1. Transitioning to Middle School and High School Division of Student Services Miami-Dade County Public Schools Deborah A. Montilla, Administrative Director Kelly S. Apolinar, Curriculum Support Specialist

2. From Elementary to Middle School: Changes to expect  More freedoms  New challenges  New peer group and friends  New program of Study (includes teams, block schedules, mid-term/final exams)

3. From Middle School to High School Changes to expect  More freedoms  New challenges  New peer group and friends  New program of Study (includes academies, advanced coursework, post-secondary plan)

4. Things to do to Prepare for change:  Develop decision-making skills  Learn as much as possible about the new school  Visit before the first day, and/or participate in orientation  Organize notebooks, planners, etc. –get help as needed

5. Preparing... Continued  Identify support within the school  Blend, look around, fit in  Trial and error works, but know you may ask for help

6. Making choices …  Elective choices  Extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports, community service, work)  Peer groups  High school courses taken in middle school

7. Required Middle School Program of Study  3 years Language Arts or ESOL  3 years Mathematics  3 years Social Sciences  3 years Science  ½ year of Physical education at each grade level)  Electives: computer education, vocational education, art, music, reading, etc. Total: 18 annual courses required

8. Required Units of Study for Middle Grades*  Human Growth and Development  Substance Abuse Education  Sexually Transmitted Diseases  Economic Education  Florida History, Government, and Geography  African American History  Character Education  Hispanic contributions to the United States  Women’s contributions to the United States  History of the Holocaust  Multicultural Education  Computer Literacy, critical thinking, and other related skills  And others *required by Florida Statutes, Florida Board of Education, or the School Board

9. Senior High School Credits for Students in Grades 6, 7,and 8  Algebra I, II Honors  Geometry Honors  Earth/Space Science H.  Biology Honors  Foreign Languages Note: The national Collegiate Athletic Association does not recognize senior high courses taken in a grade below 9 th to meet eligibility requirements to participate in college athletics

10. Required High School Program of Study  4 years Language Arts or ESOL*  4 years Mathematics*  3 years Social Sciences*  3 years Science*  1 credit of Performing Fine Arts  ½ credit Physical Education  ½ credit Personal Fitness  Electives * Total: 24 credits required or 18 credit option * There are specific course requirements to meet for all graduation options and scholarship eligibility

11. Things to consider throughout middle grades and high school  Educational and/or career goals  Senior high school options (career academies, magnet schools/programs, vocational centers, charter schools, and more)  Developing interests and/or talents  High school graduation options

12. 3 High School Graduation Options  Traditional four year 24-credit program  Three year 18-credit college prep  Three year 18-credit career prep

13. Things to consider in choosing a graduation option  What are my educational and/or career goals?  Will I be ready for a job or to enter college after high school?  Will I meet admissions requirements for a college or career outside of Florida?  Will I meet eligibility for a scholarship? (test scores, GPA, community service)  Will I meet NCAA eligibility requirements? How about athletic/talent eligibility?

14. Selecting an 18- credit Graduation Program: Eligibility Requirements  8 th grade FCAT scores must be level 3 in Reading, Math and Writing  Selection MUST be made by the end of ninth grade  Parent and Student must sign contract  Must be completed in three years, must also remain in high school three years even if they have met the required 18 credits by tenth grade.  Must earn 5 credits by the end of ninth grade or 11 credits by the end of tenth grade to remain in the program. or 11 credits by the end of tenth grade to remain in the program.  Maintaining the required GPA and passing the Grade 10 FCAT is critical!

15. Who Can Help with Questions and Concerns in Middle/High School?  School Counselor  School Social Workers  TRUST Specialist  Community Involvement Specialists  College Assistance Program Advisor  Teachers

16. Tools to Monitor Progress  Student/Parent Portal  Report Card  Progress Report  Career Portfolio/ePEP/Bright Futures Eligibility  Student History By Subject Area  Standardized Test Score Reports (FCAT, PSAT, PLAN, ACT, SAT)  Schools now also have student dashboards with individualized test score analysis.

17. Identifying Information can be found along the top Report is broken down by subject area with indicators for credits earned /required and still in need “T” indicates that a course was entered in TRACE- earned somewhere other than MDCPS day school program

18. An “X” next to an “F” indicates that the course has been forgiven and is not longer counted in the GPA Notice the special diploma core classes that fall under the electives category. These courses do not transfer to standard diploma courses.

20. Tools for Success  Student Planner/Agenda  Subject Area Notebooks  Daily Schedule  Graduation Checklist  Research (Media Center, Internet, local library)  Review Classwork/notes Daily  READ, READ, READ!

21. Other Things to Consider…  The transition to middle or high school tends to destabilize many students  Transition students typically look for answers on how to develop a new identity  The new school environment is more mature and demanding  Transition students need guidance in finding opportunities, etc  There is an Increase in self-destructive behavior and loss of self-esteem

22. Where Can I Find Additional Information ?  www.dadeschools.net www.dadeschools.net  www.facts.org www.facts.org  www.floridaechoices.com www.floridaechoices.com  www.floridanext.com www.floridanext.com  www.Collegeboard.com www.Collegeboard.com  www.ed.gov/thinkcollege/early/tce www.ed.gov/thinkcollege/early/tce