*Course Selection Sheet *Quick Guide to Courses *CTE Pathways *FISD Course Guide is now online FISD web site

 Recommended Program  Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP).

SubjectCreditsRequired Courses English 4English 1, 2, 3, 4 Math 4 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, TBD Science 4 IPC, Bio, Chemistry, Physics* Bio, Chemistry, Physics, TBD Social Studies 4W. Geo, W. Hist, U.S. History, Government & Economics Foreign Language 2Spanish, French, American Sign Language P.E. 1P.E., Athletics, Fall Band, Drill, Cheer, Colorguard Health.5Health, Health Science Speech.5Communications Applications Fine Arts 1 Art, Theater Arts, Choir, Band, Dance, Orchestra, Elements of Floral Des. Technology 1BIM, Comp. Sci, DIM, DGA, Web Tech., Comp.Maint., Yearbook 2, Newspaper 2, Broadcast 1 or 2 Electives 4 Electives are classes you choose. Total 26 *Science sequencing determined by individual student. Please see Course Catalog for prerequisites.

CORE COURSES  4 English credits  4 Math credits (Alg.1 in MS counts) (MMA*)  4 Science credits (IPC*)  4 Social Studies credits  Plus additional required courses and electives to minimum 26 credits.  **IPC and MMA cannot be taken on DAP

Other Required Courses:  Fine Art = 1.0 credit  Communication Applications =.5 credit  Health =.5 credit  Technology = 1.0 credit  LOTE = 2 levels of the same  PE = 1.0  Electives = 4

 Need 3 years of LOTE  No IPC, MMA  4 additional measures (any combination)  Original research project  AP scores of 3 or better (1-5)  Tech Prep courses with B or better  Dual Credit courses with B or better  National Merit commended or higher

 4 Core areas-15 tests  English I, II, III (reading and writing)  Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II  Biology, Chemistry, Physics  W. Geography, W History, US History

 Must meet Level 2 Satisfactory Score in order to be on track for cumulative score requirement for graduation.  Recommended grad plan= must meet Level 2 on both Algebra II and English III EOC’s  DAP grad plan= must meet Level 3 on both Algebra II and English III EOC’s.

 The goal is to earn 26 credits for graduation  Each 1 semester course =.5 credit  Example = Health  Each 2 semester course = 1.0 credit  Example = English 1

 Grade points are assigned to each SEMESTER grade  Grade points are then averaged  Example: English 1 = 85 semester average That equals 3.5 grade points in a regular class That equals 4.5*** grade points in a Pre-AP class

 85 percent of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admissions decisions  Drop window will be at end of 1 st 6 weeks  Eligibility Waiver available

 Class Rank and GPA are used to determine if you are in the “Top 10%” of your class.  Students who are in the top 10% of their class are automatically accepted into Texas public colleges. (UT is now top 8% for freshman entering fall of 2013 and top 7% for freshmen entering fall of 2014)  Freshman grades count! Start strong and do your best from your first day of high school. For admissions purposes, rank at the close of junior year dictates the top 10% of the class.

Fall Winter Spring Football Basketball Baseball Volleyball SoccerSoftball Cross Country WrestlingTrack Golf GolfGolf Tennis TennisTennis Swim/Dive Swim/Dive Swim/Dive

 Pre-AP or not (No changes until 6 weeks)  Summer reading assignments  Tryouts for Drill team, cheer, sports  CTE courses and pathway to CTE center  EOC = End of Course exams = core  Summer school? Classes for advancement  Communication Applications, Health, BIM, DIM, IPC, MMA

Juniors are eligible for a maximum of 2 release periods Morning or Afternoon (any combination) Be sure you have enough credits Colleges look at the courses you take and when Release periods will be adjusted if in conflict with a selected course(s) Release periods are subject to passing all parts of EOC You must have your own transportation!! Students are not allowed to hang out in library during their early release/late arrival period (s)

Dual Credit* – used for HS & College credit (Senior year) Concurrent* – college courses = college credit only Distance Learning – Better known as “Correspondence” Credit by Exam – Comprehensive exam to test out See Course Guide for additional info Counselors need proof of enrollment and/or grade before removing a class from schedule needed for graduation. Students responsibility to verify final grade(s). *Can use for DAP measures

As you prepare to choose courses, remember to see if “teacher” approval is required. If required, secure that approval prior to the individual meeting with your counselor. In some cases, your approval will not occur until later in the spring. In that case, choose an alternative and once approved, you can change your course requests. Example of teacher approval: Debate 2, Debate 3, Broadcast 2, Broadcast 3, etc.

 Partners PE- application  Debate I- application  Theater Productions- requires audition  Athletic Trainer- application  ISM- Application For class of 2015 and beyond ISM will carry a gpa weight of 5.5  Yearbook  Co-op

Don’t FORGET…… Some classes have pre-requisites….a class you MUST have had prior to taking the one you want…. You Must PLAN AHEAD to make sure you can get in all of the classes you would like to.

 Plan ahead  Summer School: packets available in March/April  Advancement: Health, BIM, DIM, Speech, IPC, MMA  Remediation: Most core classes, if sufficient #’s  Bring grades to your counselor if you attend summer school out of district  Credit by Exam – Test dates are arranged Counselors need proof of enrollment and/or grade before removing a class from schedule needed for graduation.

 To become a Junior :  12 credits total

 A student can graduate early by completing all credits by the end of the 3 rd year in high school (Or by end of first semester of 4 th year for Dec. grad)  Students must decide early if summer school or distance learning courses are necessary  Do not expect FISD to offer all courses in summer school  Early grads must graduate on recommended or distinguished grad plan. A declaration of intent to graduate early must be filed after May 1 st of second year of high school but prior to September 1 of the third year.

 Complete Course Request for  Complete your 4 year plan on paper  Pickup is Feb. 20 th -March 1 st (see English teacher for your designated day)  Please have your course request prepared as the counselors will complete yours for you if you do not.

 Teachers are employed based on student course requests.  Students will be able to make adjustments to their course requests through May 15, 2013  The last opportunity to sign up for a change will be AT schedule pick up in August. Following that deadline, it is too late.

 Dance I cannot be taken by athletes  CTE & Tech Prep course identification is ongoing

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Ms. Casares (A-De) Mr. Siciliano (Dh-Ke) Ms. Lopez (Kh-Ra)  Ms. Schwarz (Re-Z)  Ms. Chandler