KEEP Parents “In The Know” Monica Garcia Edgewood ISD Director of Student Support Services

Session Overview Graduation History overview past and present How we keep our parents informed...What they need to know Mail merge ideas to notify the parents in a timely manner Packets TAMS Brochure Calendar of Events District Parent Engagement Calendar Mail merge Step by Step

How do we keep parents informed with all the updates?

TEAM WORK! Edgewood ISD Provides A World Class Education Chief Academic Officer – Lilia Nanez Executive Officer for Campus Administration – Dr. Mary Miller Executive Officer for Curriculum and Instruction- Anna Nieto Director of Career and Technical Education – Anne Lackner Parent Engagement Coordinator – Melisa Bombella District Testing Coordinator- Jim Street Specialists

Assessment History TABS (1979) TEAMS(1984) TAAS(1990) TAKS(1999) STAAR (2012)

New Assessment for Graduation Requirements Assessment- End of Course English I and II >Algebra I>Biology> U.S. History English I and English II will be combined Reading/Writing Test (5 hours) beginning in Spring of 2014 Districts will need to evaluate students at the end of 11th grade and enroll students that are unlikely to pass an end of course exam in a college prep course.

HB 5

HB 5 Requirements HB 5 changed the graduation programs from MHSP, RHSP, and DAP to a Foundation Program with options for: Endorsements; Distinguished Level of Achievement; and/or Performance Acknowledgements. HB 5 requirements become effective with 2014-2015 freshmen but students enrolled in high school prior to 2014-2015 will have the option of transitioning to this graduation program.

HB 5 Graduation Plan Overview 22-credit Foundation Program 17 specified credits + 5 electives 26-credit Endorsements 19 specified credits + 7 electives 26-credit Distinguished Level of Achievement 19 specified credits, including Algebra II + 7 electives For ANY student: Performance Acknowledgements

Distinguished Level of Achievement A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing: a total of four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra II a total of four credits in science the remaining curriculum requirements the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement A student must earn distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission.

Performance Acknowledgements A student may earn a performance acknowledgment : for outstanding performance in a dual credit course in bilingualism and/or biliteracy on an AP test or IB exam on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

Postsecondary Education-Implications for Counseling Postsecondary Education – Implications for Counseling: In 2014-2015, elementary, middle school, or junior high school counselors must advise students and parents of the importance of postsecondary education. High school counselors must provide annual counseling, to parents and students, related to postsecondary education, including the advantages of earning an endorsement, performance acknowledgement, and distinguished level of achievement. A student must graduate at the distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for automatic admission through the Top Ten Percent. A student who is not eligible for automatic admission may apply to any general academic teaching institution if the student completed the Foundation program or achieved a certain score on the SAT or ACT.

HB 5 Continued Notes: o All students must indicate, in writing, during their 9th grade year, an endorsement they wish to pursue. At the end of their 10th grade year, students may move to the 22-credit Foundation Plan under certain circumstances. o All LEAs must make at least one endorsement available; if only one is available, it must be Multidisciplinary Studies. 26 credit Foundation Plan with Distinguished Level of Achievement: Eligible for Top 10% Automatic Admission to an IHE  Requires same courses as Foundation Plan with Endorsements; however, one of the 4 mathematics credits must be Algebra II

Graduation History 4 x4 Graduation Plans- Students in grades 9th -12th for 2013- 2014 SY can graduate with the following: Minimum Recommended Distinguished New this year- Foundations program for 12th grade students

New for incoming Freshman of 2014-2015 FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM  With Endorsements Exceptions for 12th Grade students this year they can graduate on a foundations program.

Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a school district must ensure that each student, entering ninth grade, indicates in writing an endorsement that the student intends to earn. A district must permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated.

A student may graduate under the foundation high school program without earning an endorsement if, after the student’s sophomore year: (1) the student and the student ’s parent or person standing in parental relation are advised by a school counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school with one or more endorsements; and (2) the student ’s parent or person standing in parental relation files with a school counselor written permission, on a form adopted by the agency, allowing the student to graduate under the foundation high school program without earning an endorsement

Foundations Graduation Requirements English Language Arts Four credits English I English II English III Advanced English Course Mathematics Three credits Algebra I Geometry Advanced Mathematics Course Science Three credits Biology IPC or Advanced Science Course Advanced Science Course Social Studies Three credits U.S. History U.S. Government (one-half credit) Economics (one-half credit) World Geography or World History or Combined World History/World Geography (course not developed yet)

What Does This Mean? Requirements for assessments have changed within the past year. Graduation requirements are changing with this current year and for upcoming freshman.

What this Means…. Incoming Freshman will be under new HB5 requirements-Foundations with endorsements Which are the following: 26-credit Foundation Plan with Endorsement: Eligible for general admission to an IHE Adds the following courses to the 22-credit Foundation Program: 1 additional Advanced Math (for a total of 4 Mathematics credits) 1 additional Advanced Science (for a total of 4 Science credits) 2 additional Electives (for a total of 7 elective credits) Under this plan, students must also complete the course work required to obtain at least one of the available endorsements (coursework TBD by SBOE):  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)  Business and Industry  Public Services  Arts and Humanities  Multidisciplinary Studies Sophomores- Seniors will be on 4x4 with the option to opt into a foundations program

Preparing for Endorsements PLAN..PLAN… PLAN Get the most current updates We have been working closely with the CTE Director and campuses to see what we should offer.

Information We Should Provide To The Parents Sometimes it is too complicated

What Do Parents Need to Know……. State Assessment Implications-School Districts and Campuses English Language Learners and Years in U.S. Schools - a student will now have to be enrolled for 60 consecutive days in order for the year to count. Districts must have procedures in place to minimize disruptions. Districts will need to evaluate students at the end of 11th grade and enroll students that are unlikely to pass an End of Course in a college prep course. Teachers must be notified of State Assessment results of students they taught in that school year. Board Policy must limit the removal of students from class for remediation or test prep, to no more than 10% of the school days on which the class is offered. House Bill 5 indicates that accelerated instruction must be provided to all students who do not meet standard on any STAAR 3-8 or End of Course assessments. This accelerated instruction must be provided prior to the next assessment. Accelerated Instruction may require participation of the student outside the school day, however transportation must be provided by the district.  No more than two benchmarks can be administered per corresponding state assessment.

How do we explain EOC to Parents ?? Make it as simple as possible Tell them what they need to know Tell them what they want to know…. How is it going to affect my child Color code important information to parents

Bridges: How we are Working with our Students

Working with Current 8th Grade Students We are using Bridges with all 8th -12th Students All students have taken career inventories We are posting endorsements and courses that are required for them to take the next four years

Student and Parent Activities Scheduled visits to our High School Campuses Students will be placed in a group of 15-20 Students They will visit elective classes ROTC, Athletics, debate, band, etc. An open house is going to be held so they can bring their parents and view all CTE courses. Endorsements offered will be promoted throughout the district. Parents and students can see what the four year plans will look like when they chose a specific endorsement.

Next Step Choices Students will be scheduled to go into the lab and make their choices after they have attended both events Counselors will discuss their selection from their interest inventory and students will proceed to enter their choices. A four year plan will be printed to be sent home for student's to bring back signed If students do not bring it back a parent conference will be scheduled to help chose the correct plan

Documents that are Helpful

Texas Assessment Management System TAMS

An Important Way to Keep Parents Up to Date is TAMS Conduct Parent Meetings to advertise TAMS Explain to parents they can get results as soon as they are available at the district level

TAMS

Exciting Things are Happening in Edgewood Exciting Things are Happening in Edgewood! NEW this year Parent Engagement Coordinator

How do we inform parents She facilitates and oversees district parent meetings in our district. Ensures parents are kept up to date with important information. Such as testing and graduation requirements She works hand in hand with Student Support Services as they assist the assessment department with notifying parents of test results.

First How do we keep up? Attend trainings at our service center Meet with curriculum team Keep up with the Texas Education Agency updates Focus and think of advertisement to staff , students, and parents

Sample of Parent Presentation

Graduation Requirements Now and the Future Monica Garcia Director of Student Support Services

GRADE CLASSIFICATION . After the ninth grade, students are classified according to the number of state credits earned toward graduation Credits Earned Classification 0-5.5 Grade 9 – Freshman 6-11.5 Grade 10 – Sophomore 12-17.5 Grade 11 - Junior 18+ Grade 12 - Senior

Current Graduation Plans We currently have three plans Minimum Recommended Distinguished

HB5 General Overview HB 5 changed the graduation programs from MHSP, RHSP, and DAP to a Foundation Program with options for : Endorsements; Distinguished Level of Achievement ;and /or Performance Acknowledgements This becomes effective with 2014-2015 freshmen but students enrolled in high school prior to 2014-2015 will have the option of transitioning to this graduation.

New this Year HB5 Foundation Plan

House Bill 5 New Graduation Plans Foundation Plan English Language Arts Four credits English I English II English III Advanced English Course (TBD by SBOE) Mathematics Three credits Algebra I Geometry Advanced Mathematics Course (TBD by SBOE) Science Three credits Biology IPC or Advanced Science Course (TBD by SBOE) Advanced Science Course (TBD by SBOE) Social Studies Three credits U.S. History U.S. Government (one-half credit) Economics (one-half credit) World Geography or World History or Combined World History/World Geography

Foundation Plan With Endorsements

TAKS- End Of Course Assessments Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies EOC (5) English I English II Reading and Writing combined in Spring 2014 Algebra I U.S. History Biology

Keeping Parents Informed Texas Education Agency-TEA Texas Assessment Management System(Pearson)-TAMS

TEA House Bill 5 updates Testing Calendar Graduation Requirements

TAMS Student Portal Up to date STAAR scores Unique ID code on CSRs

What Does This Mean Keeping up with Graduation Plans is important Keeping up with test scores is important Use your resources Stay in close communication with your child’s counselor Visit our college centers

6 Easy Steps to Mail Merge

Create the letter you will be using.

Data File from Pearson Have the file that you want to use for the mail merge available. Remember where it is saved.

Set Mail Merge Once you finish your letter you will go to the tool bar and click on MAILINGS START MAIL MERGE STEP BY STEP MAIL MERGE WIZARD

Step 1 : SELECT DOCUMENT TYPE Select the document type you are working on. In this case it is LETTERS. Go down to the bottom of the screen and click on Step 1 of 6 NEXT: STARTING DOCUMENT

Step 2 : SELECT STARTING DOCUMENT Use the Current Document Start from a Template Start from Existing Document Select USE THE CURRENT DOCUMENT. Go down to the bottom of the screen and click on Step 2 of 6 NEXT: SELECT RECIPIENTS

Step 3 : SELECT RECIPIENTS: Use an existing list Select from Outlook Contacts Type New List Select USE AN EXISTING LIST. Then click on BROWSE . Look for the Pearson Data File that you will be using and select the file.

SELECT TABLE will appear. Click on the Name of the Sheet. (Only one name will appear. ) Then click OK. You will get a preview of the file you selected. Click OK. Go down to the bottom of the screen and click on Step 3 of 6 NEXT: WRITE YOUR LETTER

Step 4 : WRITE YOUR LETTER Click and highlight the section that you want to mail merge. Example: To the Parents of: ___________ I would highlight the underline. Then you go to the right of the screen and select MORE ITEMS. On the Insert Merge Field selection, select the field you would like. Here, I would select Student Name. Go through your letter inserting all the areas where you need a field. Go down to the bottom of the screen and click on Step 4 of 6 NEXT: PREVIEW YOUR LETTERS

Step 5 : PREVIEW YOUR LETTERS Here you can make sure all the recipients (student names) are correct. You may edit the list of recipients if needed. Go down to the bottom of the screen and click on Step 5 of 6 NEXT: COMPLETE THE MERGE.

Step 6 : COMPLETE THE MERGE Your Mail Merge is ready to print! You may edit individual letters here, if needed.

Resources Texas Education Agency Website Region 20 Website www.tea.state.tx.us Use A-Z Index to find specific topic Region 20 Website www.esc20.net  Texas Assessment Management System www.pearsonaccess.com/tx

ENJOY THE REST OF THE CONFERENCE THANK YOU! Monica Garcia Edgewood ISD Director of Student Support Service monica.garcia@eisd.net (210) 444-4982 ENJOY THE REST OF THE CONFERENCE