Presentation Transcript

1. FRESHMAN PRE-MEETING INFORMATION

2. THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER CONCERNING GRADUATION RESPONSIBILITY: It’s your graduation!!! It’s your responsibility!! You need to take ownership of your education!!!
3. What Are Your Responsibilities? Know your graduation plan and requirements Keep up with your credits Know what you have and what you need Example: You should not take the same class twice Know which classes you have taken and already have credit for Check college requirements Know admission requirements Such as: GPA and Rank minimums Test Requirements Know tuition costs and financial aid options Avoid last-minute problems Such as: Attendance Behavior issues Grades
4. Credits What is a credit? A credit is what you earn when you make a 70 or above in a course You earn a ½ credit per semester Example: (English I A (fall)) ½ credit + (English I B (spring)) ½ credit = 1 credit What happens if I don’t earn a credit? If you make below a 70 for the semester, you will repeat that semester credit If you make below a 70 for the year, you will repeat the entire year Example #1: English 1 (A) = 65 = no credit; English I (B) = 70 = ½ credit Which means you will repeat English I (A) Example #2: English I (A) = 65 = no credit; English I (B) = 68 = no credit Which means you will repeat the entire year of English I How do you make up credits? Core Classes or Courses Required for Graduation: Summer school Repeat the course before you graduate Electives You can repeat the course but are not required to. What are the credit requirements per grade? To be a Sophomore = 6.5 credits To be a Junior = 13 credits To be a Senior = 19.5 credits To graduate = 27.5
5. Graduation Plans Minimum Recommended Distinguished
6. Recommended Graduation Plan Meets admission requirements for most 4-year colleges and universities 27.5 credits 4 credits for all four core subjects: English Math Science Social Studies 2 credits Foreign Language 1 credit PE ½ credit Health and ½ credit Speech 1 credit Technology 5.5 credits Electives 2 of which must be CATE classes
7. Core Subject Sequences English English I English II English III English IV Math 1. Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Pre-Cal 2. Algebra I Geometry/Math Models Algebra II Science Biology Chemistry Physics 4th Science (Anatomy or Astronomy) Social Studies World Geography World History US History Government and Economics
8. ELECTIVES!! Athletics/PE Boys Athletics Girls Athletics PE Fine Arts Band Theater Arts CATE Classes Career and Technology Education Classes Agriculture Family Studies Technology
9. Family and Consumer Sciences Classes
10. Business and Technology Classes
11. Upper Level Electives As a Senior, you have a few more elective credit options: Yearbook Aide Office Library Dual Credit Electives
12. Distinguished Graduation Plan Is the same as the Recommended Plan but adds the following requirements: 3 years of Foreign Language Meet College Readiness Standards on: English III STAAR Test Algebra II STAAR Test 4 semesters of a B or above in Dual Credit classes OR Special research project Selection as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
13. Pre-AP / Dual Credit Options Pre-AP/Honors Courses English English I, English II, English III Math Algebra II AP Calculus AB Science Chemistry Physics Dual Credit Courses English English IV Social Studies US History Government/Economics Electives Sociology Psychology Algebra Business Math Statistics Art History Upper Level Weighted Courses Spanish III Math Pre-Calculus
14. Dual Credit Requirements: Meet College Readiness Standards: Meet the college readiness standards on English III Algebra II Or….Pay for and pass the Accuplacer, a college readiness test Pay Tuition and fees $150 per semester class Attend regularly You will be dropped if you do not Pass your core classes! If you make a F for the first semester in a core class required for graduation, you will be dropped from Dual Credit the second semester. Options: Junior year: US History Senior Year: ITV Lab: English IV Government/Economics In person professor: College Algebra Online: Psychology/Sociology Art History Math Analysis Business Statistics
15. Minimum Graduation Plan Credits = 23.5 Includes 6.5 electives 2 must be CATE classes (technology, agriculture, family studies) No foreign language 3 Math credits 2 Science Credits Fulfills requirements for admission to junior colleges HOWEVER!! YOU CANNOT GO STRAIGHT TO A 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE WITH A MINIMUM HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IMPORTANT: To get on the minimum plan, you must meet certain requirements and have signatures from the counselor, principal, student, and parent/guardian
16. Transcripts Show: Number of Credits Grades for each semester and final grades for year-long courses GPA 5.0 Scale 4.0 Scale Class Rank Test Scores Include: TAKS SAT and ACT if you send the scores to us Graduation Plan
17. GPA and Class Rank Grade Point Average = GPA Grades are converted into points and then averaged Abernathy = 5.0 scale (5.0 = 100; 4.9 = 99; 4.8=98, etc) Colleges = 4.0 scale (4.0 = 100, 3.9 = 99, 3.8 = 98, etc.) Rank is determined by GPA Is computed every January and June when semester and final grades are turned in by your teachers Students in the top 10% of a Texas graduating high school class are given “Assured Admission” to Texas state colleges/universities ***** EXCEPT for the University of Texas at Austin ******** Fall 2012 = Top 9% Fall of 2013 = Top 8% Fall of 2014 =TBD YOU MUST APPLY TO THE COLLEGE FOR ADMISSION! You must also have an SAT/ACT score ready when you apply
18. If You Need a Transcript Come to the Guidance Center to request one Important!!! Only you, the student, or your parent/guardian can request a transcript. WE WILL NOT FILL TRANSCRIPTS REQUESTS FROM ANYONE ELSE WITHOUT YOU OR YOUR PARENT/GUARDIAN’S PERMISSION!!! You must have the following information: Where you want the transcript to go To you, to a school, to your parent, to pick up, etc. What kind of transcript you need Official Stamped, signed, and sealed in an envelope Unofficial Just a copy for you to see When you need it by
19. Introduction to the STAAR Testing System For High School Students
20. STAAR = Comprehensive Testing Program End Of Course (EOC) = Specific Type of STAAR test
21. The Differences Between STAAR and TAKS TAKS STAAR EOC Pass the 4 Exit (Junior) Level TAKS tests English/Language Arts Math Science Social Studies If you pass those four tests and meet the graduation requirements for your plan, you graduate Had as much time as needed to take the test Tests were in early March and late April Received scores the last week of school Only retested at the EXIT Level and only for the tests for which you did not meet the passing score Test scores were separate from class grades Take 12 end of course tests, 3 tests each in the 4 core subjects Must meet the cumulative score requirement in all four subject areas and all requirements for your plan to graduate There is a 4-hour time limit for each test Tests will be the last week of March and the second full week of May Receive scores in mid-June Anyone can retest any test at any time for any reason The student’s STAAR EOC test score for a subject will be 15% of the student’s final grade in that subject To graduate Distinguished, you must meet the College Readiness standard on the English III and Algebra II EOC tests.
22. STAAR EOC Testing English English I English II English III Math Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Science Biology Chemistry Physics Social Studies World Geography World History US History
23. Test Scores and Cumulative Scores Each test counts toward a cumulative score for each subject you must attain in order to graduate from high school. A student must meet a yet-to-be-determined minimum score for the score to be counted towards the cumulative score Right now we do not know the passing standards or total cumulative score you must get but we do know: For each of four core content areas: cumulative score ≥ n x passing scale score n = number of assessments taken
24. EXAMPLE – ONLY AN EXAMPLE!!!! We do not know the any of the minimum, satisfactory, or cumulative score requirements yet so theoretically for example purposes we will use: Minimum score = 1000 Cumulative Passing Score ≥ 3 x 1000 = 3000 In this example for the subject of English: English I = 1000 English II = 1500 English III = 1200 All scores are above 1000 so they all count Cumulative Score = 1000 + 1500 + 1200 = 3700 Meet passing cumulative score for English
25. Where It Gets Complicated If a student does not meet the minimum score, then the score cannot be used towards the cumulative score so… Using the same example standards as before: English I = 1000 English II = 400 English III = 1000 Cumulative score of 2000 because the 400 does not count = Does NOT meet cumulative score requirements for English
26. So What Happens Then? The student will have to retake the test for which they did not meet the minimum score until they do meet the minimum score Retests are scheduled for July, December, and May each year.
27. Cumulative Scores in All Subjects Keep in mind that the cumulative score requirement must be met for every subject area: Math English Science Social Studies If a student does not meet the cumulative score requirements for even just one of the subject areas, then the student does not graduate.
28. Additional Graduation Requirements In addition to everything else, a student MUST meet the minimum score requirements in English III and Algebra II STAAR EOC tests to graduate. To graduate on the Distinguished Plan, a student must meet the College Readiness Standard on English III and Algebra II STAAR EOC tests.
29. 15% Rule The State of Texas is requiring that every STAAR EOC test count for 15% of the student’s final grade in that testing subject. If a student retests, the new score will NOT be averaged into the final grade. Once a final grade is complete, it will not be changed. Example: Kobe does not meet the minimum score in Geometry and must retest in the summer. Whatever score Kobe obtained in May is the 15% that will affect his Geometry final grade. The summer test will have no effect Kobe’s final Geometry grade.
30. How do you get a grade from the testing scores? There is a conversion chart that will be used to convert the scale score from the STAAR EOC test into a numerical grade that will be 15% of the student’s final grade in the subject tested.
31. 2012 Algebra I Exception If a 2011-2012 Freshmen student took Algebra I for high school credit in the 2010-2011 school year, in middle school they will be exempt from taking the STAAR EOC Algebra I test. The cumulative score requirements will be adjusted accordingly Using our Theoretical Scores Example: Carmelo took Algebra I in middle school. Therefore, Carmelo only has to take the Geometry and Algebra II EOC tests and would have a cumulative score requirement of 2000 instead of 3000 because he only has 2 tests instead of 3 to add to the cumulative score total. Geometry = 1000 Algebra II – 1000 Total cumulative score = 2000 = Student has meet cumulative score requirements for Math
32. Retesting According to Texas State Law, a student can retest for any reason they want to as many times as they want to BUT The new score will still NOT be used as the 15% of the final grade Example: Lebron passed his Algebra I EOC test but was not happy with his score. He wants to retake it in the summer to see if he can get a better score. He takes it again in July and scores significantly higher. The new score will affect his overall cumulative score but the new score WILL NOT be used for the 15% of Lebron’s final Algebra I grade. FYI…There is no benefit to having a high cumulative score! It may depend on if we can get enough people to be able to administer a test during the retesting time TAKS Exit Level retesting AND STAAR EOC retesting will be at the same time in the summer First priority will be given to those who MUST retest to graduate
33. Other Tests Sophomore PLAN Test (Pre-ACT) PSAT Test (Pre-SAT) Junior ASVAB = Military Entrance Test/Career Exploration Test PSAT – Juniors get priority ACT SAT Senior Keep taking SAT/ACT tests if you want to try to get better scores JUNIOR COLLEGES DO NOT REQUIRE ACT OR SAT TESTS FOR ADMISSION!!! - However, many junior colleges do require ACT/SAT scores for scholarships.
34. ACT/SAT Tests College Entrance Exams Usually are recommended for Juniors and Seniors However…technically they could take it any time they want However…they are both Senior-level tests so the closer you can be to seniors, the better SAT – measures general verbal and mathematical reasoning skills, as well as writing skills. Writing – position essay with supporting examples Math – Includes Algebra II topics Critical Reading – Short and long passages, no analogies ACT – measures more closely high school curriculum Math Science Reading English
35. Individual Meetings You will meet with me individually What you will do in our meetings: Research careers on Career Cruising Update 4-year plans Plan for registration in May Identify which classes you will need Choose which classes you would like to have Understand that you may not get the classes you request It depends on the Master Schedule and the classes you have to have
36. What is a 4-Year Plan? A guide to help plan credits to make sure you can graduate. Maps out what you have taken and what you need to take to graduate. Can and will change throughout high school.
37. Career Cruising Is used to help guide you to a career Steps: Mrs. Young will have already created a username and password for you. You need to log on. Then you have two options: If you know what you want to do You can search and find the career or careers you are interested in If you do not know what you want to do You can do the Career Matchmaker, which finds a career for you based on a series of questions finding your likes and dislikes You will get a list of options from which you can pick one you like Finally You will print information about the career you are interested in
38. Meetings Schedule For Next Week - Will be posted in the halls and by the office - If you are absent, you need to come by my office to reschedule - If you know you cannot make an appointment, let me know as soon as possible so I can make changes

39. Financial Aid 101

40. Financial aid definitions Financial Aid: Financial aid is a catch-all term referring to any program that offers money to assist with the costs associated with being a student. This includes tuition help, scholarships, living stipends, textbook costs, child care benefits, work grants, entrepreneurship support and more. Aid can come from any number of sources--state, local and federal government, the college itself, professional organizations, private charities and many others.
41. What are the different types of financial aid? Scholarships A type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid by the recipient. Scholarships are most often given to students for one of two reasons: achievement in academics/other areas or financial need. Grants A grant is form of federal or state aid that does not have to be repaid. Grants are typically given to people who demonstrate financial need. Grants are great sources of financial aid for people with need, which is determined by the FAFSA. Loans A loan is offered to students to pay off education-related expenses, such as tuition, books, or room and board. LOANS MUST BE PAID BACK IN FULL WITH INTEREST. Many loans are offered to students with a lower interest rate, such as the Stafford Loan. In general, students are not required to pay back these loans until after a grace period upon completion of their education. A FAFSA is used to determine if a student qualifies for a lower interest-rate loan. Work-Study Of or relating to any of various programs at a university which enable students to engage in part-time employment while continuing their studies. Can be able to pay off loan instead of getting a paycheck.
42. Who Gets Federal and State Aid? Requirements: Demonstrate financial need Be a U.S. Citizen with a valid Social Security Number Certify that you are not in default on a federal loan Certify that you will use the aid for educational purposes Be working toward a degree in an eligible program Show you have qualified for post-secondary education by: Have a high school diploma or GED Pass an ATB Test Complete high school education in homeschool setting Register with selective service if you are a male between 18 and 25 Maintain satisfactory progress while in school Possession or sale of illegal drugs: Typically cannot receive federal aid for a period of time based on type and number of convictions BUT should still submit FAFSA for state and other non-federal aid
43. How do you get federal and state financial aid? Through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FASFA = A form required by the government for application to any federal education aid program. The FAFSA is used to determine the expected family contribution based on family financial information. An expected family contribution (EFC) is calculated for every student who applies, even if the family is not going to contribute that amount. A FAFSA is used to determine the specific Financial Aid programs that can contribute to a student’s total financial aid package and in what proportions. Many universities also use the information provided to determine other grants and scholarships as well The Federal Student Aid Office is part of the US Department of Education It is highly recommended that every prospective college student fill one of these out even if qualification for grants is not a possibility Student could qualify for scholarships or favorable loans.