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Agenda:Welcome and IntroductionsFreshman Academy OverviewExplore Test and Core RecommendationsElective RequestsHigh School Core CurriculumTimeline and Next StepsStudent Point of ViewThanks and Closing

Parents & Students of the Class of 2017

Dundee Middle SchoolDecember 12, 2012

EXPLORE Night Introduction to HHS!

Be respectfulBe responsibleBe involved

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The Whip-Pur Way!

The EXPLORE test is the first part of a testing system that goes on to include the PLAN and the ACT.

Typically, students take ◦ the EXPLORE test in 8th grade◦ the PLAN in 9th grade◦ the ACT in 11th grade.

All three tests assess your knowledge in the areas of English, math, reading and science. However, the material tested gets progressively more difficult with each exam.

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The EXPLORE Test

The EXPLORE Student Score Report gives information about a student’s knowledge, skills, interests, and educational career plans.

Students can use this information as they begin to plan high school coursework and begin thinking about college and work.

The score report also tells you how student’s EXPLORE scores compare to those of other students across the nation.

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Student Score Report

Student scores in each of the four subject areas are between 1 and 25. Your composite score is simply the average of all four test scores.

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What Do My Scores Mean?

◦To the right of your scores, you will find the percentage of students scoring at or below your score.

◦This shows you how your scores compare to those of students across the country who took the EXPLORE.

◦Example: 74% means a student scored as high or higher than 74% of 8th grade students across the U.S.

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How Scores Compare?

How Can Students Improve?

The back of the Score Report describes the skills and knowledge the student probably already has.

You will also see some ideas for improving even more in the different subject areas. The suggestions are based on student scores and can help them do better.

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Students were asked how many core courses they plan to take in high school.

This number was then compared to the number of core classes recommended to prepare for college.

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Student Plans

Students were asked whether or not they needed help in seven different areas. The areas checked on the score report are the areas that were selected.

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Student Plans

Students answered questions about their educational plans and career area preference.

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Student Plans After High School

ACT has developed College Readiness Benchmark Scores.

◦ Students scoring at or above the benchmark in each subject area are projected to be on pace to succeed in high school and college classes, if they keep up with their coursework.

◦ Students scoring below the benchmark will need to put in extra effort and seek out additional supports to improve their scores for future tests.

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Thinking about College?

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Students also completed an Interest Inventory as part of the EXPLORE test. The “Career Possibilities” section of the Score Report shows careers related to their reported interests.

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Career Possibilities

The results of the Interest Inventory are shown on the World-of-Work Map, and these results are compared with the student’s Career Area Preference.

For example, the Interest Inventory results may suggest that careers in areas 7, 8, and 9 on the World-of-Work Map fit the student’s current interests.

◦This would include careers in areas K through Q on the Career Area List

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Career Possibilities

Career Possibilities ACT provides a multitude

of resources on the student’s EXPLORE results at the following website: www.explorestudent.org

The website includes an interactive and informative World-of-Work Map

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How do student EXPLORE results impact his/her freshman classes?◦ 8th grade teachers work diligently to recommend core

freshman classes in the areas of English, math, science, and social studies

◦ The teachers use the following criteria to make their recommendations, including: EXPLORE results Current grades and classes Interventions and progress monitoring Work ethic Reading and writing ability Level of motivation

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9th Grade Class Recommendations

What electives are available? ◦ 2013-2014 Course Sheet: indicates which classes are

available for freshmen.

◦ Categories include: (art, business, English, family and consumer science, foreign language, industrial education, music, social studies)

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Freshman Elective Options

Where can I get more information? District 300’s Elective Online Tool:

www.d300electives.org Get elective class descriptions, prerequisites,

and other information here.

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www.d300electives.org

Visit this site to learn more about the electives offered to freshmen.

1. On paper◦ Review the list of electives◦ Discuss with your parents◦ Fill out the homework sheet◦ Bring it in a discuss with a high school

counselor on January 11th, 2013 2. Online

◦ Review the list of electives◦ Discuss with your parents◦ Login to your Student Portal and complete the

Freshman Elective Request Form

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Two Ways to Make Elective Requests

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Student Portal

Click

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Student Portal

Click

What if our home doesn’t have Internet access?

◦ Review the List of Courses Sheet, and parents and students can do the Electives Homework Assignment over Winter Break.

◦ Students can sign up to meet with their middle school counselor to review elective options online.

◦ The IMC is available before school hours (8:15 until warning bell) for those who want to choose the electives at school. Students that come on the bus will not be able to take advantage of this opportunity due to bus time arrival.

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Online Tool Questions

What if I still can’t figure something out? If you have any questions regarding the

online tool, please direct them to your middle school counselor.

Jerry Weir, 8th Grade Counselor◦ 224-484-4517◦ Jerome.weir@d300.org

Elizabeth Thompson, 6th and 7th Grade Counselor◦ 224-484-4516◦ Elizabeth.thompson@d300.org

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Contact InformationDundee Middle School

Semester 1 Semester 2Period 1 English 9 English 9Period 2 World History World HistoryPeriod 3 Algebra AlgebraPeriod 4 Elective ElectiveLunch Lunch Lunch

Period 5 Biology BiologyPeriod 6 Advisory AdvisoryPeriod 7 PE PEPeriod 8 Elective Elective

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Freshman Core CurriculumSample student schedule:

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D300 Course Numbering System and Levels of Classes

Department 1000 English/ESL 2000 Social Science 3000 Math 4000 Science 5000 World Languages 6000 Business Education 7000 Industrial Education; Family and Consumer Sciences 8000 Art; Music 9000 PE/Health/Driver Education

Level of class and weighted GPA value _200 Preparing for readiness for college and career GPA weight = +1 _300 On track for college and career (college prep) GPA weight = +1.5 _400 Honors level GPA weight = +2 _500 Advanced Placement (AP) GPA weight = +2.5

Example

2301/2302 World History

Semester 1 Semester 2

First number = department

Second number = level of class and weighted GPA value

8th graders will meet with high school counselors on January 11th to discuss electives

Plan to attend the Incoming Freshman Orientation Night on January 16th

During the Orientation Night, students and parents will review and finalize course preferences and elective requests

Parents will sign and turn in the scheduling sheet at the high school that night

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9th Grade Planning

Elective PresentationsTo Students

• At DMS Friday, December 7th, 2012 at 2:10pm

High School Counselor 1 on 1

Visits

• Friday, January 11, 2013

Freshman Orientation

• Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 7pm

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Timeline for 8th Grade Course Selection and Information:

Location: Hampshire High School Auditorium, Commons, and Classrooms

When: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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HHS Freshman Orientation Night & Curriculum Fair

Kelsey Fisher Nicholas Swierczynski

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Student Point of View

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For More Information English and Social Studies

Geoff Falk x 3586

Science and Math Nate Danielson x 3592

Special Education Rich Golminas x3765

CounselingJennifer Dowling x3521Tony Lis x3523Dave Triana x3514Christina Wade x3522

AVID Britany Goodman x3662

Dean of Students Aaron Butler x3548

Athletic Director Dave Hicks x3569