Tangipahoa Parish School System

Academic Information2010-2011

An Overview of Graduation Requirements, Academic Endorsements,

and Honors and AP® Courses

Diploma Tracks

Three paths to take for incoming freshmen 2008-2009 and beyond…• Louisiana Core 4 Curriculum

• All students are enrolled in the Core 4 Curriculum at least two years.

• Louisiana Basic Core Curriculum• Students may move to the Basic Core after

two years in high school.

• Career Diploma

Where can each diploma path take you?

• The Louisiana Core 4 Diploma is required by most 4-year colleges and universities.

• Louisiana Basic 4 Diploma qualifies students for 2-year colleges, technical schools, and some 4-year colleges.

• The Career Diploma is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce upon high school graduation.

Louisiana Core 4 Course Requirements*4 units of English

4 units of Math

4 units of Science

4 units of Social Studies

2 units of Foreign Language or Speech

1 unit of Arts

1½ units of PE (or ROTC)

½ unit of Health

3 Electives______________________________

Total 24 credits

*For a list of the required courses for this diploma track, click on the link for Louisiana Core 4 Course Requirements.

Basic Core Requirements*

4 units of English

4 units of Math

3 units of Science

3 units of Social Studies

1½ units of PE (or ROTC)

½ unit of Health

8 Electives______________________________

Total 24 credits

*For a list of the required courses for this diploma track, click on the link for Basic Core Requirements.

Career Diploma Requirements*

4 units of English

4 units of Math

3 units of Science

3 units of Social Studies

1½ units of PE (or ROTC)

½ unit of Health

8 Electives______________________________

Total 23 credits

*For a list of the required courses for this diploma track, click on the link for Career Diploma Requirements.

LA Core 4 Curriculum

• All 9th grade students will be enrolled • After 2 years, students can opt out with

parental permission• Curriculum requires students to complete

4 units of English, math, science, and social studies

• Will be required for entry into a 4-year college

What Must a Student Do to Earn Any Standard Diploma?

• Meet attendance requirements

• Complete the LA Core 4 Curriculum or “Opt Out” course requirements

• Pass required End-of-Course Tests: English II or III; Algebra I or Geometry; Biology or American History (Excellent, Good, Fair)

Diploma Endorsements

What is a Diploma Endorsement?

A diploma endorsement indicates a student has completed requirements beyond those for a standard diploma.

• Purposes– To enhance students’ junior/senior

years– To provide a focus for education or

work after high school• Types of endorsements

– Academic– Career/Technical

Career/Technical Endorsement

Courses: Louisiana Core 4 Curriculum Area of Concentration: 4 primary elective credits and 2 related

elective credits including 1 computer course.

GEE: Score Basic or above on all four components of the GEE.

GPA/ACT: Currently 2.5/20

Performance Indicators: Approved IBC OR 3 articulated CT college

hours plus 90 hours work-based learning OR Senior Project related to area of concentration with 20 hours of work-based learning

Academic EndorsementCourses: LA Core 4+ Curriculum

Area of Concentration: Complete the LA Core 4+ Curriculum

GEE : Basic or above in all 4 components OR one of the following combinations with ELA at Basic or

above: A. 1 Approaching Basic, 1 Mastery or Advanced, and Basic or above in the remaining two OR

B. 2 Approaching Basic and 2 Mastery or above.

GPA/ACT: Currently 2.5/ 23

PerformanceIndicators: Senior Project OR Carnegie Unit in AP course with

exam score of 3 or higher OR 1 Carnegie Unit in an IB course with a score of 4 or higher OR 3 college hours of non-remedial, articulated credit in science, math, English, social studies, or foreign language

Honors and AP® Courses

What are Honors Courses?

Honors courses are developed locally by high school teachers to help meet the needs of accelerated students. Honors classes offer the same curriculum that non-honors classes offer but are more challenging. Honors courses are faster-paced and cover topics more in-depth.

Who is eligible to take an honors course?

Students may be considered for honors if they meet three of four of the following criteria: – Minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA)

of 2.8– Minimum subject area average of 3.0. – Teacher recommendation based on a subject-

area checklist.

– Score Mastery or Advanced on LEAP or EOC test in subject area.

Advanced Placement® (AP) Courses

Through AP® courses, students can take college-level courses without leaving their high school campuses. However, college credit can only be earned if the student takes the official AP® exam in the subject and scores a 3 or better (on a scale of 1 to 5).

AP® courses are available to all Tangipahoa high school students through Louisiana Virtual School, an on-line instructional program.

What are advantages of taking Honors

and AP® Courses?

You can gain an edge in the college admission process.

College admission officers look for students who take rigorous courses. It shows them that you like to challenge yourself.

You may be able to earn college credit for AP courses.If you take AP® courses, you may be able to get college credit depending on how you score on a comprehensive examination in the subject. Most colleges will give credit for scores of 3 or higher on AP exams (AP range is 1-5) and scores of 5 or higher on IB exams (IB range is 1-7).

You can develop study habits that will prepare you for college.

College courses are more rigorous than standard high school classes. By taking the more challenging honors classes in high school, you will be better prepared to succeed in college.

For answers to questions, contact your school

counselor.