GRADING SYSTEM The following is the grading system for Niceville High School Letter Percentage Points A 90-100 4.0 B 80-89 3.0 C 70-79 2.0 D 60-69 1.0 F 0-59 0 GRADUATIONS REQUIREMENTS AND DIPLOMA OPTIONS Standard Diploma In order to receive a standard high school diploma from an Okaloosa County public high school, students must meet the following requirements: 9 th -12 th grade students who expect to graduate from NHS in 2003-2004 and after (at time of publication) must earn a passing score of 300 on both the Reading and Mathematics Sunshine State Standards portion of the Grade 10 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). After grade 10, there will be additional opportunities to retake the test and earn passing scores if students are not successful on the first attempt. The 9 th grade FCAT NRT scores are NOT included in the graduation requirement. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale on the credits being submitted for graduation. Students must demonstrate a minimum of 24 credits as outlined on the Credit Requirements for Diploma Options. Certificate of Completion Students who fail to achieve a passing score on the FCAT Reading and Mathematics Tests will be remediated and retested. If, at the time of graduation, a student has completed the district requirements for a Standard Diploma, including the 24 required number of credits, but has not passed the FCAT, he/she MAY elect to receive a Certificate of Completion in lieu of a Standard Diploma. Students accepting a Certificate of Completion MAY enroll in adult and community college education to continue remediation of deficient standards. Students not accepting the Certificate of Completion MAY continue regular high school by enrolling in summer school and/or fall classes as a thirteenth-year student. These students will continue to receive remediation. Thirteenth-year students may retake the FCAT at any and all of the scheduled FCAT administrations during the year. At any time during the year a thirteenth-year student passes the FCAT. He/she will exit NHS and be awarded a Standard Diploma. Special Diploma In order to receive a Special Diploma under Special Diploma Plan A or B (see pg XX), Exceptional Students Education (ESE) must: 1. demonstrate proficiency at the independent, supported, or participatory level of each Sunshine State Standard (SSS) for Special Diploma as determined through the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) process, and 2. complete the minimum number of course credits for a Special Diploma as prescribed by the Okaloosa County School Board. Diploma by Examination (GED) Any candidate for a high school equivalency diploma shall be at least 18 years of age on the date of the examination, except that in extraordinary circumstances as provided for in the rules of the school board of the district in which the
candidate may take the examination after reaching the age of 16. Extraordinary circumstances may include, but not be limited to, circumstances such as health problems, family financial problems, or other such instances of hardship. Students making application for GED testing will have a career planning conference with appropriate school personnel. Students who successfully complete the GED test may not enter the Okaloosa County secondary schools. No school in the district may issue a diploma based solely on completion of the GED examination. Students who are unsuccessful on the GED examination may re-take the test, which occurs approximately every ten weeks, upon approval of the Adult Education Director. The adult education program in Okaloosa County consists of the Adult Basic Education Program (ABE), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and the GED preparation course. Okaloosa Walton Community College & Okaloosa County Tech Prep Consortium Program All of the Gold Seal Programs for Niceville High School also qualify for the OWCC and Okaloosa County School District Tech Prep Consortium. Students must complete the program with a minimum of a C grade and be enrolled in Level II academic classes. Credits earned in these programs may be articulated as follows: Associates of Science (AS) Degree College Credit Certificates Vocational Credit Certificates Transfer AS Degree Associate of Arts (AA) Degree Credits will be awarded on a course-by-course basis based on attainment of competencies as follows: Direct articulation (Completion of high school course) Contingent articulation (Minimum grade, interview, demo skills) Assessment articulation (Written exam, portfolio, oral exam) Assessment, developed by OWCC, will be administered at the end of the course or a date/location will be schedule. The fee for the assessment is $10 per course. Business System Tech I - for OST 1107 Typing & WP (3)* by direct articulation Business System Tech II - for CGS 1100 Microcomputer Applications (3)* by written/practical exam WEB Design for CGS 1550 Intro to WWW and Internet (3)* by written/practical exam Digital Publishing I for GRA 1820C Desktop Publishing I (3)* by Portfolio/Interview Legal Aspects of Business for GEB 1011 Introduction to Business (3)* by written exam *Transferable course to 4-Yr college/university. Language Arts COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Course Title: English I Course Number: 1001310 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - using reading strategies to construct meaning from informative, technical, and literary texts - acquiring an extensive vocabulary through reading, discussion, listening, and systematic word study - using process writing strategies, student inquiry, and self-monitoring techniques - using speaking, listening, and viewing strategies in formal presentations and informal discussions - understanding and responding to a variety of literary forms - understanding and using language successfully to impact readers, writers, listeners, speakers, and viewers. Course Title: English II Course Number: 1001340 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - using reading strategies to construct meaning from informative, technical, and literary texts - acquiring an extensive vocabulary through reading, discussion, listening, and systematic word study - using process writing strategies, student inquiry, and self-monitoring techniques - using speaking, listening, and viewing strategies in formal presentations and informal discussions - understanding and responding to a variety of literary forms - understanding and using language successfully to impact readers, writers, listeners, speakers, and viewers. 2
Course Title: English III Course Number: 1001370 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - using the reading process to construct meaning using technical, informative, and imaginative texts - using writing processes for various purposes with attention to style and format - using the research process and individual inquiry to locate, analyze, and evaluate information - using effective listening, speaking, and viewing strategies in informal and formal situations - understanding the power of language as it impacts readers, writers, listeners, viewers, and speakers - understanding and analyzing literary texts - responding critically and aesthetically to literature. Course Title: English IV Course Number: 1001400 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - using the reading process to construct meaning using technical, informative, and imaginative texts - using writing processes for various purposes with attention to style and format - using the research process and individual inquiry to locate, analyze, and evaluate information - using effective listening, speaking, and viewing strategies in informal and formal situations - understanding the power of language as it impacts readers, writers, listeners, viewers, and speakers - understanding and analyzing literary texts - responding critically and aesthetically to literature. Course Title: Critical Thinking and Study Skills Course Number: 1700370 Credit: 0.5 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop learning strategies, critical-thinking skills, and problemsolving skills to enhance their performance in academic and nonacademic endeavors. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - learning strategies - strategies for acquiring, storing, and retrieving information - strategies for oral and written communication - time management and organizational skills - critical-thinking operations, processes, and enabling skills - problem-solving skills and strategies - testtaking skills and strategies - strategies for linking new information with prior knowledge. MATHEMATICS Course Title: Algebra I Course Number: 1200310 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop the algebraic concepts and processes that can be used to solve a variety of real-world and mathematical problems. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - structure and properties of the real number system, including rational and irrational numbers - exponents, square roots, radicals, absolute value, and scientific notation - varied means for analyzing and expressing patterns, relations, and functions, including words, tables, sequences, graphs, and algebraic equations - variables, algebraic expressions, polynomials, and operations with polynomials - coordinate geometry and graphing of equations and inequalities, Course Title: Algebra IA Course Number: 1200370 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop the algebraic concepts and processes that can be used to solve a variety of real world and mathematical problems. This is the first of a two-year sequence of courses, Algebra IA and Algebra Ib. Together, the two courses have the same requirements as Algebra I, Course Number 1200310..The Algebra I graduation requirement may be met through one of the following options: 1. 1200310 - Algebra I 2. 1200320 - Algebra I Honors 3. 1200370 - Algebra IA and 1200380 - Algebra IB 4. 1207310 - Integrated Mathematics I and 1207320 - Integrated Mathematics II Course Title: Algebra IB Course Number: 1200380 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop the algebraic concepts and processes that can be used to solve a variety of real world and mathematical problems. This is the second of a two-year sequence of courses, Algebra IA and Algebra IB. Together, the two courses have the same requirements as Algebra I, Course Number 1200310. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - structure and properties of the real number system, including rational and irrational numbers - algebraic notation including exponents, square roots, radicals, absolute value, and scientific notation- varied means for analyzing and expressing patterns, relations, and functions, including words, tables, graphs, sequences, linear and quadratic equations, and inequalities - polynomials and operations with polynomials - coordinate geometry and graphing of linear and quadratic functions and inequalities - data analysis concepts and techniques including introductory statistics and probability - varied solution strategies, algebraic and graphic, for linear and quadratic equations and for systems of equations. Course Title: Applied Mathematics II Course Number: 1205410 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to enable students to further develop knowledge of algebraic, geometric, and statistical Concepts through hands-on laboratory activities. The course will include exploration of new concepts, core mathematical ideas, and real-world applications of mathematics, including those from occupational contexts. 3
Course Title: Geometry Course Number: 1206310 Will meet graduation requirement for Mathematics Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop the geometric relationships and deductive strategies that can be used to solve a variety of real world and mathematical problems. The content will include, but not be limited to, the following: - geometric constructions -terminology and fundamental properties of geometry - deductive and inductive reasoning and their application to formal and informal proofformulas pertaining to the measurement of plane and solid figures - coordinate geometry and transformations on the coordinate plane - exploration of geometric relationships such as parallelism, perpendicularity, congruence, and similarity - properties of circles - right triangle trigonometry. Science Course Title: Integrated Science I Course Number: 2002400 Will meet graduation requirement for Science Major Concepts/Content. This purpose of this course is to provide opportunities to investigate the theories and ideas associated with the biological, earth, and physical sciences in a way that is relevant and usable. Students construct science knowledge by formulating questions, making predictions, planning experiments, making observations, classifying, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - the nature of science - the nature of matter - energy - force and motion - processes that shape the Earth - Earth and space - processes of life - how living things react with their environment. Course Title: Integrated Science II Course Number: 2002420 Will meet graduation requirement for Science Major Concepts/Content.. This purpose of this course is to provide opportunities to investigate the theories and ideas associated with the biological, earth, and physical sciences in a way that is relevant and usable. Students construct science knowledge by formulating questions, making predictions, planning experiments, making observations, classifying, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - the nature of science - the nature of matter energy. Social Studies Course Title: American History Course Number: 2100310 Will meet graduation requirement for American History Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand the development of the United States within the context of history with a major focus on the post-reconstruction period. Students will use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures, and humanities to solve problems in academic, civic, social, and employment settings. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - review of U.S. History prior to 1880 - time-space relationships - significant events and trends in the development of United States culture and institutions - impact of expansion on the United States - origin of United States documents, ideals, and characteristics - the changing role of the U.S. Constitution - political, social, and economic conflicts and resolutions - technological and urban transformation of the United States - changes in lifestyles of United States citizens - changes in United States foreign policy from regional to global cyclical characteristics of United States economic development - contemporary domestic and foreign issues that affect the United States. Course Title: Economics Course Number: 2102310 Credit: 0.5 Will meet graduation requirement for Economics Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and decision-making tools necessary for understanding how society organizes its limited resources to satisfy its wants. Students will gain understanding of choices they must make as producers, consumers, investors, and taxpayers. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - economic reasoning - principles of decision-making in the marketplace - productive resources - scarcity and choices - opportunity costs and trade-offs - economic incentives interdependence - contemporary and historical economic issues - personal economic skills - role of money - government and financial institutions labor This course shall integrate the Goal 3 Student Performance Standards of the Florida System of School Improvement And Accountability as appropriate to the content and processes of the subject matter. Course Title: American Government Course Number: 2106310 Credit: 0.5 Will meet graduation requirement for American Government Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to enable students to gain an understanding of American government and political behavior that is essential for effective citizenship and active involvement in a democratic American society. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - interrelationship between American government and the American economic system - documents that shape our political traditions, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Federalist Papers - functions of the three branches of government at the local, state and national levels. Course Title: World History Course Number: 2109310 Will meet graduation requirement for World History 4
Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand their connections to the development of civilizations by examining the past to prepare for their future as participating members of a global community. Students will use knowledge pertaining to history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures, and humanities to solve problems in academic, civic, social, and employment settings. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - time-space relationships prehistory - rise of civilization - cultural universals - development of religion and the impact of religious thought - evolution of political systems and philosophies - interactions between science and society - development of nationalism as a global phenomenon - origin and course of economic systems and philosophies - influence of significant historical figures and events - contemporary world affairs. LANGUAGE ARTS 2003 MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SELECTIONS Course Number: 1001010 Course Title: M/J Language Arts 1 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -using the reading process to construct meaning from a wide range of literary, informational, and technical texts using the writing process to communicate information and ideas using listening, viewing, and speaking strategies understanding the power of language and using language in authentic contexts understanding the common features of a variety of literary forms responding critically to visual, oral, and written texts. Course Number: 1001040 Course Title: M/J Language Arts 2 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -using the reading process to construct meaning from a wide range of literary, informational, and technical texts using the writing process to communicate information and ideas using listening, viewing, and speaking strategies understanding the power of language and using language in authentic contexts understanding the common features of a variety of literary forms responding critically to visual, oral, and written texts. Course Number: 1001070 Course Title: M/J Language Arts 3 writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -using the reading process to construct meaning from a wide range of literary, informational, and technical texts using the writing process to communicate information and ideas using listening, viewing, and speaking strategies understanding the power of language and using language in authentic contexts understanding the common features of a variety of literary forms responding critically to visual, oral, and written texts. Course Number: 1000000 Course Title: M/J Intensive Language Arts Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop language arts skills through remedial instruction and practice. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -language arts content that has been identified by screening and individual diagnosis of each student s need for remedial instruction and specified in his/her Academic Improvement Plan (AIP) critical thinking, problem solving, and test-taking skills and strategies. Course Number: 1008010 Course Title: M/J Reading 1 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to develop and strengthen reading through the integration of reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and critical thinking. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: - reading as a complex process that includes knowledge of the reader, the author, and the text using effective vocabulary, critical thinking, and study skills developing fluency and appreciation of reading through independent selection of materials reading a variety of materials including fictional, multicultural, informational, and technical texts developing strategic reading through use of before, during, and after reading strategies integrating reading and writing processes using all of the cueing systems (graphophonic, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic) within a meaningful context to gain meaning from text or non-print media using speaking, listening, and viewing skills to enhance the reading processes. Course Number: 1008040 Course Title: M/J Reading 2 Major Concepts/Content. SCIENCE Subject Area: Science Course Number: 2002040 Course Title: M/J Comprehensive Science 1 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities to study concepts of the life, earth/space, and physical sciences, and their applications to everyday life. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -the nature of science the nature of matter energy force and motion processes that shape the Earth Earth and space processes of life how living things interact with their environment. Subject Area: Science Course Number: 2002070 5
Course Title: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities to study concepts of the life, earth/space, and physical sciences, and their applications to everyday life. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -the nature of science the nature of matter energy force and motion processes that shape the Earth Earth and space processes of life how living things interact with their environment. Subject Area: Science Course Number: 2002100 Course Title: M/J Comprehensive Science 3 Major Concepts/Content. The purpose of this course is to provide opportunities to study concepts of the life, earth/space, and physical sciences, and their applications to everyday life. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: -the nature of science the nature of matter energy force and motion processes that shape the Earth Earth and space processes of life how living things interact with their environment. 6
STATUS REPORT ON GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Student: Date Initiated: SOAR Advisor: GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 2.0 cumulative unweighted G.P.A. 24 credits FCAT Passed CIRCLE CREDITS EARNED English (4 required) 9 th.5.5 11 th.5.5 10 th.5.5 12 th..5.5 Mathematics (3 required) 9 th.5.5 11 th.5.5 (Algebra I required for graduation or combination of Algebra IA & Algebra IB) 10 th.5.5 12 th.5.5 Science (3 required) 9 th.5.5 11 th.5.5 10 th.5.5 12 th..5.5 Social Studies (4 required) Geography.5.5 Am. Gov t..5 Waiver for Geography * IB Waiver: Wd. History.5.5 Economics.5 * AP Waiver: * Reading Immersion: Am. History.5..5 Life Management Skills (required).5 Practical Arts and/or Fine Arts.5.5 IB Waiver: (required) Physical Education (elective required).5 Personal Fitness (required).5 IB Waiver: IB Waiver: Electives (7.5 required).5.5.5.5.5.5..5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5.5 Electives (7.5 required) (2 credits in the same Foreign Language are required for Bright Futures and the Florida University System) Persuasive Expository Narrative FCAT Writes: PSAT - 10 TH Verbal: Math: PSAT - 11 TH Verbal: Math: FCAT G.P.A. 9 TH 10 TH 11 TH Reading Math 9 TH 10 TH PROGRAMS Reading Math OF STUDY ACT SAT Composite Score: Verbal: Math: FCAT RETAKE Reading Math Comments: 7