Background and Contact Information Pat Agard Mathematics teacher at Highlands High School (12 th year) Teach: AP Stats, Algebra II Reg., ACTransitions Algebra B.A. in Mathematics - University of Virginia M.S. in Secondary Mathematics Education - Virginia Tech Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) – Virginia Tech Contact Information: phone: (859)

ACTransitions Algebra The purpose of the ACTransitions Algebra course is to prepare seniors, whose ACT math scores do not meet benchmarks, for college-level mathematics courses. Benchmarks: Score of 19 - Credit-bearing college math course Score of 22 - College Algebra course Required for STEM disciplines and most business programs If a student scores below a 19 on the math ACT, they will be required to enroll in a remedial math course, paying full tuition, of course, but receiving no college credit!

ACTransitions Algebra As part of this course, students will take the on-line KYOTE placement test, which is honored at all public universities in KY. If the student is successful on this placement test, s/he can be placed in a credit-bearing math course at any KY university within one year of the test.

ACTransitions Algebra Students will study the following topics: –Pre-Algebra – Real numbers, operations, fractions, decimals, percents –Simplifying Expressions – Polynomial, rational, radical –Solving Equations – Linear, quadratic, rational, radical –Coordinate Geometry –Plane Geometry –Trigonometry –Probability and Statistics

Homework Homework is assigned almost every night. Homework is checked for completion by the teacher at the start of every class. Students correct their own homework using the answers provided by the teacher. Each group of 4 asks to see one problem that nobody in the group could solve. Students volunteer to write their solution processes on the board and explain them. (Bonus points !) If at any point during the quarter, a student’s homework grade drops below a 60%, the parents will be notified. The student will be required to complete the missing assignment(s) under my supervision either before or after school. Failure to do so will result in an Academic Saturday.

Re-Takes and Extra Help If a student does poorly on a quiz or test, s/he is offered the opportunity to re-take the assessment. Prerequisites to Re-Take: All class notes are complete and up-to-date All homework assignments are complete and up-to-date Corrections have been made on the original quiz/test

Re-Takes and Extra Help (Cont’d.) The final grade is a weighted average with the original grade counting 40% and the re-take grade counting 60%. All re-takes must be completed usually within a week of the original assessment being returned to the students. Students may seek extra help from me either before school (7:30 – 8:00) or after school (2:45 – 3:30).

Determining Grades The quarter grades are determined as follows: –Homework 15% –Quizzess 30% –Tests 55% The grade is based on a 10-point scale.