Mission Possible: Graduation and Beyond Getting Ready for the Senior Year! Supports BRIDGE Bill Graduation Plan and Advisement

Purpose of This Advisement Opportunity Students and parents will review the steps taken thus far in graduation planning: Classroom Guidance for BRIDGE Bill Graduation Plan (3-Year Plan) Focus on Program of Study and Career Plans, including post-secondary school exploration via GACollege411 Review of Information: Graduation Requirements for Class of 2012 and coursework completed Advisement and Course Requests My Post Secondary Plans Career Pathways and Career Pathway Coursework Completed Testing in High School including Career Pathway and Work Ready Assessments Dual Enrollment Opportunities Work based Learning Students along with their parents/guardians will be ready to make a smooth transition to senior year and on to post-secondary career options.

Areas of Study:Units Required English/Language Arts * 4 Mathematics* 4 Science* 4 Social Studies* 3 CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Modern Lang. 3 Health and Physical Education* 1 Electives 4 Total Units (Minimum) * Required Courses and/or Core Courses 23 Section 1 Many times we have covered the Graduation Requirements

Please Remember for Athletic Eligibility: Grades must be okay to PLAY! To continue to play students must pass five out of six classes to participate in athletic activities. Students must be on track in the senior year, 17 credits earned.

Credit Recovery Courses If your student is needing to take a credit recovery course due to failing a course, the counselor can assist him/her determine if this option is a good choice. Credit recovery courses are taken via E2020 and PLATO. There is an approval process for taking these courses.

BRIDGE Bill Mandated Advisement Legislation This bill was signed into law in May This bill mandates that certain tasks be completed on GACollege411 to support all students career planning and decision making. This bill mandates that students have a GACollege411 account, complete career interest inventories, complete their graduation plan, explore 3 careers, and be provided with information about Dual Enrollment.

BRIDGE Bill Mandated Advisement for HS 11th Grade (Spring Semester) Update of BRIDGE Bill Graduation Plan for Senior Year & Beyond High School Exploration of 3 Postsecondary Institutions related to each student’s Program of Study Senior Year (August & September) Identify the next step after graduation in the GACollege411 electronic portfolio: 4-year institute, 2-year institute, apprenticeship, military, technical college, special purpose school or workforce In addition to the BRIDGE Bill mandates, counselors provide Senior Letter Advisement and Senior Seminars Financial Aid Workshop Ongoing support regarding course selection, graduation requirements, career planning and decision-making and future decisions

Now let us review the BRIDGE Bill Graduation Plan Completed in classrooms with students Feb 8-10

Section 1 Courses in Which Credit Has Been Earned Students and parents are responsible for reviewing TRANSCRIPT… Reviewing credits earned thus far. Then, counselor will complete a final transcript audit in Summer 2011 and complete the Senior Letter based on credits earned though 2 nd Semester of Junior Year.

Section 2 12 th Grade year Student and parent/guardian agree on course requests for 12 th grade: English Math Social Studies Science Electives/Other Options

Honors and AP Courses Available courses are listed online. The link is on the high school’s website.

How and when do I apply? January 31, 2011 Applications for the school year are Online Online application process ends on March 4, 2011

You and your student MUST Attend the high school informational nights for Honors and AP courses The dates and times of these mandated opportunities will be set by each high school. These will be held during May.

For Additional Information regarding Honors and AP, please call and ask for….. Dawn Hudson, Director of High School Curriculum (Science and Math areas), ext Teri Harris, Coordinator for English/Language Arts and World Language, ext Debbie Kelly, Coordinator for Social Studies and Fine Arts, ext

Please always remember…  Tests and Grades Matter  Attending Classes During Senior Year and Continuing to Establish Good Work Habits Matter  Courses and Career Interests Matter Research University 4 additional core units recommended State/Regional University2 core units recommended Two-Year College Technical College The rigor of the courses taken is examined by admissions staff. Matching a career pathway/cluster with high school courses is important.  Activities Matter Athletics Fine and Performing Arts Clubs/Organizations Community Service

KEEP HOPE ALIVE! (Subject to Change per Legislation) All core courses completed in grades 9-12 will be considered to determine eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship. Failing grades will not be erased by passing grades to determine eligibility, both grades count. Transcript is sent electronically from the Paulding County School District to Georgia Student Finance Commission via GACollege411.org. Then, the Georgia Student Finance Commission determines eligibility.

HOPE GPA Matters… Please remember that a HOPE gpa is calculated on a 4.0 scale and the focus is on academic courses completed Non-academic elective courses do not count Thus, a numeric GPA of 83.4%, does not necessarily mean that the HOPE GPA will be 3.0 or higher. The HOPE transcript may be reviewed at any time via the MY411 account on

Section 3 Postsecondary Plan Decisions Please complete this portion of the form by writing in the career objective and checking one of the choices listed. The career objective is based on career interest inventory information and exploration via this website:

Section 4 My Career Pathway Please select one of the 11 Career Pathways, if you have completed or are completing a pathway.

Career Clusters and Pathways Counselors spend time with students completing career interest inventories and linking those results to one of the 11 Career Cluster areas. Later this spring and next year during March, April and May all Career Pathway completers (finishing a sequence of three career pathway courses) will take a Certification Exam Exam is taken as student completes 3 rd course

Section 5 Career Pathway Coursework Completed Please fill in and review courses taken or currently taking.

Section 6 Work Based Learning (WBL)

Work-Based Learning (WBL) How can I benefit from WBL? Put your book knowledge to use and gain hands on experience in your career. Earn school credit in your career area during your Junior and Senior year. Earn money while learning (excluding some internships).

Work-Based Learning (WBL) Opportunities Include : Youth Apprenticeship Cooperative Education Internship Employability Skills Development Ask your WBL Coordinator, CTAE Teacher or Counselor for an application; Mrs. Starla Townsend is the WBL coordinator…see her tonight if interested

Section 7 Dual Enrollment Opportunities

A process by which high school students take courses from a state public or private postsecondary institution while still enrolled as a high school student and receive credit both at the high school and at the postsecondary institution. Dual Enrollment Defined

Dual Enrollme nt Accel HOPE Grant Move On When Ready Early Colleg e Articulation Gateway To College Residential Joint Enrollment

Accel District-wide a few high school students participate in this program. It is for students that wish to take college level coursework for credit towards both high school and college graduation requirements.

Accel Continued Accel courses will be taken on the college campus. _Scholarships/Accel_Program.aspx Eligible students must meet certain criteria and participate in an advisement conference with a counselor.

Dual Enrollment opportunities require.. Advisement conference with the counselor Approval of parent/guardian Admissions requirements met at an eligible post-secondary institution Documentation completed for final approval

Additional MOWR (Move on When Ready) Information Georgia’s eligible college institutions are participating. Students can participate in secondary extracurricular activities and competitions. EOCT and GHSGT testing is still required. Course information regarding this program is available on DOE website. SPECIAL GUEST: MICHELLE BUSH from CHATTAHOOCHEE TECH

Minimum Day for Class of 2012 Please note:  Application Process… Form Provided to Apply for this Privilege  Criteria to qualify and procedures are on form  Counselor, Athletic Director, and Administrator must approve along with Parent/Guardian

Section 8 Testing Information

Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) Taken as a junior after 11 units/credits earned and two courses are passed in English and Mathematics Required for diploma Required for graduation ceremony participation Areas Tested: Writing English/Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Please know that this testing requirement is currently under Review by the State Department of Education. Any changes in the above requirement information will be communicated to you by school counselors. There is no factual information available at this time to share with you.

End of Course Tests (EOCT) Counts 15% of the final grade for the course Scores will be posted on transcripts. Areas Tested: Ninth Literature/Composition Math 1 Math 2 Physical Science Biology United States History American Literature/Composition Economics

More Tests AP—Advanced Placement (may be taken upon completion of course) SAT—college entrance ACT—college entrance ASSET—technical college ASVAB—academic and career information Work Readiness Assessment (administered to all seniors during fall semester of Senior year)

Section 9 Units Required Units Required for Promotion Note regarding changes at the state level may impact graduation plan course options

Section 10 BRIDGE Bill Checklist Please complete user name and password for your My411 Account We have already reviewed the tasks for 11 th and 12 th grades on an earlier slide Note the Work Ready Assessment will be given to seniors during the Fall of 2011

Please remember that GACollege411 Supports Advisement Student Portfolios supported in middle school and throughout high school. Career Interest Inventory and Career Portfolio Information Used for High School Advisement plus CTAE Clusters/Pathways High School Planning College Planning Financial Planning

Just a reminder (BRIDGE Bill) Please explore 3 postsecondary schools/opportunities that support the Graduation Plan

Section 12 Review and Signatures Bridge Bill/Advisement plan should be signed by student, parent and counselor

Mission Possible: Graduation and Beyond Yearly Advisement Supported by Counselors Reminders Once Again About Next Year as a 12 th Grade Student: Senior Letter and Advisement Ongoing support regarding course selection, graduation requirements, career information, and future decisions Use of GACollege411 to: Request transcripts to post secondary schools Complete in-state applications to 2 and 4 year colleges, technical colleges and universities Counseling Website:

Our Schedule for the Rest of This Opportunity Verify student has a GACollege411 account-See Mrs. Miles in Front office See Michelle Bush if interested in Dual Enrollment (Accel/MOWR) Media Center See Starla Townsend if interested in WBL (in Auxiliary Gym) See Mrs. Berry about eligibility for Minimum Day and Early Graduation (in Auxiliary Gym) Questions/Discussion with Mrs. Colvard in the Auditorium

Graduation and career planning and decision making are key to your student’s future. We are here to provide support!