VII.8 Honor, Advanced Placement, And Advanced Education Curriculum/College Classes
The State Board of Education recognizes the importance of offering Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs to students who desire a more demanding curriculum than that offered in the regular classroom furthermore, the Board recognizes that certain criteria should be used in selecting students, teaches, and, if needed, adjunct teachers.
Therefore, the Logan County Board sets a policy to identify teachers to implement Honors, Advanced Placement and Advanced Education programs. The following addresses policy 2560 of the West Virginia Department of Education and all amendments to said policy.
Honors. Advanced Placement and Advanced Education
Section 1. Background.
West Virginia Code 18-2E-3a grants authority to the State Board of Education to provide Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs "to meet the needs of students who have the potential and desire to complete curriculum more demanding than that offered in the, regular classroom for their current grade level."
Section 2. Purpose.
Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education will provide opportunities for students to complete a more challenging academic curriculum. Honors Education will expand academic learning experiences within a program of study at the student's grade level. Honors Education may include, but is not limited to, research and in-depth studies, mentorships, content-focused seminars, and extended instructional objectives in the content areas. Advanced Placement shall be based on the College Board Advanced Placement Curriculum. Advanced Education will include programs that are advanced beyond those normally available for the age/grade level of the student. Advanced Education may include, but is not limited to, courses offered by postsecondary institutions, advanced courses offered via satellite, and other opportunities which lead to advanced standing in college.
Section 3. Curriculum
The County curriculum in Honors, Advanced Placement and Advanced Education is to be developed by appropriate educational professionals such as curriculum specialists, teachers, counselors, and administrators; approved by the county board of education and the state department of education; and when appropriate the postsecondary institution.
3.1 Honors curriculum must meet the criteria set forth the West Virginia Department of Education Instructional Goals and Objectives and Logan County Board of Education Policy. Honors Education Curriculum may include, but is not limited to the following enrichment courses: (a) research (b) in-depth studies; (c) mentorships; (d) content-focused seminars; and (e) extended learning outcomes.
3.2 Advanced Placement curriculum must meet criteria set forth by West Virginia Department of Education Instructional Goals and Objectives, Logan County Board of Education, and in addition, the College Board advanced placement curriculum.
3.3 Advanced Education curriculum will be determined by the offerings of the postsecondary institution. Curriculum offerings receiving dual credit must meet both the West Virginia Department of Education Instructional Goals and Objectives and the postsecondary institution syllabus.
Section 4. Student Selection.
4.1 Students who are eligible to participate in the Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs must have achieved at least two of the following:
(1) demonstrated exceptional ability and interest in the content area through past experience,
(2) obtained the prerequisite knowledge and skills to perform in these programs,
(3) be recommended by the student's former or present teacher in the content area;
(4) score appropriately on standardized test, which may include Act, SAT, Stanford 9, College placement.
4.2 Students should be limited to no more than three College Board Advanced Placement classes in a single school year. because of the heavy workload for students
4.3 The Stanford 9 or comparable achievement tests are suggested as quantitative measures of the criteria
4.4 Interest surveys, interviews, listing of awards, activities, clubs, etc. should be considered in student selection.
Section 5 Teacher Selection.
5.1 Staff assigned to teach Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs shall be selected, to the maximum extent possible, from those who hold the professional certificate with the appropriate subject area endorsement and /or approved by the postsecondary 'institution.
5.2 Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education teachers should be highly motivated; be certified in the appropriate content area; have a desire to teach honors, advanced placement, or advanced education classes: and be engaged in professional development activities.
5.3 If the Logan County Board of Education is unable to employ an educator who meets the above staff requirements, an adjunct or other qualified teacher may be employed provided: (1) the position is limited to Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs; (2) the position is posted as a vacancy prior to the beginning of the school year; (3) the applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree; (4) the applicant has been judged competent in the content area by the county superintendent and approved by the county board of education: and (5) the county applies for and receives from the West Virginia Department of Education a waiver to the certification requirements in accordance with state board policy.
Section 6 Procedures.
The Logan County Board of Education is to establish an in-service training program for teachers coordinated through the Institutions of High Education in the state to provide Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs in grades 9-12 to students who have the potential and desire to complete a more demanding curriculum.
Guidelines for Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education Programs college classes.
Section 1. Background.
West Virginia Code 18-2E-3a grants authority the State Board of Education to provide Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs "to meet the needs of students who have the potential and desire to complete curriculum more demanding than that offered in the regular classroom" The Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education policy outlines criteria for student selection, teacher selection, and curriculum.
Section 2. Procedures.
Based upon the identified students' needs, a curriculum which provides students with Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education programs in grades 9-12 is to be developed by appropriate educational professionals such as curriculum specialists, teacher, counselors, and administrators, and approved by county board of education.
Section 3. Definitions.
3.1 Honors Education is an expansion of academic learning experiences within a program of study at the student's grade level
3.2 Advanced Placement will be those courses guided by the College Board Placement curriculum.
3.3 Advanced Education is an academic learning experience characterized by content and performance expectations beyond those normally available for the age/grade level of the student which will lead to advanced standing in postsecondary education.
3.4 Dual Credit Offering will be those classes which will offer both secondary and postsecondary credit simultaneously. Credit will be confirmed by both the secondary and the postsecondary instructors working cooperatively to meet the Instructional Goals and Objectives of the West Virginia Department of Education and the syllabus of the postsecondary institution.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE DUAL CREDIT, A STUDENT MUST BE:
1. enrolled in SWVCTC and be a Senior at their high school
2. have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in grades 9-11
3. meet SWVCTC requirements for the class
The student will qualify for early release of the school day. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday, and Friday will not be a class day. First semester classes will begin the first week of school and the final exam will be given during the week prior to Christmas break. The second semester classes will begin in the week following the New Years Day holiday and the final exam will be given the first week of May.
Section 4. Curriculum
4.1 Honors Education Curriculum may include, but is not limited to the following enrichment courses: (a) research, (b) in-depth studies; (c) mentorships; (d) content-focused seminars; and (e) extended learning outcomes.
4.2 Advanced Placement Curriculum may include, but is not limited to the following: (a) curriculum established by the College Board Placement Curriculum; (b) meets the extended Goals and Objectives set forth by the West Virginia Department of Education; (c) successful completion of the Advanced Placement to receive advanced placement credit; (d) post secondary institutions may grant credit if postsecondary requirements are met.
4.3 Advanced Education Curriculum may include, but is not limited to the following courses: (a) College Board Advanced Placement (Advanced Placement courses); (b) classes offered by postsecondary institutions; (c) other classes that lead to advanced standing in college; and advanced courses offered via satellite.
4.4 The County Curriculum for Honors, Advanced Placement and Advanced Education is to be developed by appropriate educational professionals such as curriculum specialists, teachers, counselors, and administrators; approved by the county board of education and the state department of education.
Local school districts should have the opportunity to design special programs, based upon the definition of Honors, Advanced Placement, and Advanced Education, which will under approved circumstances, serve in lieu of the specific program of study designed for high school graduation, which may include dual credit courses as addressed in this policy.
4.5 Higher order thinking skills are to be incorporated into the Honors, Advanced Placement and Advanced Education programs to the maximum extent possible.
Section 5 Program Guidelines
5.1 Honors Education –
in-service and staff development programs which relate to honors education should be provided for teachers; training should relate to the honors education curriculum.
5.2 Advance Placement
(1) the principal should assess needs and interests of the school and students;
(2) the principal should select an Advance Placement coordinator, which should be a counselor. All college board correspondence is then done through the Advanced Placement coordinator.
(3) the principal should register the school with the college board to signify that the school will participate in the Advanced Placement program;
(4) the principal should determine teacher selection and training, determine eligibility of students, schedule students, and see that classrooms are equipped and furnished with lab materials.
(5) the advanced placement student must take the College Board Advanced Placement exam in order to get Advanced Placement designation for the course on the high school transcript; schools and counties are encouraged to contribute to the student's expense encountered in taking the Advanced Placement exam.
(6) grading scale will be adjusted for Advanced Placement classes.
A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C= 70 – 79
D= 60 - 69
WEIGHTED GRADES (ADOPTED February 23, 2006)
In accordance with WV Policy 2515, the Uniform Grading Policy 4.1. County boards of education have discretionary authority to issue weighted grades for courses or grade levels for which high school credit is to be awarded in accordance with county policy.
Use of college grading scale that will be used for our dual credit classes:
100 - 90 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
59 - below = F
This would be for our honors, AP, and dual credit classes effective upon passage.
5.3 Advanced Education
(1) courses will vary from year to year, students should check with counselors to determine appropriate classes for current term.
(2) students should be aware that some advanced education classes may offer dual credit.
(3) the student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 and/or approval from high school principal
(4) the students is fulfilling his or her high school graduation requirements;
(5) the student will be assigned to a high school teacher on days that the college teacher is not scheduled, if dual credit is to be received;
(6) if dual credit is not received, the student must meet the exemption to attendance policy and follow guidelines for early dismissal from school
(7) the cost of all tuition, books, and fees must be paid by the student or parents;
(8) transportation to and from the college is the responsibility of the parents.
Adopted: October 6, 1998 Revised September 13, 2000
VII.8.2. National Honor Society (Adopted December 14, 2000)
VII.8.3. ALGEBRA I PLACEMENT FOR 8TH GRADERS
Logan County Schools realize that mathematics is very important in the overall education of a child. Mathematics has been a challenging subject for the entire country. Knowing this, we have decided to address the issue of the 8th graders taking Algebra I. Our math teachers feel that we are allowing students who are not academically ready to be placed in a class and as a result they are not skill ready for Geometry, Algebra II and the higher maths upon completion. This also affects their readiness for the higher sciences.
We would like to recommend the following to address this issue:
I. Algebra I placements for 8th graders.
a. The student must score at least “above mastery” on the WESTEST in mathematics.
b. The student must have at least a 3.0 average in math for the 7th grade.
c. The student must have a math class in each grade 9-12.
II. Students who have taken Algebra I in the eighth grade may repeat Algebra I as a ninth grader in the regular school year and this grade will replace the Algebra I grade from the eighth grade. They can only take algebra I in the ninth and must wait to take Geometry as a 10th grader.
The reasoning for Part II of this policy is because our math teachers feel the attainment of Algebra I skills are of the utmost importance to students who are higher education bound. Algebra I is the gateway to higher math. We also feel this will reinforce the importance of our seventh grade math and our testing results will increase.