Klein Forest High School

1. Klein Forest High School 2013-2014 Course Registration for Current 9th, 10th, & 11th Graders

2. 3 Requirements to Graduate: • Earn 26 State Credits. • Pass required State Courses. • Pass required End Of Course (EOC) exams.

3. Graduation Requirements – EOC (EOC = End of Course Exams) You must successfully pass at a Level II or above 12-15 EOC tests over 3 years • 9th grade: English 1 – Reading/Writing, World Geo, Algebra 1, Biology • 10th grade: English 2 - Reading/Writing, World History, Geometry, Chemistry • 11th grade: English 3 - Reading/Writing, US History, Algebra 2, Physics • For more information go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

4. Credits • State Credits – count toward graduation • 26 state credits needed to graduate; • 1 Full Year class = 1 credit • 1 semester class = .5 credit • Local Credits – do not count toward graduation (office aide, student leadership) • Denied Credit – student does not earn credit due to excessive absences, even if passing grade in course

5. Transcripts • A Transcript is the official record showing HS courses you have earned credit for while in middle school and high school.

6. How Do I Earn Grade Points? • Apply to semester grades only • Pre-AP, AP, GT, DC, and Advanced classes receive more grade points. • A high grade in any class helps your GPA more than doing poorly in a class with more GPA points. • “How to Calculate your GPA” Power Point is online at KFHS website- link to Counseling> College & Career.

7. 2nd Quarter Top Ten CLASS RANK After all grade points are averaged for all students at the end of the 6th semester or Junior year, students are ranked from those with the highest GPA to the lowest GPA. Students also receive a temporary rank at the end of their sophomore year, so they can make plans and set goals for raising their GPA. Rank 1st Quarter

8. Plan For Your Future 2 Year College Whatever you do NOW determines where you go in the future – choose wisely! Military 4 Year University Work

9. High School GRADUATION PLANS • Recommended Plan • Distinguished Plan “To be eligible for admission at a Texas Four-Year Public Institution, students must successfully complete the Recommended or Distinguished high school program.” --Texas Education Code (state law)

10. Graduation Plan Requirements

11. Distinguished Achievement Plan (DAP) • 3rd year of same Foreign Language • 4 Advanced Measures • AP scores, Dual Credit courses, Articulated courses, National Merit on PSAT • IPC will count as an elective, not science credit for DAP

12. Recommended Achievement Plan (RAP) IPC may count as one of the 4 years of science credit needed for RAP BUT must be taken before Chemistry and Physics

13. Required Coursework 2 years of Foreign Language • – Spanish • – French • – German *Must take 2 years of the same language

14. Required Coursework 1 year of Fine Art • – Art • – Band • – Orchestra • – Choir • – Theater (Performance or Technical) • – Dance • – Color Guard/Winter Guard • – Floral Design Some classes require Audition and/or Group-Director Approval

15. Required Coursework 1 year of PE or Equivalent • – PE • – Athletics • – Cheerleading (S1 only, S2 Local) • – ROTC (S1&S2 waiver) • – Drill Team (S1 only, waiver) • – Marching Band (S1 only, w) • –Color Guard (S1 only, w) • Can earn up to 4 PE credits

16. Career & Technical Education (CTE) Why take CTE? – Learn about jobs – Certifications 2 or 3-period classes require planning!

17. Career & Technical Education (CTE) • Agriculture • Auto Tech • Business • Childcare • Cosmetology • Computer • Culinary • Health Science • Vet Tech • Additional classes

18. Additional Elective Credits Journalism 1 A survey course in all aspects of journalism. Prerequisite for Yearbook and Newspaper classes Students interested in Journalism: • •Are self-motivated • •Are self-disciplined • •Like to write • •Have a natural curiosity • •Are outgoing • •Like to read newspapers and magazines • •Like to watch or listen to the news • •Are interested in pop culture

19. Advanced Academics Pre AP, AP, & Dual Credit • Rigorous coursework & more homework • Preparation of AP/DC classes • Earn college credit • “Extra” grade points • Be better prepared for college • Advanced Measure for Distinguished Plan • Limited opportunity for schedule changes. • Consider your schedule, extra-curricular activities, and other responsibilities.

20. Advanced Academics(Consider these guidelines) • Pre-AP, AP, & DC classes are challenging & demanding!! • Must be self-motivated & an independent worker!!! • Must be willing to spend additional hours out of class completing research, projects & supplemental reading • Must have/acquire good study skills & time management (use a planner and keep up with long-term projects) • Pre-AP classes prepare you to take AP classes during your sophomore, junior and senior years of high school. • AP/DC classes are college level, and they allow you to potentially earn college credit.

21. Course Selection Process • PowerPoint Presentation/Course Selection Sheet during Eagle’s Nest • Complete Course Selection Sheet/Four-Year Plan with input from parents • Course request entry into Gradespeed during eagle’s Nest • Course Selection Meeting with House Counselor Meet for final course selection and turn in Course Selection Sheet/Four-Year Plan • Check requests on Gradespeed until 3/1/2013 • Course verification in April/May Deadline to request Schedule Changes is June 14, 2013, as set by the district

23. * = Semester Course + = Approval Required $ = Fee Required F = Form Required ▲ = Prerequisite Required (must have taken another course before you can take chosen one) Course Selection SheetKey Checking a course does not mean you will automatically get that class – you must chooses alternates also!!!!!

24. Choosing Courses • You MUST select 7 classes (4 core classes + 3 electives) • 4 classes must consist of core courses: • English • Math • Science • Social Studies • 3 classes must consist of at least 3 of the following: • CTE Electives • Foreign Language • Fine Arts • PE/Athletics • Technology Application Electives • 1 full year class = 1 period • 2 semester classes = 1 period You MUST ALSO select 3 Alternatives (in case your 1st choice electives are not available

25. Online Data Entry • Access online Course Selection portal through Gradespeed using student URL • Select courses using drop-down menus (with Course Selection Sheet from previous day) • Meet with Counselor (in next 2 weeks) • Bring 4-Year Plan & Course Selection Sheet • Review at home via Parent Connection Access to the student/parent portal will end on Friday, March 1st 2013.

26. Name_____________________ Four Year Plan School Year__________________ ID #_________________ • Use pencil. • Decide on graduation plan. • Include classes from middle school where you earned HS credit. • Fill in the blanks with the classes you plan to take in HS (some pre-filled). • Check required classes. • Turn in with Course Selection Sheet to your counselor when you are called in for your course selection meeting.

28. Tips on High School Success • ATTENDANCE – cannot learn if you are not present • Get involved with activities. • Do service work (volunteer). Student Council, Key Club, etc. • Make time to study every night. • Study before the Exams • Ask for help from your teachers, before and after school • Attend free tutorials before or after school • Get to know your Counselor!

29. Complete your 4 Year Plan. • Complete your Course Request Selections – on Course Selection Sheet & online. • Turn them in to your counselor when you are called in for your Course Selection Meeting.

30. REMEMBER • NO CHANGES after June 14th, 2013

31. Questions