INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Dr. Ruben Alejandro, Superintendent of Schools 2014-2016 COURSE CATALOG I At wisd, all students count! www.wisd.us Board of Trustees Dr. Robert Sepulveda, Board President Dr. Richard Rivera, Board Vice-President Adrian Gonzalez, Board Secretary Mr. Oscar Caballero, Board Member Mr. Jeffrey Everitt, Board Member Mr. David Fuentes, Board Member Mr. Erasmo Lopez, Board Member Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruben Alejandro, Superintendent of Schools Administration Ed Davila, Assistant Superintendent of Administration & Title IX Coordinator Sergio Garcia, Executive Director for Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Xavier Salinas, Executive Director for Elementary Curriculum and Instruction Yvett Morales, Weslaco High School, Principal Sue Peterson, Weslaco East High School, Principal Tina Wells, South Palm Gardens High School, Principal Sergio Garcia, Weslaco 21st Century CTE ECHS, Interim Principal Neil Garza, Special Education Director Norma Brewer, College Readiness Director Sandra Avila, Career & Technical Education Director Message to Students This High School Course Catalog is developed to assist in planning your high school program. Course offerings, including curriculum expectations and graduation requirements for various high school program options, are outlined in the catalog. Graduation requirements as well as your own individual needs should be considered as you select your semester and yearly courses. Select your courses carefully since schedule changes may be limited. The W.I.S.D. Board of Trustees, administrators, counselors and teachers want your high school experience to be rewarding and enjoyable. NOTE: Occasionally changes occur in course requirements due to action by the Texas Legislature and/or the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE). Your counselor will communicate any changes that are required. Otherwise, you will graduate with the course requirements in place when you entered your freshmen year in high school. Also, courses in this catalog may not be available on all campuses or may not be offered in a given year. Weslaco ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THE 9th GRADE IN 2014-2015 AND THEREAFTER. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE STUDENT KEEP THIS CATALOG UNTIL GRADUATION. II Dr. Ruben Alejandro, Superintendent of Schools Parents and Students, It is truly a pleasure and an honor to serve as your superintendent of schools. I look forward to working with you; parents, assigned teachers, and administrators, as well as our state and national government entities in an effort to provide you with opportunities that will help you follow a successful path to college and career readiness. Weslaco Independent School District is focused on providing excellent educational opportunities to all of our students. Our mission is to prepare all students with 21st century skills that will help them in their future. As your superintendent, I ask you to put forth your best efforts on a daily basis. Teachers will continue to work hard to provide you with an education that is tailored to meet your individual needs, but it is your responsibility to attend school daily, display appropriate behavior, and reach your fullest potential so that you are well prepared for the future. At WISD, every student will have the necessary support to excel. We are committed to building a supportive structure that assists students in making data-based decisions in order to ensure that their individual needs are met. High school campuses are staffed with experts such as academic counselors, college readiness specialists, and social workers that are available to help students determine educational, personal and career goals. Planning early is critical in your success. Please use this catalog to plan and always be cognizant of what you need for graduation and for the post-secondary institution of your choice. I wish you a very successful educational career. Remember, the world that you will enter when you graduate from high school is very different from the world of generations past. The access to information that technology now provides each of us and the speed at which that information is delivered has transformed our world. As your superintendent, I will ensure that our district provides you with a quality education that builds a strong foundation that will help you succeed and achieve in a globally competitive world. I am confident that the skills you acquire throughout the next four years will prepare you to compete with students from this country as well as with students from around the world. INTRODUCTION III The Weslaco Independent School District Course Catalog lists the courses that our high schools make available to students. It should be noted, however, that not all of the courses listed are scheduled every year. Since it is not economically feasible to schedule classes in which only a few students enroll, the class may not be offered for the current year or on all campuses. Sufficient number of student request for specific courses then become the determining factor as to whether or not a course is scheduled. The Course Catalog is also available online. The Weslaco ISD Web site for the Course Catalog is as follows: www.wisd.us/ Course Catalog Table of Contents Graduation Requirements………………………………………………………….……..6 Graduation Plans Ranking/Grade Point Average (GPA) Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) Early Graduation (3 year graduate) State of Texas Diploma Special Recognitions……………………………………………………………….…….13 Tech Prep Texas Scholar Automatic Admission to Texas Public Universities Honor Graduates Credit Accrual Opportunities………………………………………………………….…17 Extended Day Summer School Distance Learning Credit By Examination College Courses Dual Credit Concurrent Enrollment Tech Prep Advanced Technical Courses Middle School Courses for High School Credit Transcripts……………………………………………………………………………...19 Description Transfer Grades Post Secondary Preparation…………………………………………………………….20 High School Assessments College/University Entrance Exams Financial Aid College Prep Timeline………………………………………………………………….22 Grade Classification Course Selection and Request for Changes Course Designations Regular Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) Advanced Placement (AP) Tech Prep Advanced Technical Courses Dual/Concurrent Enrollment Gifted and Talented (GT) Career Technical Education (CTE) Course Descriptions………………………………………………………….……….……23 English Language Arts Social Studies Math Science Technology Applications Fine Arts Other Languages IV Health and Physical Education Career and Technical Education CTE …………………………………………………40 Industry Certification Business and Finance Design and Engineering Technology and Media Health Sciences Health Sciences and Education (Only WHS) Arts and Education CTE Industry Certification CTE Programs of Study Other Electives…………………………………………………………………………. 133 Credit Check……………………………………………………………………………. 135 Contact Information…………………………………………………………………….. 136 Graduation Plan…………………………………………………………………………. 137 V WESLACO ISD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS For students entering 9th grade in 2014-2015 and thereafter. FOUNDATION PLAN with DISTINGUISHED LEVEL DISCIPLINE FOUNDATION PLAN ENDORSEMENTS ACHIEVEMENT PLAN 23 credits 27 credits 27 credits 4 credits: 4 credits: 4 credits: English English I, II, III, and IV. English I, II, III, and IV. English I, II, III, and IV. Language English I and II for Speakers of Other English I and II for Speakers of Other English I and II for Speakers of Other Arts and Languages (ESOL) may be substituted Languages (ESOL) may be substituted Languages (ESOL) may be substituted for English I and II only for immigrant for English I and II only for immigrant for English I and II only for immigrant Reading * students with limited English students with limited English students with limited English proficiency. proficiency. proficiency. College Prep-ELA College Prep-ELA College Prep-ELA Total ELA Credits 4.0 Total ELA Credits 4.0 Total ELA Credits 4.0 3 credits: 4 credits: 4 credits: Mathematics Two of the credits must consist of: Two of the credits must consist of: Two of the credits must consist of: * Alg. 1 Alg. 1 Alg. 1 Geometry Geometry Geometry Algebra II Required for The additional credit may be selected The additional credit may be selected DLA from one full credit or a combination of from one full credit or a combination of two half credits from two different two half credits from two different The additional credit may be selected courses, subject to prerequisites courses, subject to prerequisites from one full credit or a combination of requirements, from the following requirements, from the following two half credits from two different courses or a credit selected from the courses or a credit selected from the courses, subject to prerequisites course listed: course listed: requirements, from the following Math Modeling with Math Modeling with courses or a credit selected from the Applications Applications (Cannot be course listed: Algebra II (Pre-Req. Alg. 1) used as an advanced course Math Modeling with Pre-Calculus (Pre-Req. for endorsement) Applications Geometry & Alg. II) Algebra II (Pre-Req. Alg. Algebra