2. Richard Da Salveira………………………..……Principal Jodee Hoffman……......................... Magnet Coordinator

3. AgendaTable of ContentsAgendaTable of Contents  An Introduction to Cowan Magnet Center  CHOICES and the Magnet Point System and GATE

4. Some FactsSome Facts  Gifted/High Ability International Humanities Magnet Center.  Established 2008 as part of the LAUSD Magnet Program (started 1976).  Allows opportunities for voluntary integration.  165 students in grades 1-6.  2014-2015 – 58 Openings  60% minority and 40% “other white.”

5. Overview of Cowan’s Magnet Program  Academically accelerated  Emphasizes integration of the content areas with an International Humanities Emphasis  Focused on differentiation of process and product

6. Classroom GroupingsClassroom Groupings  Grades are self contained.  Teachers collaborate to develop lessons, analyze student work, engage in professional study teams, and vertically and horizontally articulate curriculum and instruction. GradeStudentsGradeStudents 124431 224531 324631

7. Differentiated Instruction Accelerated Pacing Depth Complexity Novelty Expectations appropriate to individual assessed interests, needs, abilities, and learning styles

8. Pacing  Accelerated, flexible pacing  Flexible grouping * cooperative learning * paired problem solving * peer grouping * independent study

9. Depth  Higher level thought processes  Critical and creative thinking  Logic  Details  Patterns  Trends  “Big Ideas”  Ethics

10. Complexity  Advanced and rigorous academics: *Consider relationships among disciplines *Connect concepts *Develop multiple perspectives

11. Novelty  Students are challenged to:  Utilize new techniques and materials  Challenge existing ideas  Demonstrate original thoughts  Utilize sophisticated forms of visual, kinesthetic, written, and oral presentations

12. Special ProgramsSpecial Programs  Global Awareness  Music  Art  Orchestra  Arabic Language and Culture  Psychomotor  Curricular Field Trips  Library  Mac Books for Every Student  Smart Boards  Graphing Calculators  IPADS for Every Student

13. Expectations of Student Performance  Students who learn rapidly and are creative are most successful in our program.  Students must be mature enough to adapt to a challenging and flexible daily program.  Students are expected to produce advanced levels of work and follow guidelines for behavior.

14. International HumanitiesInternational Humanities  Each grade is focused on a chosen continent.  Grade 1, North America  Grade 2, Australia  Grade 3, Latin America  Grade 4, Asia  Grade 5, Europe  Grade 6, Africa  A picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy a 4 th grade project from last year.

16. What is CHOICES?What is CHOICES?  CHOICES is LAUSD’s official magnet school and transportation application.  Applicants must be residents in the Los Angeles Unified School District area at the time of application.

17. Application Process Timeline  On-line process began October 1st. Acceptance letters early March.  Visit echoices.lausd.net to begin the application process.  On-line application deadline is Friday, November 13 th at 5pm.  Current LAUSD parents can sign up for an line account at parentaccess.lausd.net  First time parents (pre-K, charter, private) also apply on-line.

18. Applicant Criteria for Gifted/High Ability Magnets  Applicants must be verified by their current teacher as meeting one of the following three criteria:  Demonstrate ability to meet all four critical-thinking and problem- solving skills in their primary language:  Explain meanings or relationships among facts, information, or concepts that demonstrate depth and complexity.  Formulate new ideas or solutions and elaborate on the information.  Use alternative methods in approaching new or unfamiliar mathematical problems.  Use extensive vocabulary easily and accurately to express creative ideas.  Achieve a percentile of 85 or above in total reading and math on standardized tests (CST scaled scores: 450 English—Language Arts/455 Math)  Be identified as gifted by an LAUSD school psychologist in the intellectual, high achievement, or specific academic ability categories.

19. Verification Process for Gifted/High Ability Magnets  Active LAUSD students are automatically verified by their school of attendance/classroom teacher.  Be sure your child’s teacher will provide a positive verification or your application will be invalidated.  Parents of resident applicants not enrolled in LAUSD (private and independent charter schools), must either:  Download the Verification of High Ability for Magnet form, or  Contact the LAUSD Gifted/Talented Programs Office to request that a student verification form be sent to the school.  Parents of non LAUSD students must also:  Give the child’s current school permission to release the required information.  Ensure that the principal of the school of attendance signs and returns the form in an official school envelope directly to the Gifted Office, or it may be hand carried with the official school envelope sealed and with the principal’s signature across the sealed side.  Confirm the receipt of the verification form with the Gifted/Talented Programs Office prior to 11/16/12 at 5pm. (See your Choices brochure for details)

20. Magnet Selection Priority Point System There are five ways to earn points:  Matriculation  Waiting List  PHBAO School  Overcrowded School of Residence  Sibling

21. Matriculation (12 Points)  Applicants who have completed one level (elementary) in a Magnet Program and apply to continue in the Magnet Program at the next level (middle school), receive 12 matriculation points.  These points are assigned for one year only at the time of matriculation.  These 12 points equal the 12 points wait listed applicants may have.

22. Waiting List (4 – 12 Points)  Applicants who have been on a valid magnet waiting list and are not already enrolled in a Magnet Program will receive 4 points for the academic year.  Applicants may also receive 4 points for each of the two consecutive previous years of application where the student was not placed in a magnet program.  If your child is accepted to a magnet school from the waiting list, and you chose to decline, that year’s waiting list points are removed.

23. PHBAO (4 Points)  Predominately Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Other Non-Anglo schools.  Applicants whose resident LAUSD school is designated PHBAO by the District receive 4 points.  Points are not cumulative; they are assigned yearly.

24. Overcrowded (4 Points)  Applicants whose resident LAUSD school is designated as overcrowded by District criteria, and is currently sending Capacity Adjustment Program (CAP) students or is on a Concept 6 calendar, receive 4 points.  Points are not cumulative; they are assigned yearly.  Call (213) 241-4177 or (213) 241-5672 with questions about points and the status of your neighborhood school.

25. Sibling Points (3 Points)  If an applicant is applying to the same magnet in which a brother or sister will be continuing, he/she receives 3 points.  Siblings must reside at the same address.

26. Point AssignmentPoint Assignment  Points are assigned by the district magnet office.  The official lists are then given to the school.  All students who apply with the same number of points are assigned random numbers by the district to determine their priority level.  Points are applied to the first choice site only.

27. Request for Magnet SchoolsRequest for Magnet Schools  You may apply to three magnet school on the CHOICES form.  Points are used for first choice only.  Call the integration office with questions.

28. Transportation  Transportation is provided for elementary children in the magnet school program if they live more than a 2 mile radius away from the magnet school they will be attending (3 miles for secondary students).  Call 800. LABUSES 800.580.2950 to determine if the closest pick-up/drop-off point is a reasonable distance from your home.