Florida’s New High School Graduation Opportunities

Florida’s New High School Graduation Opportunities “It’s a Major Opportunity!” For Students Entering Ninth Grade in 2007-2008 It’s a Major Opportunity… (Major Areas of Interest) Why? Students can: – take charge of their education – pursue in-depth study in an area of their choice – learn more about future professions or lifetime skills – explore individual interests – work toward an industry certification or Gold Seal Scholarship What is a Major Area of Interest (MAI)? Four (4) credits selected by the student in an area of interest. For example, courses may be in: • a career and technical program • fine and performing arts, or • an academic content area Where Can I See Examples? • Statewide there are currently 445 approved MAI from which districts can choose • The entire list can be viewed at www.fldoe.org/APlusPlus/ and at www.FACTS.org Examples of District-Approved Major Areas of Interest • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Accounting Operations Advanced Academics Advanced Placement Athletic Trainer Broadcast Communication College Studies Employability Skills Global Leadership Health Occupations Journalism Industrial Education Integrated Humanities ROTC Business Technology Education • • • • • • • • • • • • • Music Pre-Engineering Pre-Medicine Physical Sciences Foreign Language Theatre Arts Veterinary Assisting Visual Arts Workforce Readiness Written Communication Teacher Preparation Web design Services Family and Consumer Sciences How do CHOICE and the Major Areas of Interest Align? Answer: – They are two separate initiatives. – Choosing a major does not guarantee access to a high school. Major Areas of Interest in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Special Diploma • These students will be given the opportunity to participate in major areas of interest that are designated for ALL students. • Students working on special diploma standards are not limited to selecting from the ESE Special Diploma major areas of interest list. • The decision to enroll a student in an ESE Special Diploma major area of interest is based on the student’s ability level. • The student, with guidance from the IEP team when possible, should be actively involved in choosing his/her major area of interest. What MAIs are offered in ESE Special Diploma in our District? • • • • • • • • • • Animal Caretaker Assistant Landscape Technician Auto Services Assistant Child Care Support Personnel Floral Assistant Hospitality and Tourism Assistant Medical/Health Services Support Personnel Office Support Personnel Recreation Assistant Teacher/Classroom Assistant Students and Parents When choosing a MAI, be sure to consider the student’s: – Academic achievements – Individual interests and talents – Career goals – Postsecondary goals How Do Students Identify a Major Area of Interest? • Discuss their individual interests with parent(s)/guardian(s), guidance counselors, and teachers. • Explore their academic and career goals. – Use CHOICES to explore occupations and career interests (www.florida.access.bridges.com). • In March and early April 2007, use FACTS.org to view major areas of interest that are being offered at the high school (www.facts.org). • Identify a MAI and in April 2007, identify course(s) that are included in the chosen MAI, which are appropriate for 9th grade and update academic plan. • – Online resource: www.FACTS.org (electronic Personal Education Planner [ePEP]) District/School Major Areas of Interest Selection Process • 8th grade students will select a Major when they work with their guidance counselor to register for their 9th grade courses. • Students are encouraged to explore career options by using the CHOICES web sitewww.florida.access.bridges.com • The student will write their chosen Major on the high school course selection form. This form should be signed by the student’s parent or guardian. Important Note: Students may revise major areas of interest each year as part of the annual course registration process and should update their education plans to reflect such revisions. Majors HS different from College How is the high school “major area of interest” different from a college “major”? College Majors VS. Major Areas of Interest College Major • Results in a degree or certificate • Major credits are part of core requirements HS Major Areas of Interest • May result in a certification • Major area of interest credits are part of electives • Completion required to earn • Completion not required to earn a high school diploma a degree • Changes generally require extra time in college • Changes do not require extra time in high school Does a student have to complete a major area of interest to graduate? No, the student does not have to complete a major to graduate but does have to be enrolled in a major area of interest each year. Any Exceptions? The programs listed below are considered stand-alone major areas of interest. Students enrolled full-time in the following programs are not required to enroll in an additional MAI: – International Baccalaureate Curriculum (IB) – Accelerated 3-year graduation program What are the graduation options for earning a standard diploma? Florida law requires students to successfully complete: – a four-year, minimum of 24-credits standard program, or – a three-year,18-credit standard college preparatory program, or – a three-year,18-credit career preparatory program (Three-year programs do not include options for Certificates of Completion or Special Diplomas) Standard Diploma Graduation Requirements Students are required to: – Meet minimum course requirements – Earn passing scores on the FCAT or scores on a standardized test that are concordant with the passing scores on the FCAT (ACT or SAT) – Achieve a specific grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale Standard Diploma Graduation Requirements Students are required to obtain a minimum GPA as follows: – Four-year, 24-credit standard program2.0 unweighted GPA – Three-year, 18-credit standard college preparatory program -3.5 unweighted GPA – Three-year, 18-credit career preparatory program -3.0 unweighted GPA Four-year, 24-credit Standard Program The formula for graduation is simple: 16+4+4= your diploma. Remember, it takes the successful completion of a combination of required and elective courses to graduate. You’ll need: Core Major Area of Interest Electives Total 16 + 4+ Elective courses in your “major” 4= Additional elective credits (you can choose another “major” or just different classes you find interesting) 24 your Florida high school diploma and ticket to your future! Double Majors Students are encouraged to consider signing up for a double major if two courses in their ninth grade course selection are part of a major. The benefits are: – students double the chance of selecting a major they will want to complete – students can change both majors in tenth grade if desired Graduation Requirements for Students Entering 9th Grade in 2007-2008 16 + 4 + 4 = 24 16 core curriculum credits • 4 credits in English • 4 credits in mathematics • (one credit must be in Algebra I or higher) • 3 credits in science, two of which must have a laboratory component • 3 credits in social studies • (1 world history, 1 American history, .5 American government, and .5 economics) • 1 credit in fine arts • 1 credit in physical education to include the integration of health 4 Credits in a Major Area of Interest Four (4) courses designated toward a MAI, that are selected by the student in one of the following areas: – Career and technical program – Fine and performing arts, or – An academic content area And 4 Credits in Elective Courses These credits may be combined to allow for: – a second major area of interest (4 credits), – a minor area of interest (3 credits), – elective courses, – intensive reading or mathematics intervention courses. Three-year, 18-credit Standard Diploma Graduation Options Designed for students who: • Intend to accelerate their high school completion date • Have clear future goals – College prep: community college or university – Career prep: vocational, technical, or other career preparation program or community college • Have maturity to demonstrate a successful transition to a postsecondary education setting • Are ready to accelerate their education Three-year, 18-creditStandard Diploma Graduation Options Selection Process • Student and student’s parent(s) must meet with designated school personnel to receive an explanation of the requirements, advantages, and disadvantages • Student must receive the written consent of the student’s parent • Selection of a a three-year program must occur prior to the end of ninth grade • Student may change to a 4-year graduation program at any time during their high school career, pursuant to district policy • If no selection is made, the student is considered to have chosen the four-year, 24-credit option With Careful Planning All Three Graduation Programs Will: • Meet Bright Futures requirements • Meet minimum State University System (SUS) of Florida admission requirements • Prepare students for successful entry into community college without the need for remediation • Prepare students for successful entry into the workforce State University System (SUS) High School Course Requirements (Be sure to double-check to see if courses are SUS approved) • English • Mathematics (Algebra I and higher) 4 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits 2 Credits 3 Credits • Natural Science • Social Science • Foreign Language (sequential courses in the same language) • SUS Approved Electives Total 18 Credits Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Academic Planning: It is very important for students to work with their guidance counselors, career specialists and teachers in order to identify and select courses in “major and/or minor areas of interest” to ensure that university admission and Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program requirements education goals are met, based on the student’s desired postsecondary educational goals. Examples of Smart Course Selection • University-bound students might want to look for MAI that includes credits in foreign language since all universities in Florida require a minimum of two foreign language credits for admission. • Future business owners might want to enroll in a business-related or entrepreneurship-related major area of interest to get them started. • Future fitness professionals or artists might want to enroll in a major area of interest in the arts or health and fitness to get a real life glimpse at these career areas. • Students enrolling in a high school career academy or magnet program should select a MAI that contains the program’s courses. Tools for Career Exploration & High School Course Planning • Florida CHOICESwww.florida.access.bridges.com • www.FACTS.org CHOICES Florida’s Career Information Delivery System • Assess – Interests – Values – Skills • Plan and Develop – Career Portfolio – Resumes – Job Interview Skills • Explore – Careers – College Majors – Postsecondary Schools – Scholarships Florida CHOICES Middle School Career Exploration 1. Create a portfolio in CHOICES Planner 2. Complete the Interest Profiler CHOICES will connect interest results to occupations. 3. Explore occupations to determine the ones in which the student is most interested 4. Identify the career clusters that include these occupations What is www.FACTS.org? • Florida’s central web resource for student advising • Helps students plan and monitor their educational progress (high school & college) – Planning (electronic Personal Education Planner [ePEP]) – Monitoring (High School Academic Evaluations) What is an ePEP? • electronic Personal Education Plan used for all students • Interactive high school planner that lets students map out coursework, based on their goals after high school (college, career/technical training, going directly into the workforce, etc.). • In April, the revised ePEP will allow students to select a major area of interest at their high school and to plan towards the new high school graduation requirements. • ePEPs created prior to April will be automatically converted to the new system. High School Academic Evaluations Students can monitor their progress in numerous ways using their unique password to: – See their grades, grade point average and Bright Futures grade point average – Compare their transcripts to requirements for graduation, Bright Futures eligibility and state university admissions It’s A Major Opportunity… (Major Areas of Interest) For students to: • be empowered to take charge of their education and pursue in-depth study in an area they find engaging • learn more in areas that they might be considering as future professions or lifetime skills • earn additional credit toward college or technical school, or beginning certification in an occupation • be mentored, sharing a common area of interest with a teacher • pursue special interests to increase their overall academic performance Resources for Parents and Students • High School Major Areas of Interest Listings: www.fldoe.org/APlusPlus/ • High School Graduation Requirements: www.fldoe.org/APlusPlus/ • FACTS.org: www.FACTS.org • Bright Futures Scholarship Program: www.MyFloridaEducation.com/brfuture 1-888-827-2004 • Florida CHOICES: www.florida.access.bridges.com • Parent Primer on Career Exploration: http://www.firn.edu/doe/workforce/pdf/parent_primer06.pdf