Parent Information Night 10th and 11th Grade Parents Tomball High School January 2018

Graduation Requirements Earn 26 Credits Foundation Courses + Endorsement(s) Successful completion of the following STAAR EOC exams English 1 (Combined Reading and Writing) English 2 (Combined Reading and Writing) Algebra 1 Biology US History

Distinguished Level of Achievement 4 credits in Math (must include Algebra 2) and 4 credits in Science and Curriculum requirements for Foundation and 1 or more Endorsement areas Distinguished level of Achievement is mandatory to be eligible for the top 10% Automatic Admission

Performance Acknowledgements A student may earn a performance acknowledgement for “B” or higher in a Dual Credit courses “3” or higher on an AP Exam PSAT commended scholar SAT math + reading = 1250 ACT score = 28 Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license (Welding, Health Science)

Endorsements Students must earn 1 or more endorsements to graduate STEM Business & Industry Arts & Humanities Public Services Multidisciplinary

STAAR/EOC Testing Dates

STAAR/EOC Testing April 10, 2018 – English I April 12, 2018 – English II May 8, 2018 - Algebra 1 May 9, 2018 – Biology May 10, 2018 - US History

Credits for Grade Classification Sophomore – 6 credits Junior – 12 credits Senior – 18 credits Graduation – 26 credits (meeting all specific state credit requirements)

Course Selections for 2018-2019

Course Selections-Timeline January – Course Selection Course verification sheets will go home February 12-15, 2018 for parent review Course selection changes due by February 21, 2018 See THS website home page for the TISD High School Course Selection Guide

Local Credit Options Office Aide (11th or 12th) Duty assignments made by Assistant Principal No State Credit awarded, local credit only Is not included into GPA calculation Student must be in good standing with attendance and discipline

Senior Release Late Arrival or Senior Release Students must have enough state credits to be eligible Students must have passing scores on all state required STAAR EOCs Students must be off campus during release time

Advanced Placement Dual Credit

Advanced Placement (AP) or Dual Credit (DC) Both can earn college credit AP: Colleges may award a student credit based on AP exams in May. The student must be enrolled in the college before credit is awarded. DC: Lone Star College awards college credit on a transcript at the end of the semester the student is enrolled in the college course. Both give 15 quality points per semester toward high school GPA The TISD Course Description Book provides course descriptions and requirements.

Advanced Placement (AP) AP courses are open enrollment. Expectation is that all students take the AP exam during the first two weeks of May. Students are required to pay for each AP exam taken ($99 per test)

More Advanced Placement College credit is based on AP exam scores. Scores range from 1 to 5. Passing scores range is from 3 to 5. Most colleges require a 3 or higher. Check with each college for required passing score. Students earning below a 70 for the semester in any AP course may be removed for the spring semester.

Profile of the Student Who Should Take an AP Course Able to work at a higher level of rigor and faster pace of a university course Above grade level in reading, and the specific area of the AP course Above grade level in writing skills, especially for English and Social Studies courses Interests match courses in the areas the student wants to pursue as a career

Dual Credit (DC) Student dually enrolled in THS and Lone Star College Courses taken on THS campus Student is responsible for course fees and textbooks Grade and credit posted on both high school and college transcripts Credits generally accepted by Texas state colleges and universities. Check with each college/university for credit transfer details.

Dual Credit (DC) First time DC students are REQUIRED to attend ONE of these meetings: January 30th – 6:45am or 2:45pm in the LGI January 31st – 6:45am or 2:45pm in the LGI First time DC Parent Meeting January 22nd – 6:30pm in the LGI RETURNING DC students – Mrs. Nichols will be coming to the classrooms during the week of February 5th Qualification Deadline (TSI) – April 20th Registration Deadline for Fall courses – April 25th Calculus – Qualification deadline for Accuplacer/SAT/ACT – June 1st (April 20th for TSI)

Making an Informed Decision: AP vs. DC Student professes interest in subject selected Research what colleges are accepting and requiring, as well as degree requirements Check with colleges about transfer course equivalency and AP scores needed. Don’t overextend yourself! Talk to current subject teacher in courses considering AP or DC. Talk to your counselor.

Post Secondary Planning

What are my options? Four year university Community or Junior College Associate degree or certificate program Military Many branches and scholarships available to help you fund your education Tech School Certifications for specific job areas Work

SAT/ACT Recommended to take in the spring semester of the junior year Writing component should be taken www.collegeboard.org for SAT www.actstudent.org for ACT Please review/practice for tests! – see handout

Junior To Do List Take SAT and/or ACT in the spring. Schedule college visit days (2 each year in 11th and 12th!) Research college entrance requirements (required test scores, deadlines, essay requirements, scholarship opportunities, etc.) Study, study, study! GPA sent to colleges comes out before the fall of the senior year. Community Service.

To Do List Summer BEFORE Senior Year Visit colleges and make decisions on where to send applications. Write essays for college applications. Study if taking SAT/ACT again in fall. Continue looking for scholarships. Apply Texas (for Texas Public Universities) opens August 1st. Start the application early, especially if you are applying to a competitive 4 year university.

What makes my college application complete? For Texas public universities apply at www.applytexas.org All others see the university website Official Test Scores Must come from testing agency (SAT-College Board or ACT) Official Transcripts—Available this summer! Send 6th semester rank/GPA Application Fee

Letters of Recommendation Not required for all college applications If needed, request from someone who knows the student well Counselor Recommendation/Brag Sheet available on Naviance Allow 2 weeks for processing Give the person addressed, stamped envelopes AND date needed by the college

Scholarships http://connection.naviance.com/tomballhs Username - Student ID# Password – tisd + date of birth ex. tisd03031999 www.cappex.com www.scholarships.com

Thank you for coming! Please feel free to contact your child’s counselor with specific questions you may have about their graduation plan. A-Fe Amy Vann Fi-Le Keyla Carroll Li-Rod Karen Hill Roe-Z Nancy Lynch College & Career Emily Nichols