POLICY NUMBER:
600.07
ADOPTED:
5.19.2026
Board Policy
1. The Board of Education is committed to a student-centered educational model that prioritizes the demonstration of competency over the traditional accumulation of “seat time.”
2. In accordance with Utah Admin. Code R277-722, the Board is supportive of a Focused Graduation Pathway for eligible high school students to earn a traditional high school diploma through a combination of continued school enrollment, instructional support, and demonstrated competency on the General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency assessments. This pathway is intended to support students who are significantly behind in core credit attainment while maintaining engagement in school through graduation.
3. The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent and District Administration to develop administrative regulations consistent with this policy.
POLICY NUMBER:
600.07-1
APPROVED:
5.19.2026
Definitions
- Focused Graduation Pathway (FGP): A program permitting eligible students to earn specified core high school credits through successful completion of GED® subject exams, applied toward district graduation requirements (See, R277-722).
- FGP Student: A Canyons School District student aged 16–19 who meets eligibility requirements, remains enrolled in a participating high school, and consents to participate in the Focused Graduation Pathway.
- GED® Exam: A standardized high school equivalency examination measuring proficiency in Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies.
- Participating School: A district high school authorized by the Superintendent or designee to implement the Focused Graduation Pathway.
- FGP Coordinator: A designated district or school-level administrator responsible for oversight, compliance, student readiness verification, and reporting.
POLICY NUMBER:
600.07-2
APPROVED:
5.19.2026
Program Authorization and School Participation
To offer the Focused Graduation Pathway, a school shall:
- Submit an implementation plan to the Superintendent or designee outlining staff, instructional supports, student referral procedures, and testing coordination.
- Designate a FGP Coordinator at the school.
- Receive written approval from the Superintendent or designee.
- Include the approved FGP in the school handbook.
- Maintain compliance with applicable USBE reporting and oversight requirements.
- A participating school shall not withdraw an FGP student from K-12 enrollment prior to completion of GED ® testing.
Participating Schools shall:
- Maintain appropriate student-teacher ratios for GED ® preparation courses.
- Provide subject-area qualified instructors
- Provide required accommodations and supports for students with disabilities.
- Coordinate GED ® testing eligibility and alert clearance with state systems.
- Submit annual performance and completion reports to the Superintendent or designee.
POLICY NUMBER:
600.07-3
APPROVED:
5.19.2026
Student Eligibility
To be considered for enrollment in the Focused Graduation Pathway (FGP), a student must:
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Be a junior or senior enrolled in or eligible to enroll in a Canyons School District high school
- Be significantly behind in core credit attainment:
- At least six (6) credits behind if a junior; or
- At least three (3) credits behind if a senior.
- Demonstrate a minimum ninth-grade reading level as measured by MAP, CASAS, or another district-approved assessment within the prior six months.
POLICY NUMBER:
600.07-4
APPROVED:
5.19.2026
FGP Program Administration
- Enrollment and Consent
- Prior to enrollment the parent/guardian shall meet with school personnel to review program expectations, requirements, and outcomes.
- Written parent/guardian consent is required for participation.
- Verified unaccompanied minors may provide self-consent.
- Participation is voluntary.
- Instructional Support
- Eligible students shall be enrolled in GED ® preparation coursework aligned to identified academic needs.
- Instruction shall be provided by qualified subject-area teachers.
- Students must participate in at least one (1) GED ® preparation course while pursuing equivalency testing.
- Testing and Readiness
- Once a student demonstrates readiness through practice testing or district-approved assessments, the FGP Coordinator shall ensure testing eligibility is cleared. GED ® exams shall be taken.
- At approved GED ® testing centers; or
- Through online proctored testing in accordance with GED ® policies.
- Once a student demonstrates readiness through practice testing or district-approved assessments, the FGP Coordinator shall ensure testing eligibility is cleared. GED ® exams shall be taken.
- Awarding of Credit
- A participating student who successfully passes GED ® subject exams shall receive the following core high school credits.
- 4.0 credits – Reasoning Through Language Arts
- 3.0 credits – Social Studies
- 3.0 credits – Mathematical Reasoning
- 3.0 credits – Science
- Credits shall be recorded on the student’s transcript as Pass/Fail. The GED ® exam title shall appear in the course description line.
- A participating student who successfully passes GED ® subject exams shall receive the following core high school credits.
- Graduation Requirements
- FGP students must complete all remaining district and state graduation requirements in addition to GED ® earned credits to qualify for a traditional Canyons School District high school diploma and participation in graduation ceremonies.
- Student Enrollment and Progress Monitoring
- FGP students shall remain enrolled in a district high school until graduation or until their cohort class has graduated. Each student shall be assigned a counselor or mentor to monitor academic progress and postsecondary planning.
- Reporting and Oversight
- The FGP Coordinator shall provide annual reports to the Superintendent or designee including:
- Program enrollment
- Completion rates
- Other data as requested.
- Schools that fail to meet participation or compliance standards may have authorization to offer the FGP revoked.
- The FGP Coordinator shall provide annual reports to the Superintendent or designee including:
Forms
None
