High School Course Guide

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1 High School Course Guide Enrollment, College and Career Information

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3 Contents Planning for High School and College Planning Guide ACE/ELL Accommodation ACE Testing Exceptions and Exemptions ACE Testing Flowchart ACE College Prep Curriculum/Course Selection Courses Approved for Elective Credit/Putnam City AP and Honors Courses The Courses to Take to Prepare for College Requirements and Checklist for Graduation Freshman Checklist Sophomore Checklist Junior Checklist Senior Checklist College Readiness with ACT and PLAN College/University Concurrent Enrollment College/University Financial Aid Oklahoma s Promise Advanced Placement Course Descriptions Business and Computer Competitive Athletics Family and Consumer Science (F.A.C.S.) Financial Literacy Fine Arts Health and Physical Education Health Professions Language Arts Leadership Courses Marketing Education Mathematics Science Social Studies Technology Education World Languages Concurrent Enrollment in Technology Programs for College Credit Courses Available at Francis Tuttle Technology Center View this guide on the World Wide Web at: An Equal Opportunity Employer It is the fundamental policy of the Putnam City School District 1 to provide equal opportunity in all of its operations and in all areas of employment practice and to assure that there shall be no discrimination against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, marital or veteran status, or disability. 1

4 Planning Guide Scheduling Process This booklet is a synopsis of the courses to be offered during the school year and is designed to aid students and their parents in the selection of courses for pre-enrollment. It includes required and elective courses and activities for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. To be offered, each course must have a specified number of pre-enrolled students. Courses listed in this booklet which do not attract enough students during registration will not be offered. In some cases, a class may be paired with another class, as individual high schools may find it beneficial to schedule courses in combination to facilitate team teaching. Scheduling information will be available during pre-enrollment. Planning Process Please review the high school graduation requirements. Meeting these requirements is the responsibility of the student and parent. The school s staff can and will give advice about the courses that are offered, but ultimately success in high school rests upon the shoulders of each student. High school counselors and teachers are your greatest source of information when making course selections for the coming year. We recommend that students and parents work with the faculty and staff to plan the courses to be taken for the entire four years of high school, not simply those to be taken during the coming year. Things to consider when completing a four-year plan of study are high school graduation requirements, prior successes and failures, special interests and aptitudes, college entrance requirements, and other career plans. Valedictorian Cumulative GPA through the first semester of a student s senior year will determine valedictorian status. The top 1% of graduating seniors with the highest weighted GPA will earn valedictorian status. Eligible courses used to determine valedictorian status will be defined as those taken on campus during the potential 24.5 credits a student may be enrolled in from the first semester of their freshman year through the first semester of their senior year. For honor graduates, cumulative GPA through the first semester of a student s senior year will be used to determine eligible status. Graduation Exercises Students must meet graduation requirements by the end of the spring term in order to participate in graduation exercises. Students in the class of 2014 and beyond must complete 25 credits and pass four endof-instruction tests in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Twf the end-ofinstruction tests must include Algebra I and English II, or an approved alternative test, to participate in the graduation ceremony. Virtual Classes Web-based courses may be taken through Putnam City Schools by enrolling in Putnam City Virtual School, org. Virtual courses may be taken for remediation, credit deficiencies and course acceleration. Students may be eligible to take additional virtual course work in addition to the seven courses required for full-time enrollment. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to enroll in one virtual course per year at no additional cost. Students interested in this opportunity can obtain more information by contacting their counselor and the Putnam City District Enrollment Office at Unless otherwise authorized, students must be in school the full day and maintain a full schedule to graduate. Prepare to Excel Hannah Schmitz, a Putnam City High School graduate, explains how AP classes are helping her find success at Oklahoma State University. Go to the video 2

5 ACE Law Requires that Students Pass ACE Exams or an Alternative to Receive Diploma In 2005, Oklahoma legislators passed the Achieving Classroom Excellence (ACE) law, launching many new programs and requirements aimed at strengthening Oklahoma schools and insuring that high school graduates master skills to succeed in college and the workplace. The law says that students planning to graduate must additionally take and pass four end-of-instruction tests or perform at a specified level on any one of a number of alternative tests as determined by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Tests Students Must Pass Every Oklahoma student shall demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in the following subject areas in order to graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma: 1. Algebra I; 2. English II; and 3. Twf the following five: a. Algebra II, b. Biology I, c. English III, d. Geometry, and e. United States History. To demonstrate mastery, students must attain at least a proficient score on the end-of-instruction criterionreferenced tests administered. All students must take the end-of-instruction (EOI) exams for any course they complete and for which an EOI exists. Each student who completes the instruction for English II, English III, United States History, Biology I, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II at the secondary level shall complete an end-ofinstruction test. Students who do not attain at least a proficient score on any end-of-instruction test shall be provided the opportunity for remediation and the opportunity to retake the test until at least a proficient score is attained on the tests of Algebra I, English II, and twf the tests required or an approved alternative test. Remediation may be provided by extended time during the school day, a summer academy, tutoring, online coursework, or other supplementary services. Oklahoma law provides procedures whereby alternate tests may be used to fulfill the ACE graduation testing requirements. The alternate tests may not be given in lieu of the EOI exams, but may be used by students who did not score at the proficient level on one or more of the EOI exams required for graduation. Each ACE Exam has a set of qualified alternate tests, each with a qualifying Proficient and Advanced score. Qualifying Alternate Tests include selected subtests from ACT, PLAN, CLEP, SAT, IB, WorkKeys, and AP exams as well as proficient scores in Algrebra III (for Algebra II) and English III (for English II). See your counselor for information about specific minimum scores that must be attained to fulfill the ACE graduation testing requirement after an unsuccessful attempt on a specific EOI examination. Or go to A flowchart, the requirements, and a list of testing exemptions and exclusions are found on subsequent pages of this course guide. New Legislation: Senate Bill 559 (2013): Students who score 10 percent above the cut scores approved by the State Board of Education for the ACT, SAT, ACT PLAN or PSAT alternate tests shall be deemed to have satisfactorily demonstrated mastery of the state academic content standards in the subject areas for which alternative tests have been approved and shall be exempt from taking the EOI tests in the subject areas of Algebra II, English III, Geometry, or U.S. History. In addition, students who have a score that is equal tr above the cut scores approved by the State Board of Education for the Advanced Placement course exams, ACT Workkeys, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) alternate tests shall be deemed to have satisfactorily demonstrated mastery of the state academic content standards in the subject areas for which alternative tests have been approved and shall be exempt from taking the EOI tests in the subject areas of Algebra II, English III, Geometry, or U.S. History. Answers to frequently asked questions may be found on the State Department of Education web site, Additional Note: Putnam City students who received a failing grade in a course for which an EOI test is required, and who then score at least Proficient or Advanced on the related EOI or an associated alternative test approved by the State Board of Education, will be given credit for the class and have a grade of P (Pass) recorded on their transcript in addition to the grade of F. Accommodations for English Language Learners (ELLs) English language learners are students who speak a language other than English at home and whose English proficiency is limited. Oklahoma State s required English proficiency level is a literacy score of 4.5 and a composite score of 5.0 on the WIDA Test. WIDA stands for World-class Instructional Design and Assessment. Putnam City teachers use multiple strategies in mainstream classrooms, including, but not limited to, sheltered instruction strategies, differentiated strategies, and culturally responsive classroom strategies. Furthermore, when grammar is not the focus of instruction, teachers base the English language learners grade on content in lieu of grammatical correctness. Additionally, teachers are encouraged to provide ELLs with differentiated assignments and assessments. Instead of using a pass/fail grading system, they use grading modifications commonly used with students on IEP to determine a letter grade for ELL students who are classified as newcomers. 3

6 ACE Testing Exceptions and Exemptions Students who transfer from out of state Enter the ninth grade in or Following School Year in Another State Complete instruction of Algebra I, English II, or any other course needed to meet ACE graduation testing requirements while in other state Transfer to an Oklahoma Public High School Students who transfer from private school or home school Enter the ninth grade in or Following School Year in private school or home school Complete instruction of Algebra I, English II, or any other course needed to meet ACE graduation testing requirements while in private school or home school Either: 1 Submit documentation of passing a state-administered EOI or similar equivalent assessment in other state; or 2 Take EOI in Oklahoma; or 3 Apply score from previously administered approved Alternate Test; or 4 Take an approved Alternate Test; or 5 Complete an End of Course Project designed and approved by the State Board of Education Transfer to an Oklahoma Public High School Either: 1 Take EOI; or 2 Apply score from previously administered approved Alternate Test; or 3 Take an approved Alternate Test; or 4 Complete an End of Course Project designed and approved by the State Board of Education Record performance level on transcript (EOI only); Keep record of progress on completing ACE Testing Requirements Cumulative Record (if necessary); and Continue through ACE Testing Flowchart Record performance level on transcript (EOI only); Keep record of progress on completing ACE Testing Requirements Cumulative Record (if necessary); and Continue through ACE Testing Flowchart o Satisfactory/Proficient or Advanced Score o Limited Knowledge or Unsatisfactory Score o Satisfactory/Proficient or Advanced Score o Limited Knowledge or Unsatisfactory Score Offer Remediation** and Repeat Options Offer Remediation** and Repeat Options Students who receive course credit through Proficiency Based Promotion (PBP) Enter the ninth grade in or Following School Year Earn credit for Algebra I, English II, or any other course needed to meet ACE graduation testing requirements through PBP Students who do not have the opportunity to take a required EOI without extending their date of graduation Either: 1 Apply score from previously administered approved Alternate Test; or 2 Take an approved Alternate Test; or Either: 1 Take EOI; or 2 Apply score from previously administered approved Alternate Test; or 3 Take an approved Alternate Test; or 4 Complete an End of Course Project designed and approved by the State Board of Education Record performance level on transcript (EOI only); Keep record of progress on completing ACE Testing Requirements Cumulative Record (if necessary); and Continue through ACE Testing Flowchart o Satisfactory/Proficient or Advanced Score o Limited Knowledge or Unsatisfactory Score Offer Remediation** and Repeat Options 3 Complete an End of Course Project designed and approved by the State Board of Education Students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) Mastery in required subject areas may be demonstrated through a modified proficiency score on the state assessment(s) as established by the IEP team. Any deviation from the standard conditions, accommodations, or proficiency score on the state assessment(s) must be established with the student s IEP and denoted on the student s ACE Demonstration of Mastery Cumulative Record. Students with extenuating circumstances Students with extenuating circumstances (circumstances which are unexpected, significantly disruptive, beyond a student s control, and which may have reasonably affected his/her academic performance) may apply for a waiver for one or more of the steps listed in the ACE Testing Flowchart for an individual EOI from the Oklahoma State Board of Education. ACE Testing Exceptions and Exemptions Learn more about ACE at Start with the ACE Orientation video 4

7 Achieving Classroom Excellence Act (ACE) ACT OF 2005 AS REVISED IN 2006 ACE TESTING FLOWCHART Enter Ninth Grade in or Following School Year Enroll in College Preparatory/ Work Ready Curriculum Take End-of-Instruction (EOI) Test for each Course for which Instruction is Completed and an EOI Exists* or apply to an already administered alternate assessment score that is 10% above the Board approved cut score for ACT, PSAT/NMSQT or SAT or apply to an already administered alternate assessment score that is the same as the Board approved cut score for Work Keys,CLEP or IB for English III, Geometry, Algebra II or U.S. History. Enroll in Core Curriculum (Requires Parent/Guardian Opt Out) Record performance level on transcript (EOI Only) Demonstrate Mastery in 4 out of 7 Content Areas*, Including Algebra I and English II, and Meet All Other Graduation Requirements Satisfactory/Proficient or Advanced Score Keep record of progress on completing ACE Testing Requirements Cumulative Record Limited Knowledge or Unsatisfactory Score Satisfactory/Proficient or Advanced Score STEP 1 Offer Remediation** and Either: 1. Retake EOI; or 2. Apply score from previously administered approved Alternate Test; or 3. Take an approved Alternate Test; or 4. Complete an End of Course Project designed and approved by the State Board of Education. Limited Knowledge or Unsatisfactory Score Graduate with a Standard Diploma Repeat STEP 1 This flowchart represents typical situations and scenarios. For special cases, exceptions, and exemptions, please refer to the information on the back of this page. * End-of-Instruction Tests are available for Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology I, English II, English III, Geometry, and United States History. ** School districts will document refusal of participation in remediation. (OAC 210: ) 5

8 College Prep is Required The ACE law requires students to complete a college preparatory curriculum unless the student s parent or legal guardian approves the student to opt out of the college preparatory curriculum. If the parent or legal guardian chooses to exercise their option to not enroll the student in the college preparatory curriculum, the parent must sign and return the proper form, a sample of which is given below. Choosing the courses a student takes in high school is an important decision for parents and their student. A college preparatory curriculum is challenging and may help determine a student s future success. Research indicates that students who take a college preparatory curriculum and pursue education and training beyond high school have more career opportunities and a higher income and rate of employment. Parents or guardians are not required to sign this form as the student will automatically be enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum. However, if you do not want your student enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum, you must complete the information below and return it to the school prior to enrollment. The existing curriculum and college preparatory curriculum options are presented elsewhere in this guide. If you have questions, please contact your school principal or school counselor. To opt out of the college preparatory curriculum, please return this form to your school prior to enrollment. As the parent or legal guardian, please do not enroll the following student in the college preparatory curriculum. Student s Name (print) Grade: Name of High School: Parent/Guardian s Name (print) Parent/Guardian s Signature Date Parent/Guardian s Mailing Address: Daytime Telephone Number:SAMPLE Course Selection Course selection should be a firm decision, thoughtfully made by the student after careful consultation with parents, teachers and counselors. Considerations should be: 1) Graduation requirements: both total credits and specific courses, 2) Prior successes and failures, 3) Special interests and aptitudes, 4) College entrance requirements and other career plans. Institutional staffing, scheduling, building use, and budgetary decisions are based upon student pre-enrollment. Therefore, student requests for schedule changes sometimes cannot be granted. From the beginning of the scheduling process in January until the end of May, students are provided ample opportunities to take an active part in the development of their schedules. Any requests for schedule changes after the last day of school will be granted only in unusual situations and with administrative approval. No change will be possible after the last day of school. Schedule change requests may be made during the first week of school for the following reasons only: 1) To make up failures 2) Computer error 3) Outside credit earned 4) Misplacement due to lack of recommended courses or inadequate background All students are required to attend an entire school day. Exceptions are concurrent enrollment, mentorships and work study. No work permits will be issued for work during the school day. All students must complete eight (8) terms of high school. Exceptions may be approved by the superintendent of schools. Correspondence or online course(s) must be taken through an accredited institution recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and may not be counted toward daily attendance. Any course taken for credit must be pre-approved by the high school principal prior to enrollment. 6

9 Elective and AP Courses Fine Arts (1 credit) Art I-III Art 3D Art 3D Design Ceramics I (1/2) Ceramics II (1/2) Film Studies Dance I, II Stagecrafts I, II Theater I-III Instrumental Music I, II, III Vocal Music Choir I-IV Show Choir I, II AP Music Theory AP Art History Graphic Design AP Studio Art Humanities (see counselor for credit eligibility) Physical Education (1/2 credit) Aerobics Fitness/Wellness Training (Weight Training) Lifetime Recreation ROTC (physical education requirement waived if student is in competitive athletics, dance, cheer, pom, show choir, step team, athletic manager/trainer or marching band). Computer/Technology Computer Applications I Computer Applications II Fundamentals of Web Design Newspaper or Yearbook* Design 3-D CAD Computer Programming Electronics* Desktop Publishing Career Tech Computer Courses at FTCT Pre-Engineering* Robotics* Architectural Engineering* *(will not count for Oklahoma s Promise technology credit requirements) Advanced Placement/Pre-AP Courses Information The following honors courses will receive weighted credit based on a 5-point scale (5 points for a grade of A, 4 points for B, etc.). Students enrolling in Advanced Placement courses are expected to complete all components of the course, including the AP Examination. Financial assistance is available to help cover the costs of the examination. See the AP Coordinator in your high school or your counselor for details. Advanced Placement Pre-AP Classes English Language & Comp. (III) English Literature & Comp. (IV) Spanish Literature Spanish language French language Latin Mandarin Chinese Studio Art Art History Music Theory World Language Chemistry Biology Physics Environmental Science Calculus AB Calculus BC European History Psychology U.S. Government U.S. History Human Geography Statistics English I, English II Geometry Algebra II Math Analysis Biology I Chemistry I Physics I French III Spanish III Chinese III Latin III Putnam City graduates who attempt and complete 5 or more Advanced Placement courses will earn the district AP Achievement Award. Awardees will be entitled to wear a special medal signifying this achievement during graduation exercises. 7

10 Preparing For College The Courses to Take The 2005 Oklahoma Legislature passed SB 982, also known as the ACE College Preparatory/Work Ready Curriculum, mandating a default college preparatory/work ready curriculum beginning with students graduating from high school in The default curriculum is aligned with the 2010 Oklahoma s Promise curriculum, and the legislation requires that all courses within the curriculum be approved for college admission. ( Putnam City graduation requirements may exceed those for admission to Oklahoma colleges and universities. English 4 units grammar, composition and literature Math 3 units Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, math analysis, pre-calculus (taken in (must have completed geometry and Algebra II), calculus and Advanced high school) Placement statistics Laboratory Science 3 units biology, chemistry, physics or any lab science certified by school district; general science courses don t qualify History and 3 units must include one unit of American history and two units from the subjects of Citizenship Skills history, economics, geography, government, civics and/or non-western culture Other 2 units from any of the subjects listed above or from computer science units or world language units. Total 15 units Colleges and universities also recommend one additional unit of science, one additional unit of math, and two units of fine arts. The Grades to Make When you apply for admissions to an Oklahoma state college or university, the institution will look at either your score on a national test (ACT or SAT) or your high school grade point average (GPA) and where your average ranks within your high school class or your GPA in the 15 high school core classes required for college entry. OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSION STANDARDS FOR FALL 2014 Oklahoma State University University of Oklahoma University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Regional Universities Community Colleges Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT OR have a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top 33 percent of your class OR have a 3.0 GPA 1 in the 15-unit core and a 21 ACT or 980 SAT OR score a 22 ACT or 1020 SAT or have an unweighted high school core curriculum GPA of 3.0 plus undergo a review of cognitive and non-cognitive factors 2 (Resident) 3 - Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT and have a 3.0 GPA or rank in the top 50 percent of your class OR have a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top 25 percent of your class For Fall 2016, all Oklahoma resident students will be considered for admission using holistic review and selection, which will employ a wide-range of student profiles. The University of Oklahoma will continue to adhere to Oklahoma State Regents minimum standards for admission to research-tier institutions which includes a 22 ACT/1020 SAT or un-weighted core GPA of at least 3.0 (Non-Resident) - Score a 26 ACT or 1170 SAT and have a 3.0 GPA or rank in the top 50 percent of your class OR have a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top 25 percent of your class 3,4 OR have a 3.5 GPA and rank in the top 25 percent of your class 4 OR have a 3.0 GPA 1 in the 15-unit core and a 22 ACT or 1020 SAT 5 Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT AND have a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top 50 percent of your class OR have a 3.0 GPA 1 and rank in the top 25 percent OR have a 3.0 GPA and a 22 ACT or 1020 SAT. Score a 20 ACT or 940 SAT OR have a 2.7 GPA and rank in the top 50 percent of your class OR have a 2.7 GPA 1 You don t need to make certain scores, but you should fulfill the following requirements: take required high school classes AND graduate from an accredited high school or have a GED AND take the ACT exam Additional weighting (1.0) will be added to the GPA of students who take Advanced Placement 2, 3, 4, 5 - Resident and Nonresident students who do not precisely meet all admission standards but meet other cognitive and noncognitive factors may be admitted or placed on a waiting list and evaluated for possible admission according to stated policy. For details go to Note: If you want to go to a state university, but you don t meet the course and grade requirements, ask your high school counselor about Oklahoma s Right-to-Try provisions.

11 Oklahoma and Putnam City Curriculum Class of Requirements 2015 for Graduation Classes and of 2014 Thereafter Beyond ACE Graduation Requirements College Prep Requirements Standard Requirements 4 English: 1 credit of English I 1 credit of English II 1 credit of English III 1 credit of English IV 3 Mathematics: (taken in high school.) Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Math Analysis, Calculus, or any mathematics courses with content and/or rigor above Algebra I and approved for college admission. Course English I English II English III English IV Math Math Math Math Semester Completed Semester Completed 3 Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or any lab science courses with content and/or rigor equal to or above Biology and approved for college admission Biology I Science Science Science 3 Social Studies: 1 credit United States History 1/2 credit Government 1/2 credit Oklahoma History 1 credit of World History United States History Government Oklahoma History World History o o o o 1 The Arts: 1 credit of Fine Arts which may include, but are not limited to, music, art or drama OR 1 unit of Speech. Fine Arts or Speech 1/2 Physical Education: 1/2 credit in the area of Physical Education Physical Education o o * physical education requirement waived if student is in competitive athletics, cheer, pom, dance, show choir, step team, athletic trainer, ROTC, or marching band. 2 World Language: 2 credits of the same World Language OR 2 Computer Technology approved for college admission (11/2 ACE requirement plus 1/2 from below) 1/2 Computer/Technology: (PC Requirement) 1/2 credit in the area of Technology World Language World Language OR Computer/Technology Computer/Technology Computer/Technology o o o 1/2 Financial Literacy Financial Literacy o o EOI Tests Completed Satisfactory or Advanced scores in 4 of the following Oklahoma End of Instruction tests are required: Biology I, English II, English III, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and United States History Additional elective credits to reach a total of 25. English II (required) English III Algebra I (required) Geometry Algebra II Biology I US History o o o o o o o 25 Total Credits 9

12 Freshman Checklist Study hard. Build good study habits to keep your grades in tip-top shape. Save money. Sign up for a college savings account from Oklahoma s 529 college savings plan (OK4Saving.org) or continue to add money to an existing account. It s generally best to keep most savings in the parents name. Apply for Oklahoma s Promise. If you didn t apply during 8th grade, visit okpromise.org for program requirements and to sign up for this scholarship program. Talk it up. Discuss your future plans with your guidance counselor, teachers, family members or other trusted adults. Take the right classes. To be college-bound, your class schedule should contain at least four college-preparatory classes per year, including: 4 units of English 3 units of math (at or above Algebra I) 3 units of laboratory science 3 units of history/citizenship skills 2 units of electives from the areas above or foreign language or computer science Some schools recommend you take an extra unit in math, an additional unit in lab science and two units in speech or fine arts (music, art or drama). Check it out. Investigate college entrance requirements at OKcollegestart.org. Track it. Use the High School Planner found at OKcollegestart.org to keep track of your courses and grades. Invite your counselor to view your online High School Planner to help keep you on track for success. File it away. Create a My future file which should contain the following items: Copies of report cards Lists of awards and honors Lists of paid or volunteer school and community activities Skill assessment quizzes and results Think about it. Start thinking about the university, college or technology center you d like to attend. Check out the Explore Colleges section on OKcollegestart.org and plan a campus tour. Download a Campus Visit Checklist at UCanGo2.org/resources, which will provide a list of ideas to help you set up a successful college tour. Take it to the next level. Investigate AP and other honors-level courses to know what s available and if you re eligible to enroll. Visit UCanGo2.org for tools to help you plan, prepare and pay for college!

13 Visit UCanGo2.org for tools to help you plan, prepare and pay for college! Sophomore Checklist Keep it up. Study hard to keep your grades up. Save money. Sign up for a college savings account from Oklahoma s 529 college savings plan (OK4Saving.org) or continue to add money to an existing account. It s generally best to keep most savings in the parent s name. Last chance. Don t miss out on Oklahoma s Promise! If you didn t sign up in the 8th or 9th grade, visit okpromise.org for program requirements and to sign up for this scholarship program. Talk it up. Continue your conversations with your guidance counselor, teachers, family members or other trusted adults about your plans after high school. Talk with family and friends about their educational choices. Know what you need. Review what courses you ll need to take to satisfy the requirements of the school you re interested in attending. Visit OKhighered.org to learn more. Take it to the next level. Investigate AP and other honors-level courses to know what s available and if you re eligible to enroll. File it away. Keep updating your My future file, which should contain the following items: Copies of report cards Lists of awards and honors Lists of paid or volunteer school and community activities Skill assessment quizzes and results Be active. Continue participating in extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Many admissions officers look for students who actively participate in their school and community. Keep it up. Stay involved in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with a special focus such as music, arts, science, etc. Check out the free Summer Academies offered to 8th-12th grade students, which allow you to spend time at an Oklahoma college or university and learn about aeronautics, engineering, forensic science and much more. Contact OKhighered.org/Summer-Academies or call for more information. PLAN. Take the PLAN test (ACTStudent.org/plan/) to help you prepare for the ACT, which you can take during your junior year. The PLAN evaluates your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning. Ask your school counselor for more information. Hit the books. Study for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. Visit the Test Prep section at OKcollegestart.org for helpful resources. Visit UCanGo2.org/Students to find links for test locations and dates. Look into it. Investigate your concurrent enrollment options. You may be able to enroll in college as a junior or senior, if you meet certain requirements. Check with your counselor for more information. Jot it down. Write a pros and cons list of schools you re interested in attending. Be sure to evaluate degree programs, location, cost, etc. Need help? Check out the Explore Colleges section at OKcollegestart.org.

14 Junior Checklist Fall Checklist Keep talking. Continue your conversations with your guidance counselor, teachers, family members or other trusted adults about your plans after high school. Talk with family and friends about their educational choices. Take it to the next level. Enroll in AP and other honors-level classes, if possible. Enroll now. Sign up for college credit courses while in high school. Discuss concurrent enrollment with your counselor. See for yourself. Attend a college fair event in your area. These events offer families a chance to talk with school representatives. Visit UCanGo2.org to find the College Fair Worksheet with great questions to help you at the fair. Add it to your calendar. Visit UCanGo2.org/Students to find dates for the ACT, SAT, PSAT and AP (Advanced Placement) or other honors-level exams being offered. These exams are important college preparation steps. Do a thorough review. Ask for a preview of your academic record and profile and evaluate yourself. Look for gaps or low points, and seek advice from your counselor about ways to improve your profile. Choose an exam. ACT or SAT? Contact the school you plan to attend and ask which test they prefer. Once you decide which exam to take, sign up and make a note of the date, time and location. Get in. Investigate admission requirements for your chosen school(s). Pssst remember the PSAT. Register and take the PSAT exam offered in October. This score is required for several national scholarships, including the National Merit Scholarship. Pare it down. Narrow your list of schools based on research you ve already completed. Your list will probably include three to five schools. Get aid. Financial aid, that is. Start researching your grant, scholarship and student loan options by checking out the Are You Looking for Money? booklet in the Resources section at UCanGo2.org. Talk taxes. Find tax tips for you and your parent(s) on the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit at IRS.gov. Visit UCanGo2.org for tools to help you plan, prepare and pay for college!

15 Spring Checklist Start the process. You and your parent(s) may want to schedule campus visits during summer vacation so you don t miss school. However, some high schools consider a campus visit an excused absence. Check with your counselor. When scheduling your visit, keep in mind that many campuses close for spring break. Repeat testing. Register for the spring ACT and/or SAT tests. You may want to take the exam again over the summer and/or in the fall of your senior year to boost your score. Select special classes. If you re interested in taking AP or honors-level exam(s), sign up now. If your school doesn t offer these classes, check with your guidance counselor to see if and when other schools in your area offer them. These classes are worth checking out because some offer college credit, which could save you time and money in the long run. Find some money for college. Continue researching financial aid options that are the best fit for you and your family. Let it add up. Continue to contribute to your 529 College Savings Plan (OK4Saving.org) or another savings plan. It s generally best to keep most savings in the parents name. Keep tabs. Keep updating your My future file, which should contain the following items: Copies of report cards Paid, volunteer, school and community activities Your Tracking My Classes and Achievements worksheet Skill assessment quizzes and results Summer Checklist Recruit some ambassadors. Ask teachers or other community members to write letters of recommendation for your college admission and scholarship applications. Think about what you d like to include in these letters and politely ask those you respect if they ll help. Extend your stay. You may have already toured some campuses, but use the summer months to visit friends and family currently attending the school(s) you re interested in. Consider sitting in on classes or staying in the dorms with your pals. Also, call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admission and academic advisers. All these experiences will help you get a feel for the school to see if it s a good fit for you. Be courteous. If you gn interviews or visits, don t forget to send thank-you notes to those who helped you. Do it again. You may want to take the ACT and/or SAT test more than one time in an attempt to boost your score. Practice and evaluate. Complete online admission applications by filling out rough drafts without submitting them. Focus on the essay portions of these applications and decide how you would like to present yourself. Don t forget to mention your activities outside of school. Ask family or friends to review your applications, especially the essays, and provide feedback. Apply early. If you have a clear first choice school, decide if you re going to apply for early decision or early action. Be aware! If you re accepted for early decision, you may be committing yourself to attend that school. Decide what you like. Explore careers by taking a summer job or internship in your field of interest. Remember to set some money aside from your paycheck to pay future expenses. Check the mail. Read your college mail and send reply cards to the schools that interest you.

16 Visit UCanGo2.org for tools to help you plan, prepare and pay for college! Senior Checklist Fall Checklist Take action now. Continue to explore opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. Talk to your counselor about concurrent enrollment. Stay on track. Review courses with your counselor to make sure you re meeting high school graduation and entrance requirements for the schools that interest you. Visit UCanGo2.org/ resources for more information about graduation requirements. Learn more. Attend college fairs, college planning sessions and financial aid information sessions for answers to your questions. Study. Keep making the effort to maintain your grades. These habits will come in handy during your college coursework. Keep saving. Continue to plug money into your Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan (OK4Saving.org) or other savings account. It s generally best to keep most savings in the parent s name. Sign up. Even if you ve already taken the ACT or SAT, register for the fall ACT and/or SAT tests; you might boost your score! Find test locations and dates at UCanGo2.org/Students. Narrow your choices. Many students select three to five schools to apply to, including their dream school, their safety school and twr three other choices. Take a tour. If you haven t already, visit schools that are a good match to your abilities and career interests. Use the tools found on UCanGo2.org to make your campus visit a success. Go for free money. Search and apply for as many grants and scholarships as possible. Check out UCanGo2.org to search for scholarships by deadline or category and to view a list of trusted scholarship search sites. Be sure to check with local civic organizations or employers for additional scholarship sources. Research aid. Check for specific information about college costs and any other financial aid that may be available at UCanGo2.org and in our Are You Looking for Money? booklet. Fill it out. Decide which college(s) you re interested in attending and submit admission and financial aid applications. Be aware of deadlines. Send it in. If you haven t already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the school(s) to which you re applying.

17 Spring Checklist Talk taxes. Make sure you and your parent(s) have completed your income tax forms as soon after Jan. 1 as possible in anticipation of completing financial aid applications, some of which have very early deadlines. Get a PIN. Request a federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) at PIN.ed.gov. This PIN is used throughout the federal aid process, including for completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fill out the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after Jan. 1. Apply online each year at FAFSA.gov. You ll use your PIN to access and electronically sign the FAFSA. Apply for grants and scholarships early since funding is limited and deadlines are tight. If you re an Oklahoma s Promise student, you must complete the FAFSA in order to qualify for the program. Check in. Contact the admission office at the school(s) you may attend to make sure they ve received your information. Look for the SAR. Review the information provided on your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you after you file the FAFSA, for accuracy. Any inaccurate items need to be corrected and returned for processing. Call to confirm. Contact the financial aid office at the school(s) you d like to attend to make sure they ve received your information. Take the test. You ve studied hard, so take the exams for any AP and other honors-level subjects. Ask for it. Request that your high school send your final transcript to the school(s) to which you applied. Keep an eye open. Watch your mailbox or for FAFSA results and/or financial aid award letters. Many colleges their award letters. You may want to check with the school you plan to attend and ask how this information will be sent. Sign and send. Promptly accept your financial award letter, if required. You don t have to accept all loan funds offered to you; borrow only what you need! Summer Checklist Decisions, decisions. If you ve been accepted to multiple schools, make a decision and notify the school you plan to attend as soon as possible. You may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit to secure your spot. Waiting game. You may be placed on a waiting list for an opening at the school. If so, contact the school to let them know you re still interested. Pay attention to the MPN. If you ve been offered a federal student loan and you need it to pay for school, complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) to accept it. If you have questions, contact your educational institution or the Department of Education s Direct Loan Servicing department at

18 College Readiness What Does College Readiness Mean? Students who are college ready are academically prepared to enroll and succeed in college-level courses without needing to take developmental/remedial coursework during the freshman year in college. The ACT College Readiness Benchmarks (English, 18; Math, 22; Reading, 22; Science Reasoning, 23) represent the minimum scores needed for a 50% chance of making a B or better or a 75% chance of making a C or better in entry-level college courses. To find out how scores relate to academic skills, visit 16 What is the ACT? The ACT is a timed, curriculum-based, achievement test with four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. The writing test is optional. There are 215 questions on the ACT: English, 75 items (45 minutes); Math, 60 items (60 minutes); Reading, 40 items (35 minutes); and Science Reasoning, 40 items (35 minutes). The optional writing test adds 30 minutes. Preparation for the ACT includes becoming familiar with the types of questions asked, taking rigorous academic courses, building critical thinking skills, and practicing taking timed tests. Free test preparation materials are available from school counselors or from Why Should You Take the ACT? ACT scores are accepted by all colleges/universities nationwide for college admission. All post-secondary schools in Oklahoma, including CareerTech, require that an incoming student have an ACT score. Many schools and universities use the results for course placement, course credit, and student advising. All highly-selective schools accept the ACT, and many will not require subject-related tests since the ACT is curriculum based. Students who plan to attend college or Universities outside of Oklahoma should also take the SAT. The questions on the ACT are directly related to what has been learned in high school courses in English, mathematics, and science. Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, many students are more comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or tests with narrower content. Students may qualify for fee waivers. School counselors will have information on fee waivers. Acceptable ACT scores vary. Postsecondary institutions typically post on their website the scores students need to earn, usually combined with class rank and/or GPA, to gain acceptance at that institution. The ACT score range is A general guideline is: Admission Standard Typical Scores Open Traditional (OU and OSU require a 24 composite) Selective Highly selective The best time to take the ACT is in April or June before the beginning of the junior year. Students can retake the ACT during the fall of the senior year if not happy with their scores and many students take the ACT 2 or more times. Following this strategy will allow students who want to raise their scores the opportunity to do so. Testing the first time during the senior year may be too late for some scholarship and university application deadlines. You may register for the ACT at

19 ACT s EXPLORE and PLAN give students information to help plan for the future. The tests help students prepare for college and for the ACT. EXPLORE, PLAN and the ACT are designed to work together to help students make educational and career plans starting in 8th grade and take them through high school and beyond. ALL Putnam City students take EXPLORE in their 8th-grade year as a part of a program funded by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education. The Regents also provide for the PLAN test, which is taken by all Putnam City students early in their 10th-grade year. Each of these programs includes a test with four parts English, mathematics, reading, and science and each offers an interest inventory. The inventory leads to career information for students based on their interests, abilities and work preferences. Students can use the test scores to find out how well they know the subject matter and what they need to learn next. This will help them prepare for college and these results from EXPLORE and PLAN will also help them score better on the ACT. The best-kept secret is that students can get a predicted score range for the next test. A student s EXPLORE results include a predicted score range for PLAN. This predicted score range assumes that the student will take additional coursework and have some academic growth. The same thing goes for the PLAN results. Students get a predicted ACT score range on the PLAN report, again, assuming additional coursework and academic growth. Score information can be used by the student and parents, not just by the counselor and admissions officers. EXPLORE and PLAN help students identify areas of academic strength and weakness in four areas important for success in college and the workplace English, math, reading, and science. PLAN can provide students and their parents with an early indicator of readiness for college, provide important information for building a high school course plan, and help identify careers in which he/she might be interested. What s the test like? PLAN includes four multiple-choice tests covering English, mathematics, reading, and science the same subjects covered by the ACT test. What Courses Do You Need for College and Career Preparation? ACT has suggested a core curriculum to prepare for college-level work. Make sure you check the requirement for the colleges and programs in which you are interested to see if additional classes are needed ACT recommends that students take a core curriculum of at least: Four years of English Three years of mathematics, including rigorous courses in Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II Three years of science, including rigorous courses in Biology, Chemistry and Physics Three years of social studies The number one reason to take the right courses is to prepare to do college work and avoid the need to take remedial courses in college. It s a waste of time and money to take basic courses in college that a student should have taken in high school. Worse yet, a student can become discouraged and drop out. ACT research shows that one-fourth of college students don t return for their second year of school, and only half graduate from the same school within five years. Many students aren t completing their college degrees, and a big reason is that they aren t prepared to do the work. The idea is to get through college, not just into college. 17

20 Concurrent Enrollment Concurrent enrollment allows outstanding junior or senior high school students to take credit-earning college courses. The latest available admission requirements are listed below. Concurrent Enrollment Standards High School Seniors Oklahoma State University Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT OR have a 3.0 GPA AND rank in the top 33 percent of your class. University of Oklahoma Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT AND have a 3.0 GPA or rank in the top 50 percent of your class OR have a 3.0 GPA AND rank in the top 30 percent of your class. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT OR have a 3.0 GPA AND rank in the top 25 percent of your class. Regional Universities Score a 20 ACT or 940 SAT OR have a 3.0 GPA AND rank in the top 50 percent of your class. Community Colleges Score a 19 ACT or 900 SAT OR have a 3.0 GPA. High School Juniors Research Universities (OSU and OU) Score a 25 ACT or 1130 SAT OR have a 3.5 GPA. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma - Score a 24 ACT or 1090 SAT OR have a 3.5 GPA. All Other Regional Universities Score a 23 ACT or 1050 SAT OR have a 3.5 GPA. Community Colleges Score a 21 ACT or 980 SAT OR have a 3.5 GPA. The required ACT score is the composite score without the writing component. The required SAT score is the combined critical reading and mathematical score without the writing component. All concurrent students must have a signed statement from the high school principal stating that they are eligible to satisfy requirements for graduation from high school (including curricular requirements for college admission) no later than the spring of the senior year and must also provide a letter of recommendation from the school counselor and written permission from a parent or legal guardian. A high school student may enroll in a combined number of high school and college courses per semester not to exceed a full-time college workload of 19 semester credit hours. For purposes of calculating workload, one high school unit shall be equivalent to three semester credit hours of college work. College coursework taken concurrently MAY qualify toward high school graduation credit. Check with your counselor for details as some college coursework may qualify only as elective high school credit and credit-hour equivalencies depend upon the correlation of the college class syllabus with the Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS). Additionally, high school students who want to enroll in college-level courses must earn a score of 19 or higher on the ACT subject test for the area(s) in which they want to enroll. Subject tests include English, reading, mathematics and science reasoning. An ACT subject score of 19 in reading is required for enrollment in any subject area other than English, mathematics and science reasoning. Institutional secondary testing may not be used for placement. Also, concurrent students may not enroll in remedial (zero-level) coursework offered by colleges and universities designed to remove high school deficiencies. Each high school senior who meets the requirements for concurrent enrollment shall be entitled to receive a tuition waiver for the amount of resident tuition (only) for a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester. All colleges charge additional one-time, per credit hour, and/or per semester fees which are not covered by the tuition waiver which may add significant cost to your enrollment. For information regarding the application process for this waiver contact the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education office at or OKcollegestart.org is the state s official website that provides information about higher education in Oklahoma for students, counselors, and parents. It is designed to be the most comprehensive and current source for college planning for Oklahoma students. OKcollegestart.org includes the following features: Explore Colleges and Careers Discover the colleges and universities in the state. Determine the careers that best match your skills and interests. Match schools with your career interests. Plan and Pay for College See which high school classes are needed to meet admission requirements. Learn about ways to pay for college. Apply online for Oklahoma s Promise OHLAP. Create a personal portfolio to track your college planning. 18 Apply to College Gather information about the admission requirements at all Oklahoma colleges and universities. Apply online to most of the colleges and universities in Oklahoma.