2012-2013 High School Curriculum Bulletin - McAllen ISD

Loss of CreditA student who has a semester attendance lower than 90% in any class may appealfor credit. Regardless of whether or not the attendance committee decides to awardcredit, the grade earned will be posted on the student’s transcript.UIL AcademicsStudent are encouraged to participate in one or more of many UIL events offered ateach of our campuses. Students may select from many events such as Accounting,Calculator, Number Sense, Journalism, One-Act Play, Current Events, Speech/Debate, Literary Criticism, Science, Computer Applications and others.UIL Eligibility for Academics or SportsStudents who are participating in extracurricular activities or UIL events must passall subjects in order to be eligible. As per board policy FM Local, a student enrolledin advanced courses may request a waiver.Audit ProceduresStudents must request permission to audit a course in writing to the principal. Thisrequest must be approved prior to the students’ official first day of school.Academic GradingThe District operates on a semester basis and will adhere to Texas Education Agencystandards in relation to curriculum offerings, sequence of courses, and amount oftime of instruction for each subject. The school year is divided into two 18-weeksemesters. Semesters are divided into three periods of six weeks each for purposesof grades and reports. At the end of each six-week period, students will receivereport cards.A - 90 - 100B - 80 - 89C - 75 - 79D - 70 - 74F - Below 70I - IncompleteNG - No GradeCredit Requirement for Grade Classification and for Graduating incomingfreshmen 2007-2008 and there after:Freshman (9) 0-5.5 creditsSophomore (10)6.0-12.5 creditsJunior (11)13.0-19.5 creditsSenior (12)20.0-26.0 creditsCredits required for graduation = 26Testing Requirements for High School Graduation in TexasTo receive a high school diploma, a student must complete the required curriculumand also pass a series of exit- level state assessments. Alternative exit levelassessments may be administered is students meet specific requirements as outlinedby special education services. Students entering the ninth (9th) grade in 2001-2002and thereafter must master the exit level TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledgeand Skills) in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies duringtheir junior year, in addition to completing course / credit requirements.NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMPage 15Taking the PSAT/NMSQT gives students the opportunity to participate in the NationalMerit Scholarship Program. Students using this test to qualify for scholarships takeit in their junior year during the month of October.COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMSSAT/ACTAdmissions tests are required for most colleges. Check their website for specifictesting requirements. The SAT and ACT booklets are available in the Go Center.Online registration is preferred. See your College Specialist for more informationon test fee waivers. Special situations or circumstances, such as physical disabilitieslearning disabilities, religious beliefs are addressed on the testing agency’s website.SAT www.collegeboard.comACT www.actstudent.orgTHEATexas Success Initiative (TSI) requires students to be assessed in Reading, Writingand Math skills prior to enrolling in college. College and universities determinethe best path for students to become college ready and to demonstrate that they areindeed ready for college level courses. The college admission office determines ifthe student is exempt or if an additional test such as THEA, Accuplacer, or Compassis required.ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM / COLLEGE CREDITThe Advanced Placement (AP) Program gives students the opportunity to pursuecollege-level studies while still in high school. The AP examinations must be orderedin advance (March) and are administered in May. Depending on their scores andon the policy of the individual college, students may receive college credit uponentering college.AP exams are available to everyone interested in taking them. Students do not needto be enrolled in AP courses to register for AP exams. Students in AP courses areexpected to take the AP tests. Administrative policy requires those students enrolledin AP Courses take the AP test.SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AIDScholarships from various sources are available to students on the basis of academicachievement, test scores, financial need, character, and citizenship. Most scholarshipsemphasize merit and/or need. Early each school year, seniors are urged to contacttheir College Specialist regarding available scholarships, application proceduresand documents needed, etc.In addition, seniors need to contact the college offices of financial aid for informationregarding scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs handled by theindividual institutions.Meeting deadlines is primarily the responsibility of the students and is of utmostimportance* STAAR exams will be given beginning 2011-2012.