Welcome to High School

1. Welcome to High School East Paulding High Hiram High North Paulding High Paulding County High South Paulding High

2. Graduation Rule for Class of 2012 Registration (Classroom Guidance In February) & A Typical High School Schedule Honors/AP Application Information

3. Georgia’s New Graduation RuleOverview of Topics Research Content of the New Rule Frequently-Asked Questions Counseling and Support

4. Why Do We Need to Change? The skills and knowledge required in the workplace are no longer very different from those needed for success in college. (Achieve, Inc., 2004) The quality of courses completed in high school is a greater predictor of college success than test scores, class rank, or grade point average. (Education Trust - Barth, 2003) Students are more likely to pass high- level courses than low-level courses. (Brookings Institution, 2002)

5. New Graduation Requirements Rule was created by committee: GaDOE, University System of Georgia, Department of Technical and Adult Education, business leaders, system and school educators Rule was discussed throughout the state last spring and summer Rule establishes minimum academic requirements Aligned with state’s revised and improved curriculum, the Georgia Performance Standards

6. New Graduation Requirements Aligned with higher expectations of the American Diploma Project for college and work-ready requirements Addresses the concerns regarding the Special Education Diploma Addresses the need for one diploma and a single set of course requirements, with support and acceleration opportunities All graduates prepared for college-entry courses AND the workplace

7. Areas of Study: Units Required English/Language Arts * 4 Mathematics* 4 Science* 4 Social Studies* 3 CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Modern Lang. 3 Health and Physical Education* 1 Electives 4 Total Units (Minimum) * Required Courses and/or Core Courses 23

10. English Language Arts Changes 4 units of English/Language Arts required, including: 1 unit of 9th Grade Literature and Composition 1 unit of American Literature and Composition 2 additional units

11. Math Changes – 4 units required

12. Science Changes 4 units of Science required, including: 1 unit of Biology (can be AP/IB) 1 unit of Physical Science or Physics (AP/IB) 1 unit of Chemistry, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, or an AP/IB course 1 unit of a 4th science, including any AP/IB, academic science, or career tech science (ex: Agricultural Science) 4th science unit may be used to meet both the science and elective requirements.

13. Social Studies Changes 3 units of Social Studies required, including: 1 unit of World History 1 unit of United States History ½ unit of American Government/Civics ½ unit of Economics

14. Health/Physical Education All students must complete 1 unit 3 units of ROTC may substitute for the Health/PE requirement under the following conditions: JROTC courses include Comprehensive Health and PE Rule requirements Local BOE must approve the use of ROTC courses to satisfy the one required unit in health and PE. Our district has not made this decision as of yet. JROTC is available at EPHS, HHS, and PCHS.

15. Electives Three units required: CTAE and/or Modern Language and/or Fine Arts Students are encouraged to select courses in a focused area of interest and to build upon the career interest inventories that they have completed this school year with the counselors and graduation coaches.

16. CTAE(Career Technical and Agriculture Education) Pathways Students may earn three units of credit in a sequence of CTAE courses through a self-selected pathway leading to college readiness and a career readiness certificate endorsed by related industries.

17. Career Technical and Agriculture Education) Pathways in PCSD • Agriscience Career Pathway • Transportation Logistical Support Career Pathway • Small Business Development Career Pathway • Therapeutic Services Career Pathway • Marketing & Management Career Pathway

18. Modern Languages/Latin and Fine Arts Students are encouraged to earn 2 credits in the same language (2 units of credit required for entry into the University System of Georgia). Electives may be selected from courses in fine arts and/or CTAE.

19. Electives • 4 additional units of electives required • Student advisement is key and your student will have advisement/registration this spring as well as during the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade years. • These advisement opportunities are critical and involve parent’s/guardian’s participation.

20. Changes for Students With Disabilities Students with disabilities who take and pass Math 1 with a support class, and Math 2 with a support class upon determination through the IEP process, may meet diploma requirements by completing Math 3 for a total of 3 units. Completion of 3 units of math may not meet math admission requirements for entrance into a University System of Georgia institution or other postsecondary options.

21. Students With Severe Cognitive Disabilities May graduate and receive a regular high school diploma when the student’s IEP team determines that the student has: Completed an integrated curriculum based on the GPS that includes instruction in Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies as well as career preparation, self-determination, independent living and personal care to equal a minimum of 23 units of instruction, and Participated in the GAA in middle school and high school and earned a proficient score on the high school GAA, and Reached the 22nd birthday OR transitioned to employment/training in which the supports needed are provided by an entity other than the local school system

22. Frequently Asked Questions

23. Why are we moving to just one type of diploma? Under the current graduation rule, students complete different requirements depending on which diploma option they select Skills needed for college and the workplace are no longer different (American Diploma Project) All students need to complete rigorous coursework requirements no matter what their postsecondary plans.

24. Why are we increasing math and science requirements to four years? Georgia students must be prepared to work in a competitive global economy Scientific inquiry and mathematical thinking are critical skills all students need With appropriate third and fourth year options, more students will be prepared to succeed in occupations that require math and science Support classes help them meet requirements

25. Are we eliminating Fine Arts? Fine Arts options are not being eliminated. The current rule does not require Fine Arts. The new rule requires ALL students to take at least THREE CREDITS in CTAE and/or Modern Language/Latin and/or Fine Arts New rule allows greater flexibility and choice regarding electives, including Fine Arts courses

26. Why change the requirements for Special Education students? All students need access to a regular education diploma to provide postsecondary opportunities With appropriate support, many students with disabilities can earn a regular diploma Parents/guardians will see the transition and planning process during the 8th grade year to earn a regular high school diploma.

27. How do these changes affect the advanced students? • Advanced courses will continue to be available • Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment, joint enrollment, industry certification • Courses will continue to be offered • More students prepared for advanced coursework and thus, competitive with their peers as they enter the next level of their career • Transcripts show the level of rigor – “enriched”

28. Are we cutting Career, Technical & Agricultural Education programs? CTAE courses and programs are not being cut Pathway options will be expanded to include not only CTAE courses, but also Fine Arts, Humanities and other academic concentrations Pathways are aligned to industry certifications Dual enrollment opportunities and post-secondary credit will be available

29. What additional support will be provided to implement the rule? • Support for students and their parents/guardians comes from counselors and graduation coaches. • Additional online, dual enrollment, and joint enrollment course opportunity information as students move through high school • Testing information • Parent information including parent nights and advisement opportunities

30. Graduation Rule Information http://www.gadoe.org/ Questions Please contact counselors and/or graduation coaches.

31. Registration at the Middle Schools by High School Counselors and Coaches A Typical Schedule

33. CORE Academics 9th Grade English • Regular • Honors

34. CORE Academics Continued Mathematics • Math I • Accelerated Math I • If your student struggles in math, he/she will likely need a math support class.

35. CORE Academics Continued Science • Biology • Honors Biology*

36. Academics Continued Social Studies 2 electives are offered in social studies: • World Geography • AP Human Geography, where offered.

37. Health / Personal Fitness Both are required for graduation. One semester each is taken by 9th grade students.

38. ANElective Some of the possibilities: Academic Elective in Social Studies • JROTC (EPHS, HHS, & PCHS) • Computer Applications

39. More Elective Possibilities • Band • Chorus • Dance (Color Guard) • Drama • Visual Arts

40. And More Possibilities • Family Consumer Science (EPHS, HHS, PCHS) • Agricultural Leadership (PCHS) • Introduction to Technology (HHS)

41. And More Still • Spanish I • Spanish II • French I • Latin I (EPHS)

42. Instructional Focus • Each high school has a 25 minute Instructional Focus session built into the school day. • This time is spent on enrichment and tutorial activities. • Most high schools have the High School 101 curriculum for 9th grade students.

43. The Advisement/Registration FormLet us review the advisement/registration form that is completed during classroom guidance in February of 2008 at the middle schools.Course verification listswill be available on March 31st at 7:00 p.m.Parent/Student Night atall High Schools

45. High School Honors Classes2008

46. Why should I take Honors classes? • The U.S. Department of Education released a study that shows that by the time students enter college, the type of courses they took in high school is more important than test scores, class rank, or grade averages. • Michael Adams, President of UGA, says that rigor of curriculum is a factor above all others that determines success in the college admissions process.

47. Honors World Geography/ AP Human Geography (selected locations) Honors Biology Honors Literature/Composition Accelerated Math I What 9th grade Honors classes are available?

48. There is one application for all 9th grade Honors courses. Complete the section for each 9th grade honors course you would like to be considered for in the 2008-2009 school year. What do I need to do to get into Honors classes?

49. How are Honors classes beneficial to my GPA? • Honors courses are weighted. Successful completion of the course, an average of 70 or above BEFORE weights are added, earns a student five (5) points onto the final course average. • For example: Student earns an 80 in Honors Lit/Comp – the report card and transcript will reflect an 85 as the weighted points are added to the final average.

50. How and when do I apply? • January 14-18, 2007 Distribution of Applications • Application Deadline- January 29, 2007