High school course credit (i.e. e-learning courses, distance learning courses, etc.) earned outside the district shall be accepted only with prior written permission of the high school principal and only within the following limiting conditions:

1. Institution awarding course credit is accredited by the state or by a state-approved accrediting agency.
2. Makeup credit may be allowed for a failed course that will enable the student to graduate with his/her class.
3. New course credit may be allowed only in the case of a student who, for reasons beyond the student's control, is unable to schedule the course in the base high school, or the new course credit will enable the student to graduate with his/her class.
4. Credit should be allowed only for courses which provide a final examination covering all terminal objectives of the particular curriculum framework of the Tennessee Department of Education.
5. All financial costs associated with the course work will be assumed by the student.
6. Enrollment for courses outside the district must be in addition to the minimum number of school courses in which the student is required to be enrolled at all times.

Upon receipt of the course grade transmitted directly from the granting institution, the receiving high school shall grant credit on a term-to-term basis. Such grades shall be included in the computation of the student's cumulative grade-point average as consistent with the district's grading policy.

RELEASED TIME COURSES

Under the following circumstances, the Knox County Board of Education is allowing high school students to receive one credit for each completed released time course, as validated by a transcript from the course provider and as provided in T.C.A. § 49-2-130 (g).

To decide whether one (1) elective credit may be awarded for a student's completion of a released time course, the Board and Knox County Schools’ Curriculum Supervisors are to evaluate the course neutrally, without any test for religious content or denominational affiliation. Aside from content, the same internal procedures for evaluation and acceptance of any new course shall be followed. The secular criteria utilized to evaluate a released time course include:

1. The amount of classroom instruction time shall be equivalent to a block when a high school uses block scheduling, or one class period when a high school does not use block scheduling.
2. The course syllabus, which shall reflect the course requirements and any materials used in the course.
3. Methods of assessment used in the course shall be evaluated and it is expected that traditional assessments, such as tests and projects, will be utilized.
4. The course provider must ensure that the course is taught by a Tennessee state certified teacher with the relevant endorsements (if any). The provider selects the educator as long as the licensure requirement is met.

An MOU/Agreement must be approved by the Board to establish a course provider and specific course(s) offered for credit. Principal permission shall be granted if the course is approved by the Board and KCS Curriculum Supervisors.

Courses shall be taught off-site from Knox County Schools’ campuses. A signed parental/student release is required for students to participate in a released time course.

Legal Reference:

1. T.C.A. § 49-2-130(g).

Approved as to Legal Form
By Knox County Law Director 7/13/2023
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director