Ventura Unified School District 255 W. Stanley Ave., Suite 100 Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 641-5000 “High School Course Directory” 2014-15 School Year Buena High School El Camino High School at Ventura College Foothill Technology High School Pacific Continuation High School Ventura High School Table of Contents Introduction 1 Applied Arts – Industrial Technology........ 19 List of High Schools……………………... 1 Board of Education……………………… 1 Applied Arts – Non-Departmental…......... 22 District Administration………………….. 1 English/Language Arts…………………... 23 How to Use this Guide……………........... 2 English Language Development (ELD) Class Selections………………………….. 2 Program………………………………..…. 27 Prerequisites……………………………… 2 Program Change Policy………………….. 2 Level Changes in a Subject Area and English Learner (EL) Program Success Dropping a Class…………………........... 2 Pathways………………………………….. 28 English Learner Development (ELD) Message for Parents………………........... 3 Courses…………………………………….. 29 Earning Credit Toward High School Graduation……………………………….. 3 English and Strategic Reading (ESR)……... 32 High School Graduation Requirements…………………………….. 4 California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE)………………………………. 4 English /Language Arts Electives…………. 33 Planning for University/College Admission……………………………….. 5 Fine Arts – Drama and Music……………... 35 Testing Program…………………………. 6 State Level……………………………….. 6 Fine Arts – Visual…………………………. 39 Testing for College………………………. 6 Health Science…………………………….. 43 Career Assessments……………………… 7 History/Social Science…………………….. 44 Extracurricular and Co-Curricular Activities/Athletics………………………. 7 Mathematics………………………………. 50 Scholarship Requirements……………….. 9 Non-Departmental………………………… 55 Work Experience…………………........... 9 Career Education Center (CEC) formerly the Regional Occupational Program (ROP)…………………………………….. 9 Physical Education………………………… 59 Course Descriptions……………………… 11 Science…………………………………….. 61 Applied Arts – Agriculture………………. 12 World Languages………………………… 68 Applied Arts – Business…………………. 13 Ventura High School Pathways…………… 75 Applied Arts – Home Economics……… 17 High School Education Plan Worksheet…... 76 1 Introduction This High School Course Directory is updated each year and distributed to students when they register for high school. This directory should provide up-to-date information for parents and students to use in planning a high school program effectively. All courses may not be offered every year at each high school listed. The High School Course Directory contains necessary information relating to all high schools in Ventura Unified School District. Buena High School (Bulldogs) El Camino High School at Ventura College (Eagles) 5670 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003 61 Day Road, Ventura, CA 93003 Telephone: (805) 289-1826 Telephone: (805) 289-7955 Principal: Mike Irving Principal: Cheryl Burns www.venturausd.org/buena.htm www.venturausd.org/elcamino.htm Foothill Technology High School (Dragons) Pacific High School (Sharks) 100 Day Road, Ventura, CA 93003 501 College Drive, Ventura, CA 93003 Telephone: (805) 289-0023 Telephone: (805) 289-7950 Principal: Joe Bova Principal: Barbara Boggio www.venturausd.org/foothilltech.htm www.venturausd.org/pacific.htm Ventura High School (Cougars) Two North Catalina St., Ventura, CA 93001 Telephone: (805) 641-5116 Principal: Val Wyatt www.venturausd.org/ventura.htm As students select courses for the coming year, it is important to understand that the master schedule or course offerings are developed based on those selections. Therefore, serious consideration of choices is a necessity. Developing a plan of study is a combined effort of students, parents, teachers, counselors and administrators; however, the prime responsibility rests with the student and parent(s). Parents and students are encouraged to review this document as part of the course selections process. Counselors will be happy to assist parents and students in interpreting information contained in this document during high school registration. Board of Education District Administration Mary Haffner, President Dr. Trudy Tuttle Arriaga, Superintendent Debbie Golden, Vice President Kathy Asher, Assistant Superintendent John Walker, Member Assistant Superintendent (To be determined) Barbara J. Fitzgerald, Member Joseph Richards, Jr., Assistant Superintendent Velma Lomax, Member 2 How to Use this Guide This registration guide provides students and parents with information to assist in the student’s program choices. Students should discuss course selections with their parents, teachers and counselor before registering. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses that challenge them and provide the best possible preparation for the future in terms of employment and further education. Class Selections Please carefully read this entire registration guide before selecting classes. All students must enroll in a full academic day. Students should select their required classes first, and then list electives, including two (2) alternate elective choices. In the event some electives are filled or an insufficient number of students enroll in a class, students will be enrolled in their alternate choice(s) in the order listed, if available. Courses are listed by department and program areas. Each course is described by content and prerequisites. Students must receive prior approval from their school counselor to take a class off site, including inter-district community college and on-line classes. Prerequisites Prerequisites are listed in this Course Directory to help students and parents make the best educational decision possible. Students must meet the prerequisites to enroll in certain courses. Both semesters of a prerequisite for a course must be successfully completed and, if required, the stated grade earned. Program Change Policy Student initiated requests for class changes are considered only during the first 10 days (15 days at Foothill Technology High School due to their block schedule) of the semester, are subject to space availability, and are granted for the following specific reasons: (1) Fulfill graduation requirement; (2) Ability level misplacement; (3) Completion in summer school; and (4) Minimum competency preparation. Level Changes in a Subject Area Level changes in a subject area can be made with teacher recommendation, parent and counselor approval during the first ten weeks of a semester (semester 1 deadline: November 4, 2014; semester 2 deadline: April 14, 2015). The administration may, due to increased/decreased enrollment and staff changes, balance course sections by transferring students from one class and/or teacher to another. Every effort will be made to ensure a smooth transition. Requests for a teacher change will not be granted. Dropping a Class Prior to dropping a class, the parent/guardian, teacher, student, and counselor shall confer to agree the drop is in the best interest of the student. Semester 1 courses: A student will be allowed to drop a class without penalty of an “F” grade until October 2, 2014 (30th day of S1). With administrative approval, a student who drops a class with a passing grade from October 3, 2014 (31st day of S1) to November 21, 2014 (60th day of S1) will receive a Withdrawal (“W”) on their transcript. A student who drops a class with an “F” grade from October 3, 2014 (31st day of S1) to November 21, 2014 (60th day of S1) will receive an “F” on their transcript. Semester 2 courses: A student will be allowed to drop a class without penalty of an “F” grade until March 11, 2015 (30th day of S2). With administrative approval, a student who drops a class with a passing grade from March 12, 2015 (31st day of S2) to April 30, 2015 (60th day of S2) will receive a Withdrawal (“W”) on their transcript. A student who drops a class with an “F” grade from March 12, 2015 (31st day of S2) to April 30, 2015 (60th day of S2) will receive an “F” on their transcript. 3 Message for Parents Parents are the key element in helping students to be successful in school. This is true both during the school year and during summer/vacation time. We urge you to: 1. Become familiar with using the online student information service (Q ParentConnect). Parents can review assignments, grades and attendance online and communicate concerns with the teacher via email. 2. Stress the importance of attending school each day. Please schedule medical appointments and family vacations outside of the school day and calendar. 3. Set aside a time and place every day for your student to study, read, write, and/or practice. Distractions such as television and electronics should be limited. 4. Encourage your student to read the daily newspaper, magazines and/or books. 5. Review Progress Reports, Quarter and Semester Report Cards. 6. Schedule conferences with teachers early each grading period if you have any concerns regarding your child’s progress. 7. If a problem does arise with the homework, call your son/daughter’s teacher as soon as possible and seek assistance. 8. Help your son/daughter study before a test or quiz. 9. If you find your son/daughter never seems to have homework, check their agenda. If you find it lacking entries, this may be the reason. In high school there should be homework every day. 10. Encourage your son/daughter to join and participate in their high schools student clubs and organizations. Earning Credit Toward High School Graduation Credit toward graduation is given for all subjects taken in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade except those courses repeated to raise the academic