Class of 2013 & 2014 Parent Night

B. McCann, Counselor 12thJ. Williams-Pierre, Counselor 11th

All things are difficult before they are easy.

Thomas Fuller

……….And so will be this journey

2 - 9 WEEKS = 1 SEMESTER0.5 CREDIT PER COURSE

2 – SEMESTERS = 1 YEAR1.0 CREDIT PER COURSE

CREDITS

GRADUATION PLANMINIMUM PROGRAM : 22 Credits

4 English3 Math3 Science3 Social Studies1 Technology Application1 Health/Speech1.5 Physical Education5.5 Electives______22 CREDITS

GRADUATION PLANClass of 2013

RECOMMENDED PROGRAM : 26 Credits4 English4 Math 4 Science4 Social Studies1 Technology Application2 Foreign Language1 Fine Art1 Health/Speech1.5 Physical Education3.5 Electives______26 CREDITS

GRADUATION PLANDISTINQUISHED PROGRAM : 26 Credits

4 English4 Math 4 Science4 Social Studies1 Technology Application3 Foreign Language1 Fine Art1 Health/Speech1.5 Physical Education2.5 Electives______26 CREDITS

*****4 ADVANCED MEASURES*****

Graduation RequirementsClass of 2014

English…………..................4Mathematics….. ………….4Science…….......................4Social Studies……………....4World Languages………….2Fine Arts……………………...1Physical Education………...1Health……………………...1/2 Speech…………………….1/2Electives……………………...5

26 credits total required for graduation

CREDIT RECOVERY

Houston Learning Academy Night/Summer$305.00 per courseFBIS Night/Summer

$320 per courseHouston Community College Night/Summer

$175.00per courseTexas Tech On-Line

$155 per courseCBE (Credit By Exam) – Consult Counselor

Yearly Averaging

If a student has failed ANY portion of a class ( A and/or B), due to the district’s implementation of yearly averaging, they MUST recover that credit prior to the start of the next school year-if not, they will have to retake the ENTIRE course over

For example: If a student failed Algebra 1A (but passed Algebra 1B) and have not taken and passed credit recovery for that course before August 2012-they were placed back in the entire Algebra 1 course this school year instead of their next level of math

Yearly averaging = We cannot split a year-long class

The most important thing regarding yearly averaging is that students are responsible for recovering all of the courses required for graduation- So please pass the first time!

**Information regarding yearly averaging can be found online @ fortbendisd.com in the Parent/Student Handbook**

TAKS

11th graders take Exit-Level TAKS this year

Mathematics, ELA, Science, & Social Studies

Students must pass all four Exit-Level TAKS tests to meet graduation requirements.

Study Guides can be found online at : www.tea.state.tx.us

GPA & Class Rank

Grade point average or GPA is the average of a student’s semester grades starting with the freshman year. On a 4 point scale a student with all A’s has a 4.0 GPA

Weighted grades are for honor and AP courses. Grades in a weighted course are worth more than an advance course.

GPA & Class Rank will be given to 11th grade students toward the end of the first nine weeks by the registrar.

Transcript- a document that details a student’s academic achievement in grades 9-12. Transcript contains the following information:

Grades and CreditsAttendanceGPAClass RankState Test Scores (TAKS scores)College Test Scores (PSAT, ACT, SAT)

What are Colleges looking for?

Rigor and Relevance GPA Rank SAT / ACT Scores Community Service Extracurricular Activities Essay

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

STARTING OUT AT A JUNIOR COLLEGE

Graduate from high school Take the THEA (unless exempt) Apply for financial aid after January 1, 2012

STARTING OUT AT A UNIVERSITY

Take the ACT or SAT Take the THEA (unless exempt) Apply for financial aid after January 1, 2012

Community CollegeAdvantages Usually close to home Less expensive than a four year college No dorm fees Smaller class size More interaction with teacher

Disadvantages Much like high school Course selection is limited You will not receive the full college

experience

WHAT IS THE THEA? THEA is a required test for all students enrolling

in any Texas public college or university. EXEMPTIONS:

TAKS – Math, Eng/Lang-at least 2200 with a writing score of at least 3

SAT – 1070 with at least 500 on both Math and Critical Reading

ACT – 23 Composite with at least 19 on both Math and English

THEA.pdf

FOUR YEAR COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY

Advantages A wide variety of majors Stay at same school for entire program On-campus college experience

Disadvantages More expensive Finding a place to live Transportation issues

TESTS

The SAT or ACT is required for 4 year colleges and universities.

Register online for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com

Register online for the ACT at www.actstudent.org

SAT & ACT

Students should begin taking the SAT/ACT in the spring of their junior year.

Check with your student’s preferred college/university to see which test score they prefer

Collegeboard.org: SAT sign-up Actstudent.org: ACT sign-up

SAT OR ACT? SAT--- Critical reading: Short reading passages

Math: Includes Alg. IIWriting: Multiple choice, short essay

ACT--- 4 sections (High School Curriculum Based)

Science: All content areas Math: Algebra, Geometry & Algebra II English: Usage/Mechanics

Reading: Reading comprehensionWriting Optional

How To Score High on Your PSAT/SAT

PSAT

11th Grade students should first take PSAT in the Fall of this year to help prepare them for the SAT.

Benefits: recruitment for scholarships & last opportunity to practice for SAT before taking it in the spring

Cost: $20 or $14 (free/reduced lunch) TONIGHT is the last opportunity to sign-up Test will be given on Wednesday, October

17th

CAMPUS VISITS

Look on the internet for virtual tours Book a tour with colleges of interest Try to attend a scheduled event Get information about particular

schools Ask lots of questions

Checklist for a Campus Visit Meet with an admission officer Verify admission requirements Obtain a school catalog and calendar Discuss costs Meet with faculty in the dept. of your

major Find out about student activities on

campus Investigate transportation options Ask about career placement for

graduates

FINANCIAL AID

Scholarships (not to be repaid) Grants (not to be repaid) Loans (usually to be repaid) Work/Study Programs (available on

campus; paying for tuition as you work)

FINANCIAL AID TIPS Fill out the FAFSA after January 1, 2012 and

after parent’s tax files are complete. Look for scholarships Check the GBHS Scholarship List Check with the college or university

Look on the internet!!! Texas Grant Graduate recommended or higher; Show financial need through FAFSA and the

Financial Aid officer at a college will determine

whether you receive the Grant

Financial Aid Night

Date and Time – TBA Financial aid officer from a college or university will be available to answer questions. Have income tax information

complete so you can turn in FAFSA as soon as possible.

Review and Finalize Your Plans

Show initiative and be assertive

Talk to your parents and counselor

Follow up with colleges to which you have applied

TEXAS COMMON APPLICATION

www.applytexas.org Observe application deadlines Common application used for applying

to all Texas public colleges Use to apply to more than one college Application fees still apply

Kick Start Your College Search

bigfuture.com

knowhow2go.org

embark.com

texascollegeandcareer.org

Tips for Parents

Help your student set realistic academic goals for the term.

Expect your child to be in school, on time, every day.

Attend all open houses and parent nights.

Be aware of the dates for progress reports & report cards

Sign-up for Family Access

Encourage your child to become involved in school activities.

Expect your child to have homework every night and help organize time at home to ensure success.

Eight things Every Parent Should Know About the College Admissions Process

Save the Dates

College and Career Prep workshopOctober 16th Bush Auditorium 7am-Bell & 2:40pm – 3:40pm

University of Houston College Application DayOctober 19th Bush Computer Labs

Career Day November 7th

Academic Excellence ProgramWednesday, November 14th

GBHS Counselor’s Webpage

www.bushbronconews.com

Search under Counselor’s Corral

Scholarship Information College/Career Planning Tips

Counseling Help Specific Grade Level Information