Preston High School
2014-2015
Registration
Handbook
35
Dear Student and Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
Welcome to Preston High School 2014-2015 registration. The information contained in this handbook is intended to help students develop a plan for high school that will best prepare them to achieve their post-high school goals. We strongly recommend that students review this handbook with parent(s)/guardian(s) to ensure their course requests meet post-high school plans.
The registration process involves several key steps for incoming freshmen. First, PHS counselors do some career exploration and provide registration information to students in an initial meeting. Then students and parents attend a registration night (March 5th & 6th) at PHS to develop a four-year education plan. Finally, the students will enter their class requests for next year during school at the Junior High Computer Lab. Class requests must be finalized by April 10th to allow sufficient time to create the actual student schedules. We highly encourage students to establish the most accurate requests in order to ensure that a viable schedule is created for them and to minimize schedule changes. Review the schedule change policy for 2014-2015 included in this booklet.
Students will receive a copy of the transcript and four-year plan each year to assist in planning and to ensure adequate progress towards graduation. Reviewing the transcript and four-year plan allows students and parent(s)/guardian(s) to determine if the student is missing a grade, has a grade of incomplete, or has failed any requirements for graduation. This review will also provide an opportunity to locate and correct errors contained on the transcript. The transcript is the only document kept on file at PHS to prove attendance and graduation. Contact the PHS registrar in order to make changes to the transcript.
Another excellent tool helpful for registration and post-high school planning is the Idaho Career Information System (CIS), which is available and free to all students attending Preston High School. The Idaho CIS provides a wealth of information about careers, making career decisions, career education options, financial aid, and the process for locating and obtaining jobs. A link entitled “Helpful High School Courses” is available for every occupation listed in CIS. We recommend that students refer to this online information to help in making registration decisions. It is well worth your time to explore this website.
***You can access eCIS by going to www.idahocis.org
To login, enter the following information: username – preston
password – indians04
Please feel free to contact the PHS counseling office regarding any questions or concerns you may have regarding registration, graduation, or information contained in this booklet.
Sincerely,
Don Woodward Carrie Sanders
PHS Counselor PHS Counselor
35
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Idaho High School Graduation Requirements……………………………………………...4
Suggested Timeline to Complete Core Required Courses…………………………………4
PHS Class Change Policy……………………………………………………………………. 5
PHS Attendance Policy………………………………………………………………………. 5
Credit Earned and Credit Makeup……………………………………………………………. 5
Summer School Remediation………………………………………………………………… 5
Idaho Proficiency Exams……………………………………………………………………... 6
College Entrance Exams (ACT, SAT, COMPASS)………………………………………….. 6
Senior Early Graduation Requirements………………………………………………………. 6
Senior Reduced Schedule Requirements……………………………………………………... 7
University and College Admission Requirements……………………………………………. 7
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses…………………………………………………………... 7
Concurrent Enrollment Courses………………………………………………………………. 7
Online Independent Study Options…………………………………………………………… 8
IDLA, IEN, BYU(IS)………………………………………………………………………... 10
Idaho 8-in-6 Program………………………………………………………………………... 10
Idaho Dual-Credit for Early Completers…………………………………………………….. 10
Tech Prep Credits……………………………………………………………………………. 10
Southeastern Idaho Technical Charter School (SEITec)……………………………………. 10
NCAA Eligibility……………………………………………………………………………. 11
PHS Master Course List…………………………………………………………………….. 12
PHS Master Course List…………………………………………………………………….. 13
Course Descriptions…………………………………………………………………………. 14
Art…………………………………………………………………………………… 14
English………………………………………………………………………………. 15
Foreign Languages………………………………………………………………….. 17
Math………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Miscellaneous………………………………………………………………………. 20
Music……………………………………………………………………………….. 21
Physical Education/Weights/Conditioning…………………………………………. 22
Professional Technical Education…………………………………………………... 23
Agriculture………………………………………………………………….. 23
Automotive Technology…………………………………………………….. 26
Business Marketing and Computer Technology……………………………. 26
Cabinet Making……………………………………………………………... 28
Electronics…………………………………………………………………... 28
Family and Consumer Sciences…………………………………………….. 29
Health & Health Professions………………………………………………... 30
Science……………………………………………………………………………… 32
Social Studies……………………………………………………………………….. 33
Special Services-Assisted Studies…………………………………………………... 35
IDAHO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The Idaho State Board of Education sets the minimum requirements for all students who graduate from accredited Idaho high schools. Preston School District has added to the state requirements. See PHS graduation requirements below:
Core Subject Areas / CreditsEnglish (including 1 credit of Speech or FFA Leadership ) / 9
Mathematics1 / 6
Science (4 credits must be a laboratory-based science2) / 6
Humanities3 / 2
U.S. History (20th Century) (AP/Concurrent U.S. History Options) / 2
American Government (AP/Concurrent Am. Gov Options) / 2
World History or Early U.S. History / 1
Economics (Concurrent) or Ag. Business and Economics4) / 1
Health / 1
Computer Technology / 1
Senior Project5 / 1
Core Credits Required Total: / 32
Electives Credits Required: / 17
Total Credits Required: / 496
Notes:
1. Math credits must include two credits of Algebra I or equivalent, two credits of Geometry or equivalent, and two math credits of the student’s choice. Two of the required six credits of Math must be taken during the senior year of high school. The senior year of high school shall include the summer preceding the fall start of classes.
2. Lab Sciences include Biology, Chemistry I & II, Zoology, Human Physiology, and Physics. Ag. Lab Sciences (Not NCAA approved) include Applied Greenhouse, Animal Science, Advanced Greenhouse, Applied Livestock Management, Wildlife Mgmt. and Natural Resources, Ag. Nutrition and Food Science, Electronics I and Electronics Intro.
3. Humanities credits offered at PHS include – Science Fiction, Poetry, Holocaust Literature, Mythology and Fantasy, World History, Current Events, Criminal Justice, Choir, Symphony, Band, Art, Foreign Languages, and Psychology I & II.
4. Agricultural Business/Economics does not qualify for NCAA certification.
5. Senior Project is a stand-alone credit typically beginning during the second semester of the junior year, but credit is not given until all parts of the project are completed including the senior project presentation. See PHS Website for complete details.
6. The PHS Graduating Class of 2015 is required to complete a total of 49 credits for graduation. Subsequent PHS Graduating Classes (i.e. Class of 2016, 2017, etc.) will only be required to complete a total of 47 credits for graduation.
Suggested Timeline to Complete Core Required Courses:
9th Grade / 10th GradeSemester 1 / Semester 2 / Semester 1 / Semester 2
English 9A / English 9B / English 10A / English 10B
Physical Science A / Physical Science B / Biology A / Biology B
Math 9 / Math 9 / Math / Math
Computer App* / Either World History* or
Early US History* / Health*
11th Grade / 12th Grade
Semester 1 / Semester 2 / Semester 1 / Semester 2
English 11A / English 11B / English 12A / English 12B
U.S. History A / U.S. History B / American Gov. A / American Gov. B
Lab Science** / Lab Science** / Math / Math
Speech* / Economics*
College Entrance Exam / Senior Project
*These courses can be taken either in the Fall (Semester 1) or Spring (Semester 2).
**The additional year of Lab Science may be taken during the junior or senior year.
PHS Class Change Policy: Selection of classes is one of the most important responsibilities that a student has in order to allow him/her the best possible education at PHS. All students should register for primary and alternate courses of their choice during Winter Registration. Students should consult with parents, counselors, and teachers during the registration process.
Schedules will be available for pick-up during specific advertised dates prior to the beginning of the school year and again prior to the start of the second semester. Counselors will be available during those times to discuss valid schedule changes. Schedule changes will not be made which create significant imbalances between sections and which negatively impact the learning environment. Some adjustments in classes and student schedules may be necessary to improve the learning environment.
All student-initiated class changes must be completed by the second day of school each semester. Any students making class changes after those deadlines (including Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses) will be charged $5 for the schedule change. Additionally, students not meeting the class change deadlines or desiring to drop the second semester of a class that is normally taken for the full year will need to fill out an add/drop form and obtain teacher approval prior to being allowed to make the change. To the maximum extent possible, class time will not be used to make class changes. Class changes will be made before school, after school, or during the lunch period.
Students requesting class changes after the first week of the semester will need to arrange a meeting with affected teacher(s), a counselor, an administrator, and a parent. If the class change occurs after the first three weeks of school, the student will receive a failing grade (F) in the course and no credit (NC) for the class to which he/she will be assigned. If a student has to be removed from a class for disciplinary reasons, the student will lose credit for the course and receive a failing grade (F) on the report card.
Finally, class changes will only be allowed for valid reasons. Bona fide reasons for class changes may include, but are not limited to the following reasons:
· to satisfy graduation requirements
· to fill each student’s schedule
· to ensure proper academic placement
· to avoid unnecessary repetition of the same course
· due to poor academic performance
· student did not meet the prerequisites for specified course as directed by administrators, counselors, and teachers
PHS Attendance Policy: A student will receive a “No Credit” (NC) grade in a given class when absent in excess of EIGHT (8) periods per semester. Absence from school for any reason other than a school/college related activity or prolonged medical condition will still be counted toward the total number of absences. Students who are tardy more than 10 minutes in a class will be considered absent. If the academic grade in the class with excessive absences is failing, the semester grade will remain “F.” If the academic grade in the class is passing and none of the absences were truancies, the student has the option of applying for credit with a Credit Reinstatement Application. See the PHS Office for an application.
Credit Earned and Credit Makeup: Students receive ONE (1) credit for each class passed at PHS each semester. If a student receives an "F" or “NC” for the semester grade, no credit is awarded. Students failing a core course required for graduation are responsible for making the arrangements to make up the lost credit.
Summer School Remediation: Remedial English, mathematics, science and history classes may be available for students to make up lost credit during Summer School at Franklin County High School. Two three-week sessions may be offered where students can earn one credit each session. Availability of summer courses are based on student demand and teacher availability. Summer school is free and is intended for students to make up lost credits. Please contact the PHS Counseling Department for specific information and applications.
Idaho Proficiency Exams: Idaho high school students are required to demonstrate proficiency in math, reading, and language usage on an Idaho Proficiency Exam prior to graduation as per Idaho State Department of Education. An alternative graduation mechanism is in place for students who are unable to demonstrate proficiency on a State of Idaho approved exam or equivalent exam from another state. Since the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) will not be available for 10th Graders this Spring, 10th Graders who did not pass the Grade 10 ISAT in 9th Grade will be placed on an alternate path to graduation. Current 10th Graders will never have to pass the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) in order to graduate. Current 9th Graders will have to pass the SBAC when they are in the 11th grade (Spring 2016) in order to graduate.
College Entrance Exams: Idaho requires students to take a college entrance examination by the end of the 11th grade, i.e. ACT, SAT, or Compass exams unless otherwise exempted. The State of Idaho currently pays for all juniors to take the SAT during a school day, typically scheduled during the month of April each year.
The American College Test (ACT) is a college entrance exam used to determine college admission and scholarships. It consists of subject area tests in: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT also has an optional writing test, which may be required by some colleges. Check specific college websites to determine current admission requirements. Contact PHS Counselors for ACT preparation materials and information including dates offered, costs, and sign-up information.
Students are encouraged to take the ACT twice by the end of their junior year. Student may take the ACT multiple times. Only the highest score will be considered for College Admission and Scholarships. Studies have shown that the majority of students’ scores improve when they take the ACT a second time. The ACT is offered at PHS on four national testing dates (October – April). ACT test dates for the 2014-2015 school year are as follows:
National ACT Test Dates:
September13,2014 *October25,2014 *December13,2014
*February7,2015 *April18,2015 June13,2015
*ACT scheduled to be given at PHS on these dates.
The registration deadline for any ACT test is usually 5 weeks before the test date. ACT encourages students to register online at www.actstudent.org. The website provides answers to most questions, including a handy search to determine which colleges require the optional writing portion. The ACT high school code for PHS is 130515. The test center or site code for PHS is 193680. Students who qualify for free/reduced school lunch may also qualify to receive up to two ACT fee waivers for regular ACT test registration.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is also a national college acceptance examination used to determine admission and scholarships similar to the ACT. The SAT Reasoning Test focuses on math, critical reading, and writing (no science). Some colleges may require students to take specific SAT Subject Tests. To register online to take the SAT during a national date or for more information, go to www.collegeboard.com.
The Computer Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System (COMPASS) is a placement assessment used for admissions and placement decisions at Idaho Professional/Technical Colleges. The COMPASS is currently available through the PHS Computer Lab.