Freedom Intermediate School Honors Parent Orientation

Honors Program Vision The vision of the Honors program is to empower students to acquire academic skills necessary for success in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.The vision of the Honors program is to empower students to acquire academic skills necessary for success in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

HOW??? Accelerated Classes Challenging Materials Emphasis on Rigor Higher Order Thinking Skills Compacting Material Coaching Student Responsibility Allow/Learn from Failures

Students qualify for the Honors program by meeting the set cut-score on the Explore test.

Explore Test 8th Grade Level Test A predictor of future success on ACT & AP Performance Standards aligned with College Readiness Standards Standards aligned with College Readiness Standards Teachers trained in Pre-Advance PlacementTeachers trained in Pre-Advance Placement

Honors Eligibility Explore scores: 5th grade 6th grade Lang. Arts*: 1417 Reading*: 1516 Math: 1517 Science: 1718 Social Studies: Qualify in Lang. Arts and Reading RLA is tested as one class and student must qualify for both May qualify in one or more subjectsMay qualify in one or more subjects

Honors Eligibility If seats are available, then students MAY be placed in honors classes with the following priority: 1. Teacher Recommendation 2. Parent Recommendation2. Parent Recommendation Recommendations are intended for students who have excelled in the classroom and missed an Explore cut score by a small margin.

Honors Eligibility Recommendations are intended for students who: 1.Excelled in the classroom (scored Advanced in TCAP) 2.Exhibit Honors characteristics/work ethic 3.Missed Explore cut score by a small margin (1-2 pts)

Student Characteristics Demonstrates an ongoing ability to actively participate in class and punctually complete advanced level assignmentsDemonstrates an ongoing ability to actively participate in class and punctually complete advanced level assignments Thrives upon learning beyond the basic element of a conceptThrives upon learning beyond the basic element of a concept Has sufficient organizational skill to sustain the rigorous pace of course workHas sufficient organizational skill to sustain the rigorous pace of course work

Who can swim across the POOL?  TCAP Proficient (on target) Who can swim across the POND?  TCAP Advanced (above target) Who can swim across the RIVER?  EXPLORE/PLAN/ACT (college/AP ready) Who can swim across the OCEAN?  AP Exam - College Success!

percent of U.S. public high school students in the class of 2010 took an AP Exam at some point in high school. 16.9% of high school seniors had a successful AP experience in 2010.

Honors Criteria A student does not need to re-qualify each year A student does not need to re-qualify each year Once a participant - always participant if: Maintain a “C” in all Honors Classes, and… Maintain a “C” in all Honors Classes, and… Continue quality work ethic Continue quality work ethic Parent/Teacher decision to drop HonorsParent/Teacher decision to drop Honors Must re-qualify if a student drops Honors

The Tennessee Diploma Project Changes in Tennessee reviewed

Is there a gap between achievement on state assessments and NAEP? National Assessment of Educational Progress

American Diploma Project 30 States – 4 Specific Actions 1.Align standards and assessments with the knowledge and skills required beyond high school 2.Require all high school students to take challenging courses that actually prepare them for life after high school 3.Build college and work-ready measures into statewide accountability systems 4.Hold schools accountable for graduating students who are college and/or workforce ready, and hold postsecondary accountable for students’ success once enrolled

Tennessee Diploma Project Align our curriculum then make sure we give students, parents and teachers a pathway to reach those high standards. At the end of the day, make sure that our tests and graduation requirements reflect that our kids really are prepared for workforce training or college.

Timeline November 2, 2007 –SBE approves curriculum standards: language arts, math, and science January 25, 2008 –SBE approves curriculum standards on second reading in language arts, math, and science January, SDE –Prep for new assessments in grades 3 – 8 –Prep for new HS end-of-course assessments –Begin training on new curriculum standards –Professional Development on new curriculum standards (both in content and teaching strategies) 2008/ SDE –New curriculum standards integrated into current curriculum; Continue training and professional development SDE –New standards in place; new assessments administered

H S Graduation Requirements English - 4 Credits: English I-1 Credit English II-1 Credit English III-1 Credit –AP Language and Composition English IV-1 Credit –AP English Literature or Composition –IB Language I –Communications for Life

H S Graduation Requirements Math - 4 Credits: (Students must take a math class each year) Algebra I- 1 Credit Geometry -1 Credit Algebra II-1 Credit Upper level Math:-1 Credit –Bridge Math Students who have not earned a 19 on the mathematics component of the ACT by the beginning of the senior year are recommended to complete the Bridge Math course. –Capstone Math –Adv. Algebra and Trigonometry. –STEM Math (Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or Statistics)

What does this mean for me? High standards in ALL classes for ALL students Students expected to perform at higher levels Math/RLA rigor has greatly increased for ALL Math program/track has changed

Honors is NOT….. …a program for giftedness …for those who do not want to make a B …easy …a social club …a group of students that are “smarter” than everyone else …a requirement for those who qualify …an automatic course placement (i.e. 7th grade Algebra)

Honors is….. An excellent opportunity for students to be challenged and pushed to reach full potential for growth in future AP success.

“Wow, this class is tough! But I know my teacher will push me, help me, and hold me accountable, and I know that if I work hard, I can do it! ” Honors is…..

Freedom Intermediate School Questions…???? Please be sure to submit your signed Honors Placement Request Form.