High School Course Credit Policy
SC TOP policy for all high school credits is to leave it up to the parent to pick/choose the learning materials and activities for each course’s content. There’s 2 basic ways to earn credit:
- by covering a certain amount of materials that some “expert” has designated as a credit (ie: following a curriculum/program).
- by logging a certain amount of time developing practical skills and knowledge (ie: real life learning) Click here to read more
- or by a combination of the two
Co-ops and resource centers are a great way for parents to outsource some of the learning–either as a supplement to the learning at home or as the framework to build on with additional assignments at home. It is the parent’s role to determine the value of the co-op course as a credit and relay this to SC TOP for their student’s transcript.
SC TOP does not evaluate nor negotiate the content of the course with the co-op teacher directly. That would be an overreach of our association to impose our policies on other members, as well as parents who are not members of SC TOP. It’s also an oversimplification of the goals for each individual for choosing these learning activities and opportunities.
- Extra curricular only. Many co-op classes are not worth a credit on their own and can be considered as extra curricular club activities that do not go on the transcript. Fun, social activities are of great value–even if they do not end up on the transcript. Public school students also participate in extra curricular clubs that are not part of the academics.
- Supplemental components of the course. For example, the co-op might provide hands-on lab activities for the student to complete the text reading and tests at home. Other course subjects might incorporate group projects, community service projects, speech/presentation practice, yearbook/journalism clubs. These kinds of supplements might be worth part of the content of the course or as an “honors” weight value on a course that is already a complete credit.
- Framework of the course. For example, the co-op might provide weekly instruction in Algebra for the student to complete the homework assignments and tests at home. This is similar to a weekly music instructor, where the student must practice daily to develop the skill.
