Career Tech Course Weighting Changes

The following email was shared with 7-12 parents on Nov. 6, 2025.

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Dear Lakota Parents and Guardians of 7-12 Students,

We are writing to inform you of a recent change in Ohio law (ORC 3313.6031) that may affect student grade point averages (GPA) and class rankings.

What’s Changing?

Ohio schools are now required to apply updated weighting to certain Career-Technical Education (CTE) courses that meet state transfer criteria. These courses must now be weighted similarly to Advanced Placement (AP), College Credit Plus (CCP) and honors courses. These changes will also be applied retroactively for any current student's previous courses identified by this new law.

This change may result in adjustments to GPA and class rank for students who have previously completed qualifying CTE courses. Families can expect to see these updates reflected at the end of first semester in December.

Please note: Because this law took effect on September 30, any changes to class rank will not impact eligibility for the Governor’s Merit Scholarship.

Lakota CTE Courses Affected by the New Law

The following CTE courses offered at Lakota will now be weighted under ORC 3313.6031:

• Intro to Engineering and Design
• Aerospace Engineering
• Exercise and Athletic Training 1
• Content Creation Digital Editing
• Content Creation Media Production

Lakota CTE courses already weighted (no change):

• Digital Electronics
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Biomedical Innovations
• Fitness Evaluation and Assessment

Courses at Butler Tech Campuses:
Some courses offered at Butler Tech campuses will also be affected. If your student attends a Butler Tech campus, please contact their campus leadership directly with questions about specific course weighting.

Why Is This Happening?

Ohio’s updated law ensures that advanced-level CTE courses are recognized with the same academic rigor and credit as other advanced programs. This change reflects the growing importance and value of career tech education in preparing students for college and careers.

We understand that changes to GPA and class rank can be concerning. Our goal is to ensure transparency and support as we implement this state-mandated update. If you have questions or need assistance understanding how this may affect your student, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at andrew.wheatley@lakotaonline.com.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Andrew Wheatley
Director of Secondary Curriculum