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You will stay with your assigned counselor all 4 years while you are in high school. 3
OUR DISTRICT’S COURSE REQUIREMENTS You must complete certain basic courses that all high school students in Ohio must take. Pickerington Local School District students must take: •4 units of English •4 units of mathematics (one of which shall be Algebra 2) •3 units of science (Integrated Science (1), Biology (1), Elective Science (1)) •3 units of social studies (World History (1), American History (1), Economics ( ½ ), Principles of Democracy ( ½ )) • ½ unit of health & ½ unit of physical education* •4 units of electives** •1 unit of Fine Arts*** **Fine Arts: Any course from Music, Art, Theatre, Photography, Graphic Arts, or Advanced Photography 4
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS First, our district requires all students to complete 20 course credits to graduate. You will get different numbers of credits for different courses, and they must add up to at least 20 credits in the required courses. Second, you must take seven state tests. You will take these tests over the four years you are in high school, and each test comes at the end of a speci fi c course. Third, you will pick one of three diploma options to complete your graduation requirements. Here’s the last thing you need to know about tests: All of you, when you reach 11 th grade, should have taken or are planning to take a nationally recognized college admission test (such as the ACT or SAT). Taking this test will tell you and our district if you are ready for college and what you still might need to do to become ready, if you see college as an option for you. 5
REQUIRED STATE TESTS •Beginning with the Class of 2018 – or those who become 9th graders on or after July 1, 2014, the Ohio Graduation Tests will not be required. •Instead, you will take a state test at the end of eight of your courses. That’s why we call them “end of course” tests. •The courses are algebra 1, geometry, Biology, American history, American government, English 9 and English I0. •These tests will give us a much clearer picture of whether we are giving you the skills and knowledge you need to be college or career ready when you graduate. •If you look at all the courses you will take in high school, you’ll fi nd that in almost all of them you will have a fi nal test. 6
PERFORMANCE LEVEL---GRADUATION POINTS Earn these point levels on the tests. These levels translate into how many points you get. Again, remember that you need to earn a total of at least 18 POINTS on the eight tests. 7
SUBSTITUTE TESTS •Students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in American history or American government may take tests specially designed for these courses instead of the state end-of-course test for that kind of course, to avoid double testing. •Students taking College Credit Plus courses in these subjects will use the course grade, not end-of-course test points, to determine their points earned toward graduation. Information on Advanced Placement Scores and College Credit Plus Grades score conversations: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-Graduation-Requirements/Graduation- Requirements-2018-and-Beyond/18-Points-on-State-Tests 8
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FLEXIBILITY FOR STUDENTS •One of the great things about accumulating points from your state end-of- course test to reach 18 points is that it gives you fl exibility: •A high score on one test can balance a low score on another test. This fl exibility allows for differences in students. 10
COLLEGE READINESS SCORE ON A NATIONAL ADMISSION TEST •In addition, you will take a nationally recognized college admission test (such as ACT or SAT) in 11th grade. •If you have already taken the ACT/SAT; does it count? Yes. •Another option is to take and receive a college-readiness score on a national test. •You may take the test before junior year or retake it at your own expense. •You can earn a high school diploma with your highest score. 11
Work Readiness and Skill Credential •You can learn a skill that Ohio employers need right now, and earn good pay to live on after graduation or use to help pay for more education. •Take a serious look now as you are entering high school about the hundreds of ways you can learn a skill for a job that employers are demanding workers for in the near future. •When you receive an of fi cial credential for this skill, you are halfway to earning your high school diploma. The other half is to earn a job readiness score on WorkKeys. •Bene fi t: You leave high school with a skill so you can live on your own. You can build on this skill if you want to. The Industry credential and workforce readiness option means that students must earn 12 points through a State Board of Education- approved, industry-recognized credential or group of credentials in a single career fi eld and achieve a workforce readiness score on the WorkKeys assessment. 12
There are 2 types of diplomas you can works towards during your time at PHSN. Standard Diploma: By completing your basic high school graduation requirements...you will receive the Standard Diploma Honors Diploma: By completing achieving 7 of the 8 listed criteria...you will receive the Honors Diploma. The Honors Diploma is not automatically awarded your senior year. There is an application process that starts the Spring of your Senior year.
Your Cumulative GPA starts now! If you have taken High School credits while you in Junior High...you current have a cumulative GPA that will follow you to High School. If you have not taken any high school credit classes yet...you will start this your Freshman year. It is very important to start taking this process seriously...thinking that you have time to “fix” anything that went wrong your Freshman year can prove difficult as you move through high school. This is a great opportunity to start off strong and begin building a great cumulative GPA
It is very important that you are flexible and open to new classes. PHSN offers a wide variety of classes to our students. This is the time to explore your strengths and your weaknesses. One should not shy away from classes that are perceived as difficult or they have “heard” it isn’t good. When registering for you classes, please make sure to read the course registration handbook. There you will find all of the descriptions and prerequisites for every single class option. Don’t sign up just because the name of the class sounds interesting, really read about the class and see if it interests you AND you meet the minimum requirements to take the course. It is imperative that you speak with your teachers to find out the best class for you when going through this process. Your counselor is only here to guide...we cannot tell you what to take. It is those teachers, experts in their subject, that can help you navigate what to choose. They know your work ethic and what can be expected at the next level. *When in doubt, speak with your current teacher. Do not listen to friends. Sign up for classes that interest you and that will push you. You will be taking these classes...not your friends. Course Registration Information page: http://www.pickerington.k12.oh.us/pickerington-north-high/courses-and-class- registration/ 15
The PHSN School Counseling department recommends that if you want to go to college to follow the above recommendations. Now, these aren’t carved in stone and this is the MINIMUM...we want our students to go beyond the MINIMUM requirement. We believe that all of our students are destined for greatness and have the ability to step outside of their comfort zone. Try an honors class...explore new electives...take 4 years of science. All of this prepares you for what is to come after you walk across the stage in 2020.
-College Credit Plus courses are taught by teachers who hold credentials as adjunct instructors at an Ohio college or work directly with college faculty members. -Successful completion of coursework in the CCP program will earn students college credit that is accepted by all of Ohio’s universities and colleges and many out -of- state and private institutions. -Location, manner of delivery, and scheduling of courses may vary. -These are not high school courses – these are college courses offered for concurrent high school credit. -Parents and students should expect differences in process and plan accordingly. 17
-Please read the first 10 pages of our Course Registration handbook AND attend the February 17th College Credit Plus meeting. -There you will receive all the information you need regarding CCP and the process from the experts in this area. 18
Any time you are looking at making the jump to an Honors level course. You should really speak with your current teacher in that academic area. They know your work ethic and the expectations of the next level. You should always push yourself...but be careful of what you are jumping into. 19
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