1. South Lakes High School Academic Advising 2016
Graduation Requirements

2. Where are we going?
 Photo by Emma Harris/The Connection

3. Standard and Verified Credits
In order to graduate, a student must earn the required standard and verified credits.
A standard credit is awarded when the student passes the course.
A verified credit is awarded when the student passes the course and passes the associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test or approved substitute test.
Read slide

4. Verified Credit Requirements
Students earn verified credits when they pass a class and pass the associated SOL test. Students may also earn verified credits through VDOE approved assessments.
Courses with associated SOL tests:
English 11 (2 tests- reading and writing)
World History 1, World History 2, US VA History
Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2
Biology, Chemistry, Geosystems
Verified credit requirements depend on diploma type and are outlined on the next slides.
As mentioned previously, (Read 1st Bullet)
For information on additional opportunities to earn verified credit, please see your student’s school counselor.
There are 10 courses with associated SOL tests. They are: (Read the sub-bullets of bullet 2)
(Read 3rd bullet)

5. Standard Diploma Requirements Rising 10th, 11th, 12th Grades (2013 – 2014 and Beyond)
Subject
Standard Credits
Verified Credits
English 4 2
Mathematics 3 1
Laboratory Science
History and Social Sciences
Health and Physical Education
World Languages, Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education
Economics and Personal Finance
Electives (must include sequential elective)
Student Selected Test
Career and Technical Education Credential
Virtual Course
Total Credits 22 6
All students pursuing a standard diploma must earn 22 standard credits and meet the following requirements:
4 credits of English
3 credits of math
3 credits of science
4 credits of history
2 credits of health and physical education
2 credits of world languages, fine arts or career and technical education
1 credit of economics and personal finance
3 credits of electives (including sequential electives)
Students are also required to earn 6 verified credits in the following areas:
English Reading
English Writing
1 Math
1 Science
1 history
1 student selected verified credit
In addition, students are required to earn a career and technical education credential and successfully complete one virtual course to satisfy graduation requirements. Fulfilling these requirements will be discussed later in this presentation.
According to VDOE, the Modified Standard Diploma, previously available to students with disabilities, has been eliminated for those students entering the 9th grade for the first time in and beyond. In lieu of the Modified Standard Diploma option, VDOE has established credit accommodations that can be used to earn the Standard Diploma for eligible students with disabilities. These credit accommodations will be discussed later in this presentation.

6. Advanced Studies Diploma Requirements Rising 10th, 11th, 12th Grades (2013 – 2014 and Beyond)
Subject Area
Standard Credits
Verified Credits
English 4 2
Mathematics
Laboratory Science
History and Social Sciences
World Language 3
Health and Physical Education
Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1
Economics and Personal Finance
Electives
Student Selected Test
Virtual Course
Total Credits 26 9
All students pursuing an Advanced Studies diploma must earn 26 standard credits and meet the following requirements:
4 credits of English
4 credits of math
4 credits of science
4 credits of history
2 credits of health and physical education
3 credits of world language
1 credit of Fine arts or career and technical education
1 credit of economics and personal finance
3 credits of electives
Students are also required to earn 9 verified credits in the following areas:
English Reading
English Writing
2 Math
2 Science
2 history
1 student selected verified credit
In addition, students will be required to successfully complete one virtual course to satisfy graduation requirements.

7. Economics and Personal Finance
Face to Face Options at SLHS:
Economics and Personal Finance (612000) ◦ Meets online requirement, industry credential available.
Economics and Personal Finance two semesters (612011/612012) ◦ Meets online requirement, industry credential available.
IB Business and Management ◦ Meets online requirement, industry credential available.
Online Options through FCPS:
Economics and Personal Finance-online (612099) ◦ Meets online requirement, industry credential available. (8th course fee required)
Self-Directed Online Economics and Personal Finance - 8th Period (6120) ◦ Meets online requirement, industry credential available. (Fee Required, Summer option available)
Economics and Personal Finance-online-summer option (612099) ◦ Meets online requirement, industry credential available (Fee Required)
ALL OFFERINGS OF EPF FULFILL THE REQUIREMENT FOR A “VIRTUAL COURSE.”

8. Academic Advising Process
Teachers will meet with students to share their recommendation for next year’s courses.
Students will discuss course options with parents/guardians to consider the best course selections for students to reach their personal and academic goals.
All students will meet with their counselors to select their courses (Starting on Monday, January 25th)

9. Questions to consider and discuss at home before Academic Advising:
Am I taking the course(s) for the right reasons?
Do I have enough time in the day for all these commitments?
How committed am I to doing well in this course even when
it proves a challenge to me?
How quickly/efficiently do I complete my homework?
Have I considered the cumulative effect of taking multiple Honors/IB courses?
What will happen if the course load is difficult and I cannot
change my schedule?
Would I be willing to adjust hours or give up my job?
Would I be willing to drop a sport or activity?
Would I be satisfied with a grade less than a “B”?

10. Course Planning Worksheet
How many hours a day do you:
Daily Total
Frequency
Weekly Total
Sleep (Yes, include naps)
x 7=
Spend in school
x 5=
Study or do homework
Watch TV
Spend online- including social media
Talk on the phone or text
Work at a job
Commute to/from school and work
Participate in clubs/sports
Prepare and eat meals
Other
TOTAL HOURS

11. What Happens Now?
Teachers, please hand out the course request forms and the course planning worksheets to all rising 10th – 12th grade students.
Students, fill out your name and ID information on the top of the course request form. Ask your English teacher to tell you the date that you will meet with your counselor.
Students, bring home the course selection materials and discuss them with your parents/guardians and talk to teachers about their recommendations for next year.
Electives Fair during all Lunches on Monday, January 25th.
**All course information can be found in the new course catalog which is posted on the South Lakes Website.**

12. Your counselor looks forward to meeting with you!