Non-Resident Honors Appeals Process

Non-Resident Honors Appeals Process: *Jefferson High School ONLY For students entering grade 9

INTENT OF THE HONORS APPEALS PROCESS: The Honors Appeals Process is designed for students seeking Honors placement at Jefferson High School from schools other than the Bloomington Public Schools (non-resident, private, non-public). *Students seeking Honors placement at Kennedy High School register for Honors courses during the registration process.

PURPOSE: Honors courses are designed to provide academically qualified students with an enhanced and enriched learning experience. Honors courses demand a very high level of participation, effort, and quality from its students. Curriculum in an honors course is extended beyond the core curriculum and requires students to use a sophisticated level of independence, self-management, and intellectual skill. Finally, it is expected that students possess advanced levels of reading, writing and critical thinking skills.

CRITERIA for Honors Appeals Process at Jefferson High School: Honors placement is weighted based on accumulated points for the following measurements. Points are explained in the subsequent tables. Students must earn at least 50% of the available points.

1) At least 2 of 3 standardized measures: a. MAP or one other nationally normed achievement test (ITBS, CAT-9, NWEA,). Reading AND math scores required b. EXPLORE: reading, math, English, Science and Composite scores required c. 7th grade MCA math and reading 2) GPA (Core subjects only) 3) Recommendations a. Teacher recommendation, AND b. Self recommendation 4) Narrative essay describing the academic characteristics, abilities and/or aptitudes the student possesses.

See Non-Resident Honors Application Checklist for application guidelines

Applications for Honors Appeals are due to the Office of Gifted and Talented by: February 14, 2104

FAXED copies will NOT be accepted

*Students attending Kennedy High School do not need to submit applications for honors. Students attending Kennedy High School register for honors courses during the registration process. POINT VALUES: Standardized Tests and GPA The scores from each measure are assigned points based on specific cut scores. These point values are shown in the table below. Higher scores result in higher point values, thereby increasing the student’s eligibility in the respective courses.

Measure Score Value MAP Reading >= 90 Nat’l Percentile 1.0 MAP Reading 85 - 89 Nat’l Percentile 0.5 MAP Math >= 90 Nat’l Percentile 1.0 MAP Math 85 - 89 Nat’l Percentile 0.5 MCA Reading >= 80th MN Percentile 1.0 MCA Math >= 80th MN Percentile 1.0 EXPLORE Reading >= 22 Scale Score 1.0 EXPLORE Reading 20-21 Scale Score 0.5 EXPLORE Math >= 22 Scale Score 1.0 EXPLORE Math 20-21 Scale Score 0.5 EXPLORE English >= 22 Scale Score 1.0 EXPLORE English 20-21 Scale Score 0.5 EXPLORE Science >= 22 Scale Score 1.0 EXPLORE Science 20-21 Scale Score 0.5 EXPLORE Composite >= 22 Scale Score 1.0 EXPLORE Composite 20-21 Scale Score 0.5 Cumulative GPA >= 3.667 1.0 Cumulative GPA 3.500-3.666 0.5

Distribution of Measures between Honors Courses Not all measures are used for all classes and the total available points will vary by course. The table below indicates how each measure is used for different Honors courses at the high school.

Honors Math Honors English & Soc. St. Honors Science MAP Reading MAP Reading MAP Reading MAP Math MCA Reading MAP Math MCA Reading EXPLORE Reading MCA Reading MCA Math EXPLORE English MCA Math EXPLORE Reading Cum. GPA EXPLORE Reading EXPLORE Math EXPLORE Math Cum. GPA EXPLORE Science EXPLORE Composite Cum. GPA Max: 7 points Max: 5 points Max: 9 points

Recommendations: One teacher and one self-recommendation (per course placement request) are weighted as such: Teacher max = 4 points Self max = 2 points Max: 6 points Students must earn at least 5 points to be eligible for placement in Honors courses

Narrative essay describing the academic characteristics, abilities and/or aptitudes the student possesses—only one essay is required per total application. Max = 4 points Students must earn at least 3 points to be eligible for placement in Honors courses Non-Resident Honors Application Checklist For students entering grade 9 (*Jefferson High School ONLY)

ALL MATERIALS MUST BE SENT TOGETHER IN ONE 10”X13” (OR LARGER IF NECESSARY) ENVELOPE AND RECEIVED BY THE APPLICATION DUE DATE OF: February 14, 2014. Incomplete packets will not be reviewed. Materials sent separately will not be accepted or reviewed.

Application packet checklist:

_____ Applicant name must appear on all pages within the application packet

_____ At least 2 of 3 standardized measures listed below: _____ MAP or other nationally normed achievement test (ITBS, CAT-9, NWEA,). Reading AND math scores required

_____ EXPLORE: reading, math, English, science and composite scores required if sending EXPLORE

_____ 7th grade MCA math and reading

_____ GPA (to include at least grades 6 and 7 core subjects)

______Recommendations per course placement request: ______Teacher recommendation, AND ______Self-recommendation

______Narrative essay written by the student describing his/her academic characteristics, abilities and/or aptitudes. (Only one essay is required per total application)

Applications for Honors Appeals are due to the Office of Gifted and Talented by: February 14, 2014

Office of Gifted & Talented Attn: Honors 1350 W 106th ST Bloomington, MN 55431 FAXED copies will NOT be accepted