COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
2014-2015
Introduction
East Pennsboro Area High School is on a trimester system of scheduling. Under the trimester plan, students will schedule five classes lasting 67 minutes, for each of the three trimesters. During the course of a year, a student can earn 7.5 credits towards graduation. Most of the classes are one or two trimesters in length. Some exceptions are: 1) ninth and tenth grade English and ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade mathematics courses which meet for all three trimesters and have a credit value of 1.5. 2) band and chorus meet for the full year and each has an additional credit value of .75.
As a high school student, one of the most important decisions you face each year is the selection of courses. Proper planning is critical if you are to prepare yourself adequately for your future goals, whether they include additional education or immediate entry into the job market.
Planning should be a cooperative effort. Counselors, teachers, and parents are ready and willing to help you with your decisions. When planning your schedule of courses, consider your abilities, interests, goals, and graduation requirements. It is strongly suggested that students confer with their Counselors.
It is possible that elective courses listed in this booklet may be withdrawn because too few students schedule them. It may also be impossible to schedule all the courses requested by a student. Parents and students should plan for this contingency at the time of course selection by indicating suitable alternates.
Teacher recommendations and/or prerequisites are required for certain courses or levels of study. Parents should be aware of these requirements before signing the student's course selection sheet.
Courses offered in the East Pennsboro Area High School curriculum vary considerably in their degree of difficulty. This is a result of programs that are geared to a broad range of student differences in abilities, interests, vocational and academic goals. Some courses carry additional weight because of the high degree of academic challenge. Weighted courses have a greater point value and are calculated each marking period for the purpose of honor roll and class rank. Participation in honors courses is based on teacher recommendation, grades, and completion of prerequisites. Honors courses are academically challenging and have increased expectations for coursework including summer assignments. Parents have the option to request their child’s placement in an honors course without a teacher recommendation with the understanding that course expectations and rigor will not be compromised. (All course prerequisites must be satisfied prior to enrollment in the course.)
Dropping a course during the school year:
No student may drop out of a course or change a course after the school year has begun. In all situations where students are dropped from a course, they will lose the credit value of the course and receive a failing grade of 02 on their transcripts. Students may make schedule adjustments until the end of the second week of school. Another important exception is that courses with summer work requirements may not be dropped at any time as stated in individual student/parent contracts signed in May of the previous year.
Students will meet with Counselors and be given individualized course selection sheets, which list their choices for 2014-2015 and the courses they have previously taken at East Pennsboro High School. These course selection sheets will be returned to school on a designated date to allow for the student to enter his/her courses on line. Following this process, each student’s course requests will be sent home to the parent for review. Tentative schedules will be run and reviewed for possible conflicts and/or completion.
This course selection is a very important decision-making process. Please take it seriously and ask for help, if needed.
PARENTS MEETING — COURSE SELECTION NIGHT February 19th, 2014
7:00 P.M. — HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Mission Statement:
East Pennsboro Area High School, with the support of the community, will prepare its students with the knowledge, skills, and social behavior necessary to participate and succeed in a continually changing world. Students who graduate from East Pennsboro Area High School should be prepared to be perceptive thinkers, collaborative contributors, involved citizens, innovative producers, self-directed learners, achievers, and problem - solvers.
Graduation Requirements:
East Pennsboro High School students are required to earn 27 credits to graduate and to schedule 7.5 credits each year. Listed below are the graduation requirements over a four year period.
Course Credits
*English/Public Speaking/Study
Skills/Humanities 5.00
Social Studies 4.00
Science 3.00
*Math 4.00
Physical Education/Health/ 2.00
Driver Safety/Careers 0.50
Family Cons. Science/Ind. Technology 0.50
Computers 0.50
Electives 7.50
Total Required 27.00
*English 9, 10 are worth 1.5 credits each year
*Math 9, 10, 11 are worth 1.5 credits each year
Failed Courses:
1. If a student fails a course required for graduation, the course must be repeated before graduation. The student may repeat the course during the school year but may not take sequential courses concurrently. (Example: A student cannot take English 10 and English 11 or World History and American History concurrently.)
2. Therefore, if a student fails English or History, it is imperative that the student attend summer school, complete a corresponding course, or seek tutoring in the subject. Otherwise, it will be necessary for that student to return for another year of schooling.
3. If a student returns for the fifth year to make up failed courses, that student will attend only those classes.
4. If a student retakes a course during the school year, it will be understood that the same teacher may be assigned if no other teacher is available.
The following requirements must be achieved in addition to the minimum number of credits necessary for graduation.
1. A student must demonstrate achievement of academic standards as required by the State Board of Education and the school district. The strategic plan shall describe the criteria that the district uses to determine successful achievement for purposes of high school graduation.
2. According to East Pennsboro Area School District Policy #204 Attendance, students must meet minimum attendance requirements in order to receive course credit.
Grading Scale/GPA:
GRADING SCALE
93 –100 / Excellent (A)85 – 92 / Good (B)
77 –84 / Average (C)
70 –76 / Below Average (D)
Below 70 / Failing (F)
I / Incomplete
M / Medical
P / Pass
F / Fail
GPA
To calculate GPA begin by adding the course credit to the weight. Multiply that number by the grade in the course. The result of this calculation will be the quality points for that class. Add the quality points for all classes and divide by the total number of credits. See below for further explanation.Quality Points = (Credit + Weight)(Grade)
Sum of Quality Points/Total Credits = GPA
MARKING PERIOD AND FINAL EXAM PERCENTAGES
One Trimester Course / Two Trimester Course / Three Trimester Course
1 MP / 42.86% / 21.43% / 14.28%
2 MP / 42.86% / 21.43% / 14.28%
3 MP / 21.43% / 14.28%
4 MP / 21.43% / 14.28%
5 MP / 14.28%
6 MP / 14.28%
Final Exam / 14.28% / 14.28% / 14.28%
NCAA Clearinghouse:
Applied courses will not be accepted by the NCAA Clearinghouse (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net). Check with a college counselor or admissions advisor to determine if the courses in which you are enrolled are accepted under NCAA guidelines.
The guidelines that we are reporting from NCAA are the most up to date at the time of printing. For more information, go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
We also offer additional help at www.coachescircle.com. This site offers insight to the college recruiting process beyond the scope of NCAA Clearinghouse. Access to this site can also be found on the East Pennsboro Area School District web site (www.epasd.org). Click on Athletics; then click on The Student Athlete & College Recruiting. There you will find The Coaches’ Circle.
NCAA FRESHMAN-ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
KNOW THE RULES:
Core Courses
NCAA Division I requires 16 core courses as of August 1, 2008. This rule applies to any student first entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008. See the chart below for the breakdown of this 16 core-course requirement.
NCAA Division II requires 14 core courses. See the breakdown of core-course requirements below. Please note, Division II will require 16 core courses beginning August 1, 2013.
Test Scores
Division I has a sliding scale for test score and grade-point average. The sliding scale for those requirements is shown on page two of this sheet.
Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.
The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used.
The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections on the ACT: English, mathematics, reading and science.
All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will not be used. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.
Grade-Point Average
Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.
Be sure to look at your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses on the Eligibility Center's Web site to make certain that courses being taken have been approved as core courses. The Web site is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
Division I grade-point-average requirements are listed on page two of this sheet.
The Division II grade-point-average requirement is a minimum of 2.000.
DIVISION I
16 Core-Course Rule
4 years of English.
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy).
DIVISION II
14 Core-Course Rule
3 years of English.
2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
2 years of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
2 years of social science.
3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy).
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning August 1, 2013, students planning to attend an NCAA Division II institution will be required to complete 16 core courses.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
· Division II has no sliding scale. The minimum core grade-point average is 2.000. The minimum SAT score is 820 (verbal and math sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is 68.
· 14 core courses are currently required for Division II. However, beginning 2013, students will be required to complete 16 core courses.
· 16 core courses are required for Division I.
· The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math sections only. The writing section will not be used.
· SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the Eligibility Center from the testing agency. Scores on transcripts will not be used.
· Students enrolling at an NCAA Division I or II institution for the first time need to also complete the amateurism questionnaire through the Eligibility Center Web site. Students need to request final amateurism certification prior to enrollment.
For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.ncaa.org. Click on “Academics and Athletes” then “Eligibility and Recruiting.” Or visit the Eligibility Center Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have questions: Toll-free number: 877/262-1492.
NCAA DIVISION I SLIDING SCALECORE GRADE-POINT AVERAGE/ TEST-SCORE
New Core GPA / Test Score Index
Core GPA SAT ACT
Verbal and Math ONLY
3.550 & above 400 37
3.525 410 38
3.500 420 39
3.475 430 40
3.450 440 41
3.425 450 41
3.400 460 42
3.375 470 42
3.350 480 43
3.325 490 44
3.300 500 44
3.275 510 45
3.250 520 46
3.225 530 46
3.200 540 47
3.175 550 47
3.150 560 48
3.125 570 49
3.100 580 49
3.075 590 50
3.050 600 50
3.025 610 51
3.000 620 52
2.975 630 52
2.950 640 53
2.925 650 53
2.900 660 54
2.875 670 55
2.850 680 56
2.825 690 56
2.800 700 57
2.775 710 58
2.750 720 59
2.725 730 59
2.700 730 60
2.675 740-750 61
2.650 760 62
2.625 770 63
2.600 780 64
2.575 790 65
2.550 800 66
2.525 810 67
2.500 820 68
2.475 830 69
2.450 840-850 70
2.425 860 70
2.400 860 71
2.375 870 72
2.350 880 73
2.325 890 74
2.300 900 75
2.275 910 76
2.250 920 77
2.225 930 78
2.200 940 79
2.175 950 80
2.150 960 80
2.125 960 81
2.100 970 82
2.075 980 83
2.050 990 84
2.025 1000 85
2.000 1010 86
Dual Enrollment:
The East Pennsboro Area School District is currently working with local colleges and universities to establish a Dual Enrollment program. The Dual Enrollment program, which is established with support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, allows eligible junior and senior year students to enroll in courses on a local college campus. In order to qualify, students must be on track to graduate and receive a recommendation from their building principal. Applications to the local colleges and universities will be completed through the guidance office with the desired institution. All must be completed in accordance with the institution’s guidelines.
College courses taken and successfully completed by the students will satisfy East Pennsboro’s graduation requirements and will not be used in the student’s grade point average calculation. If a student is interested in participating in this dual enrollment program, they should consult with their Guidance Counselor.
Counselor Assignments:
Ms. Hilary Nimtz Grades 9-12 last names beginning with A-F and Vo-Tech
Students
Mrs. Christina Zeller Grades 9-12 last names beginning with G-O
Mrs. Elizabeth Hacker Grades 9-12 last names beginning with P-Z and foreign