8th Grade Retention/Promotion and Transition to High School Does Middle School Matter?

ACT report The Forgotten Middle states: Students who are not on track for college & career readiness by 8th grade are not likely to reach that level of readiness by high school graduation. The level of academic achievement that students attain by 8th grade has a bigger impact on college & career preparedness than any other factor including courses taken, grades earned in high school, or student testing behaviors.

Consider This: Failing a class in 8th grade is a strong predictor of dropping out of high school. (Allensworth & Easton, 2005) The on –track indicator as a predictor of high school graduation. Chicago: Consortium on Chicago School Research.

Strategies for School Success Attend school Complete homework Ask for help Good study habits Respect teachers & others Have a positive attitude Take responsibility for results

Middle School Grades & High School Registration Middle school grades determine high school classes. You must have a teacher recommendation to take core subjects in high school. High School counselors visit in January so your options are determined by 1st & 2nd quarter grades. If you are not passing classes in 8th grade, it is likely you will be repeating certain classes in high school or be assigned to remediation classes.

Promotion/Retention Students with more than four Fs for the year will lose all 8th promotion activities which includes: 1. Great America Trip 2. 8th Grade Dance 3. Promotion Assembly Suspensions also affect participation in 8th grade promotion activities.

Discipline and 8th Grade Promotion Activities 1 suspension – a warning letter sent home 2 suspensions or 5 total days of suspension – will lose Great America trip 3 suspensions or 7 total days of suspension – will lose promotion party 4 suspensions or 8 total days of suspension – will lose promotion assembly and all other promotion activities

U.S. Average Annual Earnings Related to Education Less Than High School Graduate $24,544 High School Diploma $33,852 Some College no degree $37,804 Associate Degree (2 years of college) $40,404 Bachelor’s Degree (4 years of college) $57,616 Graduate Degree (More than 4 years) $69,108 Doctoral Degree $84,396 Professional Degree $89,128 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013

Tracy Unified School District’s Graduation Requirements English – 40 credits (4 years) Social Studies – 30 credits (3 years) Science – 30 credits (3 years) Math – 20 credits (2 years) Fine arts or Foreign Lang. – 10 credits (1 year) PE – 20 credits (2 years) Technology – must pass an on-line course Required courses: 150 total credits Elective coursework: 70 total credits _______________________________ TOTAL CREDITS NEEDED : 220

High School Graduation Completion of 220 specific credits Satisfactory completion of algebra Passing CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) English/Language Arts Math

California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Taken for the first time in the 10th grade Passing score: 350 in each section: Language Arts & Math Range is from 250 – 450 Not timed Have 6 opportunities to pass before date of graduation Retake only the section not passed

College Entrance Requirements CSU UC History (2 yrs) English ( 4 yrs) Math (3 yrs) 4 rec. Lab Science (2 yrs) 3 rec. Foreign Lang. (2 yrs) 3 rec. Visual/Performing Arts(1 year) College Prep Elective (1 year) History (2yrs) English (4 yrs) Math (3 yrs) 4 rec. Science (2 yrs) 3 rec. Foreign Lang. (2 yrs) 3 rec. Visual/Performing Arts (1 year) College Prep Elective (1 year)