College & career readiness Requirements & Opportunities

Careers Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and What is PARCC? Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers

Why PARCC? PARCC refers to testing designed to measure student learning levels associated with more rigorous and skills infused curricula; primarily focused currently in English and Mathematics. Not just a multiple-choice bubble test, PARCC challenges students to think, apply skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems, and explain their answers. http://www.parcconline.org/about/the-parcc-tests

Why PARCC? How is this different from previous tests, like H.S.A.? Reflects more demanding curricular approach that goes beyond basic content mastery to include skills identified as key for success in College and Careers. Such as: Analysis, Evaluation, Communication, Literacy (across all content), Inference, Synthesis

PARCC English Testing in English 10 is required and, for most, English 11. Students read passages from various texts — fiction and non-fiction, and sometimes watch video or listen to audio. Students write, using what they learned from the passages and multi- media to support their arguments.

PARCC Algebra Testing in Algebra I required. Students solve multi-step math problems that require reasoning and address real-world situations. This test requires students to reason mathematically, make sense of quantities and their relationships to solve real-world problems, and show their understanding.

What is College & Career Readiness? The Maryland College and Career Readiness and College Completion Act of 2013 requires that all students in grade 11 complete an assessment to determine if they meet the criteria set forth by the Maryland State Department of Education for college and career readiness. College and career readiness is defined as: 1. The level of preparation a student needs to enroll and succeed, without remediation, in a credit-bearing course at a postsecondary institution that offers a degree. OR 2. in a high quality certificate program that enables students to enter a career pathway with potential future advancement.

How do I show that I am College and Career Ready? To be College and Career Ready (CCR), students in grade 11 (or near completion of English 11, and in AP Language and Composition) will be given the PARCC English 11 test and declared CCR if they achieve a passing score (4 or 5). AND All juniors and students enrolled in Algebra II, will take Accuplacer – College Level Math (CLM) and Elementary Algebra (EA) and declared CCR if they achieve a score of 45 or higher (CLM) AND a score of 70 or higher (EA) indicating they are prepared for college level mathematics. Students may also be designated CCR when admitted to a credit bearing English or Math college course through dual enrollment (Accuplacer testing) based on the college’s requirements OR enrolled in a CTE completer program leading to passing industry recognized certification testing.

How do I show that I am College and Career Ready? Content Area Assessment Passing Score  English Accuplacer Reading AND Accuplacer Sentence Skills 79 or higher 90 or higher   SAT Reading 500 or higher ACT Reading 21 or higher AP Language and Composition 3 or higher AP Literature and Composition  Mathematics PARCC Algebra II Accuplacer – College Level Math AND 45 or higher SAT Math ACT Math AP Calculus AB or BC AP Statistics Career and Technology Completer Completion of CTE pathway coursework and the professional license certification Certification criteria vary based on industry standard

Why Accuplacer? ACCUPLACER (used primarily by community colleges) tests a student’s knowledge in math, reading, and writing. Over 1,500 institutions administer ACCUPLACER tests as part of the open enrollment process. These tests help identify a student’s strengths and needs in each subject area to plan the appropriate level of course work.(Remediation v. Credit Bearing)

How Does Accuplacer Work? The on-line test questions are based on student responses to each question they already answered. Questions increase or decrease in difficulty depending on accuracy of answers as students work through the test. ACCUPLACER tests are untimed, so students can move at a comfortable pace. Student results will be available immediately after the conclusion of the test. They are good for two years and are used for college placement level. Results can be used for entrance in Carroll Community College.

What happens if I don’t meet CCR by the end of junior year? English (Grade 12): Complete a curricular module in English 12 to promote success on the reassessment: Accuplacer-Reading and Sentence Skills. Math (Grade 12): Take a course* to prepare for the Math Accuplacer exam and then retake the exam at the end of the course. *Integrated Algebra *Integrated Algebra and Statistics *Next math course in the student’s sequence

Graduation Requirements College & Career Readiness (GR 11) Graduation vs. CCR Graduation Requirements College & Career Readiness (GR 11) PARCC: English 10 Algebra I HSA: Biology Government PARCC: English 11 Algebra II (H. Algebra II) Accuplacer Math: Algebra II and senior year math (if needed) Accuplacer Reading & Sentence Skills: English 12 (if needed) Other: AP, SAT, ACT, CTE Certification

How do I show that I am College and Career Ready? Content Area Assessment Passing Score  English Accuplacer Reading AND Accuplacer Sentence Skills 79 or higher 90 or higher   SAT Reading 500 or higher ACT Reading 21 or higher AP Language and Composition 3 or higher AP Literature and Composition  Mathematics PARCC Algebra II Accuplacer – College Level Math AND 45 or higher SAT Math ACT Math AP Calculus AB or BC AP Statistics Career and Technology Completer Completion of CTE pathway coursework and the professional license certification Certification criteria vary based on industry standard

Do Students Have to Take All of These Tests? For graduation requirements, yes, all tests must be taken. If qualifying scores for CCR are in place prior to CCR testing (timing?), no, a student may opt out of a test… HOWEVER- LHS strongly urges students to take the PARCC English 11 test due to it’s highly rigorous content and the standardized feedback it provides to students in key skill sets. Also assists LHS in guiding instruction and gauging our performance (much like AP testing).

How the AP-College Admissions Relationship has Shifted. Experience and success with Advanced Placement courses has a high predictive validity for students to graduate from college. College admissions officers then seeking and favoring those students with those successful experiences and high scores on AP Exams. No longer is AP viewed as course work for “elite” students but for ALL those who are college bound. Truly the “College Preparatory” course work.

High Academic Standards in All Programs. The goal of all instruction is to provide an appropriately challenging and rigorous standard for students, regardless of ability level. We seek to academically “stretch” our students, provide the preparation they need regardless of their selected pathway beyond high school. Many courses beyond AP that accomplish this goal, most notably the Career and Technology Completer and Certification programs as well as Business, Marketing, Finance, Teaching and Early Childhood Education Programs.

Opportunities What are your plans?? To prepare for college and careers: AP Courses Dual Enrollment/ CTE Programs Career Related Internships What are your plans??

Questions?? Thank you!

DUAL Enrollment What is it? -Enables qualified high school students to take college-level courses at a reduced tuition rate & simultaneously earn college and high school credits while still in high school. -High school principal must approve student participation as well as awarding high school credit for any course taken.

Qualifications for Dual Enrollment 94% attendance rate in previous quarter of high school Junior or Senior Status Minimum 3.0 Cumulative GPA 75 Service hours completed Must enroll in at least one qualifying (non-remedial) college course Must be enrolled in at least the equivalent of a one credit CCPS course during the semester of dual enrollment Must be enrolled in a total of four courses for the semester (CCPS and CCC combined)  Qualifying college level placement test scores: 550 SAT (math or verbal)/21 ACT (math or verbal) OR take the Accuplacer placement test …

What is an Internship? An opportunity for students to participate in career related experiences not obtainable within the usual classroom setting. The internship is directly related to the student’s career major or completer program.

Internship Requirements Senior status during scheduled internship 2.5 GPA or better 94% attendance or better HSA requirement met 75 student service hours Completed at least 3 credits of a completer or career major Reliable transportation Acceptable behavior/disciplinary record

More Information… 66 hours at the internship = ½ credit 132 clock hours of work-based learning = 1 credit Credits can be earned during the summer prior to the beginning of the 12th grade year and during the 12th grade year: The summer before senior year Sometime during the school day (usually 2 mods per day) During the weekend or evening