Course Selections 2011

1. Course Selections 2011 Summer Creek High School Parent Night for Grades 10 & 11 January 27, 2011

2. Class of 2012 • Important Student Information: • Juniors by Individual Appointment • Students will receive: • SCHS Course Request Sheet (Due Feb. 15) • “A Step Closer” Packet • Copy of Personal Graduation Plan • Parents will receive by email: • Humble ISD Course Guide

3. Class of 2013 • Important Student Information: • Feb. 1 - World History class visits • Students will receive: • SCHS Course Request Sheet – Due Feb. 8 • Copy of existing 4-year plan to update – Due Feb. 8 • Parents will receive by email: • Humble ISD Course Guide

4. Humble ISD Course Guide • Valuable Information on: • Career Pathways • GPA/Credits • Course Placement • Course Descriptions • Graduation Plans • Link from Website • SCHSOur SchoolCounselorsCourse Requests (see highlighted link)

5. What Is a Credit? • One credit = 1 full year in a class • One half credit = 1 semester of a class • To earn credit: • Average must be 70% or better • Must be in attendance 90% of days

6. Recommended Graduation Plan 4 English 4 Math 4 Science + 4 Social Studies • 2 credits of (the same) Foreign Language • 1 credit of Fine Arts • 1 credit of Technology Applications • 1.5 credits of PE classes, athletics, or a PE substitute • .5 credit of Teen Leadership (meets the speech requirement) • .5 credit of Health • 3.5 additional elective credits

7. Distinguished Achievement Program • Recognizes exceptional achievement • See Course Guide for full description • Still 26 credits • Third credit of the same foreign language • IPC and Math Models do not count as one of the four math or science credits • Four “advanced measures” – any combination of: • Preapproved research project • AP Test Score of 3 or higher • PSAT recognition • 80% or higher in College Credit course

8. Extra Fine Arts Extra Athletics Psychology/Sociology Extra Foreign Language Debate Journalism Reading AVID JROTC 15 Career Pathways: Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources Architecture & Construction Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Business Management & Administration Education & Training Finance Health Science Hospitality & Tourism Human Services Information Technology Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Manufacturing Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Electives

9. Advanced Academics • Advanced Placement • No fee for class up front • No placement test • Fee for AP Test at the end of course • College credit awarded based on AP Exam score (acceptable scores differ based on individual university/college requirements) • Universally accepted • Dual Credit • Must qualify by placement test • Apply as Lone Star college student • Pay Lone Star fees • LSC credit awarded if “C” or better is obtained in the course (75+)

10. Texas Virtual School Network (www.TxVSN.org) • Clearinghouse of online courses • Provider/Receiver Districts • Allotment Funding for now • High school student may take up to 2 TxVSN courses/semester • Part of 7 period day • Outside of regular school day

11. Interested in taking an online class? • Step 1: See if you are ready for online instruction. • Go to http://txvsn.readi.info • log in: screek • password: student Email your results to your counselor!

12. Interested in taking an online class? • Step 2: Look at the course catalog to see what you’d like to take. • Go to www.txvsn.org • Hover mouse over TxVSN Catalog • Click on High School • Select Year: 2010-11 • Select Semester: Fall, then Search This is the list of courses available this past fall and will give you a good idea of what will be offered next fall. Next year’s courses are not published yet.

13. Interested in taking an online class? • Step 3: Talk to your counselor about enrolling in a TxVSN course. • Review SmarterMeasure results • Are you self-motivated? • Are you ready for the independence? • Which course(s) should you take online? • Will you take the course(s) as part of your 7 periods or in addition to the 7 next year?

14. Not Sure What to Choose? For help in choosing the right courses for your child, please contact his/her teachers or counselor.

15. TxVSN Driver’s Education • To get a driver’s license, students must: • Complete a driver safety education class to receive their permit • Then within the next six months complete 34 hours of required “in car” learning (professional or with approved/trained parents) • Be at least 16 and have six months experience driving with a permit • TxVSN 56 hour course counts as ½ credit elective • Covers only the safety education class required for the permit, not any of the training behind the wheel • Student must be between 14 years 9 months and 17 years 1 month • Must be one of the 5.5 required elective credits, not an “EXTRA” elective to be eligible for state funding

16. Class of 2012College Testing • College Testing • IF 4 year college • NOW is the time • ACT – www.act.org • SAT – www.collegeboard.com • Students who plan to take the ACT or SAT may request one free test. See Counselor for details. • IF 2 year college • ASSET or COMPASS test with Lone Star • When applying for Dual Credit Classes or during senior year

17. Websites • Scholarships.com • Fastweb • More in packet • Beware of Scams • College-specific Scholarships • Eligible when application is complete • December of senior year • Apply early (before end of October)

18. Paying for College • How much? • What do I pay? • What financial aid is available? • How do I qualify? • When do I apply? • What do I need to apply?

19. Financial Aid Parent Workshop • For Parents of Eleventh Graders • Thursday, March 24 • 6:30 p.m. • Location TBD

20. Career Help • Bridges is coming soon! • Career Interest, Values, Skills • College Majors • Link to 4 year plans • Resumes • Saved Profile

21. Questions? • Counselors and Administrators will stay to answer questions. • Email Counselors: • phyllis.cart@humble.k12.tx.us • jana.ward@humble.k12.tx.us • heidi.thompson@humble.k12.tx.us • neatra.mcmiller@humble.k12.tx.us