1. East Limestone High School 9 th Grade Orientation Class of 2019 Parent/Student Meeting April 14, 2015

2. Goals of PLAN 2020  Increase the graduation rate  Help students obtain industry credentials  Lowered college remediation class rates  Decrease the gap of graduation rates from selected subgroups  Improve attendance rates

3. College and Career Readiness Indicators Every Child a Graduate, Every Child Prepared  Benchmark Score on any section of the ACT (Reading,22; English, 18; Mathematics, 22; Science,23)  Qualifying score on an AP or IB exam (3,4,5)  Approved transcripted college or postsecondary credit while in high school  Approved industry credential (2 consecutive years in the SAME CTE course and PASS the credentials assessment)  Benchmark level on ACT WorkKeys (** Silver level) These indicators will gauge the annual progress of education in Alabama through the year 2020.

4. National Career Readiness Certificate Bronze - scores at least a level 3 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 16 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys databaseBronze - scores at least a level 3 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 16 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database **Silver - scores at least a level 4 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 67 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database**Silver - scores at least a level 4 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 67 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database Gold - scores at least a level 5 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 93 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys databaseGold - scores at least a level 5 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 93 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database Platinum - scores at least a level 6 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 99 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys databasePlatinum - scores at least a level 6 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 99 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database

5. Graduation Requirements for the Alabama High School Diploma 1) A student must earn 24 Carnegie units (credits). 2) Successful completion of an online experience, through an ACCESS course or by participating in an online experience embedded into courses that fulfill this requirement. (English 10 – 12 and Career Preparedness)

6. In January 2013 the Alabama State Department of Education approved the one diploma option, the ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA for all students beginning with the ninth-grade class of 2013 – 2014. There are no state endorsements to this diploma. For these students this diploma option replaces all variations of the prior diploma. The purpose for this change is to allow more flexibility for students to address their individual interest and plans for college and career.

7. ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA This one approach to the Alabama High School Diploma removes the need for endorsements or the Alabama Occupational Diploma. The focus will be on the coursework taken that necessitates a clearly articulated and individualized four-year high school plan built for each student based on the results from the EXPLORE academic and career interest assessment and middle school coursework.

8. Limestone County Honors Seal Beginning with the 2013-2014 Ninth Grade Class (Class of 2017 and Beyond) The Limestone County Schools Honor Seal was created to recognize those students willing to challenge themselves by enrolling in more rigorous coursework. To earn this seal affixed to the Alabama High School Diploma, a student must successfully complete all state requirements and the following additional requirements: The Limestone County Schools Honor Seal was created to recognize those students willing to challenge themselves by enrolling in more rigorous coursework. To earn this seal affixed to the Alabama High School Diploma, a student must successfully complete all state requirements and the following additional requirements: Complete a minimum of 12 Advanced/AP/Dual Enrollment Courses Complete a minimum of 12 Advanced/AP/Dual Enrollment Courses Graduate with a minimum weighted grade average of 3.5 Graduate with a minimum weighted grade average of 3.5

9. Credits Students must earn 24 credits before graduation. Each full year course counts for one credit. Each semester course counts for ½ credit. Students must pass the course in order to receive the credit. Students who are on the East campus all day may earn 7 credits per year. Students who attend the Career/Technical Center may earn 6 credits per year.

10. The Career Technical Center is available ½ day for students in grades 10-12. Students must pre-register in order to attend the CTC. Only 9 credits can be earned at the CTC which includes any credits earned in history or skills lab. All students attending the CTC will take the appropriate grade level history course there.

11. Credits Continued  ELHS all day – 4 years 7 x 4 = 28 credits 7 x 4 = 28 credits  Tech Option * ELHS 9 th – 7 credits * ELHS 9 th – 7 credits * Tech 3 x 6 = 18 credits * Tech 3 x 6 = 18 credits * 7 + 8 = 25 credits * 7 + 8 = 25 credits

12. High School Facts / Issues GPA- stands for Grade Point Average. This is very important for college admissions and scholarships. GPA is a 4 point scale and is based on a student’s grade in a class. Advanced courses carry a higher weight because they are more difficult. (Example: A in standard course, 4 points; A in advanced course, 4.5 points.) A in standard course, 4 points; A in advanced course, 4.5 points.)

13. Class Ranking The Grade Point Average (GPA) will be used when determining student class rankings. If there is a tie using the GPA, then and only then will the numerical average (carried out to the appropriate number of decimal places) be used in order to break the tie. The Grade Point Average (GPA) will be used when determining student class rankings. If there is a tie using the GPA, then and only then will the numerical average (carried out to the appropriate number of decimal places) be used in order to break the tie.

14. High School Facts / Issues Transcript – this is a record of a student’s high school academic career. It includes each course taken and the grade earned in that course. This starts in the 9 th grade and continues through graduation. This is the document sent to colleges, scholarship organizations, employers, etc., to verify a student’s high school record.

15. Secondary Promotion Requirements As a 9 th grader, a student must have passed all 8 th grade requirements. In an effort to encourage student to graduate on time, within a four year period, high school students in grades 9-12 will be placed in a 9 th grade homeroom their first year, 10 th grade the second year, 11 th grade the third year, and 12 th grade their fourth year. Students are expected to make reasonable progress by passing courses in logical and sequential order. For a student to be considered a candidate for graduation during the 12 th year, they must be able to complete the state required 24 Carnegie Units and all other state and local requirements. Students not meeting all requirements for graduation at the end of the fourth year will be retained in the 12 th grade. For a student to be considered a candidate for graduation during the 12 th year, they must be able to complete the state required 24 Carnegie Units and all other state and local requirements. Students not meeting all requirements for graduation at the end of the fourth year will be retained in the 12 th grade.

16. No Pass/No Play Athletics and other extra-curricular activities are valued parts of our schools. Students must maintain high academic standards in order to participate in these activities. For the immediate preceding school year: Athletics and other extra-curricular activities are valued parts of our schools. Students must maintain high academic standards in order to participate in these activities. For the immediate preceding school year: High School - Students entering grades 10-12 must have passed 6 subjects that total 6 Carnegie units of credit with a minimum composite numerical average of 70 (must include the four core: English, Math, Science and Social Studies) High School - Students entering grades 10-12 must have passed 6 subjects that total 6 Carnegie units of credit with a minimum composite numerical average of 70 (must include the four core: English, Math, Science and Social Studies)

17. We begin a cohort by selecting all first time ninth grade students and then tracking those students as they move through the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades and adding any students who transfer into the cohort and removing any students who transfer out. The fact that a student is retained at any point does not change their cohort. Cohort Status

18. Four Year Plan Each 8 th grader will complete a 4-year plan. This document will project possible courses for the student to take during his or her high school career. This plan should reflect courses designed to prepare a student for his or her college/career goal. These plans will be reviewed yearly and adjusted as students’ narrow their education/career goals. Done through the Alabama Career Information Network www.alcareerinfo.org www.alcareerinfo.org

19. RequiredCourses

20. 9 th Grade Courses - English  English 9  Advanced English *Any student may take either course; advanced course requires department approval *GPA on Advanced English will be weighted.

21. 9 th Grade Courses - Math  Algebra IA  Algebra I  Advanced Geometry –(must have passed Algebra I in 8 th grade) * GPA is weighted for Algebra I and Adv. Geometry

22. Math Pathways Standard maths Advanced maths Algebra IAAlgebra I Algebra IBAdvanced Geometry GeometryAlgebra II/ Trig Algebra IIPre-Calculus Analytical Math AP/Calculus

23. 9 th Grade Courses – Science  Biology  Advanced Biology (deparmtment approval) Students may take either course (department approval) Students may take either course (department approval) GPA for Advanced Biology will be weighted GPA for Advanced Biology will be weighted

24. 9 th Grade Courses – Social Studies  9 th Grade World History  Adv. 9 th World History – (department approval) Any student on either diploma may take either course (department approval) Any student on either diploma may take either course (department approval) GPA for Advanced 9 th Grade World History will be weighted. GPA for Advanced 9 th Grade World History will be weighted.

25. Required Electives Required Electives  **Health –½ credit  **Career Preparedness – 1 credit  **Life PE –1 credit We like to schedule these electives for students in the 9 th grade so that in grades 10-12, they will be ready to attend the Career Technical Center to earn CTE credits.

26. Other Elective Options Choose One  Arts Survey – ½ credit  Creative Writing – ½ credit  Humanities – ½ credit  Mass media – ½ credit  Journalism – ½ credit  Speech – ½ credit  Contemporary Issues – 1/2 credit  Theatre I – ½ credit ($15 fee)  Driver Education –½ credit ($50 fee)  Fish and Wildlife – ½ credit ($20 fee_  Spanish I* - 1 credit  Spanish II* - 1 credit  *Band 9 th and Auxiliary Band* – Dance Team, Flag team – 1 credit *Students taking a foreign language or Band will take their Health class in 10 th grade.

27. When tests are given: Replacing ACT Explore and PLAN with ACT AspireACT Quality Core EOC English 10 Algebra I (currently, may change) 10 th Grade – ACT Aspire 11 th Grade – ACT with Writing 12 th Grade – ACT WorkKeys

28. Questions? E-mail me at debbie.poland@lcsk12.org E-mail me at debbie.poland@lcsk12.orgdebbie.poland@lcsk12.org Call me at 256-233-6660, ext. 3007 Call me at 256-233-6660, ext. 3007

29. Final Thoughts Pre-registration will be done this Thursday and Friday in your child’s English class. Please look over the white sheet they bring home, going over their class choices. Changes may be made if necessary before you sign. Sign the sheet and return it to their teacher by Monday, please!