Graduating in Texas A Summary of the Current Graduation Requirements for Texas High School Students and Other Things You Need to Know as a WFHS Parent September 27, 2011

The Coyote Counseling Cove WFHS Counselors Kathy Rannila A-D Tracey Craig E-L Shonna Norton M-Ro Stephanie Schelter Ru-Z

The Coyote Counseling Cove What Do We Do? Sign-up Students for Courses Recommend Courses Create Schedules Graduation Plans Letters of Recommendation College Applications Guidance Counseling Etc., etc., etc….

The Coyote Counseling Cove WFHS Registrar - Cindy Willingham Enrolls/Withdraws Students Updates/Changes Contact Information Handles all counseling office business during the summer months WFHS Transcript Clerk - Mary Sine Sends Transcripts Requests/Sends Records Managing Front Office

College & Career Readiness College & Career Facilitator Kris Gossom College & Career Clerk Tamra Hamlin This Office Can Assist With: Completing Applications Dual Credit SAT/ACT Testing Etc…

Pre-AP & AP Courses These courses are weighted Can increase GPA for those students in the race for top spots Still need a 70 to earn credit Pre-AP courses prepare students for AP AP courses prepare students for the AP Exam, which gives students the opportunity to earn college credit

Pre-AP & AP Courses If a student struggles in these classes, there is a process that they must complete in order to go to a regular course. Pick-up a form from the Counseling Cove Obtain signatures from parent & teacher Return form to Counseling Cove Changes will probably not be completed on the same day, so it is important that students not wait until the last minute District Policy: Can not drop to regular after the 2nd 6 weeks of a semester

The Recommended Program Requires 26 Credits, including: 4 from each core area 1 PE 1 Fine Art 2 Foreign Language ½ Speech 5 ½ Electives Must Pass the State’s required Exam, as well

English Requirements 4 Credits, taken in the following order: English I English II English III English IV

Social Studies Requirements 4 Credits, generally in the following order: World Geography World History US History Government (0.5) Economics (0.5)

Mathematics Requirements 4 Credits 3 MUST be: Algebra I Geometry Algebra II The 4th credit: Can be Math Models IF taken prior to Algebra II Otherwise, MUST be a Post-Algebra II course: Pre-Calculus Advanced Quantitative Reasoning AP Statistics

Science Requirements 4 Credits 3 MUST be Biology Chemistry Physics The 4th credit Can be IPC IF taken prior to Chemistry & Physics Otherwise, MUST be a 4th year option, such as Earth & Space Environmental Science Anatomy & Physiology Any AP course: Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, etc.

AP Courses Some AP courses do not have a “regular” course associated with it If a student begins this course as their 4th credit in math or science, they must finish and pass the course. If they fail, they will have to take and pay for a different course in Night School during 2nd semester in order to earn their 4th credit. Examples include, but are not limited to: AP Statistics AP Biology Anatomy & Physiology

The Distinguished Program Requires the same 26 Credits as The Recommended Plan, EXCEPT: 1 of the 5 ½ Electives MUST be a 3rd year of Foreign Language Students MUST also meet 4 additional advanced measures connected to: concurrent courses AP exam scores

Advising for Graduation Every year, we meet with students during 2nd semester & discuss what classes they need to sign-up for the following year. You do not have to worry about your student staying on- track for graduation – we will guide them through the process! It is very important that course changes are done prior to the development of the Master Schedule, so look for your students to bring home their Course Request Form sometime around Spring Break.

Some Final Notes… We are operating an office complete with deadlines and lots of paperwork! Each counselor has approximately 400 students on their caseload. Please be understanding and patient with us! Encourage your student to follow rules and procedures and to pay attention to deadlines. It will help with the process and result in fewer “no’s”. Encourage your student to come to the counseling office themselves rather than calling for them. It allows us to get to know students on a more personal basis and makes writing those letters of recommendation a more personal experience!

Presented by the WFHS Coyote Counselor’s Cove