1. High School Diploma Update
Edith K. Pickens
March 7, 2013

2. High School Diploma Update
New diploma is for ninth graders.
There will be one Alabama High School diploma.
HCS Policy defines Honor Graduates and we will continue to recognize these students.
Provisions are in place to allow Alabama Occupational Diploma students to meet their diploma requirements based on extended standards.

3. Career Preparedness – Freshman Success
New Course:
Career Preparedness – Freshman Success
Career Preparedness is a graduation requirement.
This course will be a part of HCS Freshman Transition and we will locally name this course Freshman Success.
This course includes career exploration, computer applications, online experience and financial literacy.
Local components will include study skills, note taking skills, high school success strategies, and developing the ten year plan.

4. Career Preparedness - Freshman Success
Students may take both semesters to receive full benefit of the course.
Students who passed BTA in 8th grade may elect to take Career Preparedness/Part B and another semester elective offered at their school. Part B focuses on financial literacy.
Counselors can assist students and parents in course selection and planning.

5. ALSDE Alignment of Courses
The ALSDE has developed a list of exact courses that may be offered. Systems must use the state course names, descriptions and numbers. The SDE determines whether courses will be full year courses or semester courses.
Alignment of courses helps students who transfer from one system to another so that students have similar course opportunities.

6. 2013 – 14 Course Changes in Credits:
Changed from Full Year to Semester:
Fundamentals of Art
Changed from Semester to Full Year: Ceramics Exploring Prose
Crafts Holocaust Through Literature
Drawing Myth and Fable
Graphic Production Technical Theatre
Painting Public Speaking
Photography Entrepreneurship
Sales & Promotion Psychology I and II
Bible as Literature Psychology AP
Debate Sociology
Exploring Poetry Contemporary World Issues