Program of Studies - Hunterdon Central Regional High School

COMMUNICATION OF STUDENT PROGRESS
Progress reports may be sent home by teachers at the approximate midpoint of each marking period. Parents are
encouraged to contact the student’s teacher if questions arise pertaining to the progress report. Under some
circumstances, it may be desirable for students to be on a weekly progress report system. Weekly progress reports are
the responsibility of the student and parent/guardian. A report card is issued at the end of each quarter. Although
grades should not be regarded as ends in themselves, they do reflect how well students are progressing in studies from
marking period to marking period. Parents/guardians and students are urged to study the report card carefully. If
parents/guardians have questions concerning the academic progress of the student or questions concerning the
student’s overall adjustment to the school they have several options:
1. Contact the classroom teacher.
2. Contact the appropriate counselor.
3. Contact the appropriate department supervisor.
Only the final grade for each course appears on the student’s permanent transcript.
PROCESS FOR RESOLVING INCOMPLETE GRADES
1. A grade of Incomplete (I) will be given only when there is just cause, e.g., work missing due to absence or illness.
Otherwise, students are expected to submit work on time. While it is permissible to accept work that is late, students
are expected to complete all work prior to the end of the marking period.
2. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, students are expected to resolve incompletes no later than ten school
days after the close of the marking period. Unresolved “I’s” will be automatically turned into the earned grade after 10
days. If an extension is sought, a request must go through the subject supervisor.
3. Students must be informed by the last day of the marking period if they will receive an incomplete. At that time,
students will be made aware of the ten-day requirement.
4. Faculty members are discouraged from giving a grade of incomplete at mid-year for seniors. Incomplete grades
can work to the student’s detriment when applying for college admissions.
STUDENT ASSESSMENTS
All HCRHS students must take the New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). The HSPA assesses a
student's ability in an array of subject areas. Students must pass this test in order to receive a high school diploma. The
HSPA will be administered to all 11 th graders each spring. In addition, the New Jersey Department of Education has
announced transitioning from an integrated High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) to a secondary school
competency model using subject specific end of course tests. Beginning with the high school graduating Class of 2014,
an End of Course Biology test is slated to become a graduation requirement. The May, 2011 End of Course Algebra 1
test will count as a graduation requirement beginning with the high school graduating class of 2015. Students
graduating prior to 2015, who take Algebra 1 in grade 9 through 12, will be required to sit for the Algebra 1 EOC test,
but it will not have an impact on their graduation requirements.
The College Board national testing program includes the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT I and SAT II). Each is
administered on annually scheduled Saturdays. Students taking the SAT I and SAT II must register with ETS at
www.collegeboard.com, and pay a testing fee. Students considering the ACT can register at www.ACTstudent.org.
Applications for the SAT and ACT are also available in the Counseling Services Office. PSAT/NMSQT fees and
registration are processed by the high school.
The SAT and ACT are significantly different tests, and in many ways, they measure different skills. Depending on the
students’ particular strengths and weaknesses, they may perform much better on one test than the other. As a result,
many students embarking on the admissions process now consider both the SAT and ACT. The ACT is a contentbased
test and subject based test, whereas the SAT tests critical thinking and problem solving. Students should verify
the specific testing requirements of the schools to which they are applying. The SAT II, which some colleges require
for admission or placement purposes, is a one-hour, multiple-choice test in a specific subject. Unlike the SAT I, which
measures more general abilities, the SAT II measures the student's knowledge of a particular subject. Because of this,
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