Adult High School Diploma Program Student Handbook revised 5/1/13 www.gaston.edu Adult High School Diploma Program Student Handbook Gaston College … Opportunities for Life VISION STATEMENT Gaston College will be viewed as the premier post-secondary educational resource in the region, consistently recognized as an exceptional community college and known in the state and nation for successful and innovative programs. MISSION STATEMENT Gaston College is an open-door public community college, located in Gaston and Lincoln counties, that promotes student success and lifelong learning through high caliber, affordable, and comprehensive educational programs and services responding to economic and workforce development needs. ACCREDITATION Gaston College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404-679-4501) to award associate degrees. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Gaston College is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment and education, and does not discriminate against current or potential employees or students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. - 1 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome……………………………………………………………………………………3 Addresses and Contacts………………………………………………………………3 About the Program……………………………………………………………………..3 Credit Requirements………………………………………………………………..4-5 Registration……………………………………………………………………………….6 Student ID…………………………………………………………………………………6 Attendance………………………………………………………………………………..7 Withdrawal ………………………………………………………………………………..7 Grading System………………………………………………………………………….8 Transcripts/Enrollment Verification……………………………………………….9 Satisfactory Academic Progress……………………………………………………9 Academic Alert/Suspension…………………………………………………9 Grounds for Dismissal…………………………………………………………9 Behavior Requirements…………………………………………………………..9-10 Dismissal Policy………………………………………………………………………..10 Student Honesty……………………………………………………………………….10 Credit by Exam…………………………………………………………………………11 Testing…………………………………………………………………………………….11 Graduation……………………………………………………………………………….12 AHS Course Descriptions………………………………………………………12-19 MISSION OF BASIC SKILLS The mission of the Basic Skills program is to assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, assist adults who are parents to obtain the educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and assist adults in the completion of a secondary school education. The North Carolina Community College System provides educational opportunities for adults to improve their reading, writing, mathematics, and communication skills through five major program components. - 2 - Adult High School Diploma Program Welcome Welcome to the Adult High School Diploma Program. This handbook was developed to assist you in designing your educational plan while enrolled in the AHS program at Gaston College. You are responsible for reading and understanding the information, policies, and procedures contained within this guide. Our staff is dedicated to helping you reach your educational goals, and will offer encouragement and support to make your educational experience with us enjoyable and successful. Addresses & Contacts Dallas Campus: Lincoln Campus: Gaston College AHS Gaston College AHS 201 Hwy 321 South 511 South Aspen Street Dallas, NC 28034 Lincolnton, NC 28092 Secretary, LS (AHS/ESL): (704) 748-5205 [email protected] Coordinator, AHS: (704) 922-6319 [email protected] Secretary, LIF Bldg: (704) 922-6545 [email protected] Director, Life Skills: (704) 922-6352 [email protected] About the Program The Adult High School program offers day and evening classes for high school credit to adults* who desire to complete their high school diploma. A student must score 9th grade level on an approved reading assessment test in order to enter the AHS program. There are no tuition costs for the program. Many textbooks are supplied, but the student may be responsible for purchasing some of the books at minimal cost. Upon successful completion of all requirements, a high school diploma will be issued by the Gaston/Lincoln County Boards of Education and the NC Department of Public Instruction through Gaston College**. After successful completion of the program, students are invited to participate in a cap and gown graduation ceremony. *All 16 & 17 year olds must be officially withdrawn from school and complete and submit minor paperwork as designated by Gaston College. **Student must complete at least one credit in the Adult High School in order to receive a diploma from Gaston College. - 3 - Required Credits for Graduation Credit requirements are determined by the NC Department of Public Instruction and are based on a student’s original graduation date. That date is calculated by determining when the student first entered 9th grade in public school. Total credit requirements range between 16 and 22 credits. Adult High School students are only required to finish what they started in high school in order to earn a diploma. Therefore, required courses in some subject areas will be different depending on the year the student would have graduated. All students must meet all local and state requirements in addition to credit requirements. Class of 1953 - 1982 Class of 1983 - 1986 English 4 Credits English 4 Credits Math 1 Credit Math 2 Credits Science 2 Credits Science 2 Credits Social 2 Credits Social 2 Credits Studies Studies Health & PE 1 Credit Health & PE 1 Credit Electives 6 Credits Electives 7 Credits Total 16 Credits Total 18 Credits Class of 1987 - 1995 Class of 1996 – 2003 English 4 Credits English 4 Credits Math 2 Credits Math 3 Credits Must include Algebra I Science 2 Credits Science 3 Credits 1 Physical 1 Physical 1 Biological Biology 1 Other Social 2 Credits Social 3 Credits Studies US Gov’t t& Economics Studies US Gov’t t& Economics US History US History 1 World Studies Health & PE 1 Credit Health & PE 1 Credit Electives 9 Credits Electives 6 Credits Total 20 Credits Total 20 Credits - 4 - Class of 2004 - 2012 Class of 2013 – 2015 English 4 Credits English 4 Credits I, II, III, IV I, II, III, IV Math 3 Credits Math 4 Credits Must include Algebra I Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1 Other Math Science 3 Credits Science 3 Credits 1 Physical Science 1 Physical Science Biology Biology Earth/Env Science Earth/Env Science Social 3 Credits Social 3 Credits Studies US Gov’t t& Economics Studies US Gov’t & Economics US History US History World History World History Health & PE 1 Credit Health & PE 1 Credit Electives 6 Credits Electives 6 Credits Total 20 Credits Total 21 Credits* Class of 2016 and Beyond English 4 Credits I, II, III, IV Math 4 Credits Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1 Higher Math Science 3 Credits Physical Science Biology Earth/Env Science Social 4 Credits Studies US Gov’t & Econ US History I US History II World History Health & PE 1 Credit Electives 6 Credit s Total 22 Credits* *16 & 17 year old students will be required to take additional elective courses to meet graduation requirements. - 5 - How to Register New/Returning students must attend a full four-day New Student Orientation, at which time they will be tested to qualify for the AHS program and pre-registered for AHS classes. Students must bring to orientation their NC Driver License or NC Identification card, Social Security Card, Minor paperwork if applicable, and an unopened official transcript. Students with incomplete files may not be allowed to register. Students who arrive late to orientation will not be allowed to attend. Current students will be expected to pre-register with his/her advisor, or a designated AHS staff member, on designated days in the month prior to the beginning of each semester. At that appointed time, a student will be allowed to choose classes for that semester and will be given a class schedule. Students attending classes for which they are not pre-registered will not receive credit for the course. Students are expected to attend the first day of class at which time the instructor will officially register them in the course. Students who do not attend classes for which they are pre-registered will receive a grade of “No Show” for each class. No Shows will be printed on AHS transcripts as “NS”. A student will not receive credit for any course for which registration has not been completed. It is student’s responsibility that he/she is enrolled in the courses that meet the requirements for a diploma. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all course and graduation requirements are met. Canceled Classes Gaston College reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment or other extenuating circumstances. In the case of canceled classes, every effort will be made to reassign students to another class being offered. Student ID All Adult High School students are required to have a Gaston College photo ID card. Students will receive a student ID during orientation. Students attending classes on the Dallas Campus must present ID to Security upon entering the Pearson Life Skills Building. ID should be worn and visible at all times while in the building. The first ID card is free. There is a $10.00 replacement fee required by security for lost IDs. An approval form is required to have a replacement ID made. - 6 - Class Attendance The responsibility for class attendance is placed specifically on the student. A student who fails