SOPHOMORE PARENT MEETING Jennifer Spurgers A-C Wendy Risner D-He Susan Palmore Hi-Mi Alice Rogers Mo-Sc Jill Lauck Se-Z Julie Johnson College/Career

Credits Students earn.5 credit point for each semester class they pass. The UIL sets the standards for classification: 5 credits = sophomore 10 credits = junior 15 credits = senior It doesn’t matter that a student takes a class – what matters is that they pass the class for the semester and are awarded the credit. Passing is a grade of 70 or higher.

Attendance Credits denied due to absences -It is required by law, that a student must be in attendance at least 90% of each class, in order to receive credit for class. [TEC Sec ] If not, they may be required to attend Saturday school.

Graduation Plans Recommended Plan: 4 x 4 ½ credit Communication Application (Speech) 2 years of the same Foreign Language 1 credit of PE (or PE equivalent) 1 credit of Fine Arts TEA removed 1.0 credit of Technology, 0.5 of PE, and 0.5 of Health and added 2.0 credits of Electives

Four Year Plan Grade Course 1Course 2Course 3Course 4Course 5Course 6Course 7 9 English 1 Reg. Pre-AP Math Alg. 1 or Geometry Reg. Pre-AP Biology Reg. Pre-AP World Geography Reg. Pre-AP 10 English 2 Reg. Pre-AP Math Geom. Or Alg. 2 Reg. Pre-AP Science IPC or Chem. Reg. Pre-AP World History Reg. Pre-AP 11 English 3 Reg. AP Dual Math Alg. 2 or PreCal. Reg. Pre-AP Science Chem. Or Physics Reg. Pre-AP U.S. History Reg. AP Dual 12 English 4 Reg. AP Dual Math Student choice Reg. Pre-AP AP Science Student choice Reg. Pre-AP AP Government/ Economics Reg. AP Dual The following courses are required. However, they may be taken at any time during their high school career: Fine Arts (1.0) Comm. Applications (.5) PE/PE Equivalent (1.0) Foreign Language (2.0 of the same language) Electives (5.5) These, along with the mandatory 4 x 4, complete the requirements for the Recommended Graduation Plan.

Distinguished Achievement Recommended Plan PLUS a third year of a Foreign Language There are additional measures, such as high scores on at least 4 AP tests or earning a 3.0 on college classes Graduation Plans

GPA/Class Rank GPA/Class Rank is recalculated at the end of each semester. Top 10% of the Senior Class is granted automatic admission to Texas 4-year public institutions – except at The University of Texas. Because of high numbers of applicants, they will only be taking the top 8%.

GPA Grade points differ for regular vs. PreAP/AP classes: Regular PreAP/AP (A) (B) (C) (D) 1 2 Below 70 (F) 0 0

GPA PreAP/AP Grade Reg add up points 9 7 divide by number of semesters (2) 4.5 GPA 3.5

Changing from PreAP to regular classes A student must remain in a PreAP class for the entire year to receive the extra grade point. Students cannot be changed from PreAP to regular during the last six weeks of each semester (3 rd & 6 th six weeks).

TAKS Test Dates March 1 ELA April 26 Math April 28 Science April 29 Social Studies

Benefits of passing TAKS Finals exemptions! If your child passes all 4 TAKS tests, he will be exempt from ALL of his (spring) finals. However, he must still attend closure or he will receive a zero on the final. Also, if your child needs to take the final in order to pass the class, please encourage him to do so. Example – Say this student passed all TAKS tests, but his six weeks grades for a class were 68, 68, and 68 – This student needs to take and pass the final to receive credit.

Benefits of passing TAKS For Dual credit classes, passing ELA and Math (with a 2200 or higher) and a 3 or higher on the Written Composition means that they are TSI ready

PSAT It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT®. It also gives students a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. Wednesday, Oct. 13 If your child is in PreAP English, he/she must take PSAT and anyone can sign up through his/her English teacher. Results from the PSAT test are expected in December. Scores will be handed out in English class. Sorry, but it’s too late to sign up now.

PLAN Test As a "pre-ACT" test, PLAN is a powerful predictor of success on the ACT. At the same time, many schools recognize the importance of PLAN testing for all students, as it focuses attention on both career preparation and improving academic achievement. This is for sophomores only and is required by the district. Test date is in October.

Scheduling - February Students will be given a credit sheet (see example) with grades for classes they have had. We highlight on their credit sheet what classes they need for next year.

Dual Credit / Concurrent Classes Dual Credit means students get high school and college credit while still in high school. Concurrent means that the class is only for college credit. Dual credit for : –On campus through Vernon College – English III and US History

Dual Credit Info TSI – Texas Success Initiative - are students college ready? Scholarships are available from WFISD and Vernon College.

College Night College representatives will be present to give students and parents information about their programs Thursday, December 2, 2010 Region 9 Education Service Center on Loop 11

College It's never too early to start researching and gathering information. Check college websites for H.S. requirement and deadlines Check the Rider Counselors’ website

Websites SAT ACT Financial Aid You can look at FAFSA 4caster for estimated cost of college. Rider Counselors’ Office website 847/site/default.asp 847/site/default.asp Career search resources in Mrs. Johnson’s office or online (ACT & SAT)

Thank you And Good Night!!