Update on administrative rule exemptions

A school district may apply for an administrative rule exemption to offer a high school course, taught by a high school certified teacher, to 8th grade students. Such an exemption makes the following possible for a student who successfully completes an exempted course:

The student receives high school graduation credit for the course, which should be noted on the student’s transcript.

It helps to ensure the student will have enough credit hours to be eligible for the Regents Scholarship program.

It allows the student additional credit hour time to take more upper-level courses when they reach high school.

The most common courses for which exemptions are filed are algebra I, Spanish I and computers.

Due to pending administrative rule changes, it is no longer necessary for a district to have an exemption form approved in order to institute an alternative or block schedule. This determination now can be made by the district and the local board of education.

For more information, visit www.state.sd.us/deca/OPA/School%20Accreditation/adminruleexemptions.htm or call Nicole Kranzler at (605) 773-3426.