NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2020-2021 Program of Studies Course Selection Grades 9-12 Preparing All Students for Success in a Changing World NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2020 – 2021 Program of Studies Course Selections for Grades 9 – 12 North Allegheny Board of School Directors: Richard McClure, President Andrew Chomos, Vice President Libby Blackburn Marcie Crow Kevin Mahler Allyson Minton Scott E. Russell Elizabeth Warner Shannon Yeakel Robert J. Scherrer, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools North Allegheny School District Prepared under the direction of: Mrs. Melissa Friez Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Jillian Bichsel, Ed.D. Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Professional Development Joseph Sciullo, Ph.D. Director of Student Services Special thanks to the Principals, Department Chairs, and Executive Council Members who made this Program of Studies possible. Publication / Production: Krakoff Communications, Inc. EEO and Title IX Statement North Allegheny School District (North Allegheny) does not discriminate in its educational programs, activities or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, ancestry, genetic information or any other legally-protected category. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with State Law including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and with Federal law, including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For more information, please contact: EEO and Title IX Compliance Officer 200 Hillvue Lane - Pittsburgh PA 15237 412.366.2100 II An Introduction to the 2020 – 2021 Program of Studies from the Superintendent of Schools It is with great pride that we share with you the 2020 – 2021 Program of Studies. In order to prepare our students for success in a changing world, we annually update and revise our academic offerings. Our academic program provides significant opportunities for students to engage in rigorous and meaningful coursework. I encourage our students and families to sit down together and review the course require- ments for graduation, discuss the course selection process, and call the School Counseling Department with any questions or concerns you may have. The Plan Ahead Sheet on page 5 is an excellent planning tool to help you design an academic program that will help you meet your college and career goals. During the District Curriculum Review Process for each Department, new courses may be recommended for the Program of Studies. Beginning with the 2020 – 2021 school year, the following elective courses have been added: • Health and Physical Education with Lifeguarding Option in the Health Physical Education Department • Wellness Leadership in the Health Physical Education Department • Honors Linear Algebra in the Mathematics Department • Computer Science C in the Mathematics Department • Exploring Creation & Innovation in the Technology and Engineering Education Department • Creation & Innovation in the Technology and Engineering Education Department • Digital Electronics PLTW (Honors) in the Technology and Engineering Education Department • Principles of Engineering PLTW (Honors) in the Technology and Engineering Education Department • Computer Integrated Manufacturing PLTW (Honors) in the Technology and Engineering Education Department • Advanced Technical Theater & Production in the Technology and Engineering Education Department The following course names have changed in the following Departments: Business, Computer, and Information Technology (BCIT) • Web Page Design to Web Page Design – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 English Language Arts • Introduction to Journalism to Introduction to Journalism: NAEye News • Forensics to Speech and Debate Family & Consumer Sciences • Sewing and Design to Fashion and Design • Child Development No. 8704 to Introduction to Child Development - Grades 9, 10 – No. 8705 Health and Physical Education • Wellness for Life Grade 9 – No. 8409 to Wellness for Life Semester/Full Time Grade 9 or 10 • Wellness of Life Grade 9 – No. 8410 to Wellness for Life Full Year/Part Time Grade 9 or 10 III An Introduction to the 2020 – 2021 Program of Studies from the Superintendent of Schools Technology & Engineering Education • Engineering and Design to Exploring Emerging Technologies • Tech Design & Application to Emerging Technologies • Electricity and Electronics 1 to Electricity and Electronics • Inside your Computer to Cisco Academy – IT Essentials • CADD 1 to Exploring CADD (Computer Aided Drawing & Design) • CADD 3 to Mechanical CADD (Computer Aided Drawing & Design) • CADD 4 to Architectural CADD (Computer Aided Drawing & Design) NASD has expanded the number of College in High School courses that are being offered this year. College in High School (CHS) offers high school students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit in courses taught right in their high school classrooms. This program provides students the chance to participate in college-level learning experiences before they leave high school, while helping students to establish a collegiate transcript for potential transfer credits in the future. Please see pages 7-8 of the Program of Studies for a complete list of the courses that are currently eligible for CHS credit. Within this document, the Graduation Requirements are also identified for each class of students. In particular, students should review expectations related to the Keystone Exams based upon their year of graduation. Since the Pennsylvania Department of Education continues to release new information related to the Keystone Exams, please visit the North Allegheny School District website for updates. Best wishes to all students as you prepare for the 2020 – 2021 school year. Robert J. Scherrer, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Purpose of the Program of Studies The Program of Studies is a comprehensive document outlining the course offerings, course sequence, and related requirements for high school stu- dents. Minimally, high school students at North Allegheny must meet the graduation requirements outlined in Board Policy #217. Students are required to schedule at least seven (7.0) credits per year in grades 9 – 12. Students have certain subject area requirements each year that must be completed. The remaining credits are scheduled as elective courses according to the interests of the student and availability of that elective course. All courses are organized by Department and also by grade level. If courses are required within a Department at a particular level, it is delineated in the Program of Studies. Please note that certain elective courses are only available in specific grade levels. For example, a sophomore may not take an elective course available in grade 11 or 12 at NASH. While the District will provide the next sequential course in limited subject areas (i.e., Mathematics, Science, and World Languages), students will only receive one course in that area. Any additional courses in that subject area are considered as electives. IV NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2020 – 2021 Program of Studies, Grades 9 – 12 Table of Contents Page # General Information Our Comprehensive Plan ............................................................................................................ 1 Scheduling Timeline .................................................................................................................... 2 Graduation Requirements and Summary .................................................................................... 3 • High School Course Sequence for Classes of 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 ...................... 4 Plan Ahead Sheet ........................................................................................................................ 5 College Testing Terms • Advanced Placement Exams (AP) ...................................................................................... 6 • ACT .................................................................................................................................... 6 • PSAT/NMSQT ..................................................................................................................... 6 • SAT ..................................................................................................................................... 6 • SAT Subject Tests ............................................................................................................... 6 Scheduling Terms • Acceleration ......................................................................................................................... 7 • Advanced Placement Program ............................................................................................ 7 • Auditing a Course ................................................................................................................ 7 • Credit ................................................................................................................................... 7 • Credit Recovery and Grade Replacement .......................................................................... 7 • College in High School (CHS) ............................................................................................. 7 • Elective Courses ................................................................................................................