VISD High School Parent Night COURSE SELECTION

Course Selection Students will receive: TranscriptCourse Selection Guide Selection SheetAP Potential English II & III Classes: Day I: Presentation of Information Day I: Presentation of Information Day II-VI: Individual guidance/selection Day II-VI: Individual guidance/selection Verification sheets mailed home Verification sheets mailed home Return changes Return changes

Schedule Changes Procedures for Schedule Changes Procedures for Schedule Changes All students are given the opportunity to select their courses for the next school year during the pre-registration process. The master schedule is then designed to accommodate the students’ requests. Schedule changes can result in overcrowding of classes, which reduces teacher availability for addressing individual student needs. Schedule changes will be made for the following reasons: Course for graduation is not scheduled Course for graduation is not scheduled Already have credit for a course Already have credit for a course School error School error

Schedule Changes Level Changes: Before any level schedule changes (i.e. a Pre-AP/AP course to a regular course) are considered, the following interventions and/or strategies are required: Schedule parent-teacher conference Schedule parent-teacher conference Attend class daily Attend class daily Complete missing assignments Complete missing assignments Attend tutorials before and/or after school Attend tutorials before and/or after school The grades earned at the previous level of the course will transfer with the student to the new course. Failure to complete required summer assignments will not be considered for a schedule change.

Foundation Curriculum + Endorsement = 26 credits English Language Arts (4 credits) English I* English II* English III Advanced English Course Physical Education One credit Mathematics (3 credits + 1 endorsement math credit) Algebra I* Geometry Advanced Mathematics Course Math Endorsement Course Languages Other Than English Two credits in the same language Or Computer Science I & II Science (3 credits + 1 endorsement science credit) Biology* IPC or Advanced Science Course Advanced Science Course Science Endorsement Course Fine Arts One credit Social Studies (3 credits) World Geography or World History U.S. History* U.S. Government (1/2 credit) Economics (1/2 credit) Health Speech ½ credit Electives 4 credits + 2 endorsement elective credits Foundation High School Program Eligible for general admission to institutions of higher education Foundation High School Program Eligible for general admission to institutions of higher education *Course has a required EOC assessment * Course has a required EOC assessment (Page 2 of the Graduation Toolkit)

Enhancements Additionally, a student may earn the Distinguished Level of Achievement and/or a Performance Acknowledgment for outstanding performance. The Distinguished Level of Achievement must be earned to be admitted to a Texas public university under the Top 10 percent automatic admission law. Distinguished Level of Achievement Performance Acknowledgments Foundation Program requirements dual credit courses Foundation Program requirements dual credit courses 4 credits in math including Algebra II bilingualism and biliteracy 4 credits in math including Algebra II bilingualism and biliteracy 4 credits in science PSAT, ACT’s Plan, SAT or ACT 4 credits in science PSAT, ACT’s Plan, SAT or ACT at least one endorsement Advanced Placement at least one endorsement Advanced Placement earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

Endorsement Offerings (Page 5 of the Graduation Toolkit)

Career and Technical Education Engineering Engineering Health and Medical Health and Medical Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Fire Fighting Fire Fighting Information Technology Information Technology Instrumentation and Electronics Instrumentation and Electronics Process Technology Process Technology Cosmetology Cosmetology Welding Welding Education and Training Education and Training Oil and Gas Production Oil and Gas Production Auto Technology Auto Technology Collision Repair Collision Repair Agriculture Science Agriculture Science Career Preparation Career Preparation Construction Technology Construction Technology Video Game Programming Video Game Programming Architectural Design Architectural Design Graphic Design Graphic Design Business Business *Page 58 of the Course Guide

College and Career Readiness Dual Credit offerings-45 courses (page 17 of the course guide) Dual Credit offerings-45 courses (page 17 of the course guide) Over $3 million in scholarships were awarded to VISD students in Over $3 million in scholarships were awarded to VISD students in College Resource Handbook College Resource Handbook Interest Inventories- Career Cruising & My Plan Interest Inventories- Career Cruising & My Plan College Access and Resource Success Center (CARS) - College advisors at East and West High School College Access and Resource Success Center (CARS) - College advisors at East and West High School

College readiness Pre-AP Courses English* – 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th grades, English I, English II Math – 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th grades, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus Social Studies – 6 th, 7 th & 8 th grades, World Geography Science – 6 th, 7 th & 8 th grades, Biology, Chemistry, Physics Advanced Courses Advanced Academic Skills & TPSP (AP weight) ACT/SAT Preparation (1/2 credit, Pre-AP weight) Forensic Science, Animal Science, Anatomy & Physiology, Engineering Design & Problem Solving (Pre-AP weight) * Students enrolled in Pre-AP English classes (8 th – 10 th grades) will be required to complete a summer reading assignment.

College readiness Advanced Placement Courses English* –English Language & Composition (English 3), English Literature & Composition (English 4) Math – Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science Social Studies – World History, US History, Government & Politics, Macroeconomics, Psychology, European History, Human Geography Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science Fine Arts – Art History, Music Theory, Studio Art: 2D Design, Studio Art: 3D Design, Studio Art: Drawing Foreign Language – Spanish Language & Culture Students enrolled in AP English classes will be required to complete a summer reading assignment. Students enrolled in AP English classes will be required to complete a summer reading assignment. All students enrolled in AP courses will take the corresponding AP exam. All students enrolled in AP courses will take the corresponding AP exam.

Why is the PSAT so important? PSAT/NMSQT – 11 th Grade PSAT/NMSQT – 11 th Grade Testing opportunities begin in 8 th grade Testing opportunities begin in 8 th grade AP Potential AP Potential Aligned to the redesigned SAT Aligned to the redesigned SAT National Merit Scholarship Competition – 11 th grade National Merit Scholarship Competition – 11 th grade Semifinalist & Finalist– many universities offer scholarship packages to students Semifinalist & Finalist– many universities offer scholarship packages to students National Merit Scholars receive National Merit, corporate and university scholarships National Merit Scholars receive National Merit, corporate and university scholarships

College Readiness SAT Prep classes – offered multiple times throughout the year in the evenings SAT Prep classes – offered multiple times throughout the year in the evenings SAT & ACT Boot Camps – offered during the school day SAT & ACT Boot Camps – offered during the school day SAT/ACT Prep course – ½ credit, receiving advanced weighting for GPA SAT/ACT Prep course – ½ credit, receiving advanced weighting for GPA REGISTER NOW!

SAT/ACT Preparation January 27, 2015 East HS Beginning January 26, 2015 West HS Free online test prep

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