California “a-g” requirements

1. California “a-g” requirements • Who uses them? • What are they used for? • What are they, and how will my child meet them? • Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet them?

2. California State System www.csumentor.edu University of California System www.universityofcalifornia.edu Who uses the “a-g” requirements? (Only public, state schools use the “a-g” requirements. Private colleges and universities each have their own admission requirements.)

3. California Polytechnic University, Pomona California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo California State University, Bakersfield California State University, Channel Islands California State University, Dominguez Hills California State University, East Bay California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California State University, Los Angeles California State University, Monterey Bay California State University, Northridge California State University, Sacramento California State University, San Bernardino California State University, San Marcos California State University, Stanislaus Chico State University Fresno State University Humboldt State University Maritime Academy San Diego State University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Sonoma State University California State Universities

4. University of California Campuses • University of California, Berkeley • University of California, Davis • University of California, Los Angeles • University of California, Merced • University of California, Riverside • University of California, San Diego • University of California, San Francisco • University of California, Santa Barbara • University of California, Santa Cruz

5. What are the “a-g” requirements used for? “The intent of the "a-g" subject requirements is to ensure that students can participate fully in the first-year program at the University in a wide variety of fields of study. The requirements are written deliberately for the benefit of all students expecting to enter the University, and not for preparation for specific majors. UC faculty consider the Subject Requirement to be effective preparation, on many levels, for undergraduate work at the University. This pattern of study assures the faculty that the student has attained a body of general knowledge that will provide breadth and perspective to new, more advanced study. Fulfillment of the "a-g" pattern also demonstrates that the student has attained essential critical thinking and study skills.” (http://www.ucop.edu/a-gGuide/ag/a-g/welcome.html)

6. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “a”History/Social Science (2 years required) Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.

7. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “b”English (4 years required) Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing and reading of classic and modern literature. (None of VHS’s ELA courses can be used to meet this requirement.)

8. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “c”Mathematics (3 years required, 4 years recommended) Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.

9. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “d”Laboratory Science (2 years required, 3 years recommended) Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement.

10. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “e”Language Other than English (2 years required, 3 years recommended) Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement.

11. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “f”Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) (1 year required) A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: theater, music, performing or visual arts.

12. How will my child meet these subject requirements? “g”College Preparatory Electives (1 year required) One year/two semesters, in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

13. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “a” History/Social Studies (2 years required) Modern Civilizations AP World History or AP European History (10th grade) US History or AP US History (11th grade) American Government or AP American Government (12th grade) (2 ½ years available at VHS)

14. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “b” English (4 years required) English 9A/B or Honors English 9 A/B (9th grade) English 10 A/B or Honors English 10 A/B (10th grader) American Lit. or AP English Lang. & Comp. (11th grade) Science Fiction, Shakespeare, Humanities, Legends of King Arthur, Sports Literature, Bible as Literature, Film as Literature, Mythology and Folklore, or AP English Literature & Composition (12th grade) (4 years available at VHS)

15. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “c” Mathematics (3 years required) Algebra A/B/C Geometry A/B/C, Geometry 1A/1B, or H Geometry 1A/1B Algebra II A/B or Algebra II/Trig. A/B or H Algebra II/Trig Trigonometry/Statistics Pre-Calculus A/B or H Pre-Calculus A/B AP Calculus AB (Calculus I) or AP Calculus BC (Calculus I & II) AP Statistics (4 years available at VHS)

16. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “d” Laboratory Science(2 years required) Biology 2A/B Biology A/B Material Science A/B Chemistry A/B or H Chemistry A/B Physics A/B, AP Phsyics B, or AP Phsyics C AP Environmental Science Human Anatomy/Physiology or H Human Anat/Phys. Marine Studies A/B Microbiology/Molecular Genetics or H Microbiology /Molec. Genet. 4 years available at VHS

17. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “e” Language other than English (2 years required) French I A/B, French II A/B, French III A/B American Sign Language I A/B, Amer. Sign Language II A/B (Amer. Sign Language is NOT considered a foreign language at most PRIVATE colleges/universities) Spanish I A/B, Spanish II A/B, Spanish III A/B, AP Spanish 4 years of Spanish available at VHS

18. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “f” Visual & Performing Arts(1 year required) Visual Arts: Art 1 A/B, 2D Art A/B, AP Studio Art, Ceramics A/B, Graphic Design A/B, Photography 1 A/B, Photography II A/B, ROP Commercial Photography (two semesters), and Video Productions 1 A/B Performing Arts: Alto/Soprano Chorus, Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir, Small Vocal Ensemble, Guitar A/B, Marching/Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Theater Arts I A/B, Theater Arts II A/B, and Theater Arts III A/B Miscellaneous: Music Appreciation A/B and AP Art History 4 years available at VHS

19. Does VHS offer everything my child will need to meet the “a-g” requirements? “g” College Prep. Electives(1 year required) One extra year (two semesters) chosen from “a” – “e” or One year (two semesters) of AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, AVID Senior Seminar, Advanced Journalism, Astronomy, Comedy & Satire, Constitutional Law, Earth Science A/B, Economics, Honors Economics, Journalism, Meteorology, Psychology, or Speech or One year (two semesters) of 2D Art A/B, AP Studio Art, AP Art History, Photography II A/B, Theater II A/B, or Theater III A/B (if not used as “F” requirement)

20. “a-g” Requirement Websites • VHS “a-g” courses: https://admissions.ucop.edu/doorways/list/ • “a-g” courses-general informaion: http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/

21. College Admissions Testing Required by UC and CSU Systems • SAT Reasoning Test(3 parts: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing) or • ACT Assessment plus Optional Writing (5 parts: Math, Reading, Science, English and Writing) • The UC System also requires two (2) SAT Subject Test Scores. These must be in two different areas, chosen from the following: English, history/social studies, mathematics (Level 2 only), science or language other than English.

22. Important Testing Websites • Scholastic Aptitude Testing (SAT): www.collegeboard.com American College Testing (ACT): www.act.org www.actstudent.org