Understanding the School system: Standards and Exams

Review… Review… Communication in School : Communication in School : Activity: Two Truths and a Lie Activity: Two Truths and a Lie School structure and organization: School structure and organization: Who’s who and the roles of school personnel Who’s who and the roles of school personnel Special Programs: ESL, EC, IEP, Honors & AP Special Programs: ESL, EC, IEP, Honors & AP Successful parent/teacher conferences Successful parent/teacher conferences Communication and styles of communication Communication and styles of communication

Understanding the school system What will we do tonight? What will we do tonight? Learn about test and grading system Learn about test and grading system Learn about the requirements neccessary to graduate from high school in North Carolina: Learn about the requirements neccessary to graduate from high school in North Carolina: Understand the courses of study and credit requirements. Understand the courses of study and credit requirements. Identify the course of study that meets the expectations and goals of the student. Identify the course of study that meets the expectations and goals of the student. Identify strategies to help students be successful in school. Identify strategies to help students be successful in school.

Homework… Parents: Which school personnel did you contact last week? What did you talk about with them? Students: What did you talk about with your teacher? What did you talk about with your teacher?

Graduation Card Game 1.) Each family has 5 minutes to write on two index cards: One requirement for high school graduation One requirement for high school graduation One nonrequirement: Something that is school related but is not a requirement for graduation One nonrequirement: Something that is school related but is not a requirement for graduation The facilitator will include some cards The facilitator will include some cards 2.) All the cards will be mixed together and the group will decide which ones are requirements and which are not.

Parents and Students: Who knows which tests and classes are required in high school? Test and Grading System

North Carolina requires students from grades 3-12 to take certain exams each year: North Carolina requires students from grades 3-12 to take certain exams each year: EOG = End of Grade Test (grades 3-8) EOG = End of Grade Test (grades 3-8) EOC = End of Course Test (grades 9-12) EOC = End of Course Test (grades 9-12) End of Year Tests

The results of the testing will indicate if students are at, below or above grade level. The results of the testing will indicate if students are at, below or above grade level. Levels of Achievement: I, II, III, IV Levels of Achievement: I, II, III, IV Every school district may have its own required evaluations. Every school district may have its own required evaluations. Some ESL students are not requied to take the EOG/EOC, but take an alternate exam instead. Some ESL students are not requied to take the EOG/EOC, but take an alternate exam instead. End of Year Tests

North Carolina Test Schedule

Report Cards are distributed every 9 weeks For Middle School For Middle School A+= B = 86-84C- = 73-70F < 60 A = B- = 83-80D+= A- = C+= 79-77D = B+= C = 76-74D- = For High School For High School GPA = Grade Point Average GPA = Grade Point Average Grading Scale

The path to graduation and higher education begins in 9th grade The path to graduation and higher education begins in 9th grade Students who begin high school before 2009 need to choose and complete one of the four courses of study in order to graduate. This is in the process of being changed. Students who begin high school before 2009 need to choose and complete one of the four courses of study in order to graduate. This is in the process of being changed. Students need to have a Level III achievement or better in 5 of the EOC exams: Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics and Economics, and History of the United States. Students need to have a Level III achievement or better in 5 of the EOC exams: Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics and Economics, and History of the United States. Graduation Requirements: Course of Study and Credits

Students must satisfactorily complete a graduation project. Students must satisfactorily complete a graduation project. Students must complete certain credits. Students must complete certain credits. While not a requirement, it is important when applying for scholarships and financial aid: While not a requirement, it is important when applying for scholarships and financial aid: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from 9th to 12th grade. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from 9th to 12th grade. Participation in volunteer oportunites. Participation in volunteer oportunites. Graduation Requirements: Course of Study and Credits

Courses of Study

Credit Requirements The CAREER PREP Course of Study, the COLLEGE TECH PREP Course of Study and the COLLEGE /UNIVERSITY PREP requires that students complete 20 credits, which must include: The CAREER PREP Course of Study, the COLLEGE TECH PREP Course of Study and the COLLEGE /UNIVERSITY PREP requires that students complete 20 credits, which must include: 4 credits in English 4 credits in English 3 credits in Science 3 credits in Science 3 credits in Math* 3 credits in Math* 1 credit in Physical Education 1 credit in Physical Education 3 credits in Social Studies 3 credits in Social Studies * College/University Prep requires 4 credits in Math

Beginning in the school year, the course of study system will change. Beginning in the school year, the course of study system will change. Instead of the existing 3 courses of study, there will only be one course of study called the NC Standard Course of Study. Instead of the existing 3 courses of study, there will only be one course of study called the NC Standard Course of Study. The Occupational Course of Study will remain The Occupational Course of Study will remain Please Note!

Game: True or False 1.Currently, the four courses of study in North Carolina are: Career Prep; College Tech Prep, College/ University Prep and Occupational Course of Study 2.Kelly is in the 10th grade. She plans to study architecture when she graduates from high school. She is working hard to maintina a 3.6 GPA. She is currently enrolled in the College/Tech Prep course of study. She won’t have any problem getting into the university of her choice.

Game: True or False 3.The school counselor is the one who should decide which course of study the student should follow. 4.In North Carolina, high school students must take EOC exams. These exams are taken during the last two weeks of the semester for traditional schools or the last week for those who attend year-round or summer school.

Game: True or False 5.In order to graduate from high school, students should have ‘A’s in English, math, science and history classes. 6.The Career Prep, College/Tech Prep and College/University Prep Courses of Study require students to complete 40 credits. 7.Ninth grade students are required to select and complete a course of study before graduation.

Game: True or False 8.The University course of study is the only course of study which requires 4 credits in English. 9. Once a student has chosen a course of study, he cannot change the decision.

Game: True or False 10. Tom is struggling in his Algebra II class. His friend tells him he should just forget about that class and instead concentrate on his history class.Since Tom wants to go to law school, his friends suggests that he concentrate on classes that will prepare him for this career. However, Tom’s goal is to get all ‘A’s in order to maintain a high GPA, which will help him when he is seeking financial aid and acceptance into a university. Is Tom right?

5 Strategies to help students be successful 1.) Divide the group in four teams: two teams of parents and two teams of students. One team of parents and one team of students will identify 5 strategies that will help the students be successful. One team of parents and one team of students will identify 5 strategies that will help the students be successful. The other team of parents and students will identify 5 strategies that will NOT help the students be successful. The other team of parents and students will identify 5 strategies that will NOT help the students be successful. 2.) Share the strategies with the whole group.

This week’s homework… For Middle Schoolers: For Middle Schoolers: Parents and Students: Talk about the elective courses you would like to pursue. For High Schoolers: For High Schoolers: Parents: Find out what course of study your child is enrolled in Parents and Students: Discuss whether this course of study will meet your goals.

Comments? Comments? Questions? Questions? Thank you and Good Luck!