The R.I. Diploma System: Proficiency-Based Graduation Requirements (PBGR)

PBGR Coordinator: Mr. Paul Dalpe

What is the Rhode Island Diploma System?

The RI Dept. of Education and the Board of Regents have mandated that beginning with the Class of 2008, all students must show what they know and are able to do through a variety of measures. For Lincoln High School, this means that ALL students must fulfill ALL of the following graduation requirements:

• Successful completion of 22 credits in subject areas outlined in the Lincoln High School Program of Studies
• An extended project, called an exhibition, that requires students to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills in an area of interest
• A graduation portfolio, or collection of evidence, that a student has demonstrated proficiency in the areas of English Language Arts, math, science, social studies, the arts and technology.
• Beginning with the class of 2012, the NECAP English and Math Tests with be included.

Lincoln High School is responsible for providing high quality instruction and support so that all students have access to multiple opportunities to succeed. Through standards-based curricula and course offerings, LHS provides a foundation for a student’s future growth, learning, and development.

Course requirements:

At LHS, students must successfully complete 22 credits in the as outlined in the Program of Studies in order to graduate. The Rhode Island Diploma System has identified six core areas in which students must demonstrate proficiency. These are:

• English Language Arts
• mathematics
• science
• social studies
• fine arts (music, theatre, dance, or visual art)
• technology
• social and civic responsibility

Embedded in their courses, students will have opportunities to acquire both the knowledge and skills in content and applied learning which are crucial components of the Rhode Island Diploma system.

All students must provide tangible evidence of their ability to communicate well and clearly (reading, writing, speaking and listening), to solve complex problems, to think critically, to conduct valid research, and to conduct themselves with integrity and responsibility to themselves and to their community. These components are documented via EITHER the successful completion of the Certificate of Initial Mastery OR via a successful portfolio and exhibition. For example, one manner in which a student may satisfy the exhibition requirement is successful completion of a capstone project..

What is a Graduation portfolio?

a collection of work which shows a student’s mastery of both skills and content in the six core areas.

What is in a Graduation portfolio?

Student work samples such as essays, long-term projects, and common tasks compiled by the student with the guidance of his/her teachers and advisors.

What should students collect and when?

Teachers will guide students on this, and the collecting should begin now. Standards-based and standard-meeting authentic work samples from all courses will ultimately be required. This year, Common Tasks in ELA, math and social studies are mandatory. Work from each course is encouraged.

What is an Exhibition?

It is the vehicle by which students explore an area of their own personal or academic interest.
It is an individual, research-based, extended project on a complex real-world problem, which, when completed, is presented to a judging panel.

How will students prepare for their exhibition?

Via their coursework in all disciplines, Lincoln High School students will have multiple opportunities prior to their graduation exhibition to acquire the skills which make for standard-meeting performances in this component. They will practice these skills in a variety of courses throughout their high school career.

Why must students complete the exhibition and portfolio?

To allow students to experience the real-world expectation that one must be capable of synthesizing what one has learned and communicating that to others in effective ways.

Where should I look for more information on the Rhode Island Diploma System?

The RI Dept of Education website: http://www.ride.ri.gov/HighSchoolReform/DSLAT/