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Spring registration is an extremely important time for students at Coral Gables Senior High School. Decisions made at this time affect a student's schedule for the following year. The registration process involves many people, not just students and parents. Teachers and counselors will help students determine the proper courses for next year. Student registration enables the faculty and staff to determine the number and type of courses that will be offered next year. Low student enrollment is one of the reasons that certain courses do not make the final master schedule. Although students are sometimes frustrated by that outcome, each school must utilize its resources to serve the needs of the entire student population. Therefore, students are asked to list alternative elective courses to ensure that their schedule meets their individual needs. Knowledge of course credits are necessary for students to register in the appropriate courses. Each student’s guidance counselor can provide additional information. Coral Gables Senior High School offers a wide variety of courses and programs for the next year. The Eight Period day is being considered for continuation for the 2008-2009 school year. Under this model, the students who need remediation in Reading Comprehension and/or Mathematics are still able to take two elective courses. Those students who do not need remediation can take up to four elective courses depending on graduation requirements. When selecting elective courses, please consider the following:
A reminder, student initiated schedule changes for 2008-09
should be completed by Schedule changes during the opening of school are based on the following criteria ONLY: (a) completion of a scheduled course during summer school; (b) computer error; and/or (c) class leveling. Class leveling does not occur until September. Students can be moved from one section to another depending on the capacity of the class.
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Dear Parents and Students, On behalf of my administrative team and the entire Cavalier faculty, I would like to present the Coral Gables High School Curriculum Bulletin to be used for planning the 2008-2009 school year. Exciting changes are occurring within our schools beginning with the National Secondary School Reform Act and the movement toward Small Learning Communities. Secondary school reform necessitates a redesign of the traditional high school to a high school designed to move students forward into the 21st Century – a secondary program that emphasizes the three new R’s - rigor, relevance, and relationships. Through such reform, the achievement gap will be reduced, graduation rates will rise, access and entrance to post-secondary education will improve, and students will ultimately find success as economically secure adults. In order to address Secondary School Reform criteria, Coral Gables High School has instituted the implementation of academy learning where students will take the required graduation requirements in addition to electives concentrating in one of the five following strands: ACADEMY OF BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY The aforementioned academies offer new and exciting educational opportunities for our entire student body and have been designed to raise student achievement among all levels of academic proficiency. I am fully confident that within these pages each and every one of our students will be able to tailor a rich, challenging, and rewarding educational plan that will serve to broaden personal horizons on the path to the achievement of academic goals. It is in this spirit of furthering Coral Gables High School’s
long tradition of advancing academic excellence that I, as your
Principal, encourage you and your parents to review these pages, to
discuss your options and plans, and to create an educational plan
that will best meet your needs.
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The Secondary School Redesign Act, also known
as the “A++ Plan for Education,” was passed by the Florida • Ninth graders who entered high school in the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter are required to learn 16 core academic credits and eight elective credits in order to graduate with a high school diploma. Core requirements consist of four credits in English and mathematics; three credits of science and social science; one credit of fine and performing arts; and one credit of physical education with health. • To better engage students in planning and making decisions for their future, they are to select an area of interest as part of their personalized education and career plan. Students are to earn four credits in a major area of interest, similar to college students, which may be in the arts, advanced academic studies, or career preparation. Each school will provide students and their parents with a list of district/state-approved major areas from which a selection is to be made. The remaining four elective credits may be used to earn a second major area of interest, a minor, or for other elective courses. Currently, there are three options for high school graduation and earning a diploma, two of which are accelerated options. Students and their parents may select from one of the three options, although if the student and his/her parents do not select a graduation option, the student will be considered to have selected the four-year, 24-credit standard program. In order to graduate all three options require students to earn a passing score on the 10th grade FCAT, earn a specific grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, and successfully complete the required courses listed in the chart entitled “2008-2009 Graduation Options and Requirements.” The graduation options are as follows: The requirements for the two accelerated options have been changed several times by the Florida Legislature since these options became available to students in 2003-2004. Students are responsible for the requirements in force at the time they selected an accelerated program. As mentioned above, the requirements for the four-year, 24-credit program were changed by the Florida Legislature for students who entered the 9th grade in 2007-2008. Students who enrolled in the four-year, 24- credit program prior to July 1, 2007, are responsible for the requirements in force at that time. High school courses successfully completed by a student in grades 6 - 8 can be applied to the requirements for graduation. However, the student and his/her parents are reminded that high school credits earned prior to 9th grade as well as through the adult education program are generally not recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) toward a student’s eligibility to participate in college athletics. For information regarding athletic scholarships and eligibility, it is recommended that contact be made with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at www.ncaa.org or the athletic director at the student’s school. A student selecting either of the two accelerated options must be enrolled in high school for a minimum of three school years. Upon graduation this student will be eligible to apply for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, if he/she has met the program’s requirements.
-4- A student, who has selected one of the three-year, 18-credit options and is considering enrollment in a magnet school/program, career-focused academy, or career technical education preparation program, will need to inquire about the requirements of the specific program. There are certain programs which have requirements that would not be able to be met within either accelerated option. Staff from the individual programs will be able to explain the requirements of a given program and whether or not it would be possible to meet those requirements within the accelerated option. Students who successfully complete the International Baccalaureate curriculum or the Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum meet the graduation requirements and are eligible to receive a standard diploma. In order to graduate, a student who has selected the four-year, 24-credit standard program, must demonstrate mastery of the Sunshine State Standards and complete a community service project. In order to be designated as a 10th grade student, a 9th grade student must have earned a minimum of four credits, which must include one credit in English/ELL or one credit in mathematics. To be designated as an 11th grade student, a 10th grade student must have earned a minimum of 10 credits, which must include two credits in English/ELL and two credits in mathematics. To be designated as a 12th grade student, an 11th grade student must have earned a minimum of 16 credits, which must include three credits in English/ELL and three credits in mathematics. For a student enrolled in either one of the two accelerated graduation programs, the student must earn at least five credits by the end of grade 9 and 11 credits by the end of grade 10.
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2008-2009 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADE 9
EXPLANATORY NOTES:
English/Language Arts English I, II, III, and IV or English I-IV Through ELL are required to meet the English/language arts graduation requirement. Mathematics Algebra I should be completed by the end of 9th grade, Geometry by the end of 10th grade, and two additional courses at the Algebra I level or higher. Informal Geometry meets the graduation requirement for mathematics, but does not meet the minimum entrance requirement to the Florida State University System. Science The required courses include Earth/Space Science, which
should be completed by the end of 9th grade, Biology I by the end of
10th grade, and Chemistry I or Physical Science by the end of 11th
grade. Integrated Science will also meet the graduation requirement
for science by taking Integrated Science I and two additional
science courses. Physical Education This requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of Personal Fitness or Adaptive Physical Education and any other approved physical education semester course listed in the Florida Course Code Directory. For those students whose physical condition, as certified annually by a physician, prevents participation in the regular program, a modified or adaptive physical education will be provided. Electives Eight credits in a major, minor, or electives:
As a result of recent legislation, senior high school graduation requirements are in a state of transition: Students who entered 9th grade in the 2003-2004 school year were provided the opportunity to enroll in three graduation options, two of which are accelerated programs whereby students could complete their coursework in three years. The standard graduation program, which consists of a four-year, 24-credit program did not change from the previous year relative to the requirements.
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Students who entered 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year, who
enrolled in the accelerated graduation programs had to meet
additional requirements: • Students who entered 9th grade in 2006-2007 and enrolled in the three-year, 18-credit college preparatory program, must meet an increased GPA graduation requirement of 3.5. Also, the enrollment prerequisite of FCAT scores in reading, mathematics, and writing has been eliminated for both the college preparatory program and career preparatory program. The standard graduation program, which consists of a four-year, 24-credit program did not change from the previous year relative to the requirements. • Students who entered 9th grade in 2007-2008 who enrolled in the standard four-year, 24-credit program will have to meet new graduation requirements. Of the 24 credits required for graduation, 16 credits are to be core curriculum credits (English - 4, mathematics - 4, science - 3, social science - 3, fine arts - 1, physical education -1, and majors, minors, and electives - 8). The two accelerated programs as amended in the 2004-2005 and 2006-2007 school years did not change relative to the requirements. •Students who enter 9th grade in 2006-2007 and thereafter will be required to earn a passing score on FCAT Writing+, which will be included as part of the grade 10 FCAT beginning with the Spring 2008 administration. Students in senior high school will be on several tracks depending upon their date of entry into grade 9 and the graduation program they selected. In summary:
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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 2008-2009
This table represents requirements for students who entered 9th grade in 2007-2008 and thereafter. In order to graduate from high school and earn a diploma, students must successfully complete the required credits, earn the required grade point average (GPA), and earn a passing score on the grade 10 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
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GRADING STUDENT PERFORMANCE By School Board directive, academic grades are to reflect the student's academic progress. The determination of the specific grade a student receives must be based on the teacher's best judgment after careful consideration of all aspects of each student's performance during a grading period, including such factors as class attendance, homework, and participation. In authorized semester courses, the student's final grade shall be determined as follows: 40 percent value for each of two nine-week grading periods and 20 percent value for the final examination, with a provision for teacher override. In authorized annual courses, the student's final grade shall be determined as follows: 20 percent value for each of four nine-week grading periods, 10 percent value for the midterm exam, and 10 percent for the final exam, with a provision for teacher override. In order to pass an annual course in grades 9-12, a student will earn a minimum of 10 grade points, of which a minimum of five must be earned in the second semester. Teacher override (either up or down) can be used. For senior high school students the forgiveness policy for required courses is limited to replacing a grade of “D” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. The forgiveness policy for elective courses is limited to replacing a grade of “D” or “F” with a grade of “C” or higher earned subsequently in another course. In either situation when a student attempts forgiveness for a grade, the higher of the two grades will be used to compute the student’s GPA. When it is replaced, the lower grade will not be used to compute the student’s GPA, but will remain on the student’s transcript and in the student’s permanent record. Any course not replaced according to this policy shall be included in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average required for graduation. In both authorized semester courses and
authorized annual courses, the criteria for grading certain students
with disabilities may be modified by the Individual Educational Plan
(IEP) team.
* A variation of these grades is used in schools implementing the electronic gradebook.
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GRADE POINT AVERAGE Grade point averages (GPA) may be used for any of the reasons listed below.
The grade and bonus point values shown in the chart below are used in determining unweighted (without bonus points) and weighted (with bonus points) GPA's. GRADE AND BONUS POINT VALUES
The grade point average used for determining the final rank in class for students includes grades from all courses in which credits have been earned for high school graduation and the first semester of the students' final year. The calculation process produces an unweighted GPA to which bonus values are added. This GPA is used for the ranking process. Students selecting one of the three-year accelerated programs are included in the overall class ranking for their graduation year based on the relative ranking of his/her cumulative GPA. These students are also eligible for consideration for the academic recognition program and the Talented Twenty program. The levels of the Academic Recognition Program are as follows: Cum Laude: the upper 15% of the graduating class, excluding the Summa and Magna Cum Laude students, using a weighted GPA or students who have a 4.0 GPA or higher Magna Cum Laude: the upper 10% of the graduating class, excluding the Summa Cum Laude students, using a weighted GPA Summa Cum Laude: the upper 5% of the graduating class using a weighted GPA The school counselor can assist students and parents in determining the processes for computing the GPA's used for the various purposes listed above.
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PROVISIONS FOR ACCELERATION Students may utilize the acceleration options listed below to pursue a more challenging program of study or to accelerate entry into postsecondary institutions or vocations of their choice. In addition to the two accelerated graduation programs (the college preparatory program and the career preparatory program), there are several provisions whereby students may accelerate their graduation or take additional courses prior to graduation. These include:
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HOMEWORK POLICY* Regular, purposeful homework is an essential part of a student's education. Homework is an integral factor in fostering the academic achievement of students and in extending school activities into the home and the community. Regular homework provides opportunities for developmental practice, drill, the application of skills already learned, the development of independent study skills, enrichment activities, and self-discipline. Homework should provide reinforcement and extension of class instruction, and should serve as a basis for further study and preparation for future class assignments. Student's Responsibilities
NOTE: Students can receive additional help
through the Homework Helpers Program, which includes the Parents' Responsibilities While it is understood that parents are not responsible for providing a great deal of assistance to their child in completing homework, there is still much that parents can do to promote good study habits. Parents' responsibilities include:
*Excerpt from School Board Rule 6Gx13-
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ATTENDANCE POLICY There are probably no factor more important to a student’s progress in school than regular and punctual attendance. Miami-Dade Public Schools has a vision whereby each student engages in a rigorous instructional program which prepares him/her for a myriad of successful post-secondary options. Students are expected to: • be present at school each and every day; Miami-Dade Public Schools has the affirmative obligation to increase student attendance through a monitoring process that will classify all absences as excused or unexcused, to inform parents of student absences, and to ensure that compulsory attendance laws are enforced as mandated by Florida statutes. This obligation will be satisfied through the implementation of an attendance review procedure, which monitors the type and number of student absences, as well as the impact of these absences on learning. Each school has an Attendance Review Committee, which is comprised of a minimum of a student services representative and an administrator or an administrative designee. The committee will provide guidance and support to students with significant absences by providing early intervention by convening when students reach an accumulation of five (5) unexcused absences in a semester course or ten (10) unexcused absences in an annual course. A. Attendance Defined 1. School Attendance - Students are to be counted in attendance only if they are actually present or engaged in a school-approved educational activity which constitutes a part of the instructional program for the student. 2. Class Attendance - Students are to be counted in attendance if they are physically present in class or have been excused by the teacher on a class-related assignment, or have been requested by a member of the school support staff for an approved school activity. 3. Tardiness - It is a reasonable expectation that in order for a learning activity to take place, each student must arrive to school and class on time. Accumulated unexcused tardies will be counted toward the threshold for initiating attendance review. 4. Early Sign-outs - The early release of students causes disruption to academic performance of all students and may create safety and security concerns. No student shall be released within the final 30 minutes of the school day unless authorized by the school principal or principal’s designee, e.g., emergency, sickness. B. Absences Defined 1. Excused School and Class Absences and Tardies • Student illness: students missing 5 or more
consecutive days of school due to illness or injury are required to
provide a written statement from a medical provider. The written
statement must include all the days the student has been absent from
school. If a student is continually ill and repeatedly absent from
school due to a specific medical condition, he/she must be under the
supervision of a physician in order to receive excused absences from
school. 2. Unexcused School Absence Any absence that does not fall into one of the above excused absence categories is to be considered unexcused. Any student who has been absent from school will be marked unexcused absent until he/she submits the required documentation as specified above. Failure to provide the required documentation within three school days upon the return to school will result in an unexcused absence. Unexcused absences include: • Absences due to vacations, personal
services, local non-school event, program, or sport activity. The student is expected to: 1. Attend school/classes one hundred and
eighty (180) days each school year. The parent is expected to: This information is from School Board Rule 6Gx13- 5A-1.041
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Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students to earn college or vocational credit toward a postsecondary diploma, certificate, or degree at a Florida public institution that will also count as credit toward a high school diploma. Students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
· Be a student in a
Florida public or nonpublic secondary school, or in a home education
program.
Students who attend a
Florida public college or university are exempt from registration,
matriculation, or laboratory fees for courses taken through dual
enrollment. Public school students will have instructional materials
provided free of charge. However, students enrolled in home
education programs or nonpublic secondary schools must provide their
own materials. Most college courses are available for dual
enrollment. However, there are some restrictions on choice of
courses: These courses may be taken before, during, or after school or during the summer. They may be offered at the high school or college. Current practice is that six semester credit hours earned through dual enrollment will equal one high school credit. However, this may change for some college courses. Students should check with their guidance counselor for information regarding how dual enrollment courses apply to high school graduation requirements. School districts are required to weight college-level dual enrollment courses the same as honors and advanced placement courses when grade point averages are calculated. State universities are not required to weight dual enrollment credit in calculating grade point averages for admission. Dual enrollment college credit will transfer to any public college or university offering that course with the same prefix and number and must be treated as though taken at the receiving institution; however, upon high school graduation if students do not attend the same college or university where they earned the dual enrollment credit, the application of transfer credit to general education, prerequisite, and degree programs may vary at the receiving institution. The dual enrollment program is an opportunity to take challenging courses and accelerate education opportunities. Students who successfully complete dual enrollment courses will save time toward their college degree and save money with free tuition and textbooks. Dual enrollment courses are college courses. Students should understand that the amount of work necessary to succeed in dual enrollment courses may be much greater than in high school courses. In addition, dual enrollment courses become a part of a student’s permanent college transcript. It is important to do well in these courses to realize all the benefits of dual enrollment. Students should check with their high school guidance counselor or school district office prior to enrolling in dual enrollment courses. The information above was taken from http://myfloridaeducation.com . The Florida Academic Counseling and Tracking for Students web site (www.facts.org) provides a wide variety of postsecondary academic and student services. Students can find information about postsecondary institutions, degree programs, fees, and financial aid.
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Florida Virtual School. Middle and senior high school students are eligible to enroll in the Florida Virtual School. The courses offered are teacher facilitated and available throughout the state. Courses are based upon the same criteria as those taught in the standard high school program and, therefore, generate the same credit for students. Students must visit the Florida Virtual School website at www.FLVS.NET to enroll in courses. A guidance counselor and a parent/guardian must also visit the website to finalize the registration process for the student.
The school board of Miami-Dade County is dedicated to the total and continuous development of each student. The professional staff of the school system has the responsibility to develop administrative procedures to ensure the placement of each student in the subjects, in the grade level, or in the special program best suited to meet the student’s academic needs, with consideration given to the student’s social, emotional, and physical development. Decisions regarding student promotion, retention, and special placement are primarily the responsibility of the individual school’s professional staff; however, the final decision in regard to grade placement is the responsibility of the principal. The county wide standards, in accordance with placement decisions which must be made, are entitled Student Progression Plan for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which is available in the Office of the Recording Secretary of the School Board and in the Citizen Information Center. The standards and procedures for their implementation contained in the plan reflect clearly that promotion in the Miami-Dade County Public School system is based primarily on student achievement and is not an automatic process. The following chart refers to the successful completion of courses needed for promotion to the next year:
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