Klein Forest High School

2013-2014

Course Registration for Current

9th, 10th, & 11th Graders

3 Requirements to Graduate:

1. Earn 26 State Credits.2. Pass required State Courses.3. Pass required End Of Course

(EOC) exams.

12-15 EOC tests over 3 years• 9th grade: English 1 – Reading/Writing,

World Geo, Algebra 1, Biology

• 10th grade: English 2 - Reading/Writing, World History, Geometry, Chemistry

• 11th grade: English 3 - Reading/Writing, US History, Algebra 2, Physics

• For more information go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

Graduation Requirements – EOC (EOC = End of Course Exams)

You must successfully pass at a Level II or above

Credits

• State Credits – count toward graduation– 26 state credits needed to graduate; – 1 Full Year class = 1 credit– 1 semester class = .5 credit

• Local Credits – do not count toward graduation (office aide, student leadership)

• Denied Credit – student does not earn credit due to excessive absences, even if passing grade in course

Transcripts

• A Transcript is the official record showing HS courses you have earned credit for while in middle school and high school.

How Do I Earn Grade Points?

• Apply to semester grades only

• Pre-AP, AP, GT, DC, and Advanced classes receive more grade points.

• A high grade in any class helps your GPA more than doing poorly in a class with more GPA points.

• “How to Calculate your GPA” Power Point is online at KFHS website- link to Counseling>College & Career.

CLASS RANKAfter all grade points are averaged for all

studentsat the end of the 6th semester or Junior year, students are ranked from those with the highestGPA to the lowest GPA.

Students also receive a temporary rank at the endof their sophomore year, so they can make plansand set goals for raising their GPA.

Plan For Your Future

Whatever you do NOW determines where you go in the future – choose wisely!

4 Year University

2 Year College

Military

Work

High School GRADUATION PLANS

• Recommended Plan

• Distinguished Plan

“To be eligible for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution, students must successfully complete the Recommended or Distinguished high school program.” --Texas Education Code (state law)

Graduation Plan Requirements

Discipline RECOMMENDED DISTINGUISHED

English 4 4

Math 4 4

Science 4 4

Social Studies 4 4

Foreign Language (same)

2 3

Comm. Application .5 .5

Fine Art 1 1

P.E./P.E. Equivalent 1 1

Additional Electives 5.5 4.5

TOTAL CREDITS 26 26

4 X 4 Distinguished Grad 4 – yr Plan Course of Study (DAP)

9th 10th 11th 12th

English I English II English III English IV

Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Pre-Calculus (or additional 4th yr

math)

Biology I Chem./Physics Chem./Physics 4th year lab science

World Geography World History U.S. History Govt./Eco

•3rd year of same Foreign Language

•4 Advanced Measures •AP scores, Dual Credit courses, Articulated courses, National Merit on PSAT

•IPC will count as an elective, not science credit for DAP

IPC may count as one of the 4 years of science credit needed for RAPBUT must be taken before Chemistry and Physics

4 X 4 Recommended Grad 4 – yr Plan Course of Study (RAP)

9th 10th 11th 12thEnglish I English II English III English IV

Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Pre-Calculus (or additional 4th yr

math)

Biology I IPC/Chem./Physics Chem./Physics Chem./Physics or 4th year lab

science

World Geography World History U.S. History Govt./Eco

Required Coursework

2 years of Foreign Language

• – Spanish

• – French

• – German

*Must take 2 years of the same language

Required Coursework1 year of Fine Art • – Art • – Band • – Orchestra • – Choir • – Theater (Performance or Technical) • – Dance • – Color Guard/Winter Guard • – Floral Design

Some classes require Audition and/or Group-Director Approval

Required Coursework

1 year of PE or Equivalent • – PE • – Athletics • – Cheerleading (S1 only, S2 Local) • – ROTC (S1&S2 waiver) • – Drill Team (S1 only, waiver) • – Marching Band (S1 only, w) • –Color Guard (S1 only, w)

• Can earn up to 4 PE credits

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Why take CTE?

– Learn about jobs

– Certifications

2 or 3-period classes require planning!

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

• Agriculture• Auto Tech• Business• Childcare• Cosmetology• Computer• Culinary• Health Science• Vet Tech• Additional classes

Additional Elective CreditsJournalism 1A survey course in all aspects of journalism. Prerequisite for

Yearbook and Newspaper classes

Students interested in Journalism:– •Are self-motivated– •Are self-disciplined– •Like to write– •Have a natural curiosity– •Are outgoing– •Like to read newspapers and magazines– •Like to watch or listen to the news– •Are interested in pop culture

Advanced AcademicsPre AP, AP, & Dual Credit

• Rigorous coursework & more homework • Preparation of AP/DC classes • Earn college credit • “Extra” grade points • Be better prepared for college • Advanced Measure for Distinguished Plan • Limited opportunity for schedule changes.

– Consider your schedule, extra-curricular activities, and other responsibilities.

Advanced Academics (Consider these guidelines)

• Pre-AP, AP, & DC classes are challenging & demanding!!

• Must be self-motivated & an independent worker!!!

• Must be willing to spend additional hours out of class completing research, projects & supplemental reading

• Must have/acquire good study skills & time management (use a planner and keep up with long-term projects)

– Pre-AP classes prepare you to take AP classes during your sophomore, junior and senior years of high school.

– AP/DC classes are college level, and they allow you to potentially earn college credit.

• PowerPoint Presentation/Course Selection Sheet during Eagle’s Nest

• Complete Course Selection Sheet/Four-Year Plan with input from parents

• Course request entry into Gradespeed during eagle’s Nest • Course Selection Meeting with House Counselor Meet for

final course selection and turn in Course Selection Sheet/Four-Year Plan

• Check requests on Gradespeed until 3/1/2013 • Course verification in April/May

Deadline to request Schedule Changes is June 14, 2013, as set by the district

Course Selection Process

Course Selection SheetKey

* = Semester Course + = Approval Required$ = Fee RequiredF = Form Required▲ = Prerequisite Required (must have taken

another course before you can take chosen one)

Checking a course does not mean you will automatically get that class – you

must chooses alternates also!!!!!

Choosing Courses• You MUST select 7 classes (4 core classes + 3 electives)

– 4 classes must consist of core courses:• English• Math• Science• Social Studies

– 3 classes must consist of at least 3 of the following:• CTE Electives• Foreign Language• Fine Arts• PE/Athletics• Technology Application Electives

• 1 full year class = 1 period• 2 semester classes = 1 period

You MUST ALSO select 3 Alternatives (in case your 1st choice electives are not available

Online Data Entry

• Access online Course Selection portal through Gradespeed using student URL

• Select courses using drop-down menus (with Course Selection Sheet from previous day)

• Meet with Counselor (in next 2 weeks)• Bring 4-Year Plan & Course Selection Sheet • Review at home via Parent Connection

Access to the student/parent portal will end onFriday, March 1st 2013.

Four Year Plan

• Use pencil.• Decide on graduation plan.• Include classes from middle school

where you earned HS credit.• Fill in the blanks with the classes you

plan to take in HS (some pre-filled). • Check required classes.• Turn in with Course Selection Sheet to

your counselor when you are called in for your course selection meeting.

Name_____________________

ID #_________________

School Year__________________

Tips on High School Success

ATTENDANCE – cannot learn if you are not present Get involved with activities. Do service work (volunteer).

Student Council, Key Club, etc. Make time to study every night. Study before the Exams Ask for help from your teachers, before and after

school Attend free tutorials before or after school Get to know your Counselor!

1. Complete your 4 Year Plan.

2. Complete your Course Request Selections – on Course Selection Sheet & online.

3. Turn them in to your counselor when you are called in for your Course Selection Meeting.

REMEMBER

NO CHANGES after June 14th, 2013

Questions