4 Year Plan: Graduation Requirements How to help your student complete high school and pursue college and career options

Angela Verner MISD CTE Counselor Getting Ready to begin high school Understanding the NEW graduation program How to help your student with course selections Questions/Answers Angela Verner MISD CTE Counselor

The Basics: Credits Every course in high school counts as a credit. The student earns half of a credit each semester. Earn a 70 or higher for credit. Attendance Policy- the student must be in attendance 90% of the time to earn credit. Could affect driver’s license. Re-take any class they fail. All students need a combination of core and elective credits to graduate. If this is your first student in high school, we would like to share some of the basics that have been covered with your student…

How Many Credits? If you have… you are a… 6 credits-Sophomore 12 credits-Junior 18 credits-Senior Graduate 26 Foundation + Endorsement

Specifics: the Graduation plans The Foundation, Distinguished with an Endorsement graduation plan: The foundation, plus all courses that are specific to the student’s future plans. (26 Credits) ALL students are on this plan. The foundation plan (without endorsement): Can only be selected at the end of the Sophomore year. The parent, guardian and student must meet with the counselor to change to this plan. This option may impact future ability for acceptance in college or narrow options. (22 Credits) Please look carefully at the endorsement/program of study pages because when your student selects an endorsement, they are committing to completing all the courses required on that endorsement in order to graduate. Consider if your student has room for those in their schedule.

Students can also add Performance Acknowledgements to their graduation plan. Colleges base much of their decisions on admittance from these higher academic classes and scores.

Endorsements: Pick a Path

New for 2018-19 & Beyond! MISD is restructuring current courses into three new academies: Petroleum Academy (PA)- Programs of Studies include: Oil & Gas, Engineering, Auto Tech, Diesel & Welding. www.midlandisd.net/petroleumacademy Health Science Academy (HA)- Programs of Studies include: Pre-Med Studies, Intro to Health Science including Certified Nurses Aide (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ,Pharmacy Tech, and Patient Care Tech. www.midlandisd.net/healthscienceacademy Business/Information Technology (IT) Academy (BA)- Programs of Studies include: General Business, Computer Programming, & Information Technology. www.midlandisd.net/businessacademy

New Instructions for Academies *Incoming Freshmen will be required to complete an online application for entry into an academy if they select one. Please see websites on flowcharts for applications. *All Freshmen will receive a packet that outlines the sequence of courses AND a link for an online application. *All applications MUST be submitted online electronically. Campuses will be glad to offer assistance at school for students & parents who needs computer access for this application. Deadline for ALL Academy Applications is FRIDAY, MARCH 9th. *This link will be available on the MISD Homepage, the Jr. High Homepages, and the CTE Homepage.

Tools for Registration Endorsement Packet : “8th to 9th Transition Packet”-Provided by Counselors. Please ask your child for this packet we gave them. Graduation Endorsement Plan 4 year plan every student must complete with a parent signature before going to high school. 2018-2019 College & Career Planning Guide Available online at MISD homepage. www.midlandisd.net Applications for Academies, Pre AP Forms Applications & Club Information- provided to students during classroom visits

What is in “The 8th to 9th Transition Packet” An overview of the graduation plan & credits required A list of all the Core & Endorsement elective courses offered by the high school campuses. A guide to understanding the connection between the 16 Career Clusters and the 5 Endorsements. The new flowcharts of our three new Academies that explains the sequence of courses to be completed for that Academy.

Things to consider when choosing classes Staff and resources influence courses offered & availability on each campus. Some programs require an application and have criteria for entry. This applies now to all 3 Academies. Students may change their endorsement at any time. However, the student must complete all of the courses in the new endorsement in order to graduate. Colleges are looking for students who take the most challenging classes. We are striving for your child to be College or Career Ready upon graduation from high school.

Please contact your Jr. High Counselor for any questions Review AND Sign the 4 year plan/graduation plan and return to your junior high Questions for CTE Counselor