Learning will take a creative leap this fall in Worthington City Schools as the district's new credit flexibility plan falls into place.

Beginning with the new school year, which kicks off Aug. 24, middle school and high school students may be able to design some of their own courses to achieve high school credit outside the classroom.

Members of the district's credit flexibility team outlined the new program for school board members at their meeting Monday, July 26.

"I get excited when I think of getting student learning outside the four walls of a classroom, because that is where real life happens," said Dave Miller, who teaches at Worthington Kilbourne High School.

Miller said options for credit flexibility include students pursuing independent study and a portfolio presentation; online courses; internships; service learning; research-based projects; dual credit college and high school programs; distance learning; and educational travel, similar to the Walkabout option that's part of the Linworth Alternative Program.

Ohio Senate Bill 311 established the Ohio Core Curriculum in 2006, mandating Ohio school districts develop plans for students to earn units of high school credit based on demonstration of subject competency -- not just seat time in a classroom.

Worthington's credit flexibility team quickly warmed to the idea, according to board Vice President Marc Schare.

"I have to commend you on embracing credit flexibility in the way the state intended," Schare said. "It looks like we may be able to provide a lot of student opportunities that might have been cost-prohibitive before this plan."

Schare brought up a caveat, though: The National Collegiate Athletic Association eligibility center said Division 1 colleges are not obligated to accept "test-out" high school credit, he said.

Under Ohio's plan, testing out of a course, just as students in some colleges can test out of freshman core courses, should be a part of each district's credit flexibility plan.

Assistant Superintendent Marc Glasbrenner said the credit flexibility plan to be put in place for the fall will not have the testing-out option.

He said the district requested a waiver from the Ohio Department of Education for the "Demonstration of Mastery/Test Out" option for this school year, but will develop a pilot test-out program for some courses at the beginning of the second semester.

"We plan on having conversations with staff members and if they think their course would be able to be accomplished through a testing-out option, that staff member would develop what that would look like," Glasbrenner said. "We hope to pilot some of those courses during this school year's second semester, then fully implement the testing-out option on Aug. 1, 2011."

Glasbrenner said credit flexibility shifts the focus in learning to performance and demonstration, which may be a better fit for some students' learning styles.

He said students who opt for online courses in a subject must chose an online provider that's accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities or an equivalent state or regional accreditation association.

Glasbrenner said students must meet with their teacher and school counselor prior to completing a credit flexibility application to discuss how their proposal aligns with their college and career plans.

The application requires students to describe prerequisite courses they have completed to prepare for their credit flexibility option and explain methods they would use to achieve credit for the course. They would also list suggestions on how mastery of the subject matter could be assessed.

If an application is denied, the student could work with counselors and teachers to realign the option based on teacher recommendations, or go through an appeals process.

Glasbrenner said students can apply for credit flexibility on a "rolling" basis each month, with applications submitted at least 60 days in advance of testing or demonstration of mastery of the course.

One school board member said he is not enthusiastic about credit flexibility.

"I think the state of Ohio overreacted in credit flexibility," said David Bressman, "and what bothers me the most is that no limitations were put on the amount of credit flexibility a student can achieve.

"I think there is something special about attending our classes and listening to our teachers," he said. "I think there should be credit flexibility, but not unlimited."

To view the district's credit flexibility plan, visit the website worthington.k12.oh. us.