LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 1 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
TITLE:
Middle School Culmination Activity and
Certificate of Completion
ROUTING
Local District Superintendents
Local District Directors of
Instruction
Local District Counseling
Coordinators
Middle School Principals
Middle School Assistant
Principals & Coordinators
Middle School Teachers
Middle School Counselors
NUMBER:
BUL-3815.3
ISSUER:
Frances Gipson, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer
Division of Instruction
Jesus Angulo, Director
Academic & Counseling Services
DATE:
June 14, 2016
POLICY:
This bulletin outlines the standardized criteria for issuing a Middle School
Certificate of Completion and for participation in the Middle School Culmination
Activity. The policy will be effective for Middle School students culminating in
Spring of 2017 and will continue for all Middle School students thereafter.
MAJOR CHANGES:
This version replaces BUL-3815.2, dated August 24, 2015. Major changes include
standardized criteria for earning a Certificate of Completion and participating in the
culmination activity. Seventh grade marks will not be factored into culmination
eligibility. As a benchmark towards high school graduation criteria, students must
earn a minimum of fifty credits in the eighth grade with marks of “D” or better. All
courses will factor into the middle school culmination criteria.
PROCEDURES:
I. CRITERIA FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
AND PARTICIPATION IN CULMINATION ACTIVITY
Beginning with students culminating in spring 2017, the Certificate of
Completion and participation in the culmination activity will be determined
by receiving a mark of “D” or better in eighth grade. All subject areas will
be considered for eligibility. Students must earn a total of 50 credits during
their 8
th
grade year to be eligible for a Certificate of Completion.
Grade 8:
Students earn 5 credits for passing each semester course with a
mark of “D” or better.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 2 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
If a student transfers into an LAUSD middle school or span school for the first
time in the second semester of eighth grade, the principal or designee will
evaluate student culmination eligibility based on the possible credits attempted
and earned from the date of entry into the school.
Schools may set additional school-site criteria, including behavior, work
habits and attendance, for participation in the culmination activity as long as
they inform all students and parents/guardians during their 6
th
and or 7
th
grade
year.
Schools that choose to set their own criteria must complete and submit
attachment D to their Local District Instructional Director and Superintendent
for approval by the eighth week of the fall semester.
Schools that set their own criteria must edit attachment A.
A sample Certificate of Completion is included on attachment C.
Fall 8
th
Grade
Spring 8
th
Grade
Courses
Credits
Courses
Credits
English 8A
5
English 8B
5
CC Math 8A/
ACC CC Alg 1
5
CC Math 8B/
ACC CC Alg 1
5
US Hist G&C A
5
US Hist G&C B
5
Science 8A
5
Science 8B
5
Int PE A
5
Int PE B
5
Elective/ ELD
5
Elective/ELD
5
Total Credits Possible
30
30
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 3 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
II. COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS
The school’s culmination policy shall be communicated to students and
parents/guardians on a yearly basis at the beginning of the school year.
Information shall also be available at a minimum of two additional times at
school events and meetings such as grade level meetings, Back-To-School
night and Open House.
For verification purposes, students and parents/guardians shall be informed
annually of the policy during registration, using the parent letters
(attachment A) and the policy should be emphasized during each IGP
Conference.
Verification of annual parent communication shall be completed annually
by the principal or designee. The principal shall submit the completed
verification form (attachment B) to their local district director no later than
the 8
th
week of the fall semester annually.
III. SUPPORT FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF REQUIREMENTS
In order to provide middle school students with the opportunity to meet the
requirements for a certificate of completion and to participate in the
culmination activity, schools need to establish a support system for their
students. Some options include:
A. Identify at-risk students early and enroll them in appropriate
intervention courses
B. Provide academic intervention programs during the school day
C. Institute an attendance recovery program
D. Celebrate and reinforce student achievement
E. Provide guidance lessons to students addressing topics to promote
success such as study skills, time management and classroom
behavior
F. Ensure frequent and consistent school to home communication
G. Initiate clubs and/or activities that promote a college-going culture
H. Establish an adult mentoring program for at-risk students
IV. APPEAL PROCESS
If a student does not meet the minimum culmination activity or certificate
of completion requirements, the student or parent/guardian may appeal by
following the procedures listed below. Considerations may include
extenuating circumstances that affect attendance and/or academic
achievement or demonstrating significant improvement in the eighth grade.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 4 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
A. School-site Level
1. A Culmination Appeals Committee shall be convened at the
school to review appeals. At a minimum, the committee must
include a counselor, a school-site administrator and a teacher.
2. A student or parent/guardian must submit a written request to
the Appeals Committee stating why the student did not meet
the requirements for the certificate or for participating in the
culmination activity.
3. The committee response shall be provided in writing and by
telephone within three school days following the appeal.
4. If the parent/guardian does not agree with the Committee’s
decision, they may appeal to the school site principal within 3
days by telephone or in writing.
5. A decision by the principal will be made within three school
days following the appeal.
B. Local District Level
1. If the parent/guardian does not agree with the school’s decision,
they may appeal to the Local District within three school days of
receiving the school sites appeal decision.
2. The Local District decision is final and will be provided by
phone and in writing within one school day following the appeal.
AUTHORITY:
This is a policy of the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Division of
Instruction.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 5 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
ASSISTANCE:
For additional information, contact your Local District K-12 Counseling
Coordinator at the following Local Districts:
Local District Central (213) 241-0100
Local District East (323) 224-3100
Local District Northeast (818) 252-5400
Local District Northwest (818) 654-3600
Local District South (310) 354-3400
Local District West (310) 914-2100
Or you may call the Office of College and Career Education at (213) 241-7510.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 6 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
ATTACHMENT A
PARENT LETTER REGARDING NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL CULMINATION
AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION POLICY
Date:
Dear Parent/Guardian:
LAUSD has adopted a Middle School Culmination Activity and Certificate of Completion policy effective
starting with the class of students culminating in 2017. This policy defines the criteria for issuing a Middle
School Certificate of Completion and for students to participate in the Middle School Culmination Activity. It
supports student achievement and guides students in preparing for matriculation from middle school to high
school.
To participate in the culmination activity, eighth grade students must meet all LAUSD requirements and school-
site criteria to earn a Certificate of Completion.
To earn a Certificate of Completion, students will be evaluated based on the marks and credits earned in the
eighth grade. Students will earn 5 credits for passing each semester course with a ‘D’ or better. Grades from all
subject areas will be used to determine credits earned in eighth grade.
Students must earn 50 credits to be eligible for the Certificate of Completion.
Students and parents/guardians will discuss this policy during the Individual Graduation Plan (IGP)
conferences. We will work closely with you and your child to promote academic achievement.
If you have questions about the Culmination Activity and Certificate of Completion policy, contact your child’s
counselor ______________________ at ____________.
Sincerely,
____________________________________________
Principal
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PLEASE RETURN THIS SIGNED FORM TO YOUR CHILD’S COUNSELOR
I have read the attached letter and discussed the requirements for the Certificate of Completion and the
culmination activity with my child. We will discuss this again at the Individual Graduation Plan conference. If I
have any questions, I will contact you.
Student’s Name:_________________________________________________ Date of Birth: _________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name: ________________________________________
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 7 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
ANEXO A
CARTA A LOS PADRES DE FAMILIA SOBRE LAS NUEVAS NORMAS PARA LA GRADUACIÓN DE LA
ESCUELA INTERMEDIA Y EL CERTIFICADO DE TERMINACIÓN DE ESTUDIOS
Fecha: ________________________
Estimados padres de familia/tutores legales
:
El LAUSD ha adoptado una norma de Actividad de Graduación de Escuela Intermedia y Certificado de Terminación de Estudios que
entra en vigor con los alumnos que culminarán en el 2017. Estas normas definen los criterios para otorgar un Certificado de
Terminación de Estudios de la Intermedia y para que los alumnos puedan participar en la Actividad de Graduación de la Escuela
Intermedia. Dichas normas apoyan el aprovechamiento académico y guían a los alumnos al prepararlos para la transición de la
intermedia a la preparatoria.
Para obtener un Certificado de Terminación de Estudios, se evaluará a los alumnos en base a las calificaciones obtenidas en el
octavo grado.
Los estudiantes recibirán 5 créditos por cada curso de un semestre con una calificación de ‘D’ o más.
Todas las materias
formarán parte del criterio.
Los alumnos deben acumular 50 créditos para recibir el Certificado.
Para participar en la culminación los alumnos de octavo grado deben satisfacer todos los requisitos del LAUSD para obtener un
Certificado de Terminación de Estudios. Las escuelas podrán fijar criterios adicionales para su plantel en particular, incluidos los
hábitos de trabajo, la conducta y la asistencia para que los alumnos puedan participar en la actividad de graduación.
Los alumnos y los padres/tutores discutirán estas normas durante las conferencias sobre el Plan Individual de Graduación (IGP, por sus
siglas en inglés). Colaboraremos de cerca con usted y su hijo(a) para fomentar el aprovechamiento académico.
Si usted tiene preguntas acerca de las normas sobre la Actividad de Graduación y el Certificado de Terminación de Estudios,
comuníquese con el consejero de su hijo(a)
____________________________________ al ________________________.
Atentamente,
Director(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAVOR DE DEVOLVERLE ESTE FORMULARIO CON SU FIRMA AL CONSEJERO DE SU HIJO(A)
He leído la carta adjunta y he hablado con mi hijo(a) sobre los requisitos del Certificado de Terminación de Estudios y la
actividad de graduación. Trataremos esto de nuevo en la conferencia del Plan Individual de Graduación. Si tengo alguna
pregunta, me comunicaré con usted.
Nombre y apellido del alumno: _____________________________________________ Fecha de nacimiento: __________
Nombre y apellido del padre/madre/tutor legal: _____________________________________________________________
Firma del padre/madre/tutor legal: ____________________________________________ Fecha: ____________________
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 8 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
ATTACHMENT B
VERIFICATION OF COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS
ABOUT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
Contact Person: ______________________________________ Title: ________________________
Date:________________________
Send this completed form annually to your Local District Director no later than the 8
th
week of the fall semester.
School Name:
6th
graders
7th
graders
8th
graders
Number of Parent/Guardian
Letters Sent to:
Percent of Parent/Guardian
Letters Returned from:
List of ways you will
communicate these
requirements with students
and parents/guardians
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 9 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
ATTACHMENT C
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Certificate of Completion
This certificate is awarded to
Who has satisfactorily completed the Course of Study
for grade eight as prescribed by the Los Angeles Unified School District
This __ of June, two thousand ___
_______________________ ________________________
Principal Counselor
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
POLICY BULLETIN
BUL-3815.3 Page 10 of 10 June 14, 2016
Division of Instruction
ATTACHMENT D
Request to Implement Alternative Culmination Policy
Culmination Policy for ___(Name of School)______________
Effective with the culminating class of __________
Description of Culmination Policy:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitted by ______________________________________ Date:___________________
Principal
Approved by ______________________________________ Date:___________________
Local District Instructional Director
Approved by ______________________________________ Date:___________________
Local District Superintendent
Include attachments as needed
