1. Honors/AVID Parent Night

2. Benefits of the Honors Program: Competitive classroom environment Challenging curriculum Gateway to high school honors Higher-level thinking Fosters academic & personal growth

3. Honors Expectations/Responsibilities 7 th and 8 th grade honors is a performance based program English Honors students will read a required summer reading list Approximately 60-90 minutes of homework per night 7th grade honors covers both 7th grade & 8th grade standards!

4. Summer Reading Program Students will be required to read 2 books –1 fiction –1 non-fiction –Students are responsible for obtaining the books –More information will be in the acceptance letter

5. Entrance to honors is determined by a matrix composed of multiple measures: CST Score of Proficient or Advanced Report Card Work Habits Honors Assessment

6. About the VMS Honors Program The Honors program is a “linked” program. –If a student is in Math Honors they are also in Science Honors –If a student is in English Honors they are also in Social Studies Honors Students can be in Math/Science and/or English/Social Studies.

7. Honors Assessments Saturday, March 29th @ 9 a.m. at VMS in library Tuesday, April 1 st @ 6:00 p.m. at VMS in library This assessment will be required for: – All 6 th grade students interested in being in Honors. This includes current GATE students. –Any student that wants to transfer from regular 7 th grade to Honors 8 th grade

8. Notification Notification of acceptance/denial in the form of a letter will be sent home mid-May. Please note: April/May 2012 CST scores could affect placement.

9. What is AVID? AVID is:  Advancement  Via  Individual  Determination

10. Key Components and Benefits Organization Study Skills Reading, Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration Tutorials Service College & Career exploration Binder Checks Planners Progress checks Contracts Cornell Notes Graphic organizers Test Preparation Tutorials

11. Expectations Earn C’s or higher in all academic course work Learn and model successful classroom behaviors Be accountable for practicing strategies Utilize the tutorial sessions Complete a community service project Complete college & career projects

12. Application Process/Requirements Teacher recommendations Student essay Interview Student/Parent Agreement Decent grades Solid CST scores Student interest and desire

13. Notification Teacher recommendations are made by mid March Applications and interviews are due by mid April (when possible) Notification letters will go out early May

14. More Information AVID is a national program with a wonderful website www.AVID.orgwww.AVID.org You can also contact Becky Sausker at sausker.becky@lusd.org sausker.becky@lusd.org Please stop by the table in the MPR as well