El Campo High School
2014-2015
Registration Handbook
For Classes 2015, 2016 and 2017
TO: STUDENTS and PARENTSThis registration handbook has been designed to provide course selection information forthe 2014-2015 school year for the Class of 2015, 2016, and 2017. It provides a brief description of each high school course and shows any prerequisites and/or special requirements. You will also find information on the types of graduation plans and credits required for graduation. A variety of classes is offered in all areas of the curriculum in order to meet the needs and interests of the students at ECHS. El Campo High School students are encouraged to consult with parents, their counselor, and teachers for assistance in selecting courses that will meet personal needs for the future as well as satisfy high school graduation requirements. Careful planning is essential for wise and responsible decisions regarding course selections which will provide the educational preparation needed for the attainment of future goals.
One of the most critical functions performed by a school is the pre-registration of students. Based on information obtained during the pre-registration, courses are scheduled and teachers are employed forthe next school year. It is extremely important that course selection be given serious consideration. Students should select courses which are equal to their academic abilities and interests. Consideration should be given to the combination of courses selected and the demand on time for studying, practicing, performing or competing. After school begins, changes will be made only to correct scheduling errors or to equalize class enrollments.
While planning a four-year course of study, students and parents are encouraged to carefully consider:
1.Different graduation plans
2.Prerequisites for each course
3.Courses required in order to graduate under the selected plans
4.Student ability and motivation
Information in this publication is subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of the El Campo ISD or the Texas Education Agency.
If you have any questions, please see a counselor.
Lisa Gillis, Counselor for students with last names beginning with A-G
Robin Crowell, Counselor for students with last names beginning with H-O
Sara Kahla, Counselor for students with last names beginning with P-Z
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
El Campo High School students who entered ninth grade in 2011 and after must successfully complete specified units of credit and pass all five End Of Course Exams in the following subjects: English I and II , Algebra 1, Biology, and United States History to fulfill graduation requirements as approved by the Texas Education Agency and the E.C.I.S.D. Board of Trustees. Astudent in special education may graduate by the Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee's determination that the student has completed requirements specified in the student's individual education plan.
GRADUATION PLANS
Recommended High School Program Distinguished Achievement Program
Students graduating under the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program will be recognized as a Texas Scholar.
* Minimum Program requires committee approval.
Classes of 2015, 2016, and 2017 have the option to graduate under the Minimum, Recommended, or Distinguished Achievement, or Foundation Plan. Please see your counselor for more details.
Each student should develop a graduation plan when he/she enters El Campo High School. A graduation plan is used as a guide to organize a course of study which will provide the positive educational preparation needed for the attainment of future goals. The plan will assist students in meeting graduation requirements while planning for post-secondary education and/or work. Students are advised to consult college catalogues to determine post-secondary entrance requirements.
The student and parents should choose the classes to be included in the graduation plan. School counselors will assist students and parents with the development of their plan. Students should review their plan each year and make revisions as needed.
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM
The Distinguished Achievement Program recognizes students who demonstrate levels of performance equivalent to college students or work done by professionals in the arts, sciences, business, industry, or in community service. Students must complete the credit requirements and successfully complete any combination of four advanced measures. These measures require student performance that is equivalent to college or professional level work and are assessed by external sources of evaluation.
Four advanced measures may include all or any combination of the following:
Original Research/Project (Independent Study Mentorship Pre-AP)
•Judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project; or
•Conducted under the direction of mentor(s) and reported to an appropriate audience; or
•Related to the required curriculum set forth in 19 TAC 74.1 (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills)
Note: Original research/projects may not be used for more than two of the four advanced measures.
Test Data
•A score of three or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination
Note: If a student takes more than one AP Exam each exam receiving a three or above will count as one advanced measure.
•A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a Commended Scholar or higher by
the National Merit Scholarship Corporation; as part of the National Hispanic Scholarship Program
of the College Board; or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding
Negro Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT score may count as only
one advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received by the student.
College Courses
•A grade of 3.0 or higher on courses that count for college credit, including tech prep programs.
Note: If a student takes more than one college course, each course in which the student earns a grade of 3.0 or higher will count as one advanced measure.
Curriculum
The curriculum and programs offered reflect the mission of El Campo High School to provide a positive educational program that affords every student the opportunity to achieve to the maximum of his or her academic ability. Pre-AP and AP courses are offered in English, math, science, and social studies.
Texas Scholars Program
Texas Scholars is a program for students who wish to complete a more rigorous course of study in high school. The program motivates students to prepare themselves for a well-paying job. Students and parents understand that the good jobs go to those who prepare themselves by obtaining a sound academic education. Students take on-level courses in language arts, foreign language, mathematics, science, and social studies. The goal of the student is to satisfactorily complete the more rigorous content. The importance of the program is on raising student expectations so they may compete in the highly technical work world of the future. Students in the Texas Scholars program who receive a "C" or higher in the more rigorous course of study are recognized each year.
The Texas Scholars program is a coalition between the school and the business community to create a well informed work force. The program bonds business and education together in an initiative that beneficially serves the community as a whole.
Articulation for College Credit
Students in all grades can earn college credit for specified courses through articulation agreements with Wharton County Junior College and San Jacinto Community College. .
Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program of the College Board enables students to complete college-level studies at El Campo High School. The "academic bridge" helps smooth the transition from high school to college. The primary goals of the AP Program are to enrich the secondary school experience of students ready to apply themselves to college-level courses and to provide the means by which colleges may grant credit or placement, or both, to students with satisfactory AP test scores. AP courses are taught by trained high school teachers and are designated as honors courses. AP courses are offered for English, Government Economics, U.S. History, Physics, Bblogy, Chemistry, Calculus, and Spanish. The grade for GPA configuration is weighted by a value of (.2).
Pre-AP
Pre-AP is an initiative to provide students with courses that better prepare them for the demands of AP. Pre-AP is committed to the principle that all students deserve an opportunity to participate in rigorous and academically challenging courses.
Pre-AP is a set of content-specific strategies designed to build rigorous curricula, promote access to AP for all students, introduce skill concepts, and assessment methods to prepare students for success when they take AP and other challenging courses, and strengthen curriculum and increase academic challenge for all students. Pre-AP courses are offered for English, World History, World Geography, Geometry, Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Spanish III. The grade for GPA configuration is weighted by a value of (.1).
Pre-AP and Advanced Placement Course Criteria
It is expected that students who register for Pre-AP and Advanced Placement (AP) course meet the following criteria:
•Reading above grade level
•Able to read charts, graphs and tables
•Have grade level appropriate writing skills (entering freshmen should be able to write a cohesive paragraph with a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and commentary)
•Proficient in basic skills such as sentence structure, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement, and other writing/ grammar skills
•Proficient in fact recall
•Able and willing to work at a higher critical thinking skills level
•Be able to factor and solve equations
•Have passed last given TAKS test
•Those above 9th grade level must have passed the reading and math 9th grade benchmark TAKS test given each spring
•Be highly motivated
•Have an acceptable work ethic
•Willingness to meet deadlines for turning in assignments
•Able to research using a variety of resources, including the internet and basic library references
Dual/Concurrent College Enrollment
El Campo ISD allows students the opportunity to enroll in college courses at Wharton County Junior College during their junior/senior year.
Students must be accepted to WCJC in order to enroll in these dual credit or concurrent enrollment classes. Interested and qualified students must pre-register for these classes with their high school counselor and then register with WCJC. Tuition, books and fees are the responsibility of the student for WCJC classes.
Dual credit courses available: English IV (ENGL 1301/1302), Math for Business and Social Sciences I/Math for Business and Social Sciences II ( MATH 1324/MATH 1325 ), Trigonometry and PreCalculus (MATH 1316/MATH 2312).
Government (GOVT 2305)
The grade for GPA Configuration is weighted by a value of (.1).
Grade Classification Requirements
For the purpose of classifying students:
Freshman: A student must have been promoted from the 8th grade
Sophomore: A student must have successfully completed 6 credits.
Junior: A student must have successfully completed 12 credits.
Senior: A Student must have successfully completed 18 credits.
This classification is based on the number of credits actually completed at the beginning of the fall semester. Transfer students may be reclassified according to the requirements listed above upon enrollment in El Campo High School.
Discrimination Disclaimer
The El Campo Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of
race, religion, color, national origin, sex or handicap in providing education
services. Carolyn Gordon has been designated to coordinate compliance with
the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX. Dan Hammock
has been designated to coordinate compliance with the
nondiscrimination requirements of section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
El Campo ISD makes a concerted effort to make all programs available to students;
however, some courses may not be available due to staffing and class size.
All prerequisites specified for a course are to be met prior to registering
unless waived by the principal.
had not been decided.
Classes offered inthe ECHS CTE Program may have fees associated with them for lab materials, supplies, student organization costs, and industry standard or professional examinations.
Schedule change Policy
Once school begins, schedule changes will only be made for the purpose of leveling classes.
The only other schedule changes that will be considered are for the following reasons:
1 - You received credit for the course you are currently scheduled in;
2 - You do not have a course you need for graduation.
NCAA Academic Eligibility
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulates many college athletic programs. Students enrolling in college as freshmen and wishing to participate in Division I or Division II athletics must be certified by the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse ensures consistent interpretation of NCAA eligibility requirements for all student athletes at all NCAA member institutions. Please contact the NCAA Clearinghouse or go to ECHS Guidance Office has information on specific guidelines.
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM for the entering Class of 2016
Academic Core Components*Credits
English4
English I, English II, English III, English IV
Math4
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II,
Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, Independent Study of Math, Dual Credit Math, Engineering Math
Science4
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology,
AP Chemistry, AP Physics,
Astronomy, Advanced Animal Science
*NOTE: Must take Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and
one additional science course.
Social Studies4
World History, World Geography, U.S. History,
U.S. Government and Economics
Physical Education1
Physical Education or equivalent: athletics,
athletic trainer, fall
semester of band, flag corps, Derby Dolls
and cheerleading
Money Matters.5
Foreign Language3
Fine Arts 1
Speech.5
Professional Communications
Elective Courses4
Total26
RECOMMENDED HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM for the entering Class of 2016
Academic Core Components*Credits
English4
English I, English II, English III, English IV
Math4
Algebra I, Geometry, Math Models, Algebra II** must
be taken after Math Models,
Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, Independent Study of Math, Dual Credit Math, Engineering Math
Science4
IPC, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, AP Biology,
AP Chemistry, AP Physics,
Astronomy, Advanced Animal
Science
*NOTE: Must take Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and
one additional science course.
Social Studies4
World History, World Geography, U.S. History,
U. S. Government and Economics
Physical Education1
Physical Education or equivalent: athletics,
athletic trainer, fall
semester of band, flag corps, Derby Dolls
and cheerleading
Money Matters .5
Foreign Language 2
Fine Arts 1
Speech .5
Professional Communications
ELECTIVE COURSES 5
Total 26
Course Descriptions
Agriculture, Food &Natural Resources
Principles of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Year, 9-12, 1 credit
This class is an introductory course to livestock, leadership development, plant science, and minimal shop skills. There are over a dozen contest available to those students with a competitive spirit to develop and enhance speaking skills and thinking skills.
(These contests are available on a voluntary basis.)
Livestock Production
Year, 9-12, 1 credit
To be prepared for careers in the field of production animal science, students need to attain academic skills and knowledge in livestock nutrition, reproduction, disease prevention and control, marketing, selection, anatomy and physiology, and management. Livestock species to be addressed in this course will include, but are not limited to, beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry.
Advanced Animal Science (Can be 4th Science for 12th Grade only)
Year, 12, 1 credit
This course will cover the scientific aspects of the animal science industry. Topics include: the scientific method, anatomy and physiology of various body systems, nutritional requirements, reproduction and breeding, genetics, disease pathology, selection and evaluation, biotechnology, and animal welfare. Livestock species to be addressed in this course will include, but are not limited to, beef cattle, dairy cattle, swing, sheep, goats, and poultry.
.
Principles and Elements of Floral Design (Can fulfill fine arts credit)
Year, 10-12, 1 credit
The course curriculum includes floral design principles, identification and selection of flowers and foliage, and preparation of floral designs. This course will also examine fixed design in relation to contemporary designs, business practices, specialty items, creativity, and careers in the floral industry.
Wildlife Fisheries and Ecology Management
Fall, 9-12, 1/2 credit
A course designed to examine the importance of wildlife and outdoor recreation with emphasis on using wildlife and natural resources. Texas Hunter Safety Certification may be earned in this class.
Energy and Natural Resources Technology
Spring, 9-12, 1/2 credit
This class is designed to follow-up the wildlife class. The class will cover soil and water conservation, livestock and wildlife habitat and forage, tree management, brush control, regulations and procedures related to ground water and water wells, property rights, mineral rights, and tax regulations concerning land owners. The construction, maintenance and improvement of captured water impoundments such as lakes, ponds, canals, and reservoirs will also be covered in this class.
Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies
Year, 10-12, 1 credit
This class will be designed to offer a very diverse subject matter. First semester will be dedicated to learning metalwork. The skills learned will include basic welding, various cutting methods, heating and shaping, and the precision drilling of metal. The second semester will be designed to develop the skills and knowledge needed to improve the urban or rural home. This will include construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings and facilities related to the home or farm. Skills that will be learned include carpentry, concrete, basic plumbing, basic electricity, roofing, and fencing. This class may be a prerequisite for Agricultural Facilities Design and Fabrication.Can be taken simultaneouslywith Principles of Ag in the 9th grade.
Advanced Welding I and II
Year, 11-12, 2 credits, pre-requisite: Intro. Ag Mechanics or Production Systems - Metals and Instructor's Approval