Option 1 Pathway

Designed for students who have failed major core courses and are in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade. A second-semester junior or a senior must already be enrolled in and passing a CTE pathway unless the school has a CTE pathway that requires only one year to complete.

Students will earn a high school diploma and be counted as a graduate if they:

• Attend a GED^®Preparation class and pass the GED^® Tests as given.
• Complete the four (4) required core courses in a WVDE CTE skilled pathway concentration. Programs may vary depending on what is offered in your county.
• Complete the WorkKeys^® job skills assessment.
• Must complete the End-of-Concentration Performance Assessment.
• Receive a 500 average on the GED^®Tests to be eligible to apply for the Promise scholarship.

Each Option Pathway county must create an Option Team whose responsibility it is to properly screen students for the program and make county decisions on matters pertaining to the Option Pathway and students enrolled in the program.

Option Pathway

The Option Pathway is a blend of Career Technical Education (CTE) courses and the General Education Development (GED^®) Tests. The Option Pathway allows approved students to participate in the GED^®testing program at approved locations without being withdrawn from an accredited high school. The Option Pathway student may receive a high school diploma according to the completion level of the program. If you are 16, 17, or 18 years old you may be a candidate for Option Pathway.

Option Team

A preliminary Option Pathway Team meeting is held before a student is selected to begin the Option Program to determine if this is an appropriate placement for the student. Option team members may include but are not limited to:

• Career Tech Ed administrator/principal/director
• School counselor
• CTE staff member
• School principal
• Option Pathway teacher

The School Based Assistance Team may be used to comprise the Option Pathway as long as the Option Pathway teacher and designee from CTE are present when decisions are being made for the Option students.

Screening Process for the Option 1 Pathway Student

• Counselor/instructor identifies student to the Option Pathway:
  • One (1) year or more behind ninth grade cohort, or
  • At risk of dropping out of school, or
  • Age inappropriate according to grade level
• With approval from parent/guardian, the student takes the TABE and scores:
  • Recommended to score 8th grade level in reading
  • Recommended to score 7th grade level in math
• The Option Team meets to discuss placement of student into the Option Pathway and if they are placed, a meeting is held with student and the parent/guardian.
• Academic, attendance and behavioral expectations are discussed.
• Student is required to take the WESTEST in the grade level required by the state.
• Student may not be taken out of the participation numbers.