Administrative Guidelines For Scheduling 4+ 4 Block Courses

A. Length of Class Periods Per Day

All courses occurring during the regular school day are to be scheduled into 90 minute class periods. Courses may be scheduled into double-period blocks of 180 minutes. Courses scheduled outside the regular school day may be scheduled into periods of 90 minutes or 55 minutes net. If scheduled into 90 minutes, student earns one-unit credit per 90 days (semester). If scheduled into 55 minutes, student earns 1/2 unit credit per 90 days.

B. Number of Class Periods: 1/2 Unit Courses

1. In the 4 + 4 Block Schedule, 1/2 unit courses cover 45 class periods (half the semester). Generally, principals will “link” two 1/2 unit courses, the second course beginning on the 46th day. Each
   1/2 unit course will receive its own grade and 0.5 unit credit on the report card and cumulative record (transcript) label at the end of the semester. Grades for 1/2 unit courses ending at mid-semester will be immediately reported to parents and will be repeated on the semester grade report and transcript label.
2. .The principal will determine whether or not students can be allowed to repeat failed 1/2 unit courses without repeating the whole semester.
3. Driver Education is a unique course. Students will receive only 1/2 unit credit although they be enrolled for the entire semester to allow for on-the-road driving. However, schools that can arrange to add Safety to the course and provide teacher-student contact for 90 days may award one full unit of credit.

C. Number of Class Periods: One-unit and Two-unit Courses

1. One-unit courses cover a semester (90 days) and receive 1.0 unit credit.
2. Two-unit courses cover a semester (90 days) and receive 2.0 units credit.

D. Maximum Credits Per Course

1. Advanced Placement. All Advanced Placement courses shall offer a maximum of one-unit credit.
2. Unlimited Credit. Students who qualify for the following elective courses may be permitted to reenroll every semester on a space-available basis with priority given to first-time enrollees:

a. Advanced Art
b. Advanced Theatre
c. Advanced ROTC
d. Cooperative Education (on-the-job training)
e. English as a Second Language (until dismissed by teacher)
f. Advanced Physical Education (the suggested maximum is two)
g. Performing Choral Music Groups (Mixed Chorus I & II, Choral Ensemble,     Male or Female Chorus)
h. Performing Instrumental Groups (Band, Orchestra, Handbells,    Instrumental Ensemble)
i. Advanced Journalism

         3. Limited Credit. All courses except those listed under “unlimited credit” above shall
             offer only the credit specified in the course descriptions.