Grades 9-12 Course Catalog - Plano Independent School District

language evaluation, the LPAC Committee will make recommendations about ESL services. Students
who qualify for ESL services may enroll in ESL classes.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program shall be an integral part of the regular education
program. State-adopted English as a second language instructional materials and supplementary
materials are used as curriculum tools. This program is aligned with the district’s general education
literacy program. The English as a second language program shall address the affective, linguistic and
cognitive needs of limited English proficient students.
ESL classes, which focus on intensive development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in
English, are offered to English language learners at all secondary campuses.
Gifted and Talented Program
The high school gifted student is served through the PACE Humanities I and II, honors, IH/PreAP,
American Studies, advanced placement and International Baccalaureate courses. In addition, specific
subject honors courses and fine arts electives provide challenge and enrichment for these students.
Presentation and research projects are important components of all PACE classes.
JROTC
The United States Army’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Corps, or JROTC, is designed to teach high school
students the value of citizenship, leadership, service to the community, personal responsibility, and a
sense of accomplishment while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork and self-discipline. The focus of
the organization is reflected in its mission statement – “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens.”
JROTC prepares high school students for responsible leadership roles while making them aware of their
rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens. Students are instructed in the following
areas: leadership theory and application, learning and the brain, world history, citizenship,
communications, wellness, fitness, first aid, geography, map skills, environmental awareness,
government, and financial management. The JROTC program provides opportunities for local, state and
national competition in the following precision categories: color guard, unarmed drill team, armed drill
team, precision air rifle, as well as physical fitness, academic challenge, and sporter air rifle. Students
have the opportunity to earn their schools’ varsity letter jacket. Additionally, the JROTC program offers a
Leadership Camp (5 days), etiquette training in conjunction with a Formal Military Ball, and an
opportunity for community service as well participation in a service learning project. The program is a
stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding
opportunities that benefit the student, family, community and nation. There is NO military service
requirement for being in JROTC. Also, there is no cost for the uniform. Uniforms are fitted to the
cadet. Cadets are required to maintain the uniform once issued, i.e. keep pants/slacks and coat dry
cleaned and shirt/blouse washed. JROTC is a great first step to all the military academies and college
ROTC scholarships for students who qualify. Additionally, each program’s senior Army Instructor
assists all cadets in obtaining scholarships from all available sources. Each program (Plano West, Plano
Senior and Plano East) is an Honor Unit with Distinction which places each in the top ten percent of the
1734 Army JROTC units world-wide.
Special Education Services Program
Special education services are provided for each student who meets eligibility requirements.
Consideration of a student’s eligibility for special education services is initiated by a referral to the
Campus Monitoring and Intervention Team, which may be requested by parents, school personnel or
outside agencies. Parental consent is required prior to assessment, and again, prior to placement in
special education.
Components of the special education process include:
Determining whether a student meets special education eligibility through formal assessment,
data collection and determination of educational need
Preparing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student based on needs, if
eligibility is determined
Implementing the IEP in the least restrictive environment
Annually evaluating the student’s progress and developing the IEP to address the student’s
needs
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