Option II
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) recognizes and acknowledges that all students will not achieve New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) in the same manner and/or with the same level of success. To this end, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is permitted to allow students individualized learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom that are stimulating and challenging and that enable students to meet or exceed the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. This is commonly referred to as “Option II.” Option II allows for the design and implementation of programs to meet the needs of all students. Students are permitted to earn credit toward graduation through Option II learning experiences. Credits toward graduation will be awarded only to students who are currently enrolled in high school. Enrollment begins in September of their freshmen year. These experiences include, but are not limited to: interdisciplinary or theme-based programs, independent study, early college credit, magnet programs, student exchange programs, distance learning, on-line learning, work-based programs, internships, service learning, co-curricular or extra-curricular programs, and/or other structured learning experiences. In addition, Option II allows for group programs based upon specific instructional objects that meet or exceed New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Participation in Option II is predicated on the application process through which students seek approval. The process for application, evaluation, and assessment is detailed below. Attainment of credit toward graduation is based on the successful completion of assessments that verify student achievement in meeting or exceeding the New Jersey Student Learning Standards at the high school level.
Option II Credit Attainment
Students planning to pursue course work for credit external to the traditional offerings of BRHS curriculum are required to submit a completed Option II application. Deadlines for submission are June 1st for Summer and Fall Semester course work; January 1st for Spring Semester course work. Each application will be reviewed to determine eligibility and grant approval/disapproval based on the criteria outlined. Each student’s application will be reviewed on its own merit. A student may apply under Option II for the following alternatives:
· Additional/Original credit
· Accelerated/Original Credit
· College Credit
· Alternate Physical Education
· Credit Recovery
· Independent Study
· Service Learning
The application/approval process will proceed as follows:
1. Student meets with the assigned school counselor to discuss the proposal. If viable, school counselor will invite the student to complete an electronic Option II application.
2. The application will then be reviewed by the department Supervisor who may approve, deny, or specify additional requirements necessary for approval.
3. Final approval will be determined by the building Principal.
4. Upon completion of the approval process, a final confirmation message will be sent to all individuals involved.
Option II Guidelines
- With the exception of Geometry, students are not permitted to enroll in courses that are graduation requirements. Exceptions may be permitted on a case-by-case basis because of BRHS schedule conflicts/imitations. BRHS courses supersede Option II offerings.
- Option II courses completed prior to enrollment in high school will not be reflected on transcripts.
- Specific course providers may be required on a case-by-case basis in order to grant approval for a student’s course application.
- Considerations include:
- A student’s individual achievement in the content area
- Acceleration among course levels (Honors or Academic)
- Acceleration among program courses (Geometry to Algebra II)
- Considerations include:
- Students are permitted to enroll in five (5) original credits/experiences each year of high school.
- Students are permitted to apply for Alternate Phys Ed. each year of enrollment. Please note: students participating in Alternate Phys. Ed. will automatically be enrolled in Health during the quarter associated with the corresponding Phys. Ed class.
- Five (5) original credits per content area during high school career
- Students must take the BRHS Final Exam for the corresponding course following completion of the Option II course. Credit will be awarded based on the following:
- A passing grade of 80% or higher is required to earn credit for the course.
- Passing grades of 70-79% are subject to further review and may be considered for credit.
Grades for approved Option II course work will be reflected on a student’s transcript with the designation of “P” (Pass) or “U” (Fail). Upon approval, policies regarding the dropping of said course work will follow those procedures as outlined by the institution providing the course work and the procedures as outlined in the BRHS Program of Studies. Option II course work will not be included in the calculation of a student’s overall Grade Point Average (GPA). Official transcripts generated by course work taken outside of BRHS may be attached to a student’s BRHS transcript. Such requests must be made through the student’s assigned school counselor. Once credit has been earned in an approved Option II course, students will not be permitted to enroll in an equivalent BRHS course.
Additional Credit; Acceleration Credit
A student may seek approval to enroll in an Option II course in order to earn additional credit and/or to accelerate a course level. Additional credit, or acceleration can be achieved through in-person or on-line coursework. The following guidelines must be followed:
1. The course must be from an accredited institution. Additional/Acceleration Credit courses must meet the 120-hour enrollment requirement for complete course advancement and meet or exceed NJ Standards.
2. The course must be approved through the process outlined above.
3. Acceleration Credit courses must be completed by August 8, 2024. Students enrolled in an acceleration credit course are required to take the final exam for that course at BRHS. Final exams are available by appointment, weekdays only – August 5 - 8, 2024. Associated BRHS final exams must be completed by August 15, 2024. Acceleration will be limited to those who have met the standard BRHS grade requirements for prerequisite courses, have completed an approved course , and have earned the minimum BRHS Final Exam grade for that course.
4. Additional Credit courses must be completed within 9 (nine) months and prior to June 6, 2025. An official transcript from the institution must be submitted promptly following the completion of the course.
College Credit
Students may seek approval to enroll in college level courses and apply credits earned toward high school graduation requirements. Students enrolling in college level courses must meet eligibility requirements as established by the college or university. The following guidelines must be followed:
1. The course must be taken from a regionally accredited two or four-year college/university.
2. The course must be approved through the process outlined above.
An official transcript from the college/university must be submitted promptly following the completion of the course.
Credit Recovery
Students receiving a final grade of “U” in a BRHS course do not receive credit. Students who fail to meet course requirements and/or fail to meet attendance requirements receive a final grade of “NC” (no credit). In each case, credits towards graduation are not earned. Student options include the repeat of the course during the next school year; or enrollment in an approved Option II summer program. Completed applications must be submitted by July 1, 2024. Registration for summer credit recovery courses must be completed by July 8, 2024. This includes traditional classroom and online credit recovery courses. All summer credit recovery courses must be completed by August 8, 2024. Students enrolled in an online credit recovery course are required to take the final exam for that course at BRHS. Final exams are available by appointment, weekdays only – August 5 - 8, 2024.
Credit Recovery courses require students to be enrolled for a minimum of 60 hours for a 5 credit course. Grades for completed Credit Recovery courses will be reflected on transcripts with the designation of “P” (Pass) or “U” (Fail). Approved courses dropped after the drop/add period will be recorded on BRHS transcripts as “W” (Withdrawn). Credit recovery courses are not included in the calculation of a student’s overall GPA. The original course and final grade will be retained on the student’s transcript. Appropriate credits will be applied toward graduation requirements.
Independent Study
The Independent Study program at BRHS is intended for individuals who seek intense study in an academic area not currently offered by the BRHS curriculum. Independent studies may not replace a course listed in the BRHS Program of Studies. Students may seek approval for an Independent Study through the Option II application. The following guidelines must be followed:
1. Completed applications will be reviewed according to the procedures outlined above.
A BRHS certified faculty member must serve as an advisor and be secured prior to the submission of the Option II application. The Independent Study advisor is responsible for the final evaluation of the study and must submit verification that instructional objectives have been met.
Service Learning
Students are encouraged to seek opportunities within the community to complement their education through volunteering. Under Option II, students may apply credit from Service Learning to high school graduation requirements if approved in advance. The following guidelines must be followed:
1. Completed applications will be reviewed according to the procedures outlined above. ,
2. The student must have an approved mentor for the project.
The student must complete a self-reflection and log of service hours verified by the mentor.
Alternative Physical Education
Students may pursue opportunities to meet the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Physical Education through participation in co-curricular or extra-curricular programs and/or through other structured learning experiences that involve substantial physical activity/exertion. Students should apply for consideration through the Option II process. Alternate Phys. Ed is available during Quarter 1 for BRHS Fall sports, Quarter 2 for BRHS Winter sports, and Quater4 for BRHS Spring sports. Students participating in activities outside of BRHS must submit a written letter signed by the coach or advisor that verifies that the student will be participating in a minimum of 150 minutes per week (Mon-Sun) in said physical activity. If approval is given, the student will be assigned a study hall during the period that would be scheduled for Physical Education during the marking period(s) for which an alternative experience has been approved. Students are responsible for maintaining an activity log that documents their hours and signed by the coach or advisor. Students are also responsible for submitting weekly journals that document how they are meeting physical education content standards. The activity logs and journals must be submitted to their assigned Physical Education teacher on a weekly basis. (More information is available on the high school website – BRHS Option II Phys Ed). The student will be required to participate in the Health curriculum during the marking period in which Health is scheduled.
Service Learning Outcome Report
Educere Original Credit Courses 2023-2024
Educere Original Credit Courses 2023-2024 (Basic - IEP students only)