High School Student Progression

1
High School Student Progression

• Update on Legislative Changes
• July 15, 2003

2
Graduation options

• Beginning with the 2003 2004 school year,
  students entering grades six through twelve may
  select one of three pathways for achieving a
  standard high school diploma.
• In Sarasota County this applies to all students
  except those students who elect to attend Pine
  View, the International Baccalaureate program,
  MaST, or other district magnet programs with
  specific program requirements.

3
Requirements For All Options

• To graduate with a standard diploma
• students must earn passing scores on the Florida
  Comprehensive Assessment Test FCAT,
• achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0
  on a 4.0 scale, and
• successfully complete credits in the required
  number and distribution as specified in the
  Student Progression Plan.

4
Designation of Option

• Selection of one of the graduation options is
  exclusively up to the student and
  parent/guardian. All high school students are
  automatically enrolled in the district
  recommended four-year program unless the
  parent/guardian and the student formally request
  one of the accelerated options.

5
Recommended Four-Year Option

• There are no changes in the requirements as
  specified in the Student Progression Policy.
• Students are encouraged to take advantage of
  programs such as advanced placement AP courses,
  dual enrollment, early admission, Florida Virtual
  High School, technical education opportunities
  during the high school experience.
• Students have extended opportunities for elective
  courses and co-/extra curricular activities.

6
Accelerated Three-Year, 18-Credit College
Preparatory Option

• 4 credits in English
• 3 credits in math at Algebra I or higher
• 3 credits in science two lab courses
• 3 credits in social sciences
• 2 credits in the same foreign language unless
  demonstrated competency in a second language
• 3 credits in electives

7
Accelerated Three-Year, 18-Credit Career
Preparatory Option

• 4 credits in English
• 3 credits in math including Algebra I
• 3 credits in science two lab courses
• 3 credits in social sciences
• 2 credits in the same foreign language unless
  demonstrated competency in a second language
• 3 credits in electives

8
18-Credit Options

• The two new 18-credit options reduce the number
  of elective courses and require students to take
  two credits in a foreign language.
• The college preparatory option requires higher
  level math courses.
• Districts may not add extra requirements to
  either of the 3-year options.

9
Recommended Process in SC

• Parents receive information regarding options.
• Parents interested in the accelerated options
  schedule appointments with the guidance counselor
  at the high school.
• Parents and students sign a declaration form
  selecting the option and acknowledging the
  requirements.

10
Information to Parents

• July 15 Board Meeting aired on Channel 20
• July 22 letter mailed to parents from the
  Superintendents office
• July 31 Information Meeting at Sarasota High
  School at 7 PM
• August 4 Information Meeting at Venice High
  School at 7 PM
• Parent meetings at all high schools the week of
  August 4

11
Understandings and Questions

• The selection of the options is NOT retroactive.
  The options begin with students enrolled in
  grades six through 12 beginning with the 2003
  2004 school year.
• Four years of English must be taken during the
  3-year timeframe.
• Student participation in athletics will be
  limited to the 3 years and students must be full
  time students to participate in FHSAA sanctioned
  sports.
• With the exception of graduation, student will
  not be eligible to participate in traditional
  senior activities.

12
Understandings and questions continued

• How will we determine competency in a second
  language?
• How will the new options impact student access to
  scholarships and Bright Futures?
• Will students with a minimum of 18 credits be
  competitive with students who have more credits
  and a broader background?

13
Understandings and questions continued

• When will students double up on English
  courses? Sample possible schedules are on the
  next slide.
• When does the declaration occur? Recommendation
  After this initial year, we recommend that the
  parent/guardian make the selection prior to the
  freshman year and confirm prior to the end of the
  2nd year in high school or upon acquisition of 12
  applicable credits.

14
Possible Schedule for a Student in the
Accelerated Option

• Freshman Year
• English I
• Algebra I or next
• Biology
• Foreign language
• World History
• Elective

• Year 2
• English II
• English III
• Geometry or next
• Chemistry
• American History
• Foreign language

15
Possible Schedule for a Student in the
Accelerated Option cont.

• Year 3
• English IV
• Algebra II or next
• Physics
• Government
• Economics
• Elective
• Elective

• For students in the career prep option, the
  program would be basically the same except for
  math and the selection of science courses.

16
Additional Changes to HS SPP

• Participation in a JROTC drills class for one
  semester fulfills the .5 physical education
  requirement in the traditional program.

• The law now allows 120 hours of instruction to
  fulfill the one credit requirements in
  block-scheduled schools.

17
Acknowledgments

• Committee members
• Barbara Chomko
• Kathy Devlin
• Steve Largo
• Bill Massolio
• Robyn Marinelli
• Mike McHugh
• Barbara Witte