(a) Credit by Demonstrated Mastery is the process by which a student may earn credit for a high school course by demonstrating a deep understanding of the content without:

1. (1) Course enrollment; or
2. (2) The minimum of one hundred twenty (120) clock hours required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, 6 CAR pt. 61.

(b)

1. (1) A public school district may submit a Credit by Demonstrated Mastery (CDM) application for approval to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to award units of high school course credit based on a demonstration of subject matter competency instead of, or in combination with, completing hours of classroom instruction.
2. (2) Weighted credit is not available for CDM.

(c) Students shall demonstrate mastery through a multiphase assessment, consisting of:

1. (1) Phase 1: A standard examination assessing course standards; and

2. (2)

   1. (A) Phase 2: At least one (1) artifact that requires the student to apply knowledge and skills relevant to the content standards.
   2. (B) Students who are unable to meet the established minimum score in Phase 1 shall not progress to Phase 2.

(d) The CDM process is designed to allow students to:

1. (1) Demonstrate competency of a required graduation credit; and

2. (2)

   1. (A) Provide the opportunity for the student to take additional courses.
   2. (B) The CDM process:

(i) Is not designed for whole groups of students; and

1. (ii) Shall not replace the general accelerated pathways provided for advanced students.