Melissa HadderCounselor

Alabama High School Diploma Options for Students Entering 9th

Grade during or after the 2009-10 School Year, but

prior to the 2011-12 School Year

Types of Diplomas• Advanced Academic Endorsement – Must

pass all five sections of the AHSGE, take Algebra II with Trigonometry, and two foreign language credits

• Advanced Academic Endorsement with Distinction – 4 or more AP classes

• Advanced Academic Endorsement with Honors – 3 AP classes

• Advanced Academic Endorsement with Merit -2 AP classes

• Only students earning a Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement will be eligible to be considered for Valedictorian.

Standard Alabama High School Diploma

• REQUIRES an OPT OUT LETTER• Must pass all five sections of the

AHSGE and coursework• If you take Algebra IA, you will not

be eligible for Advanced Diploma and MUST sign the OPT OUT letter.

Other types of Diplomas

• Alabama High School Diploma with Career/Technical Endorsement – Must pass all five sections of the AHSGE, coursework, and pass three career technical courses.

• Advanced Career Technical Endorsement – Must pass all five sections of AHSGE and all coursework, including courses in the advanced academic endorsement, except for foreign language. Must also pass 3 career tech courses.

Other Types of Diplomas

• Credit-Based Endorsement – Must pass three out of five sections of the AHSGE, including reading and math and complete coursework.

• Alabama Occupational Diploma – Students not required to pass AHSGE; Only available to students in Special Education.

Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement

• Must earn 24 credits• English 9,10,11,12• Social Studies – World History, US History to 1877,

US History from 1877, ½ Government, ½ Economics

• Math – Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II with Trigonometry, 1 Additional Math from approved list

• Science (4) – Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, AP Biology

• 1 year of PE LIFE or 2 years of Marching Band• 2 Consecutive years of Foreign Language• ½ Credit of each of the following: Health, Fine

Arts, Computer Applications (or 1 year of BTA)• 3 ½ Additional Electives

Alabama High School Diploma

• Must earn 24 credits• English 9,10,11,12• Social Studies – World History, US History to 1877, US

History from 1877, ½ Government, ½ Economics• Math – Algebra 1 or Algebra A and B, Geometry, 1 or 2

additional math courses to equal four total credits• Science – Biology, Physical Science, 2 additional

science courses• 1 year of PE LIFE or 2 years of Marching Band• ½ Credit of each of the following: Health, Fine Arts,

Computer Applications (or 1 year of BTA)• 5 ½ Additional Electives

Alabama High School Diploma with Career/Technical

Endorsement

• Students may earn a career/technical endorsement upon the completion of a sequenced program of career/technical courses. The first requirement for this component is Business Technology Application (Computer).

Alabama Occupational Diploma

• IEP team decision• 4 X 4 course requirements• Must have an approved portfolio• Occupational Diploma courses do

not count towards the Regular or Advanced Academic Diploma

• Work requirement will be explained during the IEP process.

Alabama High School Diploma with Credit Based Endorsement

• Same coursework required for the Standard Alabama Diploma, EXCEPT the student must have at least one full, additional credit for a Career Technical Class (In addition to BTA)

• Must pass at least 3 parts of the AHSGE, including Reading and Math

• Must Apply for this Diploma type after taking the AHSGE in the spring of the senior year, and not passing 2 of the parts. Must attempt to pass all parts of the AHSGE every time the test is offered through spring of the senior year.

Alabama High School Graduation Exam

• Must pass all five areas, Reading, Language, Science, Social Studies and Math to graduate

• Students who have completed Algebra I will take the Math portion in the fall.

• Tenth graders take the Pre-Graduation exam in the Spring of their Sophomore year.

• Juniors and Seniors, who have not passed certain portions, take the Graduation Exam according to the SDE approved schedule until graduation

Advanced Placement Program• The following AP Courses will be offered at SCHS:

– AP Language (11th Grade)

– AP Literature (12th Grade)

– AP Chemistry

– AP Biology

– AP Calculus AB

– AP US History (11th Grade)

– AP Government (12th Grade)

– AP Art

We recommend that all capable students challenge themselves with the most rigorous curriculum possible. Students with an A or a B in the subject area, who are motivated to succeed should take one or more of these courses, with parent approval. Students enrolled in an AP class must take the AP exam.

Dual Enrollment / Dual Credit and Early College Opportunities

• Dual Enrollment / Dual Credit agreements with Jefferson State Community College, Central Alabama Community College, Wallace Community College, The University of Montevallo, and The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

DE / DC Details• Students will receive ½ credit for successful

completion of a semester college course.

• Courses are taught and graded at the college level, and students must follow college procedures for enrollment, but still comply with the Shelby County code of conduct and attendance policy.

• Parents and students will be responsible for transportation and all tuition and fees.

DE / DC Eligibility• Student must have passed all parts of the AHSGE and

have a “B” average in high school classes.• Students must have written approval from parent,

counselor, principal, high school coordinator, and superintendent of schools. (Forms available from guidance counselor)

• Students must be in grades 11 or 12.• Courses must count as electives; no core courses will

be approved. Only electives that are not offered at the student’s high school will be approved.

Early College• Options available online through The University of

Alabama.• Students who have completed the first semester of 10th

grade are eligible.• Students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point

average for admission. Rounding is not allowed.• Students may earn up to 30 hours of college credit.

Students who earn at least 18 hours, with a 2.5 + GPA are eligible for admission to UA without submitting ACT / SAT scores.

• Partial scholarships are available.• Apply at uaearlycollege.ua.edu

Early College

• Classes will be offered through the University of Montevallo.

• Details will be shared as they become available.

• Classes will meet at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center.

• Students must have a B average for eligibility.

Valedictorian / Salutatorian Selection Procedures

• Students who will earn the Alabama High School Diploma with Advanced Academic Endorsement with a 4.00 GPA or better will be recognized as Valedictorians.

• Students attaining a 3.80 to a 3.99 who will earn either the Advanced or Standard Alabama High School Diploma will be recognized as Salutatorians.

NCAA Clearinghouse• All potential college athletes must apply and be

considered eligible.

• Official ACT / SAT scores must be sent to the NCAA Clearinghouse (Code: 9999)

• Register online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

• Students should register with the clearinghouse during their junior year.

School of Technology• Career Technical Programs are available for ½ day

attendance. Most programs are available to juniors and seniors. Some are open to sophomores.

• The CAPS Program is offered to students who are interested in attending the SOT all day. Interview is required with Patti Fant.

• The SUCCESS Program is available to a limited number of students who need to make up several credits. Students must be recommended by counselor and administrators.

Course Selection Process• Need teacher recommendation for

honors and AP level courses - English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

• Students who are recommended for advanced level courses should take them.

• Students should complete the required electives first: PE credit, Health, Fine Arts, or BTA / Computer Application

• These electives should be completed prior to SOT application.

Registration Deadlines• Return all registration materials to your

English teacher no later than February 4, 2011.

• See your counselor for additional applications for SOT, Dual Enrollment / Dual Credit, and Early College.

• If you do not return your registration form, courses will be selected for you.

• Selected electives will not be guaranteed enrollment. Upperclassmen will be given first opportunity to enroll in selected electives. Select alternate electives carefully.

Additional Points to Ponder

• “Give Me Five” program – Each student, grades 9-12, is required to have 5 hours of community service through a non-profit organization. Always due on April 15th

• Excessive absences can result in loss of credit for course(s) – NCA

• Academic success in 9th grade and beyond will impact your entire educational future.

• Colleges favor students who have challenged themselves with the most rigorous curriculum possible. Do your best!

Future Planning• Students in grades 9 and 10 should prepare for

college by attaining the highest grades possible in the most rigorous classes possible, and should register to take the PSAT and PLAN in 10th grade.

• Students should begin looking at college websites and begin considering potential majors.

• Students should be active in at least one extracurricular activity the entire four years of high school.

• Students should keep a list of community involvement and awards.

Future Planning, Continued• Students in 11th grade should register to take the

ACT and / or SAT. (www.actstudent.org / www.collegeboard.com )

• Students who receive free / reduced lunch are eligible for 2 ACT fee waivers in 11th or 12th grade.

• 11th graders should contact colleges / visit during the summer before senior year. Apply as soon as possible.

• Check scholarship deadlines. Prepare essays and resume.

Finally…

• See your guidance counselor as often as you need to!

• Be organized

• Don’t procrastinate!