1. 9th grade course selection:2017/2018
What is required for graduation?
What is a 4 year plan?
How to complete course selection?
What to expect in high school?
Upcoming dates

2. What is required for graduation:
26 credits under the Foundation plus endorsement plan (pg 20 in Program Guide)
4 years of English ( English I, II, III, IV)
4 years of Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th math)
(this can change depending on strength/weakness in math)
4 years of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4th science)
(this can change depending on strength/weakness in science)
4 years of Social Studies (W. Geo, W. History, US History, Gov’t/Eco)
1 year Fine Arts (Theatre, Art, Band, Orchestra, Choir, etc.)
1 year PE ( Athletics, JROTC, Band (Fall only) Dance PE)

3. What is required for graduation cont’d
2 years of the same Foreign Language ( Spanish or French)
Health (.5 credit)
Professional Communication (.5 credit)
5 Elective ( Endorsement classes)
STAAR/EOC Exams
Algebra1, English I, English II, Biology, US History

4. What is an Endorsement? (pages 23-29)
Endorsements is like a “major” in college
You take courses in a specific “pathway or sequence”
There are five Endorsement areas with different pathways
STEM
Business and Industry
Public Service
Arts and Humanities
Multidisciplinary

5. STEM: Pathways (pages 23-24 )
Science
Technology (2 options)
Engineering ( 2 options)
Math
Courses must be taken in a specific sequence

6. Business and Industry: Pathways (Pages 25-26)
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Audio Video and Communication
Architecture and Construction
Business
Marketing
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Journalism/Newspaper
Journalism/Yearbook
Journalism/Broadcast
Hospitality and Tourism (2 options)
Debate
Information Technology

7. Public Service: Pathways (page 27)
Human Services
Human Services/Cosmetology
Health Science
Law, Public Safety, Correction, Security: Firefighter
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, Security: Law
JROTC

8. Arts and Humanities: Pathways (page 28-29)
Theater Art
Dance ( 2 options)
Band
Orchestra
Color Guard
Choir
Visual Art ( 5 options)
World Language ( 4 years of the same language or 2 years of 2 different languages)
Social Studies (5 credits)

9. Multidisciplinary (page 29)
Select a variety of electives or
Complete the 4x4 ( Math, Science, Social Studies, English)
You can also earn an endorsement in AVID by taking:
AVID I-IV

10. What is a 4 year plan?
Courses that you will take over the course of your 4 years during high school
Endorsement/Elective courses should follow a specific pathway/sequence
You must also make sure that you are completing the 21 core courses within the 4 years

11. How to complete course selection?
Select 4 core courses ( Math, Science, Social Studies, English)
Select 3 additional courses plus 6 alternate courses and number 1thru 6
Choose wisely because any course can show up on your schedule
No course changes once school begins
Some things to keep in mind:
Do you participate in athletics, band, choir, orchestra?

12. How to complete course selection cont’d
Do not wait until your 11th grade year to begin your foreign language
If you select a one semester course, you must have another one to complete the year ( 2 semester courses= I full year)
Complete your worksheet with your parents and get required signatures
Your 8th grade counselor will take you to the computer lab for you to enter your courses in Skyward using your worksheet as a guide
Once courses have been completed, turn worksheet in to your counselor

13. WHAT TO EXPECT IN HIGH SCHOOL?
School day starts at 7:25 ( first bell); Tardy at 7:30
Tardies counts
Attendance counts
You have to earn a specific amount of credits to go on to the next grade (6; 12; 18)
You cannot move to Geometry unless you pass the entire year of Algebra 1
You cannot move to your next English class if you have not earned a full credit

14. What to expect in high school cont’d
Complete your assignments/homework
Attend tutorials
Ask for help
Build relationships with your teachers/counselor
Participate in sports/clubs/ organizations
Do not participate in unnecessary drama/trouble

15. Important dates to remember
Enter courses in Skyward between February 1st thru February 22nd
Return worksheet to counselor by: February 27th
Verification of courses will begin:
1st verification: March 20th-30th; 2nd verification: April12th -21st
Make changes to your requested courses by: April 21st is last day to submit changes
8th grade Parent Night/Elective Course Fair: February 1st
8th grade Parent Counselor Drop in at Kempner: February 3rd

16. The end
GO COOGS!!!!!!