Future-Ready Graduation Guidelines 2017

2. Welcome

4. Graduation Requirements • Class of 2017 • Entering 9th grade 2013 – 2014 • Course of Study Requirements • Future-Ready Core • Occupational Prep

5. Future-Ready Core Course of Study • 4 English • 4 math • 4 social studies • 4 science • 2 PE/Health/LMS • 2 electives (electives must be any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education or Second Language) • 2 additional electives (from CTE, JROTC, Arts Education or any other subject area) • Total = 22 credits

6. Future-Ready Core English • English I, II, III, and IV required • Levels include regular, honors, seminar, and/or AP

7. Future-Ready Core Science • Biology • Earth/Environmental • A physical science (e.g. Chemistry) • One additional science (Levels include regular, honors, AP)

8. Future-Ready Core Social Studies • World History • Civics and Economics • American History I and II or AP U.S. History and one additional course (Levels include regular, honors, seminar, AP)

9. Future-Ready CoreMath • Four mathematics credits are required • Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or Integrated Math I, II, III • And a fourth math course to be aligned with the student's after high school plans (e.g. college or work). • Many options exist. Please talk to your teachers and counselors.

10. Mathematics Sequences

11. Mathematics Sequences

12. Electives • Students must complete four elective credits to satisfy WS/FCS graduation requirements. • 2 electives must be any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education or Second Language and • 2 additional electives (from CTE, JROTC, Arts Education or any other subject area).

13. Career Technical Education • Students may select from a range of courses in this area including: Agriculture, Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Science, Health Occupations, Marketing, Technology, and Trade and Industrial. • CTE courses benefit all students, particularly those pursuing work or community college after high school.

14. Arts Education • Students may select from a range of courses in this area including Band, Chorus, Dance, Orchestra, Theater Arts, and Visual Arts. • An Arts Course is one of the requirements for receiving recognition as a North Carolina Scholar.

15. Second or Foreign Language • Students seeking to satisfy college admissions requirements must complete two units of a second language. • Second Language offerings include, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish.

16. Air Force JROTC • Students interested in developing leadership skills may consider taking JROTC courses. • Aerospace Science (Air Force) is offered at Reagan.

17. Occupational Course of Study Who may participate: • Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) • Students for whom the NC Standard Course of Study is not appropriate*

18. Occupational Course of Study • 4 units of Occupational English • 3 units of Occupational Math (Including Algebra I) • 2 units of Occupational Science (Including Biology) • 2 units of Occupational Social Studies • 1 unit of PE/Health • 4 units of Career/Technical Education • 6 units of Occupational Prep Total= 22 units

19. Frequently Asked Questions • Should my student take an AP course as a 9th grader? • If my student gets “in over his/her head,” what is the process for changing courses? • Why can’t my student change his/her mind over the summer about course selections? • What are the differences between standard, honors, seminar, AP?

20. How to Decide Standard Courses Reading Comprehension Adequate writing skills Some critical thinking More teacher directed activities More structure Honors CoursesSeminar Courses Good critical analysis skills Divergent/independent thinker Good writing skills Strong writing skills Good reading comprehension Self-motivated Some note taking skills Mastered note taking Independent worker Enjoys learning for “learning sake” Problem solver Pulls weight in group setting More frequent tests Handles large “chunks” of material May have fewer assignments More enrichment activities 20

21. Advanced Placement is difficult Advanced Placement Mature Self-motivated Independent/divergent thinker Excellent critical analysis skills Mastered note taking Extensive reading & outside assignments – may be over 30 pages per day. Strong reading comprehension Assignments cover large chucks of material Excellent writing skills Must take the AP exam or accept a grade below earned grade and will not receive AP points toward weighted GPA. • Can you read 30 pages a night and outline a chapter? • Do you have the discipline to keep up with outside reading? • Are you prepared to spend up to two hours on one course? • Can you answer lengthy essay questions on tests? 21

22. Course Assignments Student course placements are made based on objective information including test scores from the previous year. Examples: Rising 9th graders who score at the mid-point Level IV (370) or higher on the 7th grade reading EOG exam will be assigned to AP World History. Rising 9th graders (completing Algebra I) with a scale score of 364 or higher on the 7th grade EOG math exam will be assigned to Honors Geometry. Parent Choice:

23. Registration of Students attending Independent/Homeschool • Students who are attending an independent school or a homeschool can contact Mitzi Davis in Student Services at 703-6778 to receive information regarding the registration process. Ms. Davis will set up meetings for students to register for 9th grade. • Please note, course availability is not time sensitive for newly registering students.