8TH GRADE INDIVIDUAL MEETING PREP
aka What do I do before that meeting with Mr. B??
#1 - TAKE THE ONET ONLINE INTEREST
PROFILE
The online interest profiler will ask you a series of questions to determine where
your interests lie in terms of career goals. Go to
http://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
Answer the questions online and follow the prompts. Feel free to explore the
information provided so that you can make a sound decision. But make sure you
print out the following two documents:
YOUR CAREER MATCHES:
Make sure to print out a list of career matches once you’ve gotten to the careers
tab.
SUMMARY PAGE FROM 4- to 6 career choices:
Make sure to print out a summary of 4 to 6 career choices that interest you the
most. Click on the hyperlink given to you on the careers tab. This will open up
another page giving you information about that career. From there, click on the
“see more details link at the bottom of the page. This will give you a summary
sheet that includes a necessary code. Do this for 4-6 career choices.
#2 - CHOOSE ONE COHERENT SEQUENCE TO
FOLLOW
CSA currently offers three different coherent sequences, from which each
incoming freshman must choose one to follow. The courses for sophomore year &
beyond will be determined each year, but the freshman course needs to be chosen
now. Each coherent sequence comes from the three following career clusters:
HUMAN SERVICES COHERENT SEQUENCE
For more information about the Human Services Career Cluster (and what careers would be related to this
coherent sequence): http://www.achievetexas.org/Human_Services.htm
Here are the Human Services Coherent Sequence Options (freshman course in blue, sophomore in red, junior
in green, senior in purple):
Descriptions of the Freshman Course can be found here:
http://cte.sfasu.edu/c/human-services/principles-of-human-services/
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COHERENT SEQUENCE
For more information about the Information Technology Career Cluster (and what careers would be related to
this coherent sequence): http://www.achievetexas.org/Information.htm
Here are the Information Technology Coherent Sequence Options (freshman course in blue, sophomore in red,
junior in green, senior in purple):
In the information technology cluster, students have already taken the Freshman course – Principles of
Information Technology. For students choosing the Information Technology Coherent Sequence, he/she will
vote between taking Computer Maintenance or Computer Programming as his/her 2 course in the
Information Technology coherent sequence (to be taken next year during his/her freshman year).
A brief description for the Computer Maintenance course is:
Students acquire principles of computer maintenance, including electrical and electronic theory, computer hardware
principles, and broad level components related to the installation, diagnosis, service, and repair of computer systems. To
prepare for success, students must have opportunities to reinforce, apply, and transfer knowledge and skills to a variety
of settings and problems.
A brief description for the Computer Programming course is:
Students acquire knowledge of structured programming techniques and concepts appropriate to developing executable
programs and creating appropriate documentation. Students analyze the social responsibility of business and industry
regarding the significant issues relating to the environment, ethics, health, safety, and diversity in society and in the
workplace as it relates to computer programming. Students apply technical skills to address business applications of
emerging technologies.
Feel free to contact Mr. Davis if you have further questions about the two courses.
ARTS,, A/V Technology and Communications COHERENT SEQUENCE
For more information about the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications Career Cluster (and what careers
would be related to this coherent sequence): http://www.achievetexas.org/Arts.htm
Here are the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications Coherent Sequence Options (freshman course in blue,
sophomore in red, junior in green, senior in purple):
A brief description for the Principles of Arts, A/V Technology and Communications course is:
Careers in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications career cluster require, in addition to creative aptitude,
a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong academic foundation, and a proficiency in oral
and written communication. Within this context, students will be expected to develop an understanding of the various
and multifaceted career opportunities in this cluster and the knowledge, skills, and educational requirements for those
opportunities.
#3 - CHOOSE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE OPTION
The new graduation requirements only indicate 2 years of a foreign language. The
choices at CSA are between Computer Science & Spanish.
COMPUTER SCIENCE ROUTE
If a student would rather take computer science instead of Spanish as the needed foreign
language credit, he/she could take Computer Science I & II. This route is designed for students
for whom a future in the computer industry or information technology is appropriate. If a
student wishes to take a third year of a foreign language, this would not be the best option as
there is no Computer Science III course, as of now. This option only exists for current 7th & 8th
graders, although that could change during future legislations. Additionally, a particular
university that requires 2 years of a foreign language during high school may not consider
Computer Science as a foreign language, even though the state of Texas does for a high school
diploma.
SPANISH ROUTE
If a student would rather take Spanish the needed foreign language credit, CSA currently offers
Spanish I, II, II, IV (AP) & V (AP). As a freshman, he/she would take Spanish I.
ROUTE OTHER THAN SPANISH OR COMPUTER SCIENCE
If a student dislikes either of the options above, he/she could take courses outside of CSA to
fulfill the foreign language requirements (e.g. French at ACC during his/her junior & senior
year). However, for freshman scheduling purposes, it is most likely that a student in this
situation would be scheduled for Computer Science I due to our small school setting. The
student can use Computer Science as an elective for graduation.
#4 - CHOOSE AN ENDORSMENT
Currently, a student can earn at least one endorsement from all 5 endorsement
possibilities as outlined below.
STEM OPTION 1
A total of 5 credits in mathematics by successfully completing Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
and two additional mathematics courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite
A student can earn a STEM endorsement by taking PreCalculus and Calculus AB
(AP) after Algebra II. For students who take Algebra I in 8th grade, this works out
nicely by taking one math course per year.
STEM OPTION 2
A total of 5 credits in science by successfully completing Biology, Chemistry, Physics and two
additional science courses
A student can earn a STEM endorsement by taking Chemistry (AP) and Anatomy &
Physiology in addition to his/her other three courses. It is recommended that a
student “double-up” on a science during his/her sophomore, junior or senior year
with Anatomy & Physiology while taking Biology as a freshman, Chemistry as a
sophomore, Physics as a junior & Chemistry (AP) as a senior.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
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 one advanced CTE course which includes any
course that is the third or higher course in a sequence.
A student can earn a Business & Industry endorsement by taking the 4 course
sequence offered in either the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications OR
Information Technology sequence.
PUBLIC SERVICES
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 one advanced CTE course which includes any
course that is the third or higher course in a sequence.
A student can earn a Public Services endorsement by taking the 4 course sequence
offered in the Human Services sequence.
ARTS and Humanities
Four levels of the same language in a language other than English
A student can earn an Arts & Humanities endorsement by taking Spanish I-IV.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTION 1
Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV and chemistry
and/or physics
MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTION 2
Four credits in Advanced Placement or Dual Credit selected from English, Mathematics,
Science, Social Studies, Economics, languages other than English or Fine Arts