2014-2015 Course Guide - Alvin Independent School District

73 Pages·2014·1.67 MB·English

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

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
GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS for students who entered high school beginning 2014-2015 ............................ 8
HOUSE BILL 5 (HB5) GRADUATION PLANS ............................................................................................................................ 9
GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS for students who entered high school prior to 2014-2015 .............................. 10
LEVELS OF INSTRUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
CLASS RANK ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
GRADE POINT VALUES FOR THE THREE ACADEMIC LEVELS ..................................................................................... 16
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ............................................................................................................................................................. 17
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 19
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS ELECTIVES .............................................................................................................................. 19
ACADEMIC DECATHLON ........................................................................................................................................................... 20
MATHEMATICS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 21
SCIENCE .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
HEALTH ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
SOCIAL STUDIES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 25
ECONOMICS ................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................... 28
HUMAN RELATIONS ELECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 29
OTHER LANGUAGES ................................................................................................................................................................... 30
BAND ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 33
CHOIR ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
DANCE .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
QUICK GUIDE TO THEATRE ARTS CLASSES ....................................................................................................................... 36
THEATRE ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
VISUAL ART COURSE OFFERINGS AT A GLANCE ............................................................................................................. 38
VISUAL ART COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 39
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES ........................................................................................................... 42
CAREER DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................................................................................... 42
AGRICULTURE, FOOD, & NATURAL RESOURSES CAREER CLUSTER ........................................................................ 42
ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION CAREER CLUSTER ................................................................................................ 44
ARTS, AUDIO/VIDEO TECHNOLOGY, AND COMMUNICATIONS CAREER CLUSTER ............................................. 44
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION CAREER CLUSTER ..................................................................... 45
EDUCATION & TRAINING CAREER CLUSTER .................................................................................................................... 46
FINANCE CAREER CLUSTER .................................................................................................................................................... 47
HEALTH SCIENCE CAREER CLUSTER ................................................................................................................................... 47
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM CAREER CLUSTER ............................................................................................................. 49
HUMAN SERVICES CAREER CLUSTER .................................................................................................................................. 49
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER CLUSTER ........................................................................................................... 50
LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS, & SECURITY CAREER CLUSTER ................................................................ 51
MANUFACTURING CAREER CLUSTER .................................................................................................................................. 52
MARKETING CAREER CLUSTER ............................................................................................................................................. 53
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS CAREER CLUSTER ................................................. 53
TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS CAREER CLUSTER ...................................................................... 54
MCJROTC LEADERSHIP DEPARTMENT ................................................................................................................................ 55
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIVALENTS ................................................................................. 56
OFFICE ASSISTANT ...................................................................................................................................................................... 56
OPEN PERIODS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 56
SPECIAL EDUCATION ................................................................................................................................................................ 56
ACHIEVE TEXAS ........................................................................................................................................................................... 57
ARTICULATION ............................................................................................................................................................................. 58
ACC & AISD DUAL CREDIT COURSES AND CORRESPONDING NUMBERS ................................................................. 59
ACC & AISD DUAL CREDIT INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 62
ACC & AISD DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................ 67
AISD SAMPLE FOUR-YEAR PLAN for students who entered high school prior to 2014-15 ................................................ 69
AISD RHSP/DAP (WORKSHEET) for students who entered high school prior to 2014-15 .................................................. 70

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Alvin Independent School District

SUPERINTENDENT: Fred Brent, Ed.D.

ALVIN HIGH SCHOOL MANVEL HIGH SCHOOL

802 S. Johnson St 19601 Highway 6
Alvin, TX 77511 Manvel, TX 77578
281 245-3000 281 245-2232

Principal: Johnny Briseño, Ed.D. Principal: Charlotte Liptack

ASSETS Academy

605 W. House St.
Alvin, TX 77511
281 245-3045

Principal: Tracy Hummel

____________________________________________________________________________________________

301 E. House St Alvin, TX 77511 281 388-1130
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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.
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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 using a
college and career planning tool, Naviance. 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 review
requirements for graduation.

2. Counselors will meet with each junior student through an individual academic conference.

3. Students will discuss course choices with parents, coaches, and current teachers before completing the registration
form.

4. Teachers will be asked to review student selections and make recommendations for Pre-AP, AP, athletics, and other
courses requiring teacher approval.

5. Late spring, students will be provided a verification sheet to confirm their course selections. Students must notify their
counselor of any requested changes.

REGISTRATION FOR OFFICE ASSISTANT

1. Office assistant gives local credit only; therefore, this course is open only to students who meet certain guidelines.
Counselor/administrator approval required. The counselor will assign the student to an office.
Students must complete an application.

REGISTRATION FOR OPEN PERIODS

1. Seniors only who have enough credits for graduation may register for one open period.
Students must complete an application.

2. A student cannot have an open period in the middle of the day.

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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 extra-curricular activity and/or drive and park a vehicle on campus
property will be subject to the Random Drug Testing Program. The activities and organizations subject to testing
include, but are not limited to, the following:

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

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 try out 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 www.alvinisd.net.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Correspondence Courses: A student may apply no more than five credits (10 semesters) 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 or administrator approval before registering for a course. Students and
parents are responsible for all fees. Student and parent must sign an agreement contract. Grade points will
be awarded.

UT @Austin www.utk16.org
Texas Tech www.ode.ttu.edu
Brigham Young University www.elearn.byu.edu
Advanced Academics www.AdvancedAcademics.com

Credit Recovery: A computer-based instructional program through which students work individually in order to regain credit.
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 an 80 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. 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.
Grade points will be awarded.

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 earn credit 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.
Students required to take the STAAR EOC may not qualify for CRE.

Summer School: Summer school is available for credit acceleration and recovery. Summer school occurs at both high schools.
Check with a counselor for course eligibility. Information is usually available in early May. Grade points will be
awarded for initial credit.
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
www.achievetexas.org.

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.

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 and
dual credit academic advisor before enrolling in dual credit courses. Grade points will be awarded.

Alvin Community College
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 TSI Assessment unless exempt. See
ACC’s Dual Credit/Dual Degree TSI Testing Requirements on page 63 for more information. These courses
may count as one or two of their seven required high school courses when taken during the regular school year.
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.

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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, 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. 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.

NO STUDENT WILL BE PERMITTED TO TAKE PART IN COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES UNLESS ALL
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. The school cannot predict nor can it assume responsibility for the
performance of a student in his/her coursework. It is, therefore, the student's responsibility to determine his/her status relative to
graduation. Invitations, rings, caps and gowns, pictures, and other graduation expenses incurred by a senior will not guarantee his/her
graduation from high school. He/she will be permitted to order these materials if it is possible to complete his/her graduation requirements;
whether he/she does so or not is dependent upon successful completion of the required courses and credits and passing all parts of the
TAKS or STAAR EOC.

STUDENT CLASSIFICATION

Graduating Class of 2011 and Beyond

Freshman - Less than 6 credits
Sophomore – Minimum of 6 credits
Junior – Minimum of 12 credits
Senior – Minimum of 19 credits

Students will be classified according to their year in high school as long as they meet the above credit criteria.

Students must be in attendance in a course for 90% of a semester in order to receive credit for that course. With the exception of approved
level changes, a student may not add, drop, or change a course and receive credit if he/she will not meet the 90% attendance requirement.

AWARDING OF CREDITS

Credits are awarded at the completion of each semester. A student must attend 90% of a semester and earn a minimum grade of 70 to
receive credit in a course.

Courses taken at a private or out-of-state school will be awarded credit only if the course is equivalent to a course approved by the Texas
State Board of Education or the student passes a credit by exam.

TEXAS SCHOLAR REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify as a Texas Scholar, a student must satisfactorily complete the following:

Graduating Class of 2014 and beyond

1) Recommended or Distinguished Plan
2) Complete at least 2 courses eligible for college credit (AP, Dual Credit, and certain articulated CTE courses)
3) One full credit of math beyond Algebra 2.
4) Must obtain the appropriate grade points: 5.0 out of 6.0 (end of junior year GPA; 6 semesters of high school)
5) Must complete 100 hours of community service by the end fall semester of senior year.

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