Waller Independent School District

Waller High School8th Grade Orientation – Class of 2018

March 2014

Items to Cover

• Changes Concerning High School Graduation: What is new and different?

• House Bill 5 (HB 5) and High School Graduation: Requirements for Students Entering HS in 2014-2015

• Course Selection Process for Waller High School

Keys to Success in Waller HS

• Academics

• Attendance

• Attitude

Take care of the 3 A’s of Waller ISD!

Current Graduation Plans – Before HB 5

Minimum High School Program (MHSP)24 credits

Recommended High School Program (RHSP)26 Credits

Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)26 Credits

New Graduation Plan with HB 5

Foundation High School Program (FHSP)with Endorsements

26 credits

Required for students entering 9th grade in 2014-2015!

Benefits of HB 5 Graduation Plans

• Student Choice = Motivation

• Identify Student Interest & Strength Early

• Align Interest and Strength to Endorsement Choices

• Align our Career and Technical (CTE) Programs to National & State Licensing

• Academic Advising

HB 5: Foundation Graduation Plan with Endorsement

HB 5: Foundation Graduation Plan with Endorsement

Subject Credits

English Language Arts• English I• English II• English III• Advanced English Course

4.0

Mathematics• Algebra I• Geometry• Advanced Mathematics Course• Advanced Mathematics Course

4.0

HB 5: Foundation Graduation Plan with Endorsement

Subject Credits

Science• Biology• IPC or Advanced Science Course• Advanced Science Course• Advanced Science Course

4.0

Social Studies• World History or World

Geography• US History• US Government (1/2 credit)• Economics (1/2 Credit)

3.0

HB 5: Foundation Graduation Plan with Endorsement

Subject Credits

Physical Education 1.0

Languages Other Than English 2.0

Fine Arts 1.0

Health (WISD Requirement) 0.5

Speech (WISD Requirement) 0.5

Electives 6.0 (2.0 from Endorsement area)

What is an Endorsement?

Endorsement = Career Interest and Goals

What is an Endorsement?

• Elective courses related to career interests and goals

• A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing:

• Curriculum requirements for the endorsement• Four credits in mathematics• Four credits in science• Two additional elective credits

The Five Endorsement Options

• STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Math)

• Business and Industry

• Public Services

• Arts and Humanities

• Multidisciplinary Studies

Endorsement:STEM

Required Courses:Algebra II, Chemistry, & Physics

Career Cluster:STEM

Includes Courses Directly Related to:STEM Career Cluster

orScience

or Advanced Math (Above Algebra II)

Endorsement: Business & Industry

Required Courses:4th Year Math and Science

Career Clusters:Agriculture, Architecture, Audio/Video Technology, Business, Finance,

Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing, & Marketing,

Includes Courses Directly Related to:Business & Industry CTE Career Clusters

or Debate

orYearbook

Endorsement: Public Services

Required Courses:4th Year Math and Science

Career Cluster:Education, Health Science and Human Services

Includes Courses Directly Related to:Public Services Career Cluster

orAFJROTC

Endorsement: Arts & Humanities

Required Courses:4th Year Math and Science

Includes Courses Directly Related to:Social Studies

orEnglish

orLanguages Other Than English (LOTE)

orFine Arts: Art, Dance, Music, & Theatre

Endorsement:Multidisciplinary

Required Courses:4th Year Math and Science

Includes Courses Directly Related to:Advanced Courses

(prepares student for workforce or postsecondary education)or

Advanced Placement or Dual Creditor

Four credits in Each of the Four Foundation Subject Areas (includes Eng. IV, Chemistry and/or Physics)

Endorsement Decision

• Each student shall specify in writing an endorsement the student intends to earn upon entering Grade 9.

• Students have the opportunity to change endorsements with parent/guardian approval during high school. Be involved in helping your students succeed.

Endorsement Decision

• Waller ISD 8th Graders will take a career/interest inventory tool to assist in leading a student to an endorsement area

• https://texascollegeandcareer.org

• “What do I like?” Quiz

• Electives Expo at each Junior High

Endorsement Decision

Distinguished Level of Achievement

A student may earn a Distinguished Level of Achievement by successfully completing:• A total of four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra II.

• A total of four credits in science

• The remaining curriculum requirements under the Foundation Graduation Plan

• The curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement.*** In order to be considered for the Top 10% Automatic Admission to a public university in Texas, a student must graduate with the Distinguished Level of Achievement ***

Performance Acknowledgements

Students may earn up to 5 acknowledgements for outstanding performance, which will be displayed on diplomas and transcripts:

• Dual Credit Courses

• Bilingualism and Biliteracy

• Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Exams

• PSAT/SAT/ACT and or ACT-PLAN Exams

• Business and Industry Certifications and/or Licenses

Testing Requirements for Graduation

Students take STAAR EOC (End-of Course) assessments for courses in which they are enrolled as part of their graduation requirement. The five (5) EOC assessments for graduation are:

• English I• English II• Biology• Algebra I• US History

**Students must earn a “Satisfactory” or Level II score on each of the five (5) assessments.

The Scheduling Process

Lots to think about with the new graduation plan

• Foundation Courses• Endorsements• Career Pathways• NCAA Core Requirements for Eligibility• Post-Secondary Plans

Your planning begins now!

A Typical School Day at Waller HS

• 9 Class Periods in the Day (7:20 am – 2:46 pm)

• 4 Core Academic Periods (Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies)

• 3 Elective Periods

• 1 Lunch Period

• 1 SETT PeriodEarn up to

7.0 credits in

a year.

Grades Can Determine…

• Whether or not you receive CREDIT for a class

• Whether or not you can take certain high school courses

• Whether or not you can be accepted/participate in some academic & extracurricular programs

• Your GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) which will determine college entrance, scholarships, job opportunities

• YOUR FUTURE

What is a Credit?

• Awarded at the completion of a class/course each semester

• Classes/courses divided into two semesters – Semester A & Semester B

• Student can earn 0.5 credits for each class/course passed in a semester.

• Failure in a class/course for the semester = 0 credits

What is a Credit?

• 1st Semester = 7 Classes = 3.5 Credits

• 2nd Semester = 7 Classes = 3.5 Credits

• Total Credits in One Year: 3.5 + 3.5 = 7 Credits

Promotion StandardsGrade Level Standards

9 • Jr. High Promotion/Placement

10 • 6 credits, including English I and Algebra I

11 • 12 credits

12 • 19 credits

What is a GPA?

GPA = Grade Point Average

• Numerical weight given for grade earned in a class/course on a 4.0 scale.

• Weighted vs. Non-weighted GPA

Sample of GPA ComparisonGrade Non-Weighted

Regular ClassWeighted

PAP/AP/Dual Credit

100 4.0 5.0

99 3.96 4.95

98 3.92 4.9

95 3.8 4.75

90 3.6 4.5

85 3.4 4.25

80 3.2 4.0

75 3.0 3.75

70 2.8 3.5

Benefits of Pre-AP Core Classes

• Exposes students to a challenging/rigorous curriculum to prepare for college-level/postsecondary curriculum in future years

• Increase student’s overall GPA

• Helps students prepare for Advanced Placement/Dual Credit courses

• Improve performance on standardized assessments

• Helps you/parents save $$$$

Advanced Placement/Dual Credit

• Waller HS offers 14 College Board Advanced Placement Courses. • Goal is to earn a 3 or higher on college board exam

to transfer to a college/university

• Waller HS offers 38 dual credit college hours through Lone Star College – Tomball.

Research now what will transfer to your postsecondary school!!!

Waller High School Four Year Graduation Plan

Jr. High Courses for High School Credit

• Art 1• Theatre Arts 1• Touch Data Entry System (Keyboarding)• Communication Applications (Speech)• Health• Dance 1• Algebra 1• Spanish 1 & 2 What c

ourses h

ave yo

u

already t

aken?

Waller High SchoolCourse Selection Sheet

English Language Arts Sequence9th 10th 11th 12th

Option 1 English I English II English III Advanced 4th Year English

Option 2 English I PAP English II PAP English III AP Advanced 4th Year English

Mathematics Sequence9th 10th 11th 12th

Option 1 Algebra I Geometry Advanced 3rd Year Math

Advanced 4th Year Math

Option 2 Geometry* Algebra II Advanced 3rd Year Math

Advanced 4th Year Math

Option 3 Geometry PAP*

Algebra II PAP

Advanced 3rd Year Math

Advanced 4th Year Math

Science Sequence9th 10th 11th 12th

Option 1 Biology IPC Advanced 3rd Year Science

Advanced 4th Year Science

Option 2 Biology Advanced 2nd Year Science

Advanced 3rd Year Science

Advanced 4th Year Science

Option 3 Biology PAP Advanced 2nd Year Science

Advanced 3rd Year Science

Advanced 4th Year Science

Social Studies Sequence9th 10th 11th 12th

Option 1 World History

US History Government/Economics

Social Studies/Other Elective

Option 2 World History PAP

US History PAP

Government AP or Dual Credit/Economics AP

Social Studies/ Other Elective

Waller High School Electives9th Grade

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways

• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources• Architecture and Construction• Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security• Health Science• Hospitality and Tourism• Human Services• Manufacturing• Information Technology

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways and Coherent Sequence

College Admissions RequirementsCollege English Math Science Social

StudiesLOTE

UH Main 4 3 3 3

TX A&M 4 4 4 2

UT Austin 4 3 (4) 2 (3) 3 2 (3)

TX State 4 4 4 3 2 (3)

Baylor 4 4 4 4 2

UTSA 4 3 3 2 2

TX Tech 4 4 4 2

PVAMU 4 4 4 4 2

SHSU 4 2 2 3

RICE 4 3(4) 4 4 2(4)

TCU 4 3 3 3 2

HBU 4 3 3 3 1

SMU 4 3(4) 3(4) 3 2(3)

TX Lutheran 4 4 4 4 2

**The number represent the subject credit requirements for admissions. The number in parentheses represents the recommended subject credits(s) for admissions.

**College admission requirements may be less rigorous than the requirements for a college major of choice.

NCAA Eligibility

• Division I – 16 Core Courses• 4 English, 3 Math, 2 Science, 1 English/Math/Science, 2 Social

Studies, 4 English/Math/Social Studies/LOTE

• Division II – 16 Core Courses• 3 English, 2 Math, 2 Science, 3 English/Math/Science, 2 Social

Studies, 4 English/Math/Science/ Social Studies/LOTE

• New Eligibility Requirements 2016• Minimum GPA raised• Ten core courses by the end of junior year (7 of which must be from

English, Math, and Science)• Multi-year scholarships

Next Steps in the Process

• Complete Four (4) Year Graduation Plan• Counselors will meet with every incoming 9th grade student & parent to review

the completed Four Year Graduation Plan by the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

• Complete Course Selection Document for 9th Grade for 2014/2015

• Complete Waller ISD Endorsement Decision Document

• Counselors will visit campuses:• Schultz JH: March 7th (large group) & March 10th (History classes)• Waller JH: March 7th (large group) & March 11th (History classes)

• Forms due back by March 14th

Questions

• If you have additional questions that were not addressed or answered tonight, please contact the Waller High School Counseling Department at 936-372-3654.

• Waller HS Counselors:• Gena Kellam, Lead Counselor (LI - ROFF)• Holly McLean (ROG – Z)• Joy McCaffety (E – LE)• Tamara Zingelmann (A – D)• Christy Smith, College/Career Counselor

Thank You

Thank you for coming to learn about the new graduation plan and the course selection process

for Waller High School.

***Thank you to Alief ISD, Clear Creek ISD, Cy Fair ISD, and Houston ISD for sharing information with Waller ISD.