student may take multiple test out exams during one or both of these windows. However, a student may NOT take the same course "test out" exam more than once per school year.

Additional Information:

Passing-grade for testing out is a C+ (77%)
Students that pass a test will receive credit on their transcript toward graduation but will NOT receive a grade on their transcript rather, their transcript will display a TO indicating "testing out" credit.
After the registration deadline passes, students that have signed up to test out will be given a copy of the appropriate department's "test out" procedure and a course syllabus.
Specific High School Content Expectations for each course required by the Michigan Merit Curriculum may be found at the Michigan Department of Education's website under Curriculum.

Michigan Merit Curriculum Law

Michigan Merit Curriculum Law

What the Michigan Merit Curriculum Law Says: Sec. 1278(a)(4)(c)

A school district or public school academy shall also grant a student a credit if the student earns a qualifying score, as determined by the department, on the assessments developed or selected for the subject area by the department or the student earns a qualifying score, as determined by the school district or public school academy, on 1 or more assessments developed or selected by the school district or public school academy that measure a student's understanding of the subject area content expectations or guidelines that apply to the credit. Credit Awarded to Pupil Not Enrolled in Course: 80.1279(b The board of a school district shall grant high school credit in any course to a pupil enrolled in high school, but who is not enrolled in the course, who has exhibited a reasonable level of mastery of the subject matter of the course by attaining a grade of not less than C+ in a final exam in the course, or, if there is no final exam, by exhibiting that mastery through the basic assessment used in the course which may consist of a portfolio, performance, paper, project, or presentation. For the purpose of earning credit under this section, any high school pupil may take the final examination in any course. Credit earned under this section shall be based on a "pass" grade and shall not be included in a computation of grade point average for any purpose. Credit earned under this section may or may not be counted toward graduation, as the board of the school district may determine, but the board's determination shall apply equally to all such credit for all pupils and credit earned under this section shall be counted toward fulfillment of a requirement for a subject area course and shall be counted toward fulfillment of a requirement as to course sequence. Once credit is earned under this section, a pupil may not receive credit thereafter for a course lower in course sequence concerning the same subject area.