LUCKY ‘13 We all know that it takes more than luck to graduate from high school. It takes preparation, hard work and dedication. At Walker High School, however, we are proclaiming that our graduating “Class of 2013” will be the luckiest one yet as we help them prepare to tackle the Spring administration of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam!

LUCKY 13 GOAL We want them to pass all five parts on their first try! Most of the concepts covered by the AHSGE are taught during the 9-10 th grades. Let’s give it 110% while the concepts are fresh on our mind!

Alabama High School Graduation Exam  You may hear it referred to as “the Grad Exam” or AHSGE.  It is an untimed, multiple choice test consisting of five parts: reading, math, language, biology and social studies.  It is required as a component for the Alabama High School diploma in the state of Alabama.  Students will have up to 6 opportunities to take each section, but we want our “Lucky 13” to pass it all the first time!  Once a student passes a section, they do not take it again.

When do students take the test? S ophomores S ophomores Spring of the sophomore year Juniors Juniors Spring of the junior year Seniors Seniors 1.Summer between junior and senior year 2.Fall session 3.Mid-year session 4.Spring session

Except…..  When a student passes ALL of Algebra I, they take the math section during the next administration.  When a student passes Biology I they take the biology section during the next administration.  So, it is possible that a “Lucky 13” student has already taken those two sections.

What does it take to pass? READING563 MATH477 LANGUAGE560 SOCIAL STUDIES 509 BIOLOGY445

General Content Language Grammar skills, correct grammar usage, and organizing information for writing Reading Reading articles, poems, editorials, and essays then answering questions Math 75% will be based on Algebra I 25% will be based on pre-geometry Biology Molecular & cell biology, organismal biology, ecosystems and laboratory procedures Social Studies Focus on U.S. History

Number of Questions in Each Subject Area Language100 Reading84 Math100 Biology90 Social Studies 100

At WHS we have been gearing up for Lucky 13 success!  Arranged for two social studies review sessions per week taught by our history teachers during A.O. to cover American History 11 concepts not yet exposed to in class.  Arranged for a weekly reading review session to reinforce reading strategies helpful in many areas of the test.

ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS TO…  Get a good night’s sleep.  Eat a normal breakfast.  Don’t go wild on coffee or energy drinks, or they will spend their time focusing on needing a restroom break.  Get to school on time.  Dress comfortably. Dress in layers in case the room temperature change.  Bring two #2 pencils.  Leave cell phones at home or in the car or locker.  Relax.

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WHAT IF MY STUDENT IS ABSENT?  They will simply forfeit that testing opportunity.  Absences are one reason that students are given six opportunities to take the test.  Make-up’s are not allowed according to state testing guidelines.

Spring 2011 Testing Schedule MONDAYREADING TUESDAYLANGUAGE WEDNESDAY SOCIAL STUDIES THURSDAYBIOLOGY FRIDAYMATH Feb. 28-March 4

When will we know the results? Paper copies of test results will be sent home with students approximately 6 weeks after testing. Paper copies of test results will be sent home with students approximately 6 weeks after testing.

Lucky 13 Special Incentives  Students who are present for all five days of testing will receive one additional exemption on midterm exams.  Students who pass all five portions on the first attempt will receive an additional exemption on final exams.  Students who pass all five parts will have more opportunities for electives in their schedule next year.

And the biggest incentive of all…….