NC Department of Public Instruction: Future-Ready Core

1. NC Department of Public Instruction:Future-Ready Core NC Department of Public Instruction Academic Services and Instructional Support K-12 Curriculum and Instruction

2. Future-Ready Core:Graduating Career andCollege Ready

3. Future-Ready Core:Rationale • The guiding mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is that every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21st century. • If the level of expectation is not the same for all students, then high school graduates will not be given the foundation of academic and life skills that they will need to succeed in college or a career.

4. Future-Ready Core: Course of Study • All ninth graders entering high school in fall 2009 • and later will participate in the Future-Ready Core • Course of Study. • Two courses of study: • Future-Ready Core • Future-Ready Core Occupational Course of • Study (OCS) • Different course and credit requirements depending • on when students first entered high school as a • ninth grader.

5. Future-Ready Core: Course of Study(students entering ninth grade in 2009-10 – 2011-12) The Core (21 units) - 4 credits of English - 4 credits of Mathematics - 3 credits of Social Studies - 3 credits of Science - 1 credit of Health/Physical Education • 6 Elective Credits (required) • 2 credits from CTE, Arts or World Languages • 4 credit Concentration (recommended)

6. Future-Ready Core: Course of Study(students entering ninth grade in 2012-13 and later) The Core (22 units) - 4 credits of English - 4 credits of Mathematics - 4 credits of Social Studies - 3 credits of Science - 1 credit of Health/Physical Education • 6 Elective Credits (required) • 2 credits from CTE, Arts or World Languages • 4 credit Concentration (recommended)

7. Concentration (RECOMMENDS at least four credits in one area) • Career and Technical Education (CTE) • Arts Education (e.g. Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Theater Arts) • Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) • Any other subject area (Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English)

8. Future-Ready Core:Math Sequence

9. * 4 1 2 3 4th Math Geometry Algebra I Algebra II Drafting Statistics Pre-Calculus Engineering Accounting I AP Calculus 3 2 1 4 Future-Ready Core Math Sequence Eligible for UNC System + + Courses such as… + or 1 2 3 Integrated I + Integrated II + Integrated III Eligible for comm. college Courses such as… In rare instances, students will be exempted from the Future-Ready Core math sequence. In cases where parents, teachers, counselors, principals and the students believe a different path is appropriate, the student will take the following sequence… Upon Approval Math Substitution Algebra II/Geometry or Integrated II Future-Ready Core Algebra I or Integrated I Applied Math I Applied Math II *N.C.G.S. §115C-81(b) will remain in effect for students with learning disabilities in mathematics that will prevent those students from mastery Algebra I content. This student will be required to take 4 math classes aligned with their goals and abilities.

10. Future-Ready Core: Mathematics Substitution • To graduate, students must take 4 math courses. • All students must, at the minimum, pass: Algebra I & Geometry OR Integrated Math I & Integrated Math II OR Algebra I & Algebra II • A school may determine (see suggested decision-making process for math substitution) that a student should take alternative math courses based on evidence that the student is demonstrating unusual difficulty in mastering mathematics concepts.

11. Suggested Decision-Making Process for Mathematics Substitution 1 2 3 4 5 • CommitteeRecommends Request is made Committee convenes Review Multiple Data Sources • Decision by Principal • Principal makes the final decision • All relevant parties are informed • Schedule is changed to minimize any lost instructional time • Documentation of decision and changes are noted • A written request with reasons is made to substitute mathematics course credits to the recommended Future Ready Core mathematics courses • Request is received by the school counselor • Request may be made from a parent/guardian, school counselor, principal (or designee), or teacher • If the request is made by school personnel, evidence of parent consent should be present • The principal convenes a school-based committee to review the request • Committee should meet at a time amenable to a parent/guardian’s schedule • Committee meets and reviews multiple sources of summative and formative assessment data • Committee reviews intervention strategies that have been in place prior to the substitution request • Committee considers student’s graduation timeframe • Committee makes recommendation aligned with student needs and post-secondary plans • Principal receives the committee recommendation A student’s parent/guardian should be fully informed and involved throughout the process

12. Mathematics Sequence Substitution Possible Math Substitution Student Example on block schedule:

13. Future-Ready Core:Graduation Requirements • Successful completion of Future-Ready Core course of study (21 or 22 credits depending on when students first entered high school as a ninth grader). • Local requirements (districts/schools may require additional courses and credits and/or a graduation project or other assignment for students to graduate).

14. Future-Ready Core:School Personnel Role • Collaborate with families and educators to ensure that students who graduate are Future Ready. • Ensure that all students complete a high school four-year plan and that the plan is revisited annually. • Provide professional development, communications, and multiple opportunities to inform, educate and allow students to graduate. • Ensure that any exceptions will still allow a student to graduate. • Ensure that all program components are aligned to support students’ success (NC WISE, course availability, professional development, etc.)

15. Contact Information Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, NCDPI 919.807.3817 Maria.PitreMartin@dpi.nc.gov Dr. Elissa Brown Academic Services and Instructional Support, NCDPI 919.807.3987 Elissa.Brown@dpi.nc.gov www.ncpublicschools.org/gradrequirements