Curriculum Guide for Public Schools: Fairmont High Courses - Pathways

1. Public Schools of Robeson County -Fairmont High- *Courses of Study**Pathways*

2. 3 courses of study: • College/University Course of Study • College Tech Prep Course of Study • Career Prep Course of Study Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a minimum of 28 credits. Credits are earned by successfully passing a course. To graduate from high school, a student must complete a course of study. There are three courses of study from which to choose (in addition to choosing one of the following courses of study, students must complete one Health/P.E. course. It is recommended that all students take one art course).

3. College/University • 4 Units of English (I, II, III, IV) • 4 Units of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a higher math for which Algebra II is a prerequisite) • 3 Units of Science (Earth Science, Biology, Physical Science) • 3 Units of History (World History, Civics, U.S. History) • 2 Units in the same foreign language This course of study is for the student who plans to attend a four year institution. This course of study meets the minimum requirements for admission at the 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina.

4. North Carolina Academic Scholars • In addition to completing the requirements for the College/University Course of Study, NC Academic Scholars must also take: • Physics or Chemistry • 1 Career and Technical Education Course • 1 Arts Education course • 5 Elective Credits including at least one second level or advanced course ***Students who complete the requirements for an academically challenging high school program will be named NC Academic Scholars and receive special recognition during graduation exercises.

5. COLLEGE TECH PREP 4 Units of English (I, II, III, IV) 3 Units of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II OR Algebra I, Tech Math I and Tech Math II) 3 Units of Science (Earth Science, Biology, Physical Science) 3 Units of History (World History, Civics, U.S. History) 4 Courses in the same pathway (one of which must be a second level course) This course of study is for the student who plans to attend a technical or vocational school after high school. Students completing this course of study must complete four courses in the same pathway, one of which must be a second level course.

6. CAREER PREP 4 Units of English (I, II, III, IV) 3 Units of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II OR Algebra I, Tech Math I and Tech Math II) 3 Units of Science (Earth Science, Biology, Physical Science) 3 Units of History (World History, Civics, U.S. History) 4 Courses in the same pathway (one of which must be a second level course) This course of study is for the student who plans to go to work after high school graduation. Requirements are the same for this course of study as they are for the college tech prep course of study. However, in addition to the ten pathways listed for College Tech Prep, students may also choose a pathway in JROTC or the Arts.

7. PATHWAYS and related careers: • Agricultural and Natural Resources: • landscaping, farming, forestry • Biological and Chemical Technology: • chef, nutritionist, cafeteria worker • Business Technology: • office manager, bank teller, sales agent • Commercial and Artistic Production Technology: • TV/Radio Broadcasting, small business owner, technology trade • Construction Technology: • brick mason, plumbing, carpentry • Engineering Technology: • engineering, networking, data processing CONTINUED…

8. PATHWAYS and related careers: • Health Science: • nursing, health professions, therapists • Industrial Technology: • welding, architecture, industrial manufacturing • Public Service Technology: • day care workers, culinary arts, cosmetology • Transport System Technology: • automotive mechanic, engine repair, racing • JROTC or Art: • Four courses in JROTC or the same Art (including an advanced art course)

9. There is one additional course of study which is the Occupational course of study. This particular Course of Study is available for students with specific identified disabilities. The student who is on the Occupational Course of Study must have a current Individual Educational Plan (IEP). These students must complete three hundred hours of school-based training, two hundred forty hours of community-based training, and three hundred sixty hours of paid employment. Please contact your child’s Exceptional Children’s teacher for more comprehensive information.

10. New High School Exit Standards These graduation requirements apply to students entering ninth grade for the first time in the 2006-2007 school year and beyond who are following the Career Tech Prep, College Tech Prep, or College/University Prep Courses of Study

11. Overview • 28 credits to graduate • Pass NC Competency Tests • (Math & Reading) • Pass the NC Computer Skills Competency Test • Score level III or higher on 5 end-of-course assessments • Complete Graduation Project

12. 28 CREDITS… Students must complete 28 credits which are determined by their chosen course of study (College/University Prep, College Tech Prep, or Career Tech Prep)

13. Pass NC Reading and Math Competency Tests… • Must score a level III or IV on the 8th Grade Reading and Math Competency Tests. • Students who do not meet the 8th grade math EOG requirement may use their Algebra I EOC score (must score a level III or above on Algebra I EOC). • Students who do not meet the 8th grade reading EOG requirement may use their English I EOC score (must score a level III or above on the English I EOC).

14. NC Computer Competency Test • Students must pass the North Carolina Computer Competency Test (by scoring a level III or IV on the test). • This is an online computer skills test that will be administered in high school for the students who did not meet this requirement in the 8th grade.

15. Must Pass 5 End of Course Tests • Students must score a level III or IV on 5 End of Course Tests: • English I (9th Grade) • Algebra I (9th Grade) • Biology (10th Grade) • Civics/Economics (10th Grade) • U.S. History (11th Grade)

16. Senior Project • Students must complete a graduation project. Students will choose the topic for their project but will have to have their topic approved by the graduation project committee. • Requirements for this project are as follows: • Research Paper • Product • Portfolio • Oral Presentation

17. The Research Paper This is an 8-10 page paper written on a topic of the student’s choice (which has been approved by the graduation committee).

18. The Product • A tangible project related to the student’s topic of choice. The product can be a service that would benefit the school or community. The product should challenge the student, allow him/her to show applications of learning, and reflect that the student has spent substantial time completing it.

19. Examples of Service-Learning Graduation Projects Projects that deal with community needs related to health, poverty, social issues, or the environment. Projects documenting local history or culture through interviews, archival research and photography. Projects helping other students through student mentoring and peer or cross-age tutoring. Some projects may be one-time while others take place throughout the school year.

20. Portfolio A folder containing reflective writings or logs and other forms of student documents that demonstrate his/her process and progress (including a record of the number of hours spent on the project).

21. Oral Presentation A formal student presentation encapsulating the entire process from the topic selection to project completion and self growth. This is presented before a panel of faculty and community members. Presentation will be limited to 8-10 minutes.

22. What Next??? Fairmont High School is currently in the process of developing the final guidelines for the graduation project. In the meantime, if you would like more information, please visit the High School Exit Standard Implementation Guide on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s website: www.ncpublicschools.org/secondary