PUBLIC INFORMATIONSTATEMENT

Although this student course guide was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time of publication, all information included herein is subject to change without notice or obligation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AISD CONTACT INFORMATION...... 2

ASSETS ACADEMY...... 3

SELECTING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES...... 4

ALVIN ISD REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS...... 4

RANDOM DRUG TESTING PROGRAM...... 5

GENERAL INFORMATION...... 5

GENERAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT INFORMATION...... 7

STUDENT CLASSIFICATION...... 7

AWARDING OF CREDITS...... 7

TEXAS SCHOLAR REQUIREMENTS...... 7

GRAD PLANS/REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 9TH GRADE 2008-09 AND THEREAFTER...... 8

LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION...... 14

CLASS RANK...... 14

GRADE POINT VALUES FOR THE THREE ACADEMIC LEVELS...... 14

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS...... 15

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS...... 16

COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS...... 17

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS ELECTIVES...... 17

ACADEMIC DECATHLON...... 18

MATHEMATICS...... 19

SCIENCE...... 20

HEALTH...... 23

SOCIAL STUDIES...... 23

ECONOMICS...... 25

HUMAN RELATIONS ELECTIVES...... 26

OTHER LANGUAGES...... 27

BAND...... 31

CHOIR...... 32

DANCE...... 33

QUICK GUIDE TO THEATRE ARTS CLASSES...... 34

THEATRE...... 35

VISUAL ART COURSE OFFERINGS AT A GLANCE...... 36

VISUAL ART...... 37

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES...... 40

CAREER DEVELOPMENT...... 40

AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURSES CAREER CLUSTER...... 40

ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION CAREER CLUSTER...... 42

ARTS, AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNOLOGY, AND COMMUNICATIONS CAREER CLUSTER...... 43

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION CAREER CLUSTER...... 43

EDUCATION & TRAINING CAREER CLUSTER...... 44

FINANCE CAREER CLUSTER...... 44

HEALTH SCIENCE CAREER CLUSTER...... 45

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM CAREER CLUSTER...... 46

HUMAN SERVICES CAREER CLUSTER...... 47

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER CLUSTER...... 47

LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS, & SECURITY CAREER CLUSTER...... 48

MANUFACTURING CAREER CLUSTER...... 49

MARKETING CAREER CLUSTER...... 50

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS CAREER CLUSTER...... 50

TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS CAREER CLUSTER...... 51

MCJROTC LEADERSHIP DEPARTMENT...... 52

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIVALENTS...... 52

OFFICE ASSISTANT...... 53

OPEN PERIODS...... 53

SPECIAL EDUCATION ...... 53

ACHIEVE TEXAS...... 54

ARTICULATION...... 55

DUAL CREDITCOURSES AND CORRESPONDING NUMBERS...... 56

DUAL CREDIT...... 58

DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM...... 59

(TSI) TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE TESTING REQUIREMENTS...... 61

DUAL CREDIT GUIDELINES FOR stateu.com...... 62

AISD SAMPLE FOUR-YEAR PLAN FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 9TH GRD 2008-09 AND THEREAFTER...... 64

AISD RHSP/DAP (WORKSHEET) FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 9TH GRD 2008-09 AND THEREAFTER...... 65

Alvin Independent School District

SUPERINTENDENT:Dr. Fred Brent

ALVIN HIGH SCHOOLMANVEL HIGH SCHOOL

802 S. Johnson St19601 Highway 6

Alvin, TX 77511Manvel, TX 77578

281 245-3000281 245-2232

Principal:Kathy WindsorPrincipal:Darrell Alexander

ASSETS Academy

605 W. House St.

Alvin, TX 77511

281 245-3045

Principal:Tracy Hummel

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301 E. House StAlvin, TX 77511281 388-1130

ASSETS Academy

AISD Academic Alternative Campus for 9th-12th Grades

Our Mission: It is the mission of ASSETS Academy to alter our students’ perceptions of the value of education and the opportunities it provides. ASSETS accomplishes this by creating a positive learning environment, maintaining high expectations, and challenging students to make choices that will result in life-long learning.

Students who attend ASSETS are in need of a non-traditional school setting where they can be successful learners. These students are academically at-risk, have gaps in their education for various reasons, and are potential high school dropouts. Our goal is to intervene, change perspectives, and close the gaps that would keep them from succeeding in a traditional high school setting. In addition, the learning environment is critical in helping these students to succeed. At ASSETS, we provide a non-threatening and nurturing environment that allows students to feel safe, both emotionally and physically.

Instructional Focus: Our instructional focus is child-centered. Each child’s strengths and weaknesses are analyzed in each content area. Students are then individually counseled so they can actively participate in decisions about which areas they need instruction to master certain objectives. Our instructional focus is driven by the needs of our students and changes to accommodate these needs. Our intent is to provide our students with a battery of learning strategies and problem-solving techniques that will serve them well as they move through high school and on to post-secondary education.

School Climate: If one word were chosen to reflect our school climate, it would be “teamwork.” We, as a staff, recognize that we are the example of teamwork. Through our team planning and professional interactions, we set the stage for what happens in our school. We often have meetings with students to address their educational needs. These meetings often include parents and the uniform message is: “Together we can solve our problems and move forward.” Through our Boys’ Town Social Skills Curriculum and our Adventure Based Counseling programs, our students develop respect for themselves, for each other and for their teachers. The overwhelming sense of achieving goals together empowers students to continuously set new goals and experience success. Our school climate fosters a safe environment in which students and teachers are aware that failure does not exist in a place where students are encouraged to take risks that ultimately lead to trust and confidence in oneself, and others. In such a climate, students gain character as well as academic success.

Full Value Contract (Practiced at ASSETS by Faculty, Staff, and Students as part of the Adventure Based Counseling Program):

1.I will help my group PLAN for success by setting group goals and determining appropriate behavior for group members.

2.I will be aware of and PRACTICE safe behavior at all times.

3.I will PROVIDE honest, constructive feedback to my group members and will receive feedback appropriately.

4.I will PROMOTE a positive attitude and atmosphere.

ASSETS’ Varied Learning and Teaching Strategies: Instruction includes a variety of learning and teaching strategies:

  1. Individual learning
  2. Cooperative learning
  3. Student-teacher interaction
  4. Student-student interaction
  5. Teacher to whole group instruction (as opposed to self-paced instruction.)

ASSETS Selection Process: Held each Spring

  1. 8th grade students are initially identified and referred through classroom teachers, counselor, and/or principal.
  2. Parents are notified by mail that their child may be a candidate.
  3. Informational meeting held at home-campus for candidates and their parents; applications are distributed.
  4. Once ASSETs receives applications, letters will be sent home with interview date and time.
  5. Data is collected: test scores, attendance history, discipline report, and grade reports.
  6. Personal interview with candidate and parent on home campus.
  7. Interviewer uses a matrix and a point system.
  8. ASSETS selection committee meets after all interviews.
  9. Letters sent home: acceptance or waiting list
  10. Orientation held at ASSETS every June: campus tour, contract, and paperwork

Acceptance is not granted on a “first come-first served” basis. Spots are given to students with the most need. For students in high school, applications are accepted at any time throughout the school year. When data is collected, and if a spot is available, we will contact you for an interview. If you are accepted, you can enroll at ASSETS at a grade report period. ASSETS students are allowed to take limited elective classes at Alvin High School. This is on an individual basis and is coordinated through the counseling center with AHS teacher and/or coach requests at their discretion.

SELECTING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

High school course selections made during the freshman and sophomore years may well be among the most important academic decisions a student will make. While they may not determine what career the student will pursue or which college he/she will attend, these decisions may very well remove certain colleges and certain careers from the range of choices.

Careful planning of the four years of high school is most important. A graduation plan form is provided in the Course Offering Guide to use for this purpose. This form is a worksheet for students and parents to use to determine what courses the student needs for the next year and/or in the future. During the eighth grade year, students will complete a graduation plan form within the Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance class. This graduation plan is not binding and may be changed at any time, but it does help a student and his/her parents to plan the years in high school.

The four years of high school should be planned to preserve a student's options. Too much math and science cannot harm either college or career prospects, but too little may affect a vast range of career possibilities in which the student may later become interested. A student who decides to enter engineering or attend a very selective college during the junior or senior year may discover too late that the college or career required four years of math or chemistry, physics and foreign language.

Each high school year, every student is one step closer to the future. With each decision, he/she may either preserve options or restrict future possibilities. The following information can be used to help parents and students plan for high school and beyond.

ALVIN ISD REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

PROCEDURE

  1. Counselors will meet with 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students in classroom settings to distribute Course Guides and reviewrequirements for graduation.
  1. Counselors will meet with each junior student through an individual academic conference.
  1. Students will discuss course choices with parents, coaches, and current teachers before completing the registration form.
  1. Teachers will be asked to review student selections and make recommendations for Pre-AP, AP, athletics, and other courses requiring teacher approval.
  1. After the registration process is completed, students will receive a computer printed verification form which will list the coursesfor which the student registered. Students will have two days in which to make corrections to their selections.

REGISTRATION FOR OFFICE ASSISTANT

  1. Office assistant gives local credit only; therefore, this course is open only to students who meet certain guidelines.

Counselor approval required. The counselor will assign the student to an office. (See P. 53)

REGISTRATION FOR OPEN PERIODS

  1. Seniors only who have enough credits for graduation may register for one open period. (See P. 53)
  1. A student cannot have an open period in the middle of the day.

REGISTRATION FOR COURSES REQUIRING RANDOM DRUG TESTING

1.Which students are subject to random drug testing?

All students in grades 9-12 who participate in any competitive extra-curricular activity and/or park a permitted vehicle on campus will be subject to the Random Drug Testing Program. The activities and organizations subject to testing include, but are not limited to, the following:

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  • Academic Decathlon
  • Business Professionals of America
  • Cheerleaders and Mascot
  • Color Guard
  • Jacketeers Drill Team
  • FCCLA
  • FFA
  • FBLA
  • HOSA
  • Class Officers
  • National Honor Society
  • JROTC
  • Robotics
  • Student Council
  • Speech and Debate
  • Theatre Arts
  • Fine Arts Activities
  • UIL activities (including athletics, academic competitions, band, choir, art)
  • VICA
  • SkillsUSA

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2.Does a student need to have a signed consent form from the parent/guardian authorizing participation

in the drug-testing program in order to tryout for an activity or run for office?

Yes. Before a student is allowed to participate in any competitive extracurricular activity and/or obtain and/or maintain a permit to park on campus, the student and the parent and/or person otherwise in lawful control of the student must present written consent to the testing. Both the student and the parent must sign the consent form authorizing the student's participation in the drug-testing program.

3.What happens if a parent or guardian does not consent to testing?

The student will not be able to participate or have parking privileges at any Alvin ISD campus.

For more information on the Random Drug Testing Program, please refer to Alvin ISD’s Official Policy FNF (Local) at

GENERAL INFORMATION

Correspondence Courses:A student may apply no more than two credits from courses taken by correspondence to the required graduation requirements. The course must be taken through an extension program approved by the state, and the student must have counselor approval before registering for a course. Students receive credit for correspondence courses, but no grade points are awarded.

UT @Austin

Texas Tech

Brigham Young University

PLATO Lab:Plato Lab is a computer-based instructional program through which students work individually oncredit courses. Students must have approval from the counselor to enroll.

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GENERAL INFORMATION(continued)

Credit by Exam:

Accelerated:Exams for credit in high school subjects are administered in June and July of each year. A student can have no prior formal instruction in the course being tested and must score a 90 or better on the exam to receive credit. Students entering high school in 2011-2012 and thereafter, must also meet state assessment requirements. The test grade and credit will be recorded on the transcript, but no grade points will be awarded. The school pays the fees for these exams; however, a refundable deposit must be paid when the student registers for the exam. Students can also take this exam during the school year by signing up with his/her counselor. Student is responsible for all fees related to the exam.

Credit Recovery Exam:A student who has previously taken a course and failed with at least a 60 may, pending TEA state assessment requirements,be permitted to earncredit for the failed course by taking a credit recovery exam. A student with excessive absences can only take a credit recovery exam with approval from the Attendance Review Committee. A student must score at least 70 on the exam to receive credit; the grade will be recorded on the transcript. No grade points are awarded. CRE cannot be used to regain eligibility in extra-curricular activities. The student is responsible for the exam fees and paperwork. Check with a counselor for eligibility.

Summer SchoolSummer school is available for credit acceleration and recovery. Location of summer school alternates between the high school campuses each year. Transportation and tuition are the student and parents’ responsibility. Check with a counselor for course eligibility. Information is usually available in early May.

AchieveTexas:AchieveTexas is an education initiative designed to prepare students for a lifetime of success. It allows students to achieve excellence by preparing them for secondary and postsecondary opportunities, career preparation and advancement, meaningful work, and active citizenship. AchieveTexas incorporates 16 career clusters identified by the U.S. Department of Education. Students can make informed decisions when they know what coursework and experiences are necessary for the various careers. The complete career pathway models can be found at (See P.54)

Articulation:Articulation is a way to start a college technical major in high school. In an Articulated program, students begin a course of study in high school and continue in a community or technical college. The result is a certificate or associate degree in a career field. (See P. 55)

Dual Credit:Alvin ISD has a cooperative arrangement with Alvin Community College and stateu.com, which allows students to earn college and high school credit in the same class. Students must get prior approval from the counselor before enrolling in dual credit courses.

Alvin Community College (P. 56-58)

Students must be academically advanced, must attain approval from the high school counselor and/or the ACC Academic Advisor located on the high school campus, and must take the THEA unless exempt. See ACC’s Dual Credit/Dual Degree TSI Testing Requirements (P. 61). These courses may count as one or two of their seven required high school courses. College credit earned prior to high school graduation will be placed on the student's college transcript only after graduation from high school. It is the student’s responsibility to make payment to the college for all applicable tuition charges, fees, textbooks, and supplies. .

stateu.com (P. 62-63)

Students must be academically advanced, must attain approval from the high school counselor and must take the THEA unless exempt. It is the student’s responsibility to make payment to the college for all applicable tuition charges, fees, textbooks, and supplies.

Dual Degree Program:The Alvin Independent School District and Alvin Community College have entered into an agreement which offers qualified students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree at the same time by successfully completing courses for dual credit and concurrent enrollment (Early College Admission). The Dual Degree Program will allow a participating high school graduate to directly enter a Texas state supported university as a college junior. (See P.59-60)

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GENERAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT INFORMATION

All graduates will be awarded a diploma, but only their transcripts will reflect the completion of any graduation plan above the Minimum Graduation Plan (Recommended Program or Distinguished Achievement Program).

Students will receive credit for high school courses completed in the 7th and 8th grade. Algebra I, Geometry, IPC, Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance, and Spanish are the only courses for which junior high students can receive high school credit. The numerical grade and credit earned for these courses will be posted on the student’s high school transcript. Grades earned in high school courses taken prior to ninth grade (except Pre-AP Geometry taken at a junior high campus or courses taken by junior high students on the high school campus), shall not be included in the class rank calculation. If a student repeats one of these courses after the 8th grade, it will be an audit course and receive no credit. For example, if a student passes Algebra I in the 8th grade and repeats it in the 9th grade, the grade earned in the 8th grade will be the official grade earned in the course. Students who successfully complete Algebra I OR Algebra I and Geometry for high school credit in junior high shall be required to complete three additional credits of mathematics during grades 9-12.