9th/10th Parent Meeting

You will learn about:• Scheduling process for 2010-2011• Diploma Options and Course

Planning• Educational and Career Planning

Resources

9th/10th Parent MeetingWhat’s New?:– Counselor Assignments:

Last names A-Da KirkhamDb-Hi LudwaHj-Mc PetrocelliMd-Sc StephanSd-Z Weaver

– New Student Data System: Power School– Online course registration system…we’re all doing this for

the first time together. Please be patient with us as we work out the kinks.

Scheduling for 2010-2011

•Guidance Staff will present information in 9th and 10th grade English classes.

•One meeting dedicated to information and diploma requirements

•One meeting dedicated to navigating the online registration system in a computer lab.

Dates and Deadlines

Scheduling Windows:• Current 9th Grade: November 9-13 and 16-20• Current 10th Grade: November 30-December 4

and December 7-11

Deadlines:• 9th and 10th grade students need to have entered

their course requests into Power School by December 18th.

How can you help?

• Review the coursework that your student has already completed.

• Review the diploma options and requirements with your student.

• Work with your student to update their 4-year plan as needed.

• Discuss course choices keeping in mind requirements, interests, AND long-term educational plans.

How Can We Help You?• Encourage your student to see or contact his/her

counselor if there are questions. We are here to help.

• Don’t hesitate to call or e-mail if you have questions about diploma requirements, the process, or specifics about your student’s situation.

• We will review all course requests for any errors or omissions, and we will follow-up with students if needed.

Diploma Options• Core 40 Diploma• Core 40 with Academic Honors• Core 40 with Technical Honors• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma• General Diploma (only available through opt-out

process).

• For all diploma types, students must pass the Algebra I and English 10 End of Course Assessments (ECA)

Core 40 Diploma

• 34% of the class of 2009 earned this diploma.• Considered the default diploma for the State of

Indiana; a college-prep diploma.• Core 40 alone may not meet all of the admission

requirements at some schools. Be certain to check individual school requirements.

• Requires: 8 credits in English, 6 credits in math through Algebra II, 6 credits in social studies, 2 credits of PE, 1 credit of health, 5 credits directed electives in World Language, Fine Arts, or Career-Technical area, and electives to total 40 credits.

Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma

• 60% of the class of 2009 earned this diploma• Complete all requirements for Core 40 AND:– Earn 2 additional math credits– Earn 6-8 credits in World Language– Earn 2 fine arts credits– Earn a grade of C- or better courses needed for

the diploma.– Earn a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.0 or better– Earn 47 credits total

Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma

• Complete ONE of the following:– 4 credits of AP course work AND corresponding exams– 4 credits IB coursework AND corresponding exams– Combined score of 1200 or higher on SAT critical reading

and math– Score a 26 or higher composite on ACT– Complete dual/college credit coursework resulting in at

least 6 transferrable credits– Complete a combination of AP course work (2 credits)

AND dual/college credit coursework (3 transferrable credits)

AP, College Credit Courses• AP = Advanced Placement designation is approved/assigned

by the College Board. Rigorous coursework taught at a college level. Students may or may not receive college credit depending on scores earned by taking AP exams at the end of each course AND the college/university receiving the scores. Currently, all AP courses are considered honors courses. (www.collegeboard.com)

• Dual Credit/College Credit = courses that are taught at ZCHS and satisfy requirements for college credits from participating institutions. We currently offer courses that can result in credit from IU, Marian University, and Ivy Tech.

Honors and IB Courses

• Honors = courses with an honors designation are considered more rigorous and advanced in nature. Not all honors courses are considered AP courses.

• IB = International Baccalaureate courses are offered as part of the IB diploma. The IB diploma is a new diploma option for ZCHS students that has a liberal arts focus. Non-IB students can take some IB courses.

Core 40 with Technical Honors Diploma

• Complete all requirements for Core 40 AND:– Complete a career/technical program (8 or more related

credits)– Earn a grade of C- or better in coursework needed for

diploma– Earn a cumulative g.p.a. of 3.0 or better.– Complete two of the following: WorkKeys Assessment

Score, dual/college credit (6), career internship or cooperative education course, industry based work experience, or industry recognized certification.

Students pursuing this diploma will do so throughparticipation in J. Everett Light Career Center (JEL) programs.

IB Diploma

• Mr. Doug Showley, IB Diploma Program Coordinator

J. Everett Light Career Center (JEL)

• Offers vocational/ technical programs of study at North Central High School site for juniors and seniors. (www.jelcc.com)

• Hands on training in a wide variety of areas.• Many programs offer dual credit and/or certification.• Students can complete JEL programs and earn academic

honors.• College –bound students can participate in JEL programs as

well.• Some programs are competitive.• JEL has scheduled an Open House for 12/3/2009

Educational & Career Resources

• There are a number of opportunities available to students for career and educational planning, including:– Guidance counselors; class presentations, scheduling, etc.– 10th grade English classes require an extensive career

research project in the spring.– College visits and fairs here at ZCHS and locally.– Harry Pettibone, ZCHS College Counselor– Resources abound online and in the community,

including…

PSAT

• PSAT is a Preliminary SAT that provides PRACTICE for the SAT test.

• The PSAT measures critical reading skills, math problem solving skills, and writing skills.

• The primary purpose is to provide exposure to the format and questions on the SAT, but students can also gain information about:• College readiness• Identify how their scores compare with others for college

admission purposes• Receive information from colleges based on their results

Time-Line

Students take the PSAT in October of their freshman, sophomore, and junior year

Junior year provides opportunity to qualify for National Merit Scholarship programs

Students receive results in December of the same year

Students usually take the SAT during their junior year

• Go to collegeboard.com and select My College QuickStart™: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/quickstart.html?BannerID=ba_190346&AffiliateID=1

• My College Quick Start is a personalized college planning tool. With the access code provided on a student’s score report, they can access the following: – Complete answer explanations, state and national percentiles, and

projected SAT score ranges – A personalized SAT study plan based on his PSAT/NMSQT results– An initial list of colleges that can be personalized using additional

search criteria – Personalized lists of majors and careers. Using the Personality Profiler,

students can also find their personality types and receive suggestions for related majors and careers

PSAT Results

Great websitesCollege Search Resourceswww.knowhow2go.org/ --a site dedicated to outlining the steps needed to go to college.

www.learnmoreindiana.org –a site developed for Indiana students that offers a wealth of information about college and careers.

www.collegeboard.com -- a site dedicated to helping students prepare for college entrance exams, search for colleges, and much more.

College Admissions Testing• www.collegeboard.com –This site has information about the PSAT, SAT, and AP testing

programs. It also offers a wealth of resources related to the college search process. • www.princetonreview.com –Princeton Review offers test preparation services. • www.act.org –The official site for the ACT test.• www.benderandrocapeducationalservices.com –a locally owned test preparation company.

Future Opportunity

• National College Fair: Monday, November 16. We will take students to the college fair in the morning. They can sign up in guidance.

• Families may also attend between 6-8 pm. We recommend online registration before attending: www.gotomyncf.com to register for the National College Fair.

• More details can be found: www.nacacnet.org or: http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/ncf/Fall/Pages/09FInd.aspx

Additional Resources

• What can I do if my student is struggling?– Contact the teacher(s)– Take advantage of before and after school help offered by

teachers– Use PEP to monitor your student’s progress– Attend National Honor Society study tables on

Tuesday/Wednesdays after school and/or the NHS tutor lists.

– Obtain an adult tutor list from your student’s counselor– Contact your student’s guidance counselor