Credit by Demonstrated Mastery

What is CDM?
 
WHAT IS CREDIT BY DEMONSTRATED MASTERY (CDM)?
CDM is an option which allows students to demonstrate mastery of a course’s content, getting credit and a pass/fail grade for the course by taking an assessment and completing an artifact. In 2013 the NC Dept. of Public Instruction instituted State Board Policy GCS-M-001-13: Credit by Demonstrated Mastery in order to ensure students grow optimally in our public schools and have effective seat time. Transitioning away from seat time, in favor of a structure that creates flexibility, allows students to progress as they demonstrate mastery of academic content, regardless of time, place, or pace of learning.
 
Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) is an option for Pamlico County Students to obtain high school course credit for standard level courses in North Carolina. CDM is the process by which a local school system shall, based upon a body-of-evidence, award a student credit in a particular high school course without requiring the student to complete classroom instruction.
 
NOTE-The following courses are excluded from CDM:
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) work-based learning courses (co-op, internship, apprenticeship)
  • CTE courses that have a clinical setting as a requirement of the course, such as ProStart, Early Childhood Education I/II, and Nursing Fundamentals
  • CTE Advanced Studies courses or any course without state technical standards
  • English Language Learner (ELL) courses
  • Healthful Living required courses
  • AP/IB Courses
  • Occupational Course of Study (OCS) Occupational Preparation I, II, III, and IV courses
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To earn (CDM) credit for a high school course and by-pass the seat time requirements, students shall demonstrate mastery for the course through a two-phase process:
  • Phase 1:   A standard examination
  • EOC Exam –Students must achieve the following scale scores:  NC Math I ≥ 563, NC Math 3 ≥ 563
  • Biology ≥ 261, English II ≥ 565
  • CTE Post Assessment – a scale score of 90 or better
  • Locally Developed Final Exam/Assessment (not covered by EOC or CTE) – 90% or better
 
Phase 2:   An artifact
  • A project or artifact that demonstrates the student’s deep understanding of the content standards
  • Artifacts of any type may be assigned – ranging from three-dimensional to paper-based  to electronic to oral interviews (this list is not inclusive)
 
If interested in earning CDM, please submit an application to the PCHS Guidance office by the following dates: September 1, 2023 (Fall Semester) & February 1, 2024 (Spring Semester).
 
Please contact the Guidance office to answer questions about CDM at Pamlico County High School.
 
If you are interested in additional information on (CDM) please contact the following:
Pamlico County High School Guidance staff (252-745-3151)
Bettie Davis, Director of Accountability and Student Support Services (252-745-4171 ext. 630).
 
Pamlico County Schools DiSTRICT CDm TEAM:
Rebecca Lansche: Principal, Pamlico County High School
Betsy McCandless:  Counselor, Pamlico County High School
Wendy White: Executive Director of Instructional Services / LEA Testing Coordinator
Crystal Dixon: Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Shawn Carawan:  Director of Career and Technical Education
Wade Reifsnyder: Principal, Pamlico County Middle School
Department Chair/Lead in Subject: Curriculum area that is being applied for through CDM