Course Planning & College and Career Readiness J.R. Tucker High School School Counseling Department February 6, 2012

Student Scheduling Calendar January 9-13 School Counselors visit English classes and Middle Schools to review the HCPS Planning Guide and draft CRRS (Course Recommendation and Request Sheet) and present on course planning & graduation requirements. You may also access the Planning Guide on the HCPS website at January 23 – 27 Online teacher recommendation window – all English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Health/PE teachers will complete their recommendations in the online CRRS system February 1 Elective Fair during the school day for students; parents are welcome to visit. February 6 CRRS forms distributed to students (this form will have the English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Health/PE recommendations already printed on them from the online system) February 6-9 Students will pick elective and World Language courses and obtain any teacher signatures on the CRRS February 10 Students must turn in the CRRS to Homeroom March 15 Parent Override Deadline (this first deadline guarantees the student a spot in the class – unless it conflicts with another course in the final schedule). April 27 Final Parent Override Deadline (if space is available in the class) May CVS (Course Verification Sheets) sent home. The CVS is the student and family’s last opportunity to double check that the correct courses and levels are requested before the June 15 th deadline June 15 Last day of school and the last day to change any course requests

Graduation & Diploma Requirements Graduation & Diploma Requirements This information is also available in the HCPS Planning Guide for Students and Parents pages 8. STANDARD DIPLOMA COURSE REQUIREMENTS Discipline AreaStandard Credits Effective with students entering ninth grade in through Standard Credits Effective with students entering ninth grade in Verified Credits – Effective for ninth graders: and beyond English442 Mathematics331 Laboratory Science331 History & Social Sciences331 Health & Physical Education22 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 World Language, Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 2 Economics & Personal Finance 1 Electives64 Student Selected Test 1 Total22 6

Graduation & Diploma Requirements This information is also available in the HCPS Planning Guide for Students and Parents page 9. ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA COURSE REQUIREMENTS Discipline AreaStandard Credits Effective with students entering ninth grade in through Standard Credits Effective with students entering ninth grade in Verified Credits – Effective for ninth graders: and beyond English442 Mathematics442 Laboratory Science442 History & Social Sciences442 World Languages3 or 2 & 2 Health & Physical Education22 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 11 Economics & Personal Finance 1 Electives23 Student Selected Test 1 Total24269

Course Planning for College & Career Readiness English – 4 years – Levels Social Studies – Offerings and graduation requirements – “So why did I take WHI in the 8 th grade?” Mathematics – “Why should I take more the minimum requirement?” Science – “Why should I take 4 content areas within science?” World Languages – The benefits of the study of World Languages Electives – Adding Rigor and Relevance to your transcript

The VASS grant at J.R. Tucker High School Goal 1 – Increase the number of students enrolled in AP MSE classes Subject Year 1 of VASS grant Year 2 of VASS grant *benchmark group Year 3 of VASS grant % increase from English % Math % Science %

The VASS grant at J.R. Tucker High School Goal 2 – Increase the number of MSE qualifying scores Additionally, J.R. Tucker High School ranked 33 rd in the state and 4 th in the Richmond Metro Area for performance on AP Math, Science, and English exams for Subject % increase in QS from English % Math % Science %

College Admissions 1.Rigor of academic record 2.Academic performance 3.Test Scores

College Admissions Tests SAT An Aptitude Test that measures future predicted ability in Critical Reading, Math, and Writing The “old” scale (1600) only takes Critical Reading & Math into consideration At least 2, no more than 3 Start in the spring of Junior year (take AP & SOL testing into consideration) Is it a “good” score? ACT An Achievement Test that measures what level of learning or knowledge have you achieved throughout high school. 4 sections: English, Mathematics, Reading (Social Studies, Natural Sciences, Prose Fiction, Humanities), Science + Optional Writing section (for an additional fee). Should I take the optional Writing section? One test – before the end of junior year or early fall senior year.

SAT & ACT Test Dates for Spring 2012 U.S. SAT Registration Deadlines Test Dates TestRegular Registration Deadline (postmark/submit by) March 10, 2012SAT onlyFebruary 10, 2012 May 10, 2012SAT & Subject TestsApril 6, 2012 June 2, 2012SAT & Subject TestsMay 8, 2012 ACT Test DateRegistration Deadline April 14, 2012March 9, 2012 June 9, 2012May 4, 2012 September 8, 2012*registration deadlines for will be posted in March 2012 October 27, 2012

SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as SAT II’s) Student’s responsibility to know if they are required or recommended for the college of choice ( Which? When?

Prep Courses: What to consider -What are you shopping for? -Cost -What do you hope to get out of it? -Materials and resources? -Homework and accountability? -Practice and diagnostic tests? -Strategies? -A score guarantee?

SAT Test Preparation Available to students and parents any time – 1. The Official SAT Question of the Day – Answer a different SAT practice question every day for FREE! (*5 th period class) 2. The Official SAT Practice Test – A FREE practice test scored with detailed answer explanations to help you better understand where you need to improve.

SAT Test Preparation FREE SAT test prep at J.R. Tucker High School! Triumph College Admissions (TCA) test prep College Board Online SAT Program: – SAT Question of the day – AE Reading exercises (bimonthly) – Math review Integrated in our instruction: – Reading and Writing Across the curriculum

What’s Next … Visit your school counselor … Scheduling deadlines – May CVS – June 15, 2012 last day of school & last day to make changes to course requests Work on the “top three” – Challenge yourself – Do your best – Prepare for standardized tests