(1) Each high school or school district board of directors shall adopt course equivalencies for career and technical high school courses offered to students in high schools and skill centers. A career and technical course equivalency may be for whole or partial credit. Each school district board of directors shall develop a course equivalency approval procedure.

     (2) Career and technical courses determined to be equivalent to academic core courses, in full or in part, by the high school or school district shall be accepted as meeting core requirements, including graduation requirements, if the courses are recorded on the student's transcript using the equivalent academic high school department designation and title. Full or partial credit shall be recorded as appropriate. The high school or school district shall also issue and keep record of course completion certificates that demonstrate that the career and technical courses were successfully completed as needed for industry certification, college credit, or preapprenticeship, as applicable. The certificate shall be either part of the student's high school and beyond plan or the student's culminating project, as determined by the student. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and make available electronic samples of certificates of course completion.

[2008 c 170 § 202; 2006 c 114 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent--Part headings not law -- 2008 c 170: See RCW 28A.700.005 and 28A.700.901.

     Finding -- Intent -- 2006 c 114: "(1) The legislature finds that Washington's performance-based education system should seek to provide fundamental academic knowledge and skills for all students, and to provide the opportunity for students to acquire knowledge and skills likely to contribute to their own economic well-being and that of their families and communities.

     (2) The legislature recognizes that career and technical options are available for students.

     (3) High schools or school districts should take advantage of their opportunity to offer course credits, including credits toward graduation requirements, for knowledge and skills in fundamental academic content areas that students gain in career and technical education courses.

     (4) Therefore the legislature intends to create a rigorous and high quality career and technical high school alternative assessment that assures students meet state standards, and also reflects nationally recognized standards for the knowledge and skills needed to pursue employment and careers in technical fields." [2006 c 114 § 1.]