La Porte High School ACE Program Introductory Meeting

Introductions ▪ Jason McConnell-Associate Principal ▪ Todd Schoppe-Principal ▪ Linda Wadleigh-Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction ▪ David Knowles-Executive Director of Secondary Education ▪ Pam Campbell-Assistant Vice Chancellor for Educational Partnerships-San Jacinto Community College ▪ Larkesha Cotton-Mitchell-10 th Grade Counselor ▪ Gina Brunson-Associate Principal’s Secretary

What is the ACE Program?

▪ "Dual credit on steroids" is how San Jacinto College officials describe this program, and what it offers to bright high school students in the college's service area. (Houston Chronicle 3/30/15) ▪ The ACE Program (Accelerated College Education) is a dual credit program that allows LPHS students to graduate from high school with a high school diploma and an Associates of Arts/Science degree from San Jacinto Community College. ▪ Dual credit programs allow students to take college classes and earn college hours towards their degree plan while also earning high school credits for those college classes taken.

How Was My Child Selected for the ACE Program? La Porte High School Requirements: Students must make at least an 80 in Algebra II PAP or Pre Calculus. The reason for this math requirement is because College Algebra will be taken during a student’s Junior year. Students must make at least an 80 in two other PAP/AP classes. Excellent attendance. Minimal discipline infractions (minor).

San Jacinto Community College Entrance Eligibility Requirements: 1.Go to and apply online. 2.After a student receives their “G” number (which comes via ), they must complete the Pre Assessment Activity on the SJC website. 3.Once the Pre Assessment Activity has been completed, it must be printed out, and a copy turned into Ms. Brunson. 4.After turning their Pre Assessment Activity into Ms. Brunson a student will then sign up to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA). The TSIA is an online college readiness test that is given by SJC personnel here at the high school. There are three exemptions to a 10 th grade student having to take the TSIA: a) English II EOC Scale Score=4000 or higher; b) Algebra I Scale Score=4000 or higher (with a passing grade in Algebra II); c) PSAT (50 or higher). 5.Students must also be current on their Meningitis shot.

What Will the ACE Program Schedule Look Like? Summer 2015 (at SJC): -Learning Framework: 5 week course M-TH from 10:00am-12:20pm. Can be taken in the June (June 8-July 9), or July (July 13-August 9) summer school session. Fall/Spring (at SJC)-HS Periods 1-4: -College Algebra & Statistics or Pre Cal/US History/Humanities Course/Fine Arts Course/Speech/BCIS (Technology Course): M-TH from 7:00am-9:50am. F (Study Time at SJC and Pre Cal from 7:00am-9:50am). Summer 2016 (at SJC): -BCIS (Technology Course) and one additional course Fall/Spring (at SJC)-HS Periods 1-4: -Economics/Government/English/Psychology/Science Course: M-TH from 7:00am-9:50am. F (Science Lab at SJC from 7:00am-9:50am)

What Will the ACE Program Schedule Look Like and Other Information? Fall/Spring (at LPHS)-HS Periods 5-7: -English 3/Physics/One Elective Fall/Spring (at LPHS)-HS Periods 5-7: -Math/Two Electives Tuition and Books: -The cost for both is fully covered by LPISD. However, if a student fails a college course, they will be required to refund the cost of the tuition and books for the course they failed. Transportation: -LPISD will provide bus transportation to and from SJC for any student in the ACE Program who needs it. There will not be any transportation provided on Fridays unless a student is taking the Pre Calculus class in the Spring of Students who have their own transportation can transport themselves to and from SJC.

Is the ACE Program for Me? Things to Consider: 1.Will any extra-curricular activities and the periods they are scheduled affect my decision to participate in this program? 2.Will the endorsement plan you are on meet all the endorsement requirements for graduation? The majority of ACE students will have to graduate from high school with a Multidisciplinary endorsement, unless they are still on the old high school graduation plans. 3.College classes typically do not have a large number of assignments to complete in order to determine a student’s grade in the class. Usually the grade in a college class is based on 2 or 3 major tests during each semester. 4.Recognize the amount of time you have outside of the school day to devote to your college studies. 5.If a college dual enrollment course is failed, a student will be dropped from the program, have to pay back the cost of the failed course, and have to take the high school equivalent course over again in order to receive high school credit. 6.Will the college hours earned transfer to the eventual college/university of my choice and my degree plan there? 7.Do I plan on going to college/university outside of Texas?

10 Characteristics of a Successful College Ready Student: 1.Self-motivated 2.Goal-oriented 3.Organized 4.Does not procrastinate……………………very much!!! 5.Participates actively in class 6.Asks questions (self advocates) 7.Completes all assigned work on time 8.Produces high quality work 9.Strong work ethic 10.High attendance rate

Count Me In!!!! Now What???: 1.Sign the LPHS ACE Program Student Commitment Statement and turn in to Ms. Brunson by Monday, April 27 th. Must be signed by both parents and students. 2.Complete all the SJC eligibility requirements. Current available TSIA testing dates: 5/15/15 and 5/21/15. 3.If you participate in extra-curricular activities at LPHS, communicate with your coach/sponsor to see if this program would cause scheduling conflicts. 4.Meet with your Counselor to review your graduation plan to see if the ACE Program will allow you to meet high school graduation requirements. 5.Both you and your parents attend the final ACE Program prep meeting prior to the end of school to finalize last minute details (TBD). 6.Attend SJC Orientation (TBD).

Questions???