New Diploma Options Four Year Plan

1. New Diploma OptionsFour Year Plan

2. First Choice • This mandate was adopted by the Alabama State Department of Education in 2008. • The goal of First Choice was to strengthen the curriculum for Alabama high school students and provide safeguards to assist struggling students. • The objective was to improve Alabama’s graduation rate and decrease the dropout rate.

3. First Choice Components • Online Experience • Credit Recovery • Credit Advancement • Diploma Options

4. MBS and First Choice • MBS created a system-wide committee made up of staff from the JH, HS, and Central Office to study and implement the components within our district.

5. “Online Experience” • The Online Experience requirement is met through our Health course. • There are specific technological objectives that are interspersed throughout the course.

6. Credit Recovery • Credit Recovery allows a student to prove they are knowledgeable on a failed segment of a course to earn credit rather than retake the entire course (as in summer school). • MBS is still working on the procedures and programs for this component.

7. Credit Advancement • Credit Advancement allows students opportunities to meet course requirements in non-traditional ways. • This option is on hold due to additional changes the State Department is making regarding AHSGE and end of course testing.

8. Diploma Options • First Choice mandated that the “default” diploma for all students state-wide to be the Advanced Diploma (previously, it had been the Standard Diploma).

9. Diploma Options • As a result of this new mandate, MBS decided to rethink the system’s requirements for the Advanced Diploma. Historically, MBS Advanced Diploma has been more rigorous than the state’s requirements.

10. Diploma Options • MBS, with Board approval, changed the requirements for the original MBS Advanced Diploma to more closely match the state’s Advanced Diploma. • In addition to these changes, MBS added the “Advanced with Honors” diploma option.

11. “Four Year Plan” • The “Four Year Plan” is created during a student’s eighth grade year. With help from the eighth grade counselor, students will consider the different diploma options offered and generate a course selection plan for their high school years. • The plan is to be considered a rough draft or a general guideline. • At this time during the eighth grade year, a student’s four year plan does not have to be accurate or complete. • The plan is updated every year with the grade level counselor.

12. Four Year Plan • The goal of the four year plan is to have students think about the courses that they want to have completed by the time they are a senior. • Neither the JH or HS uses the four year plan to select a student’s courses from year to year. • Each spring, students will receive a course selection sheet to select the specific courses for the next school year.

13. Diploma Options • MBS offers three college prep diplomas: Advanced with Honors, Advanced and Standard. • There is no indication on a student’s transcript as to which diploma the student has earned. • Colleges receive a high school transcript which lists all courses taken with first semester and second semester grades earned in those courses. • The transcript also reports class rank and Grade Point Average (GPA).

14. Advanced Diploma with Honors

15. Advanced Diploma with Honors • English (4 credits) • Math (4 of the following) • Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II w/Trig, Probability and Statistics or Pre-calculus or Calculus

16. Advanced Diploma with Honors • Science (4 credits) • All 4 courses are from Group I. • Life Science and Chemistry or Physics are required. • All 9th graders take Biology or Advanced Biology which fulfills the life science requirement. Group I: Biology, Adv. Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Adv. Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Chemistry II, Adv. Chemistry, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, Physics, AP Physics B, and AP Physics C.

17. Advanced Diploma with Honors • Social Studies (4 credits) • Foreign Language (3 credits of the same language) • Physical Ed/LIFE (1 credit) • Health (1/2 credit) • Fine Arts (1/2 credit) • Electives (3 credits) Total of 24 credits

18. Advanced Diploma

19. Advanced Diploma • English(4 credits) • Math (4 credits) Algebra I-A, Algebra I-B, Geometry, and Algebra II with Trig OR Algebra I, Geometry, Algebraic Connections, and Algebra II with Trig OR Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II with Trig, Probability with Statistics, Pre-Calculus or Calculus (The minimum a student must complete is Algebra II with Trig)

20. Advanced Diploma Science (4 credits) • 3 courses from Group I and the additional course from Group I or Group II. • Life Science and Chemistry or Physics are required • All 9th graders take Biology or Advanced Biology which fulfills the life science requirement. Group I: Biology, Adv. Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Adv. Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Chemistry II, Adv. Chemistry, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, Physics, AP Physics B, AP Physics C. Group II: Environmental Science, Marine Science, Physical Science, Forensic Science, Earth and Space Science

21. Advanced Diploma • Social Studies (4 credits) • Foreign Language (2 credits of the same language) • Physical Ed/LIFE (1 credit) • Health (1/2 credit) • Fine Arts (1/2 credit) • Electives (4 credits) Total of 24 credits

22. Standard Diploma

23. Standard Diploma • English (4 credits) • Mathematics (4 credits) • Any four maths, including Algebra I and Geometry. • The Algebra I requirement may be fulfilled by completing Algebra I-A and Algebra I-B. • Science (4 credits) • Any four sciences, including one Life Science and one Physical Science.

24. Standard Diploma • Social Studies (4 credits) • Physical Ed/LIFE (1 credit) • Health (1/2 credit) • Fine Arts (1/2 credit) • Electives (6 credits) Total of 24 credits

26. Differences in the three diplomas • Math requirements • Foreign language requirements • Science requirements • Number of electives

27. Additional Diploma Information • The state requirement for demonstrating proficiency in technology may be accomplished in one of two ways: either in a course designed specifically to accomplish this objective, or • through a proficiency examination prior to graduation.

28. Additional Diploma Information • Both grade and credit for Algebra I, Level I of a foreign language, and/or Computer Applications taken in the eighth grade will appear on the student’s high school transcript. These courses will count toward the 24 credits required for graduation and will be used in computing class rank and GPA. • PE/LIFE Waiver: This course can be waived if students fulfill the course requirements through participation in school athletic teams, marching band, or selected performing vocal groups in tenth grade.

29. Additional Diploma Information • Students may take courses at the regular, advanced, and /or AP level in order to receive any of the above diplomas. • Additionally, students must pass all five areas of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. • Most students will graduate with more than the required 24 credits. This allows them to take some additional electives or courses.

30. Frequently Asked Questions

31. How many Advanced or Advanced Placement courses should a student take? • A student may take as many advanced level courses as he/she feels capable of completing successfully. Advanced classes are geared towards above-average students who have a strong interest in that specific subject area, and are highly motivated, independent learners. Advanced Placement courses are the most difficult courses offered and can possibly earn college credit. It is important to consider extra curricular activities in order to balance school demands with other activities.  Additionally, students must meet specific criteria to be recommended for Advanced Placement classes. This criteria can be found in the course selection guides.

32. Please explain the 4 points given for an advanced class, GPA and class rank • Example of student transcript with a weighted GPA, un-weighted GPA and class rank: • Student X • 9th grade: WEIGHTED GPA9th grade: UNWEIGHTED GPA • English – 96 English – 96 • Algebra I – 88 Algebra I – 88 • Biology – 85 Biology – 85 • Advanced World History – 90 +4 b/c ADV (94) Adv. World History – 90 • Spanish I – 87 Spanish I – 87 • ----------------------------------------------------- • 450 / 5= 90 Health – 99 Class rank is determined and based on the weighted GPA Intro to Art – 92 • In this example, the 90 would be used to determine class rank. ---------------------------------- • 637 / 7= 91 • So, just as an example, a student whose weighted GPA is a 90, he/she could have a class rank of 135/335. • The weighted GPA is the average of the grades from only academic classes with additional points added for advanced placement courses. • Class rank is used by colleges to visualize how a student compares to the rest of the students in his/her graduating class. • The unweighted GPA is calculated using all of the class averages without the additional points given for advanced placement. The unweighted grades appear on the transcript that is sent to a college/university.

33. Is it better to get a B in and advanced class or an A in a regular class? This is a difficult question to answer. Some factors to consider when deciding between regular and advanced placement: • A strong GPA is very important for college entrance. • Colleges want to see that the student push him/herself to the best of his/her ability.  • Students are encouraged to take the course that is more challenging and in which they can be successful.