1. Transition from Middle to High School
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THE BIG PICTURE -
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2. Transition from Middle to High School
The Big Picture – What You Need to Know
Credits
Credits for Promotion
How to Earn Credits
Grades
Attendance
House Bill 5
Endorsements
Pathways
Career Ready
College Ready
Associate’s Pathway

3. Credits for Promotion
To be promoted from one grade to the next, a student needs to earn credits.
9th to 10th Grade – 6 credits or more
10th to 11th Grade – 13 credits or more
11th to 12th Grade – 19 credits or more
26 credits + 5 EOCs = High School Graduation
Credits are like a two-piece puzzle.
If the two pieces do not fit together, the puzzle is not complete.
The two pieces are:
Grades: 70 or higher
HS GPA begins accumulating as soon as HS classes are taken
Attendance: 90% or higher
For year-long courses, a student can earn 1 credit.
For semester-long courses, a student can earn ½ credit.

4. End of Course Exams
Aside from the 26 credits, a student also needs to pass the 5 EOCs at the high school level in order to graduate.
These are the 5 EOCs by grade level:
9th: English I
Algebra I
Biology
10th: English II
11th: U.S. History

5. Three pathways to choose from:
Every Student - College and Career Ready
Three pathways to choose from:
Career Ready (CTE Certification)
College Ready (up to 42 college credits)
Associate’s Pathway (Early College Academy)

9. College Ready Pathway
The College Ready Pathway allows students to earn up to 42 core college credits through dual credit classes
These credits may transfer to any 2 or 4 year public college or university in the state of Texas
With these credits, students can go on to earn an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree after high school

10. What is dual credit?
Students enroll in a college course and simultaneously earn college credit and high school credit for the same course
Example: HIST 1301 class at the college will count as credit for high school US History
This enables high school students to earn college credits before graduating from high school

11. How do you qualify for dual credit?
You may be in grades 9th-11th
You must meet the college prerequisite requirements for enrollment in the college course
You must satisfy the Reading and Writing College Eligibility requirements based on the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
Students must complete the Apply Texas application and turn in Parent Consent Forms to the College Center

12. What is South San Antonio
Early College Academy?
A partnership with Palo Alto College
An Early College High School within the greater South San Antonio High School campus
Up to 60 college credit hours
No cost to the student / family
Savings of up to $24,000

13. The Benefits of an ECHS Improves high school graduation rates
Promotes a college going culture
Prepares students for high-skill – high wage – high demand careers
Reduces the number of years needed to earn a college degree
Improves the likelihood of students obtaining a college degree
The “20 credit threshold” is a key breaking point between students who complete a college degree and those who never finish college
(Source: Clifford Adelman, The Toolbox Revisited: Paths to Degree Completion
from High School through College. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.)

14. Who qualifies for Early College?
Any 8th grade student interested in Early College can apply.
Students must complete all parts of the application, including the short essays and recommendation letter.
Students must participate in the interview sessions held at their middle school.
Students must attend the Summer Bridge program.

15. Summer Bridge Palo Alto College- August 2017 Team building activities
College Knowledge and Orientation
Character and social development
Academic and TSI support
TSI Retest

16. How do students qualify for dual credit courses?
Students must have applied for selection into the Early College Academy.
Students must meet the college prerequisite requirements for enrollment in the college course.
Students must satisfy the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for the DC courses prior to taking them.

17. Next Steps Middle School presentations by Palo Alto College
For Eighth Grade Students:
Middle School presentations by Palo Alto College
Week of January 25th
Attend information session with your parents
February 2017
Fill out ECHS application
Due date March 7th
Participate in student interviews
March 7th – 10th
Prepare for STAAR and College Readiness Assessments (TSI).
Spring 2017

18. Q & A

19. Thank You! We’ll See you in August.