Rockwood High School Sophomore
Conference
Student Objectives:
-Recall requirements needed and analyze credits completed in order to assess
progress toward promotion/graduation. 1.7
- Apply knowledge of personal abilities, work habits, skills, interests, and values to
career choices. 4.1
-Recognize effective study/time management skills and how they relate to success.
Assess individual habits/success. 3.1, 1.3
-Investigate website to locate information about career clusters and jobs. 4.2, 6.7, 5.1,
5.3
-Evaluate how interests, abilities, achievement relate to attaining personal, social,
academic and career goals (i.e. testing, scholarships, etc). 4.4, 6.1
Pg. 2 in packet1
A Year of Personal Growth
Continue
to make
GOOD
personal
CHOICES:
• Work hard to meet graduation
requirements
• Be involved in activities
• Manage your time
• Identify your abilities and
interests
• Identify career/college choices
• Challenge yourself
2
Pg. 3 in packet
Earning Credits
You need a minimum of 22 to graduate
and receive your high school diploma.
You MUST have at least 11 credits in
order to be considered a Junior.
Focus on required courses.
3
Pg. 3 in packet
Review Graduation Requirements
• English: 4 credits - I, II, III, IV (one per yr)
• Math: 4 credits - Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry
ALL
students
must take
and pass
the
following:
and one upper level course (one per yr)
• Science: 3 credits – Biology, Physics/Chemistry,
one other science of your choice
• Social Studies: 3.5 credits – W Geog/W History/
AP Human Geog., U.S. History, U.S. Government,
Economics (.5) & Personal Finance (.5)
• Foreign Language – 2 credits
• Fine Art – 1 credit
• Wellness & PE – 1.5 credits (1 each)
• Program of Study – 3 credits (minimum)
4
Pg. 3 in packet
Other Requirements:
EOCs
will be taken after
completing certain
subjects (i.e. English I, II, III,
Algebra I, II, Biology I, US History)
Like all other
finals, they
count as 25%
of your 2nd
semester
FINAL grade!
5
Pg. 3 in packet
Completing 3-class Program of Study is a
graduation requirement.
A concentration of
classes in a certain
area taken by the
student
Contains a
minimum of 3
classes
Some examples of a POS:
• Math & Science
• CTE (“vocational” – varied)
• Fine Arts
Can either be
artistically,
academically, or
technically based
Please talk with
the school
counselors to
determine what
program of study
is best fit for you
Do you remember what
POS you selected?
Changing classes may mean changing your POS—be careful!
Can you OPT-OUT of foreign language/fine art? ±
6
Pg. 3-4 in packet
Sample Transcript ±
Rockwood High School Official Transcript
Name:_________________________________
GPA: 1.83 (CUMULATIVE) Rank
Grade 9 2009-2010
English I
Algebra I
World HIstory
Physical Science
Wellness
PE
Band
Construct Core
TOTAL CREDITS:
GPA
S1
51/F
64/F
70/D
84/C
S2
70/D
94/A
92/B
91/B
Credits
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
1.75 /D
Earned Credits: 13
Grade 10 2010-2011
English I
Algebra I
US GOVT
Biology
S1
75/C
70/D
85/B
69/F
Economics
PE
English II
Music
TOTAL CREDITS:
GPA
S2
70/D
94/A
74/D
91/B
Credits
1
1
.5
0
.
.5
1
1
1
7
Page 4 1.88/D
in packet
7
Use your
transcript
to check
off credits
as you
earn
them.
Course
√’ed
English I
English II
English III
English IV
Grade
√’ed
Course
Grade
My Program of Study (POS):
#1#2-
Algebra 1
#3-
Geometry
Algebra II
Wellness
Sr. Math-
Physical Ed
(PE)
Biology 1
F Lang. #1
Chemistry OR
Physics
Other:
F Lang. #2
(same type)
Fine ArtOther: (as Electives)
Pg. 4 in packet
and refer to
your transcript
included in
your folder.
W. Geog. OR W. History
US Govt.
US History
Economics (.5)
Personal Finance (.5)
8
YOUR G.P.A. :
(Only FINAL grades are used to determine GPAs.)
A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C =2 points
D = 1 point
F = 0 points
Equation:
Total
Points/Total
# of Grades
= GPA
9
Pg. 4 in packet
Credit
Recovery
See your
counselor to see
what option is
best for you.
Retake
the Class
Pg. 4 in packet10

USE A PLANNER: Write down things you must do: tests, class
assignments, projects, practice, work, etc. Analyze empty space to create
a study plan.

Make Daily Check Lists- Prioritize (Do the most important task
first). Divide large assignments in to a few small assignments. (ex. To learn
50 vocabulary words study them in 5 groups of 10 spaced out over the time you
schedule to study).



Use Time Wisely- BEAT procrastination by taking the first step.
Review Daily - Reviewing helps you reinforce what you've learned
Take Care of Yourself -The ability to concentrate depends on
your sleep, healthy eating and regular exercise.

Say No to Distractions – Turn off electronic devices. Tell others
you will be busy studying.
Tips taken from www.collegeboard.com
Pg. 5 in 11
packet
HIGH SCHOOL IS SUPPOSED
TO BE HARDER!!
You are expected to start showing more responsibility in
high school, such as
CHOOSING to ASK FOR HELP
when you need it. For instance, you may need tutoring
in high school when you have never needed it before.
Talk to your teachers and your
counselor—KEEP US INFORMED!!
12
To Graduate with Honors
Students who score at or above the collegereadiness benchmarks determined by the
ACT (or SAT) will graduate with HONORS.
The ACT
Benchmarks are
as follows:
English:18
Math: 22
Reading: 21
Science: 24
13
Pg. 6 in packet
To Graduate with Distinction
Students
who
maintain a
“B” (3.0)
average and
complete at
least one of
the
following:
• Earned a nationally recognized industry
certification (available through CTE i.e. CNA)
• Participated in at least one Governor’s
Schools
• Participated in one of the state’s All-State
Musical organizations
• Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or
Semi-Finalist
• Attained a score of 3 or higher on at least
two AP exams
• Earned 12 or more semester hours of
transcripted post-secondary credit (approx. 4
Dual Enrollment Courses)
14
Pg. 6 in packet
…Talking about NATIONAL TESTING…
•Students whose scores are exceptionally high on the 11th grade PSAT are recognized
by the National Merit Foundation. This recognition can lead to scholarships.
Page 6 in packet
15
Self-register for a test or get test prep at www.actstudent.org
The ACT is a very important test. It is used for college admissions, scholarships, high
school course placement, and Dual Enrollment opportunities. All juniors will take this
test during school.
Page 8 in packet
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Let’s discuss your PLAN TEST results
and how you can use them to
improve and prepare for the ACT ±
• Understanding your scores
• Prediction of ACT scores
• Interest Inventory
Keep in mind that these scores are only
estimates, not guarantees. Improving your study
habits and taking more challenging courses are
likely to improve your ACT scores.
17
Pg. 7 in packet. Also refer to PLAN SCORE RESULTS.
College and Career Resources
http://tcids.tbr.edu
Where will you be 10 years
from now? Identify your top
5 Career Goals:
www.collegeforTN.org
Start to identify your top 5 choices of
schools. You can modify the list later
1. __________________
1. __________________
2. __________________
2. __________________
3. __________________
3. __________________
4. __________________
4. __________________
5. __________________
5. __________________
Will You Be Ready for the
NEXT STEP!! See the Parent Involvement Newsletter provided in your
packet which includes the current job outlook.
18
Pg. 8 in packet
Why Should I Take Hard Classes?
 Help you improve test scores such as ACT=
better scholarship chances/admittance to college.
 Obtaining a 19 on the Act or Plan test may give
opportunity to take RSCC classes on Rockwood High
School Campus (must meet RSCC requirements which
include 3.0 GPA).
Page 9 in packet
19
Dual Enrollment Courses ±
(Via partnership with Roane State)
-To be eligible, 11th and 12th graders must have a “B” average.
-Students enrolling in Psychology or Math must have an ACT
Reading score of 18 Or Math score of 19 or higher.
-Students are responsible for paying fees for these classes. 3 hr
course = approx. $450 (fees subject to change)
-DE Grant offers award of min. $300 per semester. There is an online
application for this grant.
Do You Need To Take The June 2013 ACT test???
Already had your Algebra II, Geometry, Biology, and Chemistry??? Are you interested in taking DE courses
next year that will allow you to earn high school and college credit at the same time? Then you may want to
take the ACT this JUNE. The registration deadline is May 4th.
20
More information included in packet. (p. 9 in packet).
Stay Involved!!!
• Clubs
• Community Service/Organizations
• Special Programs
– (Ex. Upward Bound,, TN Scholar’s ±, etc.)
• Athletics (Be sure you are NCAA eligible.)
Are you continuing to keep record?
21
Pg. 10 in packet
HOPE Scholarship (Lottery Scholarship)
Requirements:
• Have a 3.0 grade point
average** at the end of all 4
years of high school
• *OR*
• Make at least a composite
score of 21 on the ACT exam
or 980 on the SAT **
**Eligibility requirements may change without notice per TN Legislative decision.
22
Pg. 11 in packet
Types of Financial Aid
(Scholarships and Grants)

Merit-based Scholarships: Good Grades
and/or ACT Score = $$$$ for Scholarships!!
Athletic/Activity-based Scholarships-Band,
ROTC, Community Service, etc.
Need-based financial aid
Possible Websites for Scholarship Searches
www.collegeboard.org
www.TNscholardollars.com
www.fastweb.com
www.wiredscholar.com
www.scholarshipexperts.com
www.tn.gov/collegepays
Page 12 in packet
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