High School Course Catalog 2016-2017
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High School Course Catalog 2016-2017 Worcester County Public Schools 1 WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION NEWARK, MARYLAND Jonathan C. Cook, President J. Douglas Dryden, Vice-President Barry Q. Brittingham, Sr. Eric W. Cropper, Sr. William L. Gordy Robert A. Rothermel, Jr. Sara D. Thompson Dr. Jerry Wilson, Superintendent of Schools The Worcester County Board of Education does not discriminate in admissions, access, treatment, or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, color, gender identity and expression, national origin, creed, religion, age, ancestry, genetic information, or physical or mental disability. 2016 - 2017 Revised 2/5/2016 2 Table of Contents Introduction 4 Graduation Requirements 5 Credit Requirements 5 Assessment Requirements 6 Courses Meeting the Fine Arts Requirements 8 Courses Meeting the Technology Education Requirements 8 Courses Meeting the Advanced Technology Education Requirements 9 Program Choices 9 Service Learning Requirements 10 Maryland State Diplomas & Certificates 10 Grading Standards & Procedures 12 Additional Means of Earning Credit 15 Alternatives to Four-Year Enrollment 17 Academic Recognition 20 General Information 22 Course Descriptions 24 English 25 Family & Consumer Science 32 Health & Family Life 33 Mathematics 34 Military Science 41 Music 44 Physical Education 46 Science 47 Social Studies 51 Technology Education 54 Visual Arts 57 World Language 60 Work-Based Learning 62 Career & Technology Education 64 STEM Academies 64 Programs of Study 74 Electives 87 Appendix A: WCPS Field Courses 90 Addendum 91 Attachment 2A: Local School Systems’ Options for Implementing the CCR & CC Act of 2013 91 MSDE English Language Arts (ELA) Credit, Enrollment and Assessment Requirements 92 MSDE Mathematics Credit, Enrollment and Assessment Requirements. 96 3 Introduction The purpose of the high school program in Worcester County is to help students gain the knowledge and skills needed to follow academic pursuits in post-secondary education, to prepare students for careers in the world of work, and to help develop those citizenship qualities needed to maintain and improve our democratic way of life. If the schools are to achieve the purposes for which they function, an attempt must be made to provide a program of instruction that is meaningful and valuable to each individual eligible for a high school education. School counselors, teachers, and parents need to encourage all students to participate in the most rigorous program for which they may be capable. The awarding of a high school diploma should indicate the student's successful completion of the minimum requirements set forth by the Maryland State Board of Education and the Worcester County Board of Education. The diploma shall be interpreted to mean that the student has complied with the academic, social, and attendance regulations of the school and has successfully completed courses that are commensurate with his/her ability. Students graduating from a Worcester County High School will be required to satisfy all the requirements of the State of Maryland plus those additional requirements of the Worcester County Board of Education. In 2009 and thereafter, eligible graduates of the Worcester County Public Schools may be awarded the Worcester County Certificate of Merit1 and/or a Career and Technology Program Certificate. These certificates provide graduates with documented evidence of the type of high school program completed. The Career and Technology Program also describes the skills obtained while enrolled in a technology program. This certificate should help students understand the skills they possess when seeking employment and help employers assess the proficiencies attained by graduates seeking employment. A Maryland High School Certificate is available only for handicapped students receiving special education services who are not able to meet the requirements described above. 1 See page 10. 4 Graduation Requirements Credit Requirements To be awarded a diploma, a student shall be enrolled in a Maryland Public school system and have earned a minimum of 21 credits in the following areas: CORE REQUIREMENTS OTHER REQUIREMENTS State Current Specific Credit Required Current Specific Credit Subject Area Subject Area Requirements Assessed Requirements Course2 4 credits 1 credit Fine Arts English 9 See course list on page 8. English 10 PARCC English English 11 – American English 10 Literature Physical English 12 – British Literature 0.5 credit Education 3 credits4, including: Health 0.5 credit 1 credit in Algebra concepts 3 PARCC Mathematics 1 credit in Geometry concepts Algebra I 1 other Math credit (not Math Technology 1 credit elective credit) Education See course list on page 8. 2 credits in World Language 3 credits, including: OR 1 credit in Biology 2 credits in American Sign Language 2 additional credits including OR laboratory experience, in any or all of 2 credits in an approved Advanced the following areas: Science Biology HSA Program Choice Technology Program Earth Science OR Environmental Science 4 credits in a State-approved Career Life Science & Technology Education Completer Physical Science Program5 3 credits, including: 1 credit in U.S. History Government 1-3 credits to include courses beyond Social Studies 1 credit in Local, State and Electives HSA requirements. National Government 1 credit in World History 2 During transitions from HSA-related assessments to MDCCRS based assessments, graduation requirements for assessments will vary by year of enrollment in the course. Please consult pages 6-7 for more detailed information. 3 Beginning with the Class of 2018, while only three credits are required, a student must enroll in a minimum of one course in mathematics each year of high school regardless of any math credit(s) earned in middle school. 4 While students are required to enroll in Algebra II, they must complete courses in Algebra I and Geometry. 5 Some programs require more than 4 credits for completion. 5 Assessment Requirements Maryland High School Assessments The assessed courses are English 10, Algebra I, Biology, and American Government. The requirements for these assessments are currently being updated as a result of the transition from The Maryland High School Assessments to new assessments from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). Students should check with the high school counselor to determine the requirements that will affect them. The most current high school graduation requirements from The Maryland Department of Education (MSDE) are as follows: For students enrolled in these courses during 2014-15 and 2015-16 To meet the graduation requirement, students must: Government (Passing the Government HSA is a requirement for students who entered Grade 9 in 2013-2014 and beyond.) o Pass the Course and pass the HSA test, the HSA re-test, or the Bridge Plan Biology o Pass the Course and pass the HSA test, the HSA re-test, or the Bridge Plan Algebra I - first time Algebra I students o Pass the Course and participate in the PARCC test English 10 - first time English 10 students o Pass the Course and participate in the PARCC test For students who passed these courses before 2014-15, but did not complete the graduation assessment requirements 6 To meet the graduation requirement, students must: Algebra 1 o Retake the HSA during the 2014-2015 school year. If they still have not passed the assessment by achieving the pass score or through a combined score, no further testing is required to meet their mathematics assessment requirement for graduation. English 10 o Retake the HSA during the 2014-2015 school year. If they still have not passed the assessment by achieving the pass score or through a combined score, no further testing is required to meet their English assessment requirement for graduation. For students enrolled in these courses during 2016-17 and beyond To meet the graduation requirement in the following courses, students must: Government o Pass the Course and pass the HSA test, the HSA re-test, or the Bridge Plan Biology o Pass the Course and pass the HSA test, the HSA re-test, or the Bridge Plan Algebra I - first time Algebra I students o Pass the Course and pass the PARCC test, the PARCC re-test, or the Bridge Plan English 10 - first time English 10 students o Pass the Course and pass the PARCC test, the PARCC re-test, or the Bridge Plan 6 Both the HSA Algebra/Data Analysis and HSA English 10 assessments will no longer be available after August 2015. 6 Transition Course Information Even though the requirement is participation only for Algebra I and English 10, beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, all students shall be assessed using acceptable college placement cut scores no later than 11th grade in both mathematics and English. If they do not achieve a score that indicates they are college and career ready, they will be enrolled in transition course(s) or other instructional opportunities during their 12th grade year.7 It is important to understand that student performance on the PARCC Algebra I and PARCC English 10 will be a good indicator for how they will perform on the college placement assessments that will inform the need for transition courses. Bridge Plan for Academic Validation The Bridge Plan for Academic Validation provides eligible students an additional opportunity to meet the testing requirement that will lead to a Maryland High School