Welcome High School Parents

How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 By CLAUDIA WALLIS, SONJA STEPTOE

How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century Right now we're aiming too low. Competency in reading and math--the focus of so much No Child Left Behind (NCLB) testing--is the meager minimum. Scientific and technical skills are, likewise, utterly necessary but insufficient. Today's economy demands not only a high-level competence in the traditional academic disciplines but also what might be called 21st century skills. Here's what they are: Right now we're aiming too low. Competency in reading and math--the focus of so much No Child Left Behind (NCLB) testing--is the meager minimum. Scientific and technical skills are, likewise, utterly necessary but insufficient. Today's economy demands not only a high-level competence in the traditional academic disciplines but also what might be called 21st century skills. Here's what they are:

Developing good people skills. EQ, or emotional intelligence, is as important as IQ for success in today's workplace. "Most innovations today involve large teams of people," says former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine. "We have to emphasize communication skills, the ability to work in teams and with people from different cultures." Developing good people skills. EQ, or emotional intelligence, is as important as IQ for success in today's workplace. "Most innovations today involve large teams of people," says former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine. "We have to emphasize communication skills, the ability to work in teams and with people from different cultures."

Becoming smarter about new sources of information. In an age of overflowing information and proliferating media, kids need to rapidly process what's coming at them and distinguish between what's reliable and what isn't. "It's important that students know how to manage it, interpret it, validate it, and how to act on it," says Dell executive Karen Bruett, who serves on the board of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Becoming smarter about new sources of information. In an age of overflowing information and proliferating media, kids need to rapidly process what's coming at them and distinguish between what's reliable and what isn't. "It's important that students know how to manage it, interpret it, validate it, and how to act on it," says Dell executive Karen Bruett, who serves on the board of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Thinking outside the box. Jobs in the new economy--the ones that won't get outsourced or automated--"put an enormous premium on creative and innovative skills, seeing patterns where other people see only chaos," says Marc Tucker, an author of the skills- commission report and president of the National Center on Education and the Economy. Thinking outside the box. Jobs in the new economy--the ones that won't get outsourced or automated--"put an enormous premium on creative and innovative skills, seeing patterns where other people see only chaos," says Marc Tucker, an author of the skills- commission report and president of the National Center on Education and the Economy.

Administration (Inside back cover of Handbook) Brian Templin, Principal Brian Templin, Principal Ann Coe, Asst. Principal, Student Services Ann Coe, Asst. Principal, Student Services Rick Couturier, Asst. Principal, Attd. Discipline Rick Couturier, Asst. Principal, Attd. Discipline Nick Johnson, 9 th Grade Principal Nick Johnson, 9 th Grade Principal Rick Schmidt, Athletic Director Rick Schmidt, Athletic Director Bob Bower, Counselor, A-G (10-12) Bob Bower, Counselor, A-G (10-12) John Conner, Counselor, H-O (10-12) John Conner, Counselor, H-O (10-12) Stephanie Kingsley, Counselor, P-Z (10-12) Stephanie Kingsley, Counselor, P-Z (10-12) Kim Reichard, Counselor (9 th ) Kim Reichard, Counselor (9 th ) Marshall Perkins, Principal (7,8 th ) Marshall Perkins, Principal (7,8 th )

Communication Student Handbook th Campus Bob Bower, John Conner, Stephanie Kingsley, Kim Reichard,

Economy/jobs/education College Admissions College Requirements Michigan Merit Core Curriculum Holt High School Requirements High Stakes Tests (ACT) Accumulated G.P.A. Scheduling Meetings

Our students face both national and international competition Our students face both national and international competition Research shows many students are not prepared to succeed in college or workplace Research shows many students are not prepared to succeed in college or workplace Courses like Algebra II are new gateway to higher paying jobs Courses like Algebra II are new gateway to higher paying jobs Michigan’s economic success is tied to a well- educated workforce “Mike Flanagan” Michigan’s economic success is tied to a well- educated workforce “Mike Flanagan” Why…Economic Survival

Adleman (1999) reports that the most reliable predictor of college success is the quality and intensity of the high school curriculum. Students who take a complete college-preparatory sequence of courses not only do better on college admissions, but are more likely to succeed once they are admitted. Adleman (1999) reports that the most reliable predictor of college success is the quality and intensity of the high school curriculum. Students who take a complete college-preparatory sequence of courses not only do better on college admissions, but are more likely to succeed once they are admitted.

Of 1 million first-time, full-time students who enter four-year colleges, fewer than 4 in 10 will graduate in 4 years, and 6 in 10 will graduate in 6 years. (Berkner, He, & Cataldi, 2002) Of 1 million first-time, full-time students who enter four-year colleges, fewer than 4 in 10 will graduate in 4 years, and 6 in 10 will graduate in 6 years. (Berkner, He, & Cataldi, 2002)

College-ready is Work-ready “…we know that the skills expected for college are also the skills needed to enter today’s workforce. So whether students plan further education or work after high school graduation, they need to graduate college-ready.” On Course for Success ACT

Earning Potential High School Graduates $25,900 High School Graduates $25,900 Non- high school $18,900 Non- high school $18,900 College Graduate $ 45,400 College Graduate $ 45,400 Masters $54,500 Masters $54,500 Doctorate $81,400 Doctorate $81,400 Professional degree (M.D., J.D., etc.) $99,300 Professional degree (M.D., J.D., etc.) $99,300 ( U.S. Census Bureau ) ( U.S. Census Bureau )

Admissions at Michigan Colleges Freshmen Fall 06 GPA ACT GPA ACT Grand Valley Grand Valley CMU CMU MSU MSU U of M U of M

Admissions Grand Valley Four years of English, (composition) Four years of English, (composition) Three years of CP math (2 years Algebra) Three years of CP math (2 years Algebra) Three years of science Three years of science Three years of social sciences Three years of social sciences Two years of a single foreign language Two years of a single foreign language Seven units of electives (math, computer, fine arts, etc.) Seven units of electives (math, computer, fine arts, etc.)

SB 1427, 2006 PA 623 To ensure Michigan's students have the skills and knowledge needed for the jobs of the 21st Century global economy, on April 20, 2006, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed into law a rigorous new set of statewide graduation requirements that are among the best in the nation. To ensure Michigan's students have the skills and knowledge needed for the jobs of the 21st Century global economy, on April 20, 2006, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed into law a rigorous new set of statewide graduation requirements that are among the best in the nation.

This law is a result of an extraordinary partnership between the Executive Branch, State Board of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Legislature and numerous education associations.

Michigan State Requirements : Class of 2011 English 4 years English 4 years Math4 years Math4 years Science3 years Science3 years Social Studies 3 years Social Studies 3 years P.E./Health 1 year P.E./Health 1 year Fine Arts1/2 year Fine Arts1/2 year Online experience – one experience Online experience – one experience World Language (starting with class of 2016) 2 years World Language (starting with class of 2016) 2 years

Holt High School Requirements Math09 trimesters4.5 credits Math09 trimesters4.5 credits English09 trimesters4.5 credits English09 trimesters4.5 credits Science07 trimesters3.5 credits Science07 trimesters3.5 credits Soc Std. 07 trimesters3.5 credits Soc Std. 07 trimesters3.5 credits Health/PE 2 trimesters 1 credit Health/PE 2 trimesters 1 credit Fine Arts 1 trimester 0.5 credit Fine Arts 1 trimester 0.5 credit Computers 1 trimester 0.5 credit Computers 1 trimester 0.5 credit

When does the new curriculum start? Class of credits of Math (currently 2 credits) Class of credits of Math (currently 2 credits) Class of Michigan Merit Curriculum 18 credits Class of Michigan Merit Curriculum 18 credits (current 8 th and 9 th graders) (current 8 th and 9 th graders)

Planning for Four Years Freshman Trimesters Subject Trimesters Subject 3Geometry 3Geometry 3English 3English 2U.S. History 2U.S. History 2Earth Science 2Earth Science 5Electives 5Electives

Sophomore TrimesterSubject TrimesterSubject 3Algebra 3Algebra 3English 3English 2World History* (A,B,orC) 2World History* (A,B,orC) 2Biology*(C,H) 2Biology*(C,H) 5Electives 5Electives

Junior TrimestersSubject TrimestersSubject 3Algebra II 3Algebra II 2English 2English 1Government 1Government 2Chemistry or Physics* 2Chemistry or Physics* 1Biology (E) 1Biology (E) 1World History(A,B,orC) 1World History(A,B,orC) 5-7Electives 5-7Electives

Senior TrimesterSubject TrimesterSubject 1Math Related 1Math Related 1English 1English 1Economics 1Economics 2Chemistry or Physics* 2Chemistry or Physics* 10-12Electives 10-12Electives

Merit Award 2008 and Beyond - use the Michigan Merit Exam (ACT). $1000 Fr., $1000 So, $2000 after 2 years 2.5 GPA or higher, or $4,000 Merit Award Scholarship after completing first two years post high school. 2.5 (michigan.gov/highschool) 2008 and Beyond - use the Michigan Merit Exam (ACT). $1000 Fr., $1000 So, $2000 after 2 years 2.5 GPA or higher, or $4,000 Merit Award Scholarship after completing first two years post high school. 2.5 (michigan.gov/highschool)

Teamwork makes the dream work. (students,parents,teachers)

Scheduling Meetings Next School Year (08/09) Next School Year (08/09) 9 th Theater 9 th Theater 10 th Library 10 th Library 11 th & 12th West M.I.C th & 12th West M.I.C. 113