Credit by Demonstrated Mastery

Every Student, Every Classroom, Every DayLYNX students have the option to meet standards by pursuing learning experiences outside the traditional classroom.  The Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) process empowers students to direct their own learning and earn credit for a course by capitalizing on their personal strengths, interests, and talents.

Students seeking credit by demonstrated mastery (CDM) submit a pre-approval application and complete their learning experience with the support of content teachers, mentors, and LYNX advocates.  Students assemble a "body of evidence" to document their mastery of standards, then submit their digital portfolio for review.  Students are able to revise and improve their portfolios as needed until mastery is demonstrated and credit is earned.

LYNX students who complete the Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) process:

  • have additional space in their schedules to pursue face-to-face courses that align with their Student Success Plans, such as advanced academic courses and electives.
  • earn more credits in their early years (9th and 10th grade) to ensure space in their schedules in their later years (11th and 12th grade) to pursue internships, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment at an institute of higher education, courses at the Career and Technology Center (CTC), or electives.
  • earn more credits per year to graduate early, if that is a priority for the student and his/her family.