WELCOME TO THE 9TH & 10TH GRADE PARENT MEETING

Tonight we will give you a brief review of:

➢ Credits➢ Seven Habits/Accountability/HAC➢ Character Strong➢ Grade Point Average (GPA)➢ new changes in grading policy➢ End of Course exams (STAAR)➢ Graduation plans/Endorsements ➢ Required Electronic Signature➢ Miller Career Center visit➢ College Planning

Grade level classificationStudents are classified based on the year they first entered 9th grade and the number of academic credits they have earned at the beginning of each school year.All graduation plans require a total of 26 credits.

Students must have:➢ 5.5 credits to be classified as Sophomore ➢ 12 credits to be classified as a Junior➢ 19 credits to be classified as a Senior➢ 26 minimum credits to graduate

GPA & Grading Scale

10th Graders

9th Graders

Calculating a GPA� Grade Point Averages are calculated PER SEMESTER

◦ We do not average grades for the year to determine GPA.� Pre-AP and AP classes are weighted – 5.0 maximum grade points� Dual Credit courses are weighted – 4.5 maximum grade points.� Academic courses are unweighted – 4.0 maximum grade points.

Current Sophomores Current Freshmen

A student’s grade point average is derived by dividing the total number of grade points by the number of semester courses attempted, including high school credit courses taken in junior high.

Class rank is first officially calculated during the SPRING semester of the JUNIOR year and is updated after each subsequent semester.

➢ Students in the top 10% will be provided their exact class rank in the spring semester of the junior year.

➢ All students beyond the top 10% will receive quartile rank in the spring semester of the junior year.

➢ Transcripts will reflect exact class rank for the top 10% only, and will reflect quartile rank for students in the first, second and third quartiles.

GPA & Class Rank

➢ Acknowledges student achievement without specifically identifying each student’s rank within the quartile.

➢ Is consistent with most Texas public colleges’ assured admissions policies in combination with SAT/ACT scores.

➢ Is intended to reduce unhealthy competition, stress and pressure on students.

➢ Is intended to encourage continued participation in extra/co-curricular activities aligned with student interest.

https://tinyurl.com/GradingPolicyKISD

Benefits of Quartile Ranking

7 Habits of Successful Spartans

1. Go to class on time2. Always do homework3. Attend tutorials4. Listen in class5. Take good notes6. Ask for help7. Retest if possible

❖ Teachers are your first line of defense:❖ Teachers want students to❖ ASK FOR HELP➢ Discuss Grades➢ Attend Tutorials➢ Learn appropriate Study skills

Accountability

HOME ACCESS CENTER (HAC)

The Home Access Center provides an online grade book where parents and guardians can view helpful student information to support and guide their children through the educational process. From home or work, at any time of the day or night, parents can access the Web portal to track academic achievement.  E-mail links are also available throughout the portal so parents can communicate with the school and teachers.

FeaturesProvides parents and students with a daily summary page of student information Features schedule and attendance, class work, test scores and course requests Allows students to view their own records in the system to help keep them informed about their progress

BenefitsEngages parents via an Internet parental portal, connecting them with the classroom and providing them with relevant and timely information to support/direct their children Helps open a consistent avenue of parent teacher communication Creates stronger connections between students, parents, teachers and administrators Empowers students to actively take a roll in their progress and future

http://www.katyisd.org/Documents/Home%20Access%20Center%20FAQ.pdf

"When We Teach The Whole Child, The Whole School Benefits."

MORE THAN A CURRICULUM - IT'S A CULTURE.

The research shows that when a school takes time to cultivate a culture of character and develop social-emotional skills, grades go up and bad behavior goes down. It makes sense - when kids feel safe and supported, they perform better and WANT to be here - at school. When students learn the value of kindness, service, and empathy, they don't just walk out of school being competent at math and science - they walk away being capable, compassionate people. And couldn't we use a few more of those around?

Facilitated by Seven Lakes

Teachers

6 to 8 character lessons per Semester

The following five end-of-course exams are required:

End-of-Course Exam Requirements

• English I Reading and Writing*• English II Reading and Writing*• Algebra I• Biology• US history

Students must pass each of the five EOC exams to meet state graduation requirements.

Instructions for electronic signature/endorsement According to House Bill 5, it is mandatory for students and parents to provide a signature confirming the endorsement declared by the student.

The Personal Graduation Plan form (4 YEAR PLAN) will provide a mandatory electronic signature as confirmation of your student’s current endorsement: • Scan the QR code or enter the URL code into your browser (secured site). • Fill out the form indicating your student’s endorsement• Sign for parent and student• Click submit.

Both Parent Signature and Student Signature must be completed.

4 YEAR PLAN

The Foundation High School Plan

(FHSP) + Endorsements

The Foundation High School ProgramBasic Information

➢ All students must choose an endorsement in one of 5 areas at the time of entry into 9th grade.

➢ The endorsements should be based on the student’s individual interests and goals.

➢ You will have the option to change the endorsement however, your courses may not change until the following school year.

➢ The endorsement/personal graduation plan, and any changes, must be electronically signed by student/parent.

The Foundation High School ProgramBasic Information➢ During their 9th grade year, school staff will work with

students and parents to develop a Personal Graduation Plan (PGP).

➢ The PGP outlines the student’s course of study (4-year plan).

➢ During the Spring of junior year parents/students meet with counselor for personal conference.

➢ The Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) must be electronically signed by the parent.

22 Foundation Credits + 4 Endorsement Credits= 26 Total Credits

Graduation Credit Requirements

Fine Arts – 1 credit-

Physical Education – 1 creditHealth - .5 creditElectives – 4.5 credits, including ● A communication skills component

+ Endorsement (4 additional credits)Students are expected to earn an endorsement in one of 5 areas. Each endorsement requires

a 4th math credita 4th science credit2 endorsement-specific electives

Communication skill: may be fulfilled from any one of 5 courses: Speech, Teen leader, Debate, Oral Interpretation, Theatre

English – 4 creditsEnglish I, II, III, and an additional/advanced English

Math – 3 creditsAlgebra I, Geometry, and an additional/advanced math

Science – 3 creditsBiology, and one course selected from IPC, or Chemistry, or Physics, and one additional/advanced science

Social Studies – 3 creditsUS History, ½ credit government, ½ credit economics, and either world history or world geography, or a new course combining world history and world geography (to be developed)

LOTE – 2 creditsCredits must be in the same language.

Course Requirements for the FHSP

Endorsements

REVISED

The 5 Endorsement areas are:➢ STEM➢ Public Services➢ Business and Industry➢ Arts and Humanities➢ Multidisciplinary Studies

An endorsement requires a focused study in one or more areas. The endorsement will give you:• the chance to focus on areas and

subjects that interest YOU, and • better preparation to continue your

education after high school and/or go into the workforce.

REVISED

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

STEM requires completion of Algebra II, Chemistry, and Physics.The STEM endorsement relates to:

➢ Advanced Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics plus 2 advanced science courses; or

➢ Advanced Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, plus two advanced math credits for which Algebra II is a prerequisite ; or

➢ 4 Engineering CTE Electives➢ 4 Cybersecurity CTE Electives➢ 4 Computer Science / Computer Programming Electives➢ Or Combination of the above

Business & Industry (1 of 2)The Business & Industry endorsement focuses on at least one career cluster, selected from (a really, really long list!)— 4 CTE credits needed➢ Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources ➢ Architecture and Construction ➢ Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communications➢ Business ➢ Finance ➢ Hospitality and Tourism ➢ Information Technology ➢ Manufacturing ➢ Marketing ➢ Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Business & Industry (2 of 2)The Business & Industry endorsement may also be earned through the completion of four (4) English electives, including

➢ Three (3) levels in one field of journalism○ Newspaper; or ○ Yearbook; or○

➢ Three (3) levels in either ○ Debate; or ○ Public Speaking

The Public Services endorsement requires completion of 4 credits in at least one career cluster, selected from

➢ Education and Training ➢ Government and Public Administration➢ Health Sciences➢ Human Services➢ Law, Public Safety, Corrections &

Security ➢ JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training

Corps

Public Services

An Arts & Humanities endorsement requires completion of at least one of the following:

➢ Five credits in social studies, or

➢ Four credits in foreign language; or

➢ a coherent (progressive) sequence of four credits, selected from one or two Fine Arts disciplines, including Art, Dance, Music, and/or Theatre

➢ Four credits in English Language Arts, in addition to English I, English II and English III (with the exception of Journalism and Speech).

Arts & Humanities

A Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement requires the completion of at least one of the following:

➢ 4 additional/advanced credits, from within one endorsement area or from various endorsement areas, that prepare the student to either

■ successfully enter postsecondary education without the need for remediation, or

■ successfully enter the workforce; or➢ 4x4: Four credits in each: English Language Arts (must include a traditional

English IV), Math, Science (must include Chemistry and/or Physics), and Social Studies; or

➢ 4 AP, or dual credit courses, selected from English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies Languages Other Than English and Fine Arts.

Multidisciplinary Studies

Begin with the end in mind.

Miller Career Center

Many courses provide the option to obtain either a certification or experience through internship.

November 13th

◦ SLHS 9th graders field trip (optional)

Miller Career Open House◦ January 21st from 6:30-7:30 PM

Some programs include:◦ Architecture◦ Auto Tech◦ Cisco Computer Maintenance◦ Cisco Internetworking◦ Clinical Rotation◦ Culinary Arts◦ Cosmetology◦ Criminal Justice◦ Cyber Security◦ Dental Assisting◦ Digital Audio◦ Education◦ EMT-Basic◦ Film◦ Hospitality Services◦ Manufacturing Engineering◦ Online Independent Study & Mentorship◦ PACE◦ Pharmacy Tech◦ STEM◦ Vet Med

A Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA) may be earned through successful completion of

➢ All requirements for the Foundation High School Program, plus➢ The requirements of at least one endorsement, which includes

○ Algebra II among the required math credits, and○ A fourth science credit

To qualify for the Top 10% and eligibility for automatic admission to a Texas public college or university, you must graduate with a Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA).

Thinking Ahead: Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA)

Performance Acknowledgements may be earned in one or more of the following categories:

➢ AP test score of 3 or above;➢ IB test score of 4 or above;➢ Qualifying PSAT score based on the 11th grade test; ➢ SAT combined critical reading and math score of 1250 or above; ➢ ACT composite score of 28 or above; ➢ College course with a final grade of A or B (3.0 or above);➢ Bilingualism and biliteracy; and➢ Earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry

certification or license.

Thinking Ahead: Performance Acknowledgments

Applying to College/Universities

➢ Grade Point Average (weighted and unweighted)

➢ SAT and/or ACT➢ Writing Skills on Apps➢ School Involvement➢ Community Involvement➢ Plan for YOUR college

➢ Explore different electives—Endorsements can change

➢ Participate in clubs, teams, organizations, volunteering—Keep track of EVERYTHING

➢ Summer is a time for experiences

➢ Maintain balance between extracurricular and academics

➢ Create a list of possibilities for college and start visiting their websites, call admissions offices for advice, etc.

➢ Take courses colleges recommend

What Your Child Does in High School Matters

➢ Visit a college with your student➢ Start planning for how much college costs➢ Support your child’s exploration through elective choices,

clubs and organizations, summer opportunities, volunteering, etc.—Keep track of everything

➢ Help your child set goals➢ Keep up with their grades using the Home Access Center➢ Allow your child to take charge of their own education and

become more independent➢ Visit College Board Website—collegeboard.org

Parent Action Plan

➢ PSAT—October for 16th for 10th and 11th graders○ Helps to predict SAT score○ Prep course?

➢ SAT and ACT—Spring of 11th grade, Fall of 12th grade

➢ SAT Subject Tests

College Admissions Testing

Course Selection Process ➢ During the month of February

➢ Course catalog

➢ Course selection form

➢ Discuss with your child

➢ Decide on summer school

➢ Return forms to grade level counselor

➢ All changes must be completed by course verification

This presentation and Course Catalog are available on the SLHS website!

All courses listed in the course catalog may not be offered atSeven Lakes High School. Please refer to the SLHS campus course list.

http://www.katyisd.org/dept/campusadmin/Documents/Course_Catalog_2019-2020.pdf#search=course%20catalogue

Isn’t technology great!Keeping up with news you can use:➢ On the school website:

http://www.katyisd.org/campus/slhs/Pages/default.aspx (save this as a favorite after you access the site)

➢ Updates are made through Class Canvas pages

➢ Join your grade level Remind:○ 9th Grade:

10th Grade:➢ Stop by your grade level AP office.

SLHS Counselors: http://staff.katyisd.org/sites/slhs_scholarships/Pages/default.aspx