Helping your Child Succeed in High School

Graduating from High School In order to graduate, students in Georgia must: Select a program of study Successfully complete the required high school coursework Pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests Satisfy attendance requirements

Diploma Types Type of ProgramUnits College Preparatory (CP)22 *Technology/Career Preparatory (TC) 22 Dual22 * Going away for 9 th graders beginning 2008

Required Courses CPTCDual English/Language Arts*444 Mathematics*4 3**4 Science*333 Social Studies*333 Health and PE111 Computer Tech and/or Fine Arts 111 Foreign Language*202 Tech/Career-prep units*** 044 Locally required or elective units 4 3**0 TOTAL UNITS (MINIMUM) 22

Required Tests Who Takes It When It Is GivenWhat's at Stake Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) 11th Graders Spring (1st of five opportunities to pass during 11th and 12th grades) Must pass in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies to receive diploma Georgia High School Writing Assessment (GHSGT) 11th Graders Fall (1st of five opportunities to pass during 11th and 12th grades) Must pass to receive diploma. End of Course Tests (EOCT) Students in grades 9-12 Winter, SpringMeasures student’s mastery of subject area.

What topics are Covered on the Tests? To find out what each test covers, parents can view the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) for each subject and grade level at

What happens if my child doesn’t pass the High School Graduation Tests? Students who do not pass all the tests may be eligible for a high school certificate or a special education diploma. Such students can return to retake the test(s) as often as they wish in order to qualify for a high school diploma.

U.S. Student Dropout Rates Source: National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, Policy Alert, April 2004

The problem is worse for minority students Source: Swanson, Christopher. Projections of the 2003–2004 High School Graduates: Supplemental Findings from Who Graduates?

Why Do Students Drop Out? Classes were not interesting Missed too many days /could not catch up Spent time with people who were not interested in school Had too much freedom / not enough rules Was failing in school Source: Civic Enterprises, The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts, 2006.

Challenging students will cut back on dropouts Nearly 90 percent of high school dropouts report having passing grades. 70 percent believe they could have graduated if they had stayed in school. Even those with lower GPAs thought they could have graduated. The No. 1 one reason they left? They were

In their own words “A lot of the teachers give you one worksheet a day, and after that, you’re sitting there the rest of the day. Students want to go to school and learn things.” — Deloris Johnson, 15, student at South Philadelphia High School

Does raising standards lead to increased dropout rates? During the last decade, a number of states and districts have raised graduation standards without seeing a decrease in graduation rates.

The Story of a Tiny Frog » There once was a bunch of tiny frogs... who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. » A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. » The race began. Honestly-- no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.

You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!” "They will NEVER make it to the top." or:“Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!” The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one, except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher. The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" The Story of a Tiny Frog

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. But ONE continued higher and higher and higher. This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top! THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to,know how this one frog managed to do it The Story of a Tiny Frog

How Did He Succeed? A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out that the winner was DEAF!!!!

You are your Child’s #1 Role Model and Motivator Be enthusiastic. Encourage your children. Praise them for a job well done. Learn and grow. Get Involved. Always try to do your best.