Enriching High School Experience with MdN Gifted Program

1. Marcos de NizaHigh School Gifted Program Orientation Leah Lang, Coordinator of Gifted Services llang@tempeunion.org(480) 480.730.7658

2. How Did You Get Here? • Students are identified as Gifted by scoring in the 97th percentile on a standardized test. • Most here took the TUHSD Honors Placement Test. • CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) • Others may have previous tests or will test “Gifted” after starting high school (PSAT, etc.).

3. Haven’t Taken Honors/Gifted Test? • Final chance is Sat, Jan. 25, 2014 • McClintock High School • Online Registration: • http://www.tuhsd.k12.az.us/surveys/Hongiftapp.htm • Or call 480-752-8696 for more information

4. Marcos de Niza Open Enrollment? *2014-15 online open enrollment applications are available on our district website. www.tuhsd.k12.az.us *Applications must be submitted online by February 1. *Turn in a complete MdN registration packet to the front office at MdN by Feb. 3rd.

5. MdN Gifted Philosophy • Student-focused program, family-centered • Offers opportunities that are • Individualized • Flexible • Developmental • Partnership between family, student, and school

6. Gifted Coordinator Duties • Develops and monitors Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) with students • Coordinates resources for students • Academic programs • GATS club/activities • Works with faculty and staff to develop • Individual accommodations • Awareness and opportunities for special programs

7. Individualized Learning Plans • ILPs are a plan between the gifted coordinator, student, and family • Include several components • 4-year academic plan • College and career preparation • ECAP (Education Career Action Plan • Use Kuder Navigator website & Canvas account • Utilize the Whole Person Approach

8. The Whole Person Approach Clubs & Sports Test Scores Academics Co & Extra Curricular Activities GPA Leadership Community Service Class Rank Academic Challenge & Rigor Other Activities Honors & Awards

9. Value of the Whole Person • Develops each student to his/her fullest potential • Maximizes the high school experience • Prepares students for consideration by competitive colleges/universities

10. Graduation/AdmissionCredit Requirements

11. MdNHonors Courses • 27 Honors courses • Rigorous core and elective classes • Offered at all grade levels • Weighted rank points awarded • Eligibility is determined by score on honors/gifted test • Teacher recommendation/current grades may also be used

12. MdN Dual Enrollment Courses • 35 Dual Enrollment (DE) courses • Core and elective classes • Offered at all grade levels • Rio Salado College courses at MdNwith college-certified MdNteachers • Financial assistance is available • Both high school &college credit are earned upon successfully completing the course • Credit is accepted at in-state public universities and many out-of-state universities. • Check for college equivalency credit at specific universities at az.transfer.org

13. MdNAP Courses • 15 Advanced Placement (AP) courses • Offered at all grade levels • Gain college level skills • Earn college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college by taking the AP Test in May • Check for college equivalency credit at specific universities • https://apscore.collegeboard.org/creditandplacement/search-credit-policies

14. Gifted-only Courses • Designed for highly-focused gifted students • Offered to juniors and seniors • Advanced Studies • Specialized independent study project, or • Enrollment in college coursework • Honors Professional Internship Program • High-level internship opportunity • Work with a professional mentor • Designed to give student career insight

15. High School Registration Info. • Counselors visit each feeder middle school • Early-mid January: Registration Orientation • Late Jan.: Actual Registration (collect & process paperwork) • 8th Grade Open House • Monday, January 13th at 6:00 pm • Meet department representatives, coaches, club sponsors

16. Scheduling Recommendations for Gifted Students • Most competitive colleges require • 4 years: English, Math, Science • 3-4 years: Foreign Language • 4 years: Social Science • 1+ year: Fine Art • 6 classes x 4 years = 24 credits • Graduation requirement is 23 credits

17. Competitive Track • Full load with as many Honors classes as possible • Aimed at producing the top 5-10% of the class • Only one “free” class choice per year • All others are Honors or Required • Freshman: English, Math, Science, Foreign Language, PE, and elective • Sophomore through senior: add Social Studies in place of PE

18. Honors Scheduling Considerations • Take Honors classes in areas of strength and interest to provide a challenge, demonstrate academic rigor, boost class ranking • Take PE, Health, and other non-Honors classes during Summer School to open opportunities for electives • Math Placement Freshman Year is based on the fall and spring Final Exam grades in 8th Grade.

19. G.P.A. vs Rank Points • G.P.A. Rank points • An “A” in a regular class = 4.0 =4 rank points An “A” in an Honors/AP class =4.0 =5 rank points • Grade points A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 • Rank points (Honors/AP) A = 5 B = 4 C = 3 D = 2 F = 0

20. G.P.A. vs. Rank Points Calculation of Class Rank Class rank is computed by calculation of a student’s total rank points. • 1st Core courses that are weighted • 2nd Core courses that are not weighted • 3rd Non-core courses that are weighted • 4th Non-core courses that are not weighted

21. Downside of Competitive Track • Typically involves 18 Honors classes in 24-credit high school transcript: 3-5-5-5 • Issues of overload and stress • Can ruin motivation, grades, overall happiness • Balance challenging work load and the ability to be a “teenager”

22. Individual Track • An option for students with different academic and career pursuits • Less emphasis on competitive track classes and objectives • More emphasis on helping students transition into and out of high school, and with making life choices • Focused on personal interests and out-of-school experiences

23. Bottom Line • Freshman year is a transition year • Classes will be more challenging • Workload will increase • More activities in which to participate: more opportunity for “positive” distraction • High school is flexible • Can do all three core classes Honors or just one or two Honors • Consider all of this when selecting classes

24. Honors & AP Drop/Add Policy • Be sure to read the Registration Information in the Registration book you will receive in January • Students may change to a regular level of the same course prior to the end of the 6th week of the semester, but not earlier than the 4th week. • Date of Parent/Teacher Conference • Teacher and Department Chair must agree • There must be room in the regular section • Your entire schedule may have to change • Teachers are staffed based upon your initial scheduling decisions; choose correctly the first time

25. National Honor Society • The fall of junior year • List of eligible students • Class rank • GPA • Teachers nominate – from list of eligible students • Very important you remind your previous teachers who you are early in the year. • Students are invited to apply • Applications include essays • Important to have leadership • Important to have extracurricular activities • Important to have community service • If not selected Junior year – keep up grades, make changes, apply senior year.

26. The student experience

27. The Padre Experience • Marcos Scholars • Malachai Payne • Casey Silva • Lily Wick • Christina Winkler

28. Want a head start as to what our current students and parents see? Visit the Marcos de Niza website and Counseling page. https://www.tuhsd.k12.az.us/mdn/ Marcos Guidance https://twitter.com/MarcosGuidance

29. Next Step… • Turn in Student and Parent Questionnaires or bring them to the ILP meeting • Sign up for ILP session • (I will send you a reminder)

30. Thank you for coming! • Questions? • If you have further questions or concerns contact Leah Lang: • llang@tempeunion.org • 480.730.7658