Transcript WHAT’S NEW ON THE COLLEGE SCENE

January 26, 2012
Christopher Hines, Ed.D.
Some things haven’t changed…
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If your child wants to go to college, there is a
college for him/her.
Don’t spend all your time worrying about
tomorrow so that you lose today.
Decision-making, self-advocacy, and selfconfidence are skills to build now.
Gather information.
Help build study skills and
develop time and stress
management.
What about the SAT?
The SAT is a criterion referenced test and is
NOT based on school curriculum, but on
higher level thinking skills.
 The test has a maximum score of 2400 that
includes a Student writing sample.
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The ACT
Is a curriculum-based test
in English, Reading,
Mathematics, and
Science.
 Math includes Algebra I,
Geometry and Trig.
 An optional writing
section has been added
(check with your college).
 Some colleges use
individual test scores for
placement.
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Tests Compared
ACT
SAT
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Reading heavy
Will need Algebra I,
Geometry and
Algebra II
Math = 33% of score
Not based on school
curriculum
No science
Essay
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Grammar/Reading
heavy
Need Algebra I,
Geometry and Trig
Math = 25% of score
Based on school
curriculum
Science reasoning
section
Writing optional
So, which one should my child
take?
We recommend they take both.
 Look at the comparison chart – where do
your child’s strengths lie?
 If you child is not particularly strong in math
or in verbal skills, the ACT might be better.
 By taking both, you can have a better idea of
which one might be best to retake if the
scores are not what your child wants or
needs.
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PSAT
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The district is currently paying for all
sophomores and juniors to take the PSAT. For
sophomores, the test is administered for practice
and feedback purposes. Advanced Placement
success can also be predicted from these
scores.
The junior year, PSAT scores are used for
National Merit Scholarship Competition.
These are only given one time a year. (October)
THEA
Required by all STATE public institutions
(includes community colleges)
 Is not an admissions test, but a placement
test.
 Currently, students may be exempted with
certain SAT, ACT or Algebra II and English
III EOCs (Advanced Academic Level 3).
 There are several tests that are used by
different institutions.
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What Else Should I Know?
Texas guarantees admission in state
universities for the top 10% of each
graduating class (Recommended Plan
required or 1500 on the SAT or 24 on the
ACT) with the exception of UT Austin.
 Different courses receive different grade
points in high school.
 Prestigious colleges expect rigorous high
school curriculum.
 High school is not only about getting into
college, it’s about having the skills to STAY
in college!
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CISD GPA
Course Type
A
AP/DC*
6
PreAP/H
5
Level & all
other courses 4
B
C
D
F
5
4
4
3
3
2
0
0
3
2
1
0
*Core Dual Credit core courses taught on the
high school campus only
GPA
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A student should take those courses that
are most appropriate for his/her level of
ability.
Have realistic expectations – in both
directions. Set the bar high, but not out of
sight.
Look at the total picture – hours for study,
activities, family – and even sleep.
How does your student handle stress?
GPA’s begin the summer after successfully
completing 8th grade , the start of 9th grade.
What counts in college admission?
Overwhelming Majority of College Admissions
Officers Say..
•94% Grades in College Prep Courses
• 92% Grades in all Courses
• 90 % Strength of Curriculum
• 89% Standardized Admission Tests
• 67% Class Rank
• 64 % Essay/Writing Sample
•61% Recommendations
•52% Extracurricular Activities
•52% Student’s Demonstrated Interest
What is the Advanced
Placement Program?
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College level courses taught in high school
35 courses in 19 subject areas (TWHS offers
26)
Examinations scores can lead to college credit .
An opportunity for students to think, read and
write critically and analytically.
Additional grade points in the high school GPA
What are the advantages of
taking AP Courses?
More than 90% of U.S. colleges and
universities give credit and/or advanced
placement to AP students.
 A 1998 ETS study concluded that students
with qualifying grades of 3 or higher earn
higher grades in advanced college courses
than classmates who have taken the college
prerequisite course.
 Earning college credit in high school
saves parents money!
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TEST
TEST
# STUDENTS
Art History
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STUDENTS
55
US Government & Politics
499
Biology
198
Human Geography
195
Calculus AB
271
Chinese Language
8
Calculus BC
153
Music Theory
25
Chemistry
177
Physics-B
21
Computer Science A
97
Physics C-Electricity & Magnetism
96
Physics C-Mechanical
144
Computer Science AB
Macro Economics
405
Psychology
466
Micro Economics
5
Spanish-Language
271
English
Lang/Composition
English Literature
450
Spanish Literature
58
326
Statistics
455
Environmental Science
299
Studio Art-Drawing
26
European History
115
Studio Art-2D Design
40
French Language
24
Studio Art-3D Design
2
Japanese Language
13
US History
631
German Language
14
World History
555
Graduation Requirements
(see handout)
Four years of math and science.
26 total credits are required for graduation under
the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement
Plans.
 There are scheduling implications.
 Students attending a 4-year Texas University must
graduate under the Recommended or
Distinguished Achievement Plan.
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What Resources are Available?
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www.collegeboard.com
http://www.act.org/
www.wiredscholar.com
www.collegefortexans.com
www.fastweb.com
TWHS web site
ACT Discover program (check with your
counselor)
 Individual college/university/technical school/
military websites
 College visits
 http://www.usnews.com/usnews/newslett.htm
(sign up for the First Stop College enewsletters)
State of Texas Assessments of
Academic Readiness (STAAR)
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Assessments at Grades 3-8 (paper only)
include:
 Math and reading at grades 3-8, in addition,
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students must take an EOC for any high
school credit course.
Writing at grades 4 and 7,
Science at grades 5 and 8,
Social studies at grade 8,
Spanish versions of all tests in grades 3-5.
High School STAAR (paper or online)
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The high school assessments will be 12
end-of-course exams.
 Math will include algebra 1, geometry, and
algebra 2.
 Science will include biology, chemistry, and
physics.
 English will include English I,II, and III.
 Social Studies will include World Geography,
World History, and U.S. History.
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Each EOC must count as 15% of final
course grade (during the year the course is
taken).
EOCs
Subject
Mathematics
English
Science
Social
Studies
Course
Algebra 1
English 1
Biology
World
Geography
Course
Geometry
English 2
Chemistry
World History
Course
Algebra 2
English 3
Physics
U.S. History
More High School Info.
Students must have cumulative passing
average in all subject areas. For example,
in science a biology score of 75 +
chemistry 70 + physics 65 gives me a
cumulative passing average.
 Students must achieve a minimum score or
keep retaking the tests.
 Students must specifically pass Algebra 2
and English 3 in addition to having a
passing average in math and language arts
as part of the Recommended graduation
plan.
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Performance Levels
High School continued
Students may take EOCs as many times
as needed to pass.
 The English EOCs will have two portions
(reading and writing) and will be given
over 2 days. The writing portion will
have 2 essays. The reading portion will
focus more on critical analysis.
Students can retake one portion if
necessary.
 Students currently taking Algebra 1 will
take EOC this spring.
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Rigor
The STAAR will be harder than TAKS.
 There will be a satisfactory cut score
and an advanced cut score, likely to be
used to determine college readiness.
 There will also be Modified versions of
the EOCs for special needs students.
 There will be Alternative assessments
similar to the current TAKS Alternative.
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Rigor
High School required testing days go
from 25 to 45 (including summer).
 Tests will contain a greater number of
items that have a higher complexity
level.
 Process skills will be assessed in
context in social studies, science and
math.
 In science and math, the number of
open-ended (griddable) items will
increase.
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Rigor
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More emphasis on Readiness
standards, which are essential for
 success in the current grade or course,
 are important for preparedness for the next
grade or course,
 support college readiness,
 and address broad and deep ideas.
Thank you.