Selecting Your High School Courses What will you be doing in
four years? Your future begins now!
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Which Endorsement is right for you? What do you like to do?
What do you plan on doing after high school? College, Technical
School, Military, Work Take courses that get you where you want to
go!
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High School Life Get Involved! Join Clubs and Organizations
Participate in Fine Arts, Athletics Take the Hardest Courses You
Can Volunteer in the Community Colleges are looking for
well-rounded students!!
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Semester System English 1A Algebra 1A Biology 1A World
Geography A LOTE 1A Fine Arts/ AthleticsElective English 1B Algebra
1B Biology 1B World Geography B LOTE 1B Fine Arts/ Athletics
Elective
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Credits What is a Credit? How do I get one? A credit is what
you earn when you pass one full year of a class. English 1 = year
long class = 1 credit. A one semester class will earn.5 credit.
Medical Terminology = one semester =.5 credit. You can earn 7
credits a year. You will need 26 credits to graduate.
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Freshman promotion from 8 th grade Sophomore - 5.5 to 11.5
credits Junior 12 to 18.5 credits Senior 19 plus credits 26 plus
Grade Classification
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Things to consider before selecting classes
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Pre-AP and AP? What are the Benefits Better preparation for
college Better preparation for EOC, SAT, ACT AP classes can earn
college credits Extra points added to your GPA Pre-AP and AP
classes are available to all students. Discuss taking these courses
with your parents and teachers. Check the district website for the
summer reading assignment.
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What if I decide Pre-AP or AP is not for me after school
starts? A schedule change may be considered after the 3 rd week of
school. Prior to any change you must attend tutorials and turn in
all work. Failure to complete your work or attend tutorials will be
reasons to deny a level change. If you are still struggling in the
course, a meeting will be held with your parents, your teacher,
your counselor, an administrator and you. A decision will be made
about whether it is in your best interest to drop to a lower level
or to stay in the class with an improvement plan.
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Pre-AP Classes English I Pre-AP English I Pre-AP Algebra 1 Pre-
AP Algebra 1 Pre- AP Geometry Pre- AP Geometry Pre- AP Biology
Pre-AP Biology Pre-AP World Geography Pre- AP World Geography Pre-
AP Art I Pre-AP Art II Drawing Pre- AP Spanish V for Spanish
Speakers Pre-AP
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AP Classes Human Geography AP Students enrolled in AP classes
are expected to take the AP exam in May. Students may gain college
credit for AP test scores of 3 or above. Individual colleges award
credit based on their policies and standards. There is a cost for
the exam. Fee-reduced exams The college board and the State of
Texas will pay a portion of the fees for students currently
receiving free or reduced lunches. See your counselors or college
and career readiness specialist to see if you qualify.
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Grade Point Average Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is
calculated by averaging the semester grades you earn in every class
you take for state credit towards graduation. Pre-AP, and AP
courses earn extra points in determining GPA. See your counselor
for more information about weighted GPA.
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Why is GPA important? Automatic College Admission A GPA in the
top 10%(top 7% University Texas Austin) of a graduating class and
completion of the Distinguished Level of Achievement guarantees you
admission into any state college. You still must satisfy the ACT or
SAT scores and meet all deadlines.
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Graduation Requirements Students Entering High School Fall 2014
Graduating Class of 2018
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EMS ISD Distinguished Level of Achievement O English - 4
credits O Math - 4 credits O Science - 4 credits O Social Studies -
3 credits O LOTE - 2 credits O Fine Arts - 1 credit O Physical Ed.
- 1 credit O World Geography & O 2 other electives - 3 credits
O Plus 1 endorsement - 4 credits O Total credits26
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Course Description Handbook The Course Description Handbook for
the Freshman class of 2014- 2015 is available on line for
review.
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Course Selection Choose your courses carefully. Talk to your
parents and teachers for advice on what level of a course to take.
Choose electives that meet your endorsement area. Make sure you
have the prerequisites. ALL courses count in your GPA except those
marked local credit.
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Begin with the End in Mind!
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You must fill out a registration worksheet regardless of plans
to move before next school year. We will reserve your classes in
case something changes.
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Completing the Selection Worksheet Use a pencil Complete the
top section Circle the school you will be attending and fill out
the demographic information neatly. Please print so we can easily
read it.
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Freshman Course Options Choose your core courses. English ___
___ 1010English I ___ ___ 1015English I Pre-AP Math ___ ___ 1210
Algebra I ___ ___ 1215 Algebra I Pre-AP ___ ___ 1220 Geometry ___
___ 1225 Geometry Pre-AP
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Freshman Courses cont. Science ___ ___ 1310 Biology ___ ___
1315 Biology Pre-AP Social Studies required elective ___ ___ 1410
World Geography ___ ___ 1415 World Geography Pre-AP ___ ___ 1475
Human Geography AP
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Freshman Courses cont. Choose 3 credits of elective classes.
You may choose 3 year long classes or a combination of year long
and semester classes. Choose at least 3 alternates. Write the name
of the desired class and course number. It is possible that the
courses that you choose will fill up or will not work with your
schedule, so it is very important to pick at least 3 alternates. If
you do not write down alternates, we will choose them for you.
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O An endorsement is a focused study in an area of interest to
the student, as outlined by TEA. O Five endorsement areas. O Arts
and Humanities O Multidisciplinary O Business & Industry O
Public Services O Science, Technology, Engineering &
Mathematics O Each requires four credits in the same subject field
with at least one being advanced. What is an Endorsement?
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Endorsements STEM 4 or more credits in CTE (e.g. Engineering),
or 5 credits in Math (including Alg. 2), or 5 credits in Science
Business & Industry 4 or more credits in one of the following
areas Communication, Graphic Design, Information Technology,
Audio/Video, Automotive, Manufacturing & Welding, or Culinary
Arts & Hospitality Public Service 4 or more credits in one of
the following areas Education & Training, Law Enforcement,
Health Science, Cosmetology or JROTC Arts and Humanities 4 or more
credits in a Fine Arts, World Languages, or 5 credits in Social
Studies Multidisciplinary 4 advanced courses from one endorsement
area, or two advanced courses from two endorsement areas, or four
credits in each of the four core subject areas to include English
IV and chemistry and/or physics, or four AP courses.
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Electives Choose from the one listed below required for
graduation or other electives that fulfill your area of
Endorsement. LOTE French I, German I, Spanish I, Spanish II,
Spanish V Pre-AP for Spanish Speakers Fine Arts Band, Dance, Art,
Theatre Arts, Technical Theatre, Choir, Floral Design PE/Athletics
Athletics, Marching Band (1st semester), Drill Team (1st semester),
Cheerleading, Gymnastics, JROTC, Aerobic Activities (taken with
Dance 1) Freshman Options cont.
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Registering for Classes Discuss the courses you are choosing
with your parents tonight. You and your parents must sign and date
the registration worksheet. Double check to make sure 7 credits of
courses are selected (or 14 Xs in the blanks). Make sure you have
three alternates. Bring you completed/signed form with you at your
assigned time. Counselors will assist you in entering your requests
into the computer. You and your parents may view your selections
and you will be able to make changes until March 7 th. Counselors
will meet with you individually to answer questions and help in any
way needed.
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Registering for Classes After online registration closes on
March 7 th, you may request a change by doing so in writing. A
Schedule Change Request form will be available in the counseling
office after spring break. All changes must be returned to your
high school by June 15, 2014.
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Important! You are selecting specific courses, not teachers,
periods, or terms. If there is a scheduling conflict with elective
requests, an alternate will be chosen, so choose alternates very
carefully. You will be notified if conflicts arise that cannot be
resolved. Students will not be allowed to drop or change core or
elective courses after the June 15 th deadline.
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Assessment Changes Only 5 STAAR/EOC tests are required for
graduation. Down from 15 under the old graduation plan. English I
English II Algebra I Biology US History All tests must be passed
prior to graduation.
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Sample Endorsement Schedules The following slides show the
different Endorsements and how the required courses are met each
year.