GPA and High School Ranking Lovejoy ISD Advisory Group Dennis Muizers November 15, 2005

Purpose of Advisory Group Volunteer to study and provide input on critical topics To create mechanisms to seek more input when necessary To provide input to LISD administrators prior to Board recommendation(s)

Advisory Group Norms Be open to new ideas Be respectful--even when we disagree Respect speakers who “have the floor” Study topic(s) Actively participate No side conversations that may prohibit the ability of audience to hear

Top 10% Law Currently, students who graduate in Texas in the top 10% of his/her class receive automatic admission into any state, public university. What are the realities and impact of the top 10% law for Lovejoy ISD? Approximately 20 students will be granted automatic admission to any public university in Texas.

Beyond Rank National Association for College Admission Counseling, Factors in the Admission Decision: 2004 Summary Of the 94% of schools that calculate GPA, 69% weight GPA’s to account for advanced level courses. Schools with small enrollments (especially with fewer than 500 students) whether public or private, are significantly less like to weight GPA. Information on blue pages in folder

Beyond Rank Strength of academic preparation including the number courses taken and their difficulty (AP, Honors, etc.) SAT or ACT Achievements/honors/awards Application essay(s) Interview Counselor and Teacher Recommendations Work/extra-curricular activities More selective schools require SAT II (subject specific tests) AP test scores Performance level of applicant’s school Socioeconomic background of the student Commitment to a particular field of study

GPA and Class Rank There are a variety of methods for “ranking” students. Weighting courses and not weighting others is typical in high schools. The courses included in the calculation of GPA are important and should be driven by what we want for graduates—in Lovejoy, the Graduate Profile. The courses not included in the calculation of GPA are important and should not allow students to have “loop holes” in order to maximize ranking.

Lovejoy Graduate Profile Intellectually Equipped Open to the Challenges of Learning Well Rounded Fair and Respectful Working for Justice in the Community

Sample Policies In groups, review the assigned policy. Considering the Graduate Profile, please discuss the potential pros and cons of the policy. (Light green sheet provides a template) Group speaker should report out the thinking of the group.

Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Allen ISD Every point matters 100 in an AP course is worth 5.0, 99 is worth 4.95, etc. 100 in a Pre-AP course is worth 4.50, 99 is worth 4.45, etc. 100 in a “Regular” course is worth 4.0, 99 is worth 3.95, etc. Valedictorian and Salutatorian speak at graduation. Non-Traditional Hockaday and St. Mark’s Courses for Graduation No additional GPA weight given for AP courses. No ranking of students for graduation. Students select the student(s) who will speak at graduation.

“Hybrid” Policy Highland Park Advanced courses are weighted. There is a range of grades that equal the same GPA score—not every point matters. Students are still ranked and a valedictorian and salutatorian are chosen. Only students who have been enrolled for 2 + years at the school are eligible to be the valedictorian and salutatorian.

Weighted Courses “Weighting” courses is typically done to provide an incentive to students to take challenging courses. Advanced Placement Pre-Advanced Placement Gifted and Talented Others to consider Senior Project

Courses Excluded from GPA Surrounding districts do not include: Off campus PE Correspondence courses or web-based courses Courses taken in summer school High school courses taken in middle school College dual credit and concurrent enrollment courses Library aide Study hall

Closure Please leave the light green sheet so that the thinking of the group can be recorded Next meeting date and time? LISD Ranking Philosophy

Ranking Philosophy The Graduate Profile needs to drive our policy decisions AP courses should be weighted Pre-AP courses should not be weighted because it is the default curriculum in grades 6-10 We want to eliminate GPA calculation “loop holes” by determining which courses, if any, are not included in the GPA calculation Students should have incentives to meet the admissions criteria for the university of his/her choice and not rely on the top 10% law

GPA and High School Ranking Lovejoy ISD Advisory Group Dennis Muizers November 15, 2005