1. February 1 and 8, 2016

2. FREE SAT @ LHS April 12 Registration at Lamar this month Free SAT test prep at khanacademy.org

3. J uniors are receiving information on their credits, graduation requirements and course options for senior year. Course requests are made in a meeting with their Academic Deans

4. Materials and selections go home for parent review after the student meetings Course Requests are made at student meeting (See attachment 1) Course Verifications (3) are for review and changes (if needed) (See attachment 2)  All changes are made on the verification sheet

5. April/MayCourse choices available for review & changes 3 times August Schedule mailed home for review and limited changes as needed

6. Choose Carefully: 1.Do not plan on making changes after school begins 2.Best way to get it as you like is to have it correct by the third verification received in May 3.Changes are made as space is available 4.Schedule is based on student requests and available staffing

7. 4 credits of English 4 credits of Math 4 credits of Social Studies 4 credits of Science 2 credits of a language other than English

8. 1 credit of PE or equivalent 1 credit in Fine Arts ½ credit in Health ½ credit in Speech 5 credits of Electives 26 credits total

9. Graduation Requirements 4 credits of math Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry and a fourth math Fourth Math: Precalculus or Advanced Quantative Reasoning (Application of concepts in Algebra & Geometry)

10. Advanced Quantitative Reasoning Cannot start with Precalculus and move to AQR in January. Credit must be from the same class. Must complete both semesters of Algebra 2 before AQR

11. Graduation Requirements 4 credits of science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and a fourth science Fourth Science: IB Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics Anatomy, Aquatic Science(Recommended) IPC (only if taken before Chemistry & Physics)

12. 4 th Science To earn graduation credit in SCIENCE: Credit for both semesters must be earned in the same science You cannot move from one science to another for the spring semester

13. Health and speech are both required for the Class of 2017. There are 3 ways to complete this requirement (all require counselor approval): 1.Summer school 2.Online Grad Lab 3.Outside institution

14. 1.Free in summer school 2.Free via Grad Lab online. 3. Outside institutions have fees attached

15. Through May 15, 2014, your student may have opted to graduate under the HB5 rules for graduation. The graduation requirements are the same as the Recommended High School Program your student is graduating under, but the HB5 requirement eliminates speech and adds another semester of an elective in its place.

16. Your student’s graduation plan will change from the Recommended High School Program to the Distinguished Level of Achievement Program. The only course change that will be required is that a semester of an elective will be needed instead of Speech.

17. HB 5 requires students to complete an endorsement - a 4 year sequence of courses in an area of interest to them. The “Multidisciplinary Endorsement” requires more math and science which Lamar graduates complete as our minimum graduation requirements, so no other course selections are needed.

18. If excessive unexcused absences are earned in any class, credit will be denied for the semester. Fall semester – over three absences Spring semester – over four absences (Depends on number of days in semester so number may fluctuate)

19. Students who…....have credit appeal denied...did not file credit appeals …failed courses needed to graduate Have 3 options before next year: Summer School Online coursework free through Grad Lab Online Course – Texas Tech $$

20. Students who have lost credit due to absences or failed classes needed to graduate will not be rescheduled into the class. Students will be scheduled into one “Grad Lab” period where they can retake the course(s) online or attend summer school at no charge.

21. Online/Correspondence will not be approved for completion of graduation requirements during senior year to allow room for Off Campus SOLUTION: Complete Summer School or Correspondence before the fall semester begins. See your Academic Dean soon for approval

22.  College Instructors come to Lamar to teach college level classes for HCC AND IB credit  Students must register in the fall are required to take the end of the year exam for IB credit  Dual Credit classes are not for IB Diploma testing

23.  Free tuition for HCC Central residents  Purchase textbooks  Students must take the IB exam. Registration fees for IB exams apply ($194.00) Student assistance available to those in the free or reduced lunch program

24. HCC/IBSL English 4 HCC/IBSL Psychology (online) BOTH are full year, 2 semesters Students are required to be in both semesters These courses are not for IB Diploma testing classes

25. For Eligibility Approval: Ms. Sue Ling in the College Corner 713-942-3339 cgranger@houstonisd.org

26. Free tuition in the summer for dual credit classes at HCC Central Campus No high school credit for summer courses Approval is required and begins at Lamar See Ms. Sue Ling in the College Corner after spring break for information

27. Off campus is a privilege and not a right Off Campus is not recommended for students applying to selective universities Seniors must take 1 Advanced Academic course for each requested period of Off Campus (PDP, IB, AP, Dual Credit) Students must leave the campus during the Off Campus period

28. Seniors may take only one non-credited course each day (Study Lab, Grad Lab, Student Assistant, STARR review, Off Campus) No student will be placed in Off Campus if in Grad Lab. Off Campus is only available to seniors who need 7.5 or fewer credits in August to graduate

29.  Above all, they look for a strong record in difficult classes  Continued rigor in senior year  An improving transcript rather than one in decline  Improved communication skills especially writing  Involvement in outside activities

30. Texas A & M admission Through Algebra 2 plus credit in advanced math: Pre-calculus or IB Math UT Austin Units Plus Admissions bump for having courses over the minimum in 2 of 3 subject areas: Math, Science and Foreign Language

31. Adding a PDP or IBDP class? Complete an Advanced Academics assessment form If in IBDP now, add another on your course selection sheet without additional paperwork

32. Take as much as you can: MATH SCIENCE LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH If having trouble with PDP/IB, change to recommended level rather than dropping the subject for the senior year

33. Work/Study Magnet Internship – Coach Nolen Supervised work experience for magnet seniors at Houston area corporations Career Prep – Ms. Branch Option for seniors not in magnet  Work at businesses supervised by Lamar teachers  EARN $$ while you LEARN Salary plus high school credit earned Leave school early because of work schedule

34. Visit colleges when possible Spring Break is a great time Private or out of state colleges Have your list ready this summer Community Service Colleges usually ask for this on applications

35. Make an ACT/SAT plan The free SAT @ LHS on April 12 th counts. Encourage your junior to prepare Consider taking the ACT in the spring of junior year If the needed score is not met, take the SAT/ACT test again in fall of senior year

36. Review Information  Copy of transcript grades and courses will be sent home with course selection materials  Check transcript received in summer for accuracy before final fall rank is determined in October  Review applications for needed information: www. applytexas.com; www.commonapp.org  Essays often do not change for the next year

37. Next Up: Choosing a College: April 4 Thanks for coming