A&M Consolidated High School
Freshman Registration
February 9, 2015
Principals
Principal – Gwen Elder
Assistant Principals:
 KeKe Johnson
 Aaron Hogan
 Omar Espitia
Dean of Students

Christi Cheshire
Counselors



Mindy Casper
Paul Hord
Jamie Boyd
Credits

Graduation credits are earned for courses
passed – even elective courses!

Difference between promotion and earning
credits.

Credits needed to graduate (26)

5.5 credits to be a 10th grader (Sophomore)

11 credits to be a 11th grader (Junior)

17 credits to be a 12th grader (Senior)
Credits, cont.
•
Each student has 7 class periods per
day.
•
Students have the opportunity to earn
7 credits per year during the regular
school day.
–
–
–
1 semester course = ½ credit
Full year course = 1 credit
Full year/2 period course = 2 credits
Middle School courses that count for
High School credit







Comm App / Speech (½ credit - elective)
Keyboarding (½ credit - elective)
Algebra 1 (1 credit - Math)
Geometry (1 credit - Math)
Spanish 1 over two years (1 credit - FL)
Foundations of PE (½ credit - PE)
Spanish 2 and 3 (Dual Language)
(1-2 credits - FL)
Graduation Requirements for
Incoming Freshmen 2015-16
 Foundation High  Foundation Plan  Foundation Plan
School Plan
with Endorsement with
(FHSP)
 22 credits plus
Endorsements and
 22 credits
• 1 add’l Math
Performance
required
• 1 add’l
Acknowledgement
 Minimum plan to
Science
 Requires
graduate from
• 2 additional
additional
high school
advanced
measures
 Cannot request
endorsement
this plan until
electives
11th grade
 26 total credits
required
Foundation Plan
(minimum plan to graduate from HS)
4 English (Eng 1, Eng 2, Eng 3, Eng 4)
3 Math (must include Alg I, Geom)
3 Science (must include Biology)
3 Social Studies (W. Geog OR W. Hist, US History,
Gov’t, and Econ)
2 Foreign Language (same language)
1 PE
1 Fine Art
5 electives
22 Credits
Foundation Plan with Endorsement
26 required credits
Includes the
22 required credits for
Foundation Plan plus:
 1 more Math (Alg 2 or higher)
 1 more Science
 2 more Electives (We strongly
recommend that one of these is
the 4th Social Studies;
Geography or World History)
Foreign Language rules and exceptions


Any two levels in the same language
Two credits in computer programming languages
selected from Computer Science I, II, and III
If a student, in completing the first credit of Foreign
language, demonstrates that the student is unlikely to be able
to complete the second credit, the student may substitute
another appropriate course as follows:
 Special Topics in Language and Culture (future course)
 World History or World Geography
 Computer programming languages
 A different language course
Foreign Language rules and exceptions (cont.)
A student, who due to a disability, is unable to complete two credits
in the same language, may substitute:
 a combination of two credits from English language arts,
mathematics, science, or social studies
 two credits in career and technical education or technology
applications
The determination regarding a student’s ability to complete the FL
credit requirements will be made by:
 the student’s ARD committee if the student receives special
education services under the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter A or
 the committee established for the student under Section 504,
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Endorsements offered in CSISD
26 credits required
Public Services
See pgs 18-20
STEM ENDORSEMENT
CSISD CLUSTERS
 Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math
PLUS THE FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL PLAN
STEM – SBOE Rule
A student may earn a STEM endorsement by completing foundation and
general endorsement requirements including Algebra 2, chemistry, and
physics and:
(A) A coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in CTE that
consists of at least two courses in the same cluster including at least one
advanced CTE course which includes any course that is the third or higher
course in a sequence. The courses may be selected from courses in all
CTE career clusters. The final course in the sequence must be selected
from the STEM career cluster.
(B) A total of five credits in mathematics by successfully completing Algebra
1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and two additional mathematics courses for which
Algebra 2 is a prerequisite.
(C) A total of five credits in science by successfully completing biology,
chemistry, physics, and two additional science courses.
(D) In addition to Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Physics, a coherent sequence of
three additional credits from no more than two of the areas listed in (A),
(B), and (C).
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
ENDORSEMENT
CSISD CLUSTERS
 Architecture and Construction
 Arts, Audio/Visual and Communications
 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
 Business Management and Administration
 Hospitality and Tourism
 Informational Technology
 Finance
 Marketing
PLUS THE FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL PLAN
Business & Industry – SBOE Rule
A student may earn a STEM endorsement by completing foundation and
general endorsement requirements and:
(A) A coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in CTE that
consists of at least two courses in the same career cluster including at least
one advanced CTE course which includes any course that is the third or
higher course in a sequence. The courses may be selected from courses in
all CTE career clusters. The final course in the sequence must be selected
from one of the following CTE career clusters.
•
•
•
(B)
Agriculture, Food & Natural
Resources
Arts, Audio/video Tech &
Communications
Business Management &
Administration
•
•
•
•
•
Architecture & Construction
Finance
Information Technology
Hospitality & Tourism
Marketing
four English elective credits to include three levels in one of the following
areas:
•
•
advanced journalism: newspaper
advanced journalism: yearbook
•
debate
PUBLIC SERVICE
ENDORSEMENT
CSISD CLUSTERS
 Education & Training
 Health Science Technology
 Law, Public Safety,
Corrections and Securities
 Human Services
PLUS THE FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL PLAN
Public Services – SBOE Rule
A student may earn a Public Services endorsement by completing foundation
and general endorsement requirements and:
A coherent sequence of courses for four or more credits in CTE that consists
of at least two courses in the same cluster including at least one advanced
CTE course which includes any course that is the third or higher course in a
sequence. The courses may be selected from courses in all CTE career
clusters. The final course in the sequence must be selected from the one of the
following CTE career clusters.
•
•
•
•
Education & Training
Health Scienc
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Securities
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
ENDORSEMENT
CSISD CLUSTERS
 Foreign Language
 AP Social Studies
 Theater
 Music
 Dance
 Art
PLUS THE FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL PLAN
Arts & Humanities – SBOE Rule
A student may earn an Arts & Humanities endorsement by completing
foundation and general endorsement requirements and:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
A total of five social studies courses
Four levels of the same language in a language other than English
Two levels of the same language in a language other than English
and two levels of a different language in a language other than
English
A coherent sequence of four credits by selecting courses from one
or two categories or disciplines in fine arts (Orchestra, Band, Art,
Theater)
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
ENDORSEMENT
CSISD CLUSTERS
 *Four credits in each of the four foundation
subject areas to include English IV and
chemistry and/or physics (previously
known as the 4 x 4 plan).
 *Four AP courses to include one credit in
each of the four foundation subjects
 *Four advanced courses from any
endorsement area
PLUS THE FOUNDATION
HIGH SCHOOL PLAN
Multidisciplinary Studies – SBOE Rule
A student may earn a Multidisciplinary Studies endorsement by
completing foundation and general endorsement requirements and:
(A)
(B)
(C)
Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include
English 4 and Chemistry and/or Physics
Four advanced courses that prepare a student to enter the
workforce successfully or postsecondary education without
remediation from within one endorsement area or among
endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence
Four credits in advanced placement or dual credit selected from
English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics,
languages other than English or fine arts
Distinguished Level of Achievement
A student may earn a distinguished level of
achievement by successfully completing all of the
following:




A total of four credits in mathematics, which must
include Algebra II
A total of four credits in science
The remaining Foundation curriculum requirements
The curriculum requirements for at least one
endorsement
A student must earn a distinguished level of
achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic
admission to college.
PERFORMANCE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
At least 12 hours of
college courses,
including academic and
technical courses
Score of
3, 4 or 5
on one
AP exam
Nationally or internationally
recognized business or
Industry certification
Bilingualism and
Biliteracy
National Merit Commended or higher
ACT Composite score of 28+
SAT Reading and Math score of 1250+
24
How will Colleges Recognize
the FHSP/Endorsements/DLA?

Current data is not available on how colleges
will recognize Endorsements in the future or if
students will be admitted to certain majors
beyond college admissions criteria

Colleges will continue to evaluate transcripts for
the types of courses taken and grades earned
along with test scores and the academic
résumé
Performance Acknowledgements, part 1
A student may earn a performance acknowledgment for outstanding
performance in a dual credit course by successfully completing:
(1)
At least 12 hours of college academic courses, including those
taken for dual credit and advanced technical credit courses,
including locally articulated courses, with a grade of the
equivalent of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0
or
(2)
An associate degree while in high school
Performance Acknowledgements, part 2
A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student’s diploma and transcript for outstanding performance in
bilingualism and biliteracy.
(1) A student may earn a performance acknowledgment by demonstrating proficiency in two or more languages by:
(A) completing all English language arts requirements and maintaining a minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80
on a scale of 100; and
(B) satisfying one of the following:
(i) completion of a minimum of three credits in the same language in a language other than English with a
minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or
(ii) demonstrated proficiency in the TEKS for level IV or higher in a language other than English with a
minimum GPA of the equivalent of 80 on a scale of 100; or
(iii) completion of at least three credits in foundation subject area courses in a language other than English
with a minimum GPA of 80 on a scale of 100; or
(iv) demonstrated proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the following
methods:
(I) score 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement exam for a language other than English; or
(II) score 4 or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam for a higher level languages other than
English course; or
(III) performance on a national assessment of language proficiency in a language other than English
of at least Intermediate High.
(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of (b)(1) of this subsection, to earn a performance acknowledgment in
bilingualism and biliteracy, an English language learner must also have:
(A) participated in and met the exit criteria for a bilingual or ESL program; and
(B) scored at the Advanced High level on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System
(TELPAS).
Performance Acknowledgements, part 3
A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student’s diploma and
transcript for outstanding performance on a college advanced placement test by earning:
(1) a score of four or five on a College Board advanced placement examination
A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student’s diploma and
transcript for outstanding performance on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the
ACT by:
(1) a score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT) that qualifies the student for recognition as a commended scholar
or higher by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part
of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) of the College Board or as
part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program of the National Merit
Scholarship Corporation;
(2) achieving the college readiness benchmark score on at least two of the four
subject tests on the ACT PLAN exam;
(3) a combined critical reading and mathematics score of at least 1250 on the
SAT;
(4) a composite score on the ACT exam (without writing) of 28.
Performance Acknowledgements, part 4
A student may earn a performance acknowledgment on the student’s
diploma and transcript for earning a nationally or internationally
recognized business or industry certification or license with:
(1) performance on an examination sufficient to obtain a nationally or
internationally recognized business or industry certification; or
(2) performance on an examination sufficient to obtain a government-required
credential to practice a profession.
Performance Acknowledgements, part 5
Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification shall be defined as
an industry validated credential that complies with knowledge and skills standards
promulgated bya nationally or internationally recognized business, industry, professional, or
government entity representing a particular profession or occupation that is issued by or
endorsed by:
•
A national or international business, industry, or professional organization
•
A state agency or other government entity or
•
A state-based industry association
Certifications or licensures for performance acknowledgements shall:
•
Be age appropriate for high school students
•
Represent a student's substantial course of study and/or end-or-program knowledge
and skills
•
Include an industry recognized examination or series of examinations, an industry
validated skill test, or demonstrated proficiency through documented, supervised
field experience and
•
Represent substantial knowledge and multiple skills needed for successful entry into
a high-skill occupation
Course Catalog

Parts of Course Description book:


Pages 4-21 – General information

Transfer information

Scheduling

Grading / Class rank / GPA

Graduation requirements and information

Alternate Credits / Enrichment / DAP

Eligibility requirements / NCAA Clearinghouse
Page 22-78 – Course descriptions
Course Catalog

Reading and understanding course descriptions:

Course Number
■ Pre-requisites

Course Name
■ Course Description

Grade level
■ Fees

Course length / Credits
■ Type of Credit

Weight
See page 22 in
the Course Catalog

Course List (cheat sheets)
•
Be sure to look at course numbers, credits,
course approval requirements. (pgs 19-20)
•
2nd page is color coded by endorsement.
Business and Industry
Public Services
Arts and Humanities
Multidisciplinary
(includes Fine Arts courses)
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Course Sequences
English
(4 credits)
 English I
 English II
 English III
 English IV or Advanced English
 Adv Eng – Debate 3, Oral Interp 3
 Pass Eng. I before Eng II … etc.
 See the English pre-requisites
in the course descriptions
Course Sequences
Social Studies
(3-4 credits)
 World Geography or World History
 U.S. History
 Government / Economics
 See the Social Studies pre-requisites
in the course descriptions.
Course Sequences
Science
(4 credits)
 Biology plus at least 3 from the following list
 IPC *
*Please note: A student
 Chemistry
may not take IPC after
any chemistry credit has
 Physics
been earned.
 Aquatic Science
 Anatomy & Phys
 See the Science
 Environ Sci
pre-requisites in the
Course Catalog.
 Astronomy
 AP Bio.II
 AP Chem.II
 AP Physics I, II, C
 Adv Biotechnology
Course Sequences
Math
 Algebra 1
 Geometry
(4 credits)
 + 2 from the following list
 MMA* (Algebraic Reasoning)
 Algebra 2
 AQR (Data Analysis)
 PreCal
 AP Calculus AB, BC
 AP Statistics
 Engineering Math
*Please note: A student
may not take MMA after any
Algebra 2 credit has been
earned.
If a student did not take Alg 1
in 8th grade, they may coenroll in Geom and Alg 2 PAP
in 10th grade to get to
Calculus in 12th grade.
 See the Math pre-requisites in the Course Catalog.
Grade point averages (GPA)
are weighted!



Honors Courses
Pre-AP Courses
AP Courses
Students are given 10 additional points for
these courses in the calculation of their GPA
if they earn a 75 or higher for the semester.
*Note: the 10 points will not be shown on the report card or
transcript.
Should I sign up for on-level, honors
or Pre-AP courses in a subject?




Ask your teacher in that subject. He/she knows
your abilities and study habits best.
If you are planning to take AP level courses,
prepare for them by taking Pre-AP courses..
AP courses provide COLLEGE LEVEL curriculum
and require more homework per night. Students
may choose to take an AP exam in May to receive
an AP score. Individual colleges decide what
credit will be awarded at their school for the AP
scores.
Honors courses provide advanced study, but not
College Level curriculum.
End of Course Exams (EOCs)
 Students must achieve a passing score on each of
the following required tests to graduate from a
Texas public high school.
 English I
 English II
 Algebra I
 Biology
 U.S. History

Students will not be allowed to take any EOC
courses for acceleration during summer school.
5-year plan

See page 21 in Course Catalog

Very important – required by law to have a plan
with endorsement on file for all high school
students.

Helps students plan ahead to be able to get
courses they want and need!.

But … it is a plan. Plans can change and this
one can be modified! See your counselor.
Parent signature is required!
Five Year Plan
3
1
2
4
5
5 year plan – How to
1 Select your graduation plan.


Foundation with Endorsement
Endorsement with Performance Acknowledgement
* Cannot choose Foundation only until 11th grade.
2 Think about your interests in Career and
Technology (CATE) areas, Band, Orchestra,
Theater, Athletics, etc. and select your
Endorsement (see page 18 in Course Catalog)

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Business and Industry
Arts and Humanities
Public Service

Multidisciplinary Studies



5 year plan – How to (cont)
Fill in 8th grade (current) courses
Fill in required foundation core classes English,
Math, Science and Social Studies courses for the
3 next 4 years. (see pg 19)
& Fill in your endorsement required courses and
4 other planned activities for the next 4 years
(Band, Orchestra, Athletics, Theatre, etc.)
Fill in your other required courses; Foreign
Language (2 years), Physical Education (1 credit),
Fine Arts (1 credit)
5 Student and parent/guardian signature required.
5 year plans, cont.

5-year plan will be used to help determine transfer
approval/status.

All current 8th grade CSISD students will attend the
9th grade campus to which they are zoned.

Students may transfer high schools beginning their
10th grade year if qualified. (See page 4)

Finish the plan and be ready to turn in during
registration week
Be sure to fill in the Post High School box at the
right

Course Request Form

Write in the course number and name of the courses you are
requesting and ask teachers for required signatures.

Year long (1 credit) courses should be written in Semester 1, then
draw an arrow across Semester 2.
Course Request Form

Using the 9th grade column from your 5-year plan,
write the courses on your Course request form

All students will sign up for the required 9th grade
courses; English, Math, Science and Social
Studies and 3 additional classes for a total of 7
periods each semester.

Use the course “cheat sheets” (pg 19-20) to write
the course number carefully and accurately for
each of your requested courses.

Ask your teachers for required signatures!
Course Request Form - Alternates





Consider other Career Cluster Electives starting on
page 44 in the Course Catalog. These will be used to
fill in the alternate classes.
Any course that requires a try-out or application should
be noted with an alternate that will take the place of this
course
Don’t forget the additional required courses like PE,
Fine Arts, Foreign Language.
Look at other electives available to freshmen and note
the codes for full year and half year.
Alternates must be listed!!!
Course Request Form

You may or may not be approved for the
level of the course you want.

Waiver meetings (AMCHS lecture hall)


March 25th at noon and 5:30.

March 31st at noon and 5:30.
June 12th, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. is the final
day to request course changes (other than
summer school completion, tryout courses,
etc.)
Course Request Form

This is NOT your schedule, just your requested courses for
9th grade.

Alternates MUST be listed. There must be at least two ½
year (single semester) courses.

The alternates MUST be different from the requested
courses.

Alternates are not in any certain order and will be used where
they best fit.

Can & very likely will be used and you will NOT be contacted
if they are used.

Parent signature is REQUIRED
“Homework”

Complete 5 year plan





Graduation plan
Endorsement
Courses for 9th-12th
grade
After High School
plans
Signatures

Complete Course
Request form



Courses
Alternates
Signatures
Counselors will place students in courses if course
requests are not received.
Counselors will be at AMCMS February 17th-20th
 Have “Homework” ready to turn in.
Help Sessions…

Wednesday and Thursday, Feb 11th & 12th



Monday, Feb 16th



5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
AMCHS library
1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
AMCHS counseling office
Tuesday-Friday, Feb 17th-20th


During your child’s history class time.
(This opportunity will be limited to 5 minutes)
AMCMS library
Summary / Advice

BMOC to Little Fish

Talk to your students

Encourage Involvement

No initiations

Watch for postcards
June 12th, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. is the final day
to request course changes (other than summer
school completion, tryout courses, etc.)
Thank you for coming
and we will see you in
August for Fish Camp