Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM)

  • Starting in 2015, students will be able to earn credit for a course without spending a set number of hours taking the course in a classroom. Under the state’s new Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) option, uniquely qualified students may “test out” or bypass a course if they have already mastered the content.

    The program provides another opportunity for students to learn new content, to challenge themselves with the next level of rigor in a subject, and even graduate early. This option is not designed to replace existing accelerated pathways, such as the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program at WCPSS. 

    The CDM option is available to all students in North Carolina under State Board of Education policy SBE-GCS-M-001, Section 13.

    ELIGIBILTY

    All WCPSS students may apply to earn credit for high-school level courses offered in grades 6-12.

    COURSE SELECTION

    Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Healthful Living, and some Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are not eligible. Download a list of eligible courses in the Resources section.

    How credits will appear on transcripts

    • Students will not receive a letter grade for the course.
    • Students who successfully complete the process will receive a “pass” result on their transcripts for the course, and will be eligible to enroll in the next level course in that subject area.
    • Students who do not earn the course credit will not be penalized. Results of the assessment process will not be reflected in the student’s grades or school transcript.
    • Students may make one attempt to earn credit per course. Retests are not offered.

    QUESTIONS?

    Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document below for common topics. For all other questions, contact your school counselor or email CDMquestions@wcpss.net.

    RESOURCES