clear stars evening education program evaluation · clear stars evening education provides high...

Clear Stars Evening Education

Program Evaluation 2009-10 to 2011-12

DRAFT: Sept. 26, 2012

Office of Assessment and Evaluation Clear Creek Independent School District

Office of Assessment and Evaluation

Clear Stars Program Evaluation

Presented to Board of Trustees on October 8, 2012

Donna Baggs:

Signature Date

Gail Love:

Signature Date

Dr. Robert Bayard:

Signature Date

Dr. Steven Ebell:

Signature Date

Dr. Gregory Smith:

Signature Date

2012-2013 Board of Trustees Program Evaluation Team Ken Baliker, President Ann Hammond, Vice President Win Weber, Secretary Robert Davee, Member Charles Pond, Member Page Rander, Member Dee Scott, Member Greg Smith, Ph.D., Superintendent

Steven Ebell, Ed.D., Deputy Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction Donna Baggs, Co-Principal, Clear Stars Evening Education Gail Love, Co-Principal, Clear Stars Evening Education Robert Bayard, Ed.D., Director, Assessment and Evaluation Laura Gaffey, Data Analyst, Assessment and Evaluation Pat McKenna, Data Analyst, Assessment and Evaluation

Clear Stars Evaluation 2009-10 to 2011-12

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Background Information on Clear Stars

The purpose of program evaluations in the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) is multi-faceted and shall result in findings, recommendations, and/or conclusions that:

• Ensure program alignment with District goals and vision; • Assess strengths and weaknesses of the program; • Measure the success of the program in meeting its expressed goals; and/or • Result in improvements in, revisions to, or discontinuation of the program.

As part of CCISD’s program evaluation process, the Office of Assessment and Evaluation has completed a program evaluation for the Clear Stars program encompassing the three year period from the 2009-2010 school year through the 2011-2012 school year. Clear Stars Evening Education provides high school students who have not yet completed their high school education an opportunity to earn additional credits in preparation to receive a high school diploma. Courses are available for students who are lacking high school credits and need to make up those deficiencies, as well as for students who are wishing to earn additional high school credits for an earlier graduation date. Students may only enroll upon approval of their principal or counselor. Clear Stars Evening Program began in the 2009-2010 school year at the Clear View Education Center. Classes occur two nights per week from 6:00-8:45 pm. This allows students to have flexibility and room in their schedules to participate in more athletics, performing/visual arts courses, and double-blocked CTE courses. A sample of an advertisement for Clear Stars is shown in Appendix A. The staff of Clear Stars is recommended by CCISD campus and district administrators and typically consists of current CCISD teachers.


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Clear Stars Student Demographics

N Hispanic Asian Black White Female Male 2009-10

Fall 30 20.0% 13.3% 16.7% 50.0% 63.3% 36.7% Winter 40 20.0% 2.5% 17.5% 57.5% 67.5% 32.5% Spring 87 33.3% 6.9% 21.8% 37.9% 57.5% 42.5% Summer 40 42.5% 7.5% 10.0% 40.0% 62.5% 37.5% High Schools 11,427 18.5% 10.4% 9.7% 61.1% 48.0% 52.0% District 37,472 21.3% 10.4% 9.2% 58.8% 48.4% 51.6%

2010-11 Fall 58 37.9% 3.4% 19.0% 39.7% 62.1% 37.9% Winter 64 43.8% 3.1% 21.9% 31.3% 59.4% 40.6% Spring 109 40.4% 5.5% 13.8% 35.8% 53.2% 46.8% Summer 48 22.9% 8.3% 18.8% 47.9% 37.5% 62.5% High Schools 11,718 21.7% 9.9% 9.0% 56.7% 48.3% 51.7% District 38,250 25.1% 9.8% 9.6% 53.8% 48.6% 51.4%

2011-12 Fall 51 39.2% 2.0% 13.7% 43.1% 64.7% 35.3% Winter 57 47.4% 3.5% 3.5% 40.4% 59.6% 40.4% Spring 160 35.6% 5.0% 8.8% 47.5% 50.0% 50.0% Summer 46 30.4% 6.5% 10.9% 52.2% 45.7% 54.3% High Schools 12,021 22.9% 9.9% 8.9% 55.4% 48.6% 51.4% District 39,209 26.0% 9.7% 8.3% 52.3% 48.7% 51.3%

Between 2009 and 2012, the Hispanic and Black/African American student populations at Clear Stars exceeded CCISD’s corresponding enrollment percentages in each of the three years of the program. Asian and White student populations have been lower than the district and high schools, while female students have outnumbered male students in most sessions.


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Clear Stars Student Demographics

N Econom. Disadv. SPED LEP GT At Risk

2009-10 Fall 30 13.3% 10.0% 3.3% 0.0% 23.3% Winter 40 10.0% 7.5% 2.5% 0.0% 37.5% Spring 87 21.8% 10.3% 6.9% 1.1% 35.6% Summer 40 17.5% 5.0% 2.5% 7.5% 52.5% High Schools 11,472 14.7% 8.1% 2.0% 8.5% 32.0% District 37,472 22.7% 9.2% 7.5% 7.5% 30.3%



During this time period of study, there has been a greater percentage of At Risk students compared to the district and high school enrollment. With the exception of the first year, Economically Disadvantaged students have also been served by Clear Stars in greater proportion than the district and high schools. Enrollment at Clear Stars has increased each year, from 197 students in its first year, to 279 students in its second year, to 314 students during the 2011-12 school year. The greatest enrollment period each year has been during the spring session.


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Percentage of Student Enrollment Each Session and Year at Clear Stars by Campus

CCHS CLHS CBHS CVEC* CSHS CHECHS CFHS**

2009-10 N Fall 30 33.3% 16.7% 20.0% 20.0% 3.3% 6.7% Winter 40 32.5% 25.0% 10.0% 10.0% 22.5% 0.0% Spring 87 39.1% 17.2% 11.5% 5.7% 25.3% 1.1% Summer 40 27.5% 22.5% 25.0% 2.5% 0.0% 22.5% High Schools 11,427 21.3% 30.0% 22.5% 1.6% 21.4% 2.8%

2010-11 Fall 58 43.1% 15.5% 5.2% 15.5% 20.7% 0.0% 0.0% Winter 64 32.8% 18.8% 9.4% 9.4% 28.1% 0.0% 1.6% Spring 109 37.6% 15.6% 6.4% 5.5% 25.7% 7.3% 1.8% Summer 48 14.6% 18.8% 31.3% 2.1% 25.0% 6.3% 2.1% High Schools 11,718 18.1% 24.6% 22.0% 1.6% 20.5% 3.1% 9.9%

2011-12 Fall 51 49.0% 9.8% 9.8% 2.0% 21.6% 0.0% 7.8% Winter 57 36.8% 17.5% 7.0% 1.8% 21.1% 3.5% 12.3% Spring 160 32.5% 26.3% 6.3% 2.5% 25.6% 0.0% 6.9% Summer 46 26.1% 13.0% 10.9% 6.5% 10.9% 6.5% 23.9% High Schools 12,021 17.5% 22.4% 21.1% 1.7% 19.8% 3.1% 14.4%

Grand Total 790 34.4% 18.9% 10.8% 5.9% 21.6% 3.5% 4.7% * CVEC enrollment data is based on grades 9-12 ** CFHS opened in 2010-11 with only grades 9-10 and added grade 11 in 2011-12.

Students from all CCISD high schools attended Clear Stars with a majority in attendance from Clear Creek High School, Clear Springs High School, and Clear Lake High School.


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The spring session each year at Clear Stars has seen the largest enrollment. A greater proportion of students in eleventh and twelfth grades attended classes at Clear Stars, with a larger percentage of eleventh grade students attending the spring and winter sessions, and twelfth grade students attending all sessions. A greater percentage of ninth grade students attended the summer session, leading into tenth grade than any other session offered.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Fall Spring Summer Winter Fall Spring Summer Winter Fall Spring Summer Winter

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12Grade 9 10.0% 4.6% 0.0% 2.5% 1.7% 3.7% 22.9% 3.1% 5.9% 4.4% 23.9% 7.0%

Grade 10 13.3% 19.5% 17.5% 20.0% 15.5% 23.9% 18.8% 20.3% 11.8% 18.1% 32.6% 14.0%

Grade 11 30.0% 44.8% 12.5% 42.5% 39.7% 43.1% 31.3% 43.8% 43.1% 33.1% 32.6% 50.9%

Grade 12 46.7% 31.0% 70.0% 35.0% 43.1% 29.4% 27.1% 32.8% 39.2% 44.4% 10.9% 28.1%

Clear Stars Yearly Enrollment by Session and Grade Level


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Program Evaluation Questions

The following questions were determined by this program evaluation team to evaluate Clear Stars: 1. What are the goals of Clear Stars?

2. How do students perform academically at Clear Stars?

3. How does Clear Stars address students’ needs?

4. What is the organizational structure of Clear Stars?

5. What is the average annual cost per student in Clear Stars?


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1. What are the goals of Clear Stars?

Clear Stars Evening Education gives high school students who have not completed their high school education an opportunity to earn additional credits in preparation to receive a high school diploma. Courses are open to students who need to make-up deficiencies of high school credits and to students wishing to earn additional high school credits. Students may only enroll with the approval of their principal or counselor. The goals of Clear Stars are to:

• Provide opportunities for potential dropouts • Provide opportunities to advance by earning additional credits • Support the completion rate • Recover students who stopped attending school

Enrollment at Clear Stars (Academic Coursework and GED)

Year No.

Students* No. GED Students

Total

2009-10 226 33 259 2010-11 313 20 333 2011-12 376 26 402

Total 915 79 994 * Number of students includes each session and course.

Since the beginning of the Clear Stars program in 2009-2010, underprivileged and disadvantaged students have benefitted from the classes offered. In each year of the program, disadvantaged subgroups, including Black/African American, Hispanic, and most notably, At-Risk students, have exceeded the corresponding populations in the district. With the exception of the first year, economically disadvantaged students have also exceeded the district’s corresponding population.

Students Enrolled at Clear Stars to Prepare for GED School Year

Fall Winter Spring Summer Completed Course

Took GED Test

2009-10 9 13 11 0 9 9 2010-11 3 10 7 0 9 2 2011-12 12 0 8 6 4 1

In addition to serving as a night school program for students wishing to accelerate or recover academic credits, Clear Stars has provided a GED program for students who are on the verge of dropping out of school completely. Through Clear Stars, 79 students have taken advantage of the GED preparation program, but only 22 students have completed the GED course with fewer taking the GED test. These data reflect two possibilities: students are not completing the GED course, or the data have not accurately captured the true number completing the course and subsequently taking the GED test.


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Percentage of Clear Stars Students Taking 1 or More Courses

The majority of students who have participated at Clear Stars have enrolled in one course; however, 25% of students have enrolled in two courses, and 11% of students have enrolled in three or more courses.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

1 Course 2 Courses 3 Courses 4 Courses 5+ Courses

64%

25%

6% 3% 2%


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Most Common Courses Completed (>10 Students) and Passing Rates

Course N A (90-100%)

B (80-89%)

C (70-79%)

Pass (≥ 70%)

Fail (< 70%)

Economics 127 59.8% 27.6% 12.6% 100%

Government 118 34.7% 39.0% 26.3% 100%

English IV-A 96 26.0% 40.6% 31.3% 98% 2%

English IV-B 94 34.0% 41.5% 23.4% 99% 1%

Communication Applications 57 64.9% 22.8% 10.5% 98% 2%

English III-A 41 65.9% 4.9% 29.3% 100%

Physics-A 29 20.7% 27.6% 48.3% 97% 3%

English III-B 28 67.9% 17.9% 14.3% 100%

Geometry-A 26 23.1% 23.1% 53.8% 100%

Pre-Calculus-B 26 23.1% 61.5% 15.4% 100%

Pre-Calculus-A 25 48.0% 40.0% 12.0% 100%

Algebra II-A 24 58.3% 33.3% 8.3% 100%

Algebra II-B 23 34.8% 52.2% 13.0% 100%

Geometry-B 23 30.4% 13.0% 56.5% 100%

Chemistry-B 18 16.7% 50.0% 33.3% 100%

Physics-B 18 27.8% 38.9% 27.8% 94% 6%

Biology-A 14

50.0% 50.0% 100%

Algebra I-B 13 30.8% 15.4% 53.8% 100%

Spanish II-A 12 41.7% 41.7% 16.7% 100%

Algebra I-A 11

45.5% 54.5% 100%

Spanish II-B 11 63.6% 27.3% 9.1% 100%

U.S. History-A 8

12.5% 87.5% 100%

U.S. History-B 8

12.5% 87.5% 100%

BCIS-A 7 57.1% 42.9%

100%

Biology-B 7

42.9% 57.1% 100%

World Geography-A 7 42.9% 42.9% 14.3% 100%

World Geography-B 7 14.3% 42.9% 42.9% 100%

BCIS-B 5 20.0% 40.0% 40.0% 100%

TAKS Prep-Exit Math 5

60% 40% 13 Other Courses (Fewer than 5 students per course)

27

Total 915 38.9% 33.1% 26.4% 99% 1%

Clear Stars has offered 42 different semester courses. Of these, the highest enrolled courses included: Economics, Government, English IV A, English IV B, and Communication Applications (Speech). Considering the highest demographic served by the program are At Risk students, academic achievement at Clear Stars has been very successful. Approximately 99% of courses taken by students at Clear Stars have resulted in passing grades.


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3. How does Clear Stars address students’ needs? (Student Survey)

Question True False

1. The instructor of this course presented the material well.

203 99.0%

2 1.0%

2. This course met my expectations. 200

97.6% 5

2.4%

Question Just Right Too Short Too Long

3. The length of this course was: 155

76.0% 45

22.1% 4

1.9% Note: Survey results currently include the following sessions: Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, and Summer 2011 Clear Stars students completed a Clear Stars student survey after their participation in the program. The first chart indicates the findings from students who attended the following sessions: Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, and Summer 2011.

Clear Stars Student Survey 2011-12 (N=328)

Question Strongly Disagree

(1) Disagree

(2) Neutral

(3) Agree

(4)

Strongly Agree

(5)

Mean Score

1. The instructor of this course presented the material well.

0.3% 0.3% 2.8% 11.0% 85.6% 4.81

2. This course met my expectations.

0.3% 0.3% 4.6% 15.0% 79.8% 4.74

3. The length of this course was sufficient.

0.3% 1.2% 8.3% 13.5% 76.8% 4.65

4. I would recommend Clear Stars classes to a friend.

1.5% 0% 3.1% 5.8% 89.6% 4.82

Note: Survey results currently include the following sessions: Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, and Summer 2012

The survey was altered in 2011 with the addition of question #4, “I would recommend Clear Stars to a friend.” Furthermore, the updated survey uses the Likert scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “Strongly Disagree” and 5 being “Strongly Agree”. The second chart indicates the findings from students who attended the following sessions: Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, and Summer 2012. The updated survey also includes questions 5-8, which are open-ended questions. The most common themes for the open-ended response questions are as follows:


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5. Why did you attend Clear Stars?

• Need for credit remediation (students failed previous class)* • Opportunity for acceleration* • Didn’t have time or room in my regular school schedule

6. What do you like most about Clear Stars?

• Quality of teachers* • Easier than regular classes in school • Availability of evening offering

The quality of teachers far outweighed all of the other students’ open ended responses. 30% of the students surveyed listed their teacher when asked what they liked most about Clear Stars.

7. How can Clear Stars be improved?

• Earlier release time in the evening* • Provide breaks • Properly functioning air conditioner

8. What other courses would you like to see offered at Clear Stars?

• Electives (fine arts, PE)* • Foreign languages • Science classes (Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, and Physics) • Cosmetology • Math • English IV • Speech • Core classes • History • Economics • Cooking • American Sign Language (ASL)

* = Most Common Responses


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Question 9 (shown below) allowed students to indicate various types of communication in order to help spread the word in the future about Clear Stars. 9. What is the best way to “get the word out” to other students about Clear Stars?

Type of Communication Number of Student

Responses

Other (please explain) 38

Email 53

CCISD website 108

Flyers/posters 108

Announcements 123

Word of mouth 126

Facebook 148

The written responses include the following common themes (in #9g, other):

• Counselors* • Teachers • Formal Presentations • Twitter


Other 5% Email

8%

CCISD website 15%

Flyers/posters 15%

Announcements 18%

Word of mouth 18%

Facebook 21%

Type of Communication Recommended to "Get the Word Out"


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3. How does Clear Stars address students’ needs? (Teacher Survey)

Clear Stars Teacher Survey (N=61)

Question Poor (1)

Fair (2)

Satisfactory (3)

Good (4)

Excellent (5)

Mean Score

1. Program met my expectations

6.7% 28.3% 65% 4.58

2. Program course offerings

4.9% 39.3% 55.7% 4.51

3. Availability of course materials

1.6% 1.6% 11.5% 29.5% 55.7% 4.36

4. Publicity of program

5.1% 25.4% 42.4% 27.1% 3.92

5. Campus in which program was held

1.6% 8.2% 39.3% 50.8% 4.39

6. Convenience of program day and time

1.6% 6.6% 31.1% 60.7% 4.51

7. Overall, how would you rate this program?

4.9% 32.8% 62.3% 4.57

Note: Survey results currently include the following sessions: Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, and Summer 2012 Clear Stars’ teachers have completed a Clear Stars teacher survey after each session (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer) since the program began in 2009. Questions 1-7 were measured with a Likert scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “Poor” and 5 being “Excellent”. The mean score of each survey question is also indicated above. Additional open-ended response questions included the following, along with the most common themes:

If you answered “poor” or “fair” to any of the above, please indicate your reasons:

• Lack of Publicity* What changes, if any, would you recommend for this program?

• Increased publicity* • Shorter classes with an earlier beginning and ending time • Availability of and access to materials



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3. How does Clear Stars address students’ needs? (Teacher Survey)

Do you have any suggestions for future sessions?

• Increased publicity* • Include more course offerings • Increased availability of materials (more computers)

Additional comments:

• Supportive administrators and staff* • Excellent program • “Loved teaching!”

One of the most frequently occurring comments in the teacher survey is the need to increase publicity in order to increase student enrollment. Continually utilizing various types of communication across the district will allow more students to benefit from the Clear Stars program in the future. * = Most Common Responses


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The organization of Clear Stars Evening Education is overseen by the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools. The program is led by two co-principals, who each share the nightly responsibilities for supporting teachers, students, and parents in terms of discipline, communication, and motivational support. The co-principals are supported by a full-time administrative assistant who manages student records, enrollment, and other administrative tasks.

The teachers at Clear Stars are hand-selected by district and campus leaders, as some of the top teachers in secondary schools in CCISD. The number of teachers at Clear Stars depends on the number of courses offered each session and number of students that enroll.


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5. What is the average cost per student?

Clear Stars Evening Education Program Revenue and Expenditures

Year N* Expenditures Cost Per Student

Revenue Expenditures Less Revenue

Cost Per Student

2009-2010 259 $94,759.77 $365.87 $27,445.00 $67,314.77 $259.90

2010-2011 333 $95,394.96 $286.47 $37,485.00 $57,909.96 $173.90

2011-2012 402 $103,109.30 $256.49 $50,582.00 $52,527.30 $130.66

*Number of students shown is based on enrollment in each course, plus students enrolled in GED preparation as shown on page 7.

Data Source: AEIS, CCISD Finance Department

Based on data provided by CCISD’s Finance Department, the average annual cost per student for participation in Clear Stars has ranged from $259.90 per student to $130.66 per student during the three year period of this study. The difference in cost per student over the three year period is $129.24. Clear Stars expenditures include salaries, supplies, rebates, refunds, security, and GED exams.


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Summary of Findings

Clear Stars has only existed for three years, yet it serves a high, at risk population to generally recover credits for previously failed classes or take additional courses to allow for different courses during the school day. Students are represented from all high schools and have achieved a high level of success in the program. Below is a summary of findings for each of the program evaluation questions:

1. What are the goals of Clear Stars?

The goals of Clear Stars are to: provide opportunities to help potential dropouts stay in school; provide opportunities to advance by earning additional credits; support the completion rate; and recover students who stopped attending school. There have been 915 students enrolled in academic courses (as defined by each student in each course per session) and 79 students enrolled in the GED program (as defined by each student in a GED program per session). Clear Stars has attracted at risk students in greater proportion than the district and high schools, ranging from 53% to 70% of the students enrolled at Clear Stars in 9 of the 12 sessions since its inception in 2009-10. Through the GED program, Clear Stars has captured a refocus on education for 79 students who would have become potential dropouts without Clear Stars.


Students at Clear Stars perform well academically. Clear Stars has a 99% passing rate among the 42 different semester courses offered in the previous three years. Approximately 64% of students enrolled at Clear Stars have taken one course, 25% enrolled in two courses, and 11% enrolled in three or more courses.

3. How does Clear Stars address students’ needs?

Students generally feel that Clear Stars has met their needs. In the first two years, approximately 98% of students believed their enrolled course met their need, and 76% believed the length of the course was just right. In the 2011-12 school year, students generally gave Clear Stars a high approval rating pertaining to instruction, course expectations, and length of course. Most students attended to recover credits for previously failing classes, but others attended for course acceleration. Students liked the quality of teachers most at Clear Stars, but want an earlier release time. Students would like greater course offerings through Clear Stars including more electives and foreign languages. Teachers also gave Clear Stars high marks, but 30% felt publicity of the program was fair or satisfactory and could be improved. Nonetheless, they feel that Clear Stars is an excellent program for students.


Clear Stars is well organized with two co-principals sharing the nightly responsibilities for overseeing the program. They handle student discipline problems, communication with parents and school leaders, and oversee the teachers who instruct at Clear Stars.

5. What is the average annual cost per student at Clear Stars?

The average annual cost per student at Clear Stars has decreased from $259.90 to $130.66 per student in just three years.


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Superintendent Recommendations

1. Continue operating Clear Stars Evening School at an exemplary cost effective and instructionally efficient level.

2. Consider student requests for earlier release and expanding course offerings (electives) if appropriate.

3. Give consideration to prohibiting acceleration in EOC courses.

4. Explore opportunities for CCISD to become a GED testing site.


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Appendix A

FALL SESSION September 6, 2011 – November 17, 2011

Registration: August 22, 2011-September 2, 2011

COURSE SCHEDULE ~ FALL 2011 *Each class meets two nights every week from 6 PM – 8:45pm

Courses Offered Credits M/W T/TH Algebra I – A 0.5 X Algebra II – B 0.5 X Math Models - A 0.5 X Pre Calculus - A 0.5 X Physics – A 0.5 X Biology I – B 0.5 X English IV - B 0.5 X Economics 0.5 X GED Prep 0 X TAKS Prep Exit Science 0 X English IV – A 0.5 X English III – A 0.5 X Communication Applications 0.5 X

Government 0.5 X AMDM (Adv. Math) - A 0.5 X

Algebra I - B 0.5 X Pre Calculus – B 0.5 X Math Models - B 0.5 X Physics - B 0.5 X Chemistry - B 0.5 X TAKS Prep Exit Math 0 X

*Classes must have a minimum number of students for a class to make

TUITION (Cash or Money Order – NO CHECKS) $150 CCISD Students $200 Non-CCISD Students GED PREP COURSES $125 CCISD Students (includes GED test) $150 Non-CCISD Students (does NOT include GED test)

Clear View Education Center 400 Walnut Drive

Webster, TX 77598 281-284-1550

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