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Phone: 281-604-7025
Fax: 281-604-7026

Secondary Education

Dr. Kelly Trlica
Executive Director of Secondary Education
(281) 604-7027 Office
(281) 604-7026 Fax
trlicak@lpisd.org

Welcome to Secondary Education!

Dress Code | Secondary Transition | Secondary School Program

Advanced Level Work | Dual Enrollment Courses

Promotion, Retention and Placement

Secondary Transition

After a transition year at Baker 6th Grade School, students enter the secondary schools. They are:

• La Porte Junior High School (Grades 7 and 8) or Lomax Junior High (Grades 7 and 8)
• La Porte ISD junior high school students move to La Porte High School (Grades 9-12)

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Secondary School Program

Students have the option of graduating under one of three plans: the Minimum High School Program (24 credits); the Recommended High School Program (24 credits); the Distinguished Achievement (24 credits). In addition to attaining course credits, a student must pass the state mandated assessment measures.

Students who entered the 9 th Grade for the first time in the 2001-2002 school year must pass the EXIT Level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test in the 11 th grade in the four core subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, social studies, and science. The following information regards the format of each of the four tests:

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English Language Arts will include the following:

•  Revising/Editing Selection
•  Three pieces of multicultural literature (called a Triplet, 2 stories & 1 visual representation), thematically linked (approximately 3000-3500 words)
•  Multiple choice questions and three open-ended questions regarding the literature pieces
•  Composition - students may choose their own modality of writing

Mathematics:

•  Objectives 1-5 from Algebra curriculum
•  Objectives 6-8

9 th grade test - from 8 th Grade Geometry TEKS

10 th & 11 th grade tests - from Geometry Course's TEKS

•  Objectives 9 - Probability and Statistics (8 th Grade TEKS)
•  Objectives 10 - Mathematical Processes and Tools

Science:

•  Objective 1 - Scientific Processes and Skills
•  Objective 2 & 3 - Biology TEKS
•  Objectives 4 & 5 - Integrated, Physics and Chem. TEKS

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Social Studies:

•  Objective 1 - Grade 8 TEKS (early American history events)
•  Objective 2 - Geography TEKS
•  Objective 3 - Economic and Social Influences (10 th grade from W. History course and 11 th Grade from US History course)
•  Objective 4 - Political Influences (10 th Grade from W History course and 11 th Grade from US History course)
•  Objective 5 - Social Studies Skills (critical thinking skills)

 

Comparison of Diploma Plans

Students entering the ninth grade in 2004-2005 and thereafter must graduate under the Recommended High School Program unless the counselor, administrator, and parent determine that the Minimum High School Program is appropriate at the beginning of the 11 th grade year. All current 9 th -11 th grade students in LPISD will be encourage to start with the Recommended Diploma each year.

The individual plans in review again:

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Regular High School Program

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Recommended High School Program - Texas Scholars

• Students wishing to complete the new Distinguished High School Program must also complete the Recommended High School Program.

• College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate proficiency areas.

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Distinguished Achievement Program

The Distinguished Achievement Program is based on students completing the 24 credit Recommended High School Program. The Distinguished Achievement Program requires high performance beyond that expected of students in high school, and it includes an external evaluation component. The new program requires that all students who complete the Recommended High School Program also successfully complete any combination of four (4) advanced measures that meet the standards included in Texas Curriculum Requirements: Chapter 74.13.

A student who wishes to complete the Distinguished Achievement Program and have the accomplishment recognized on the transcript must complete the following requirements:

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La Porte ISD Guidelines for Original Research/Projects

1. One or two may be earned by fulfilling the requirements of the Distinguished Achievement Internship Class. Students are selected for this class based on teacher recommendations, applications and interviews.

2. One may be earned in the following ways if the published standard is met and documentation of the accomplishment is submitted.

• National History Day Competition: Superior or above rating at the state level (Texas History Day - Senior Division). Submit written documentation to the chairman of the Advanced Measures Review Committee.
• Science Fair Project: 1 st, 2 nd , or 3 rd place winners of any category (Phase II judging) at the Science Engineering Fair of Houston.
• The Texas All-State Band, Choir or Orchestra (TMEA). Membership in one of the Texas All-State groups and performance at the TMEA State Clinic/Concert.
• Music/Juried Recital: A score of 5 or above as determined by a panel of experts - rubric same as used in the Distinguished Achievement Internship Class. The Advanced Measures Committee will set up the judging and submit documentation.
• Visual Arts/Juried Show: A score of 5 or above as determined by a panel of experts - rubric same as used in the Distinguished Achievement Internship Class. The Advanced Measures Committee will set up the judging and submit documentation.
• Independent project approved in advance by the Advanced Measures Review Committee: A score of 5 or above as determined by a panel of experts - rubric same as used in the Distinguished Achievement Internship Class. The Advanced Measures Committee will set up the judging and submit documentation.
• State Academic Decathlon individual score of at least 700 in a single event.

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La Porte ISD Guidelines for Test Data

3. Test data:

• A score of three (3) or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination;
• A score of four (4) or above on an International Baccalaureate Examination (not currently offered at LPHS)
• A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition as a 'Commended Scholar' or higher by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of the College Board, or as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT score may count as only one advanced measure regardless of the number of College Courses:

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Advanced Level Work in Secondary Schools

Students have the option of taking Pre-Advanced Placement or Advanced Placement courses at the secondary level. Currently courses at junior high level are categorized as "Honors" , Gifted/Talented, or Pre-Advanced placement. For the 2004-2005 school year, all courses in grades 7-12 will be categorized as regular level academic work, Pre-Advanced Placement or Advanced Placement.

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PRE-ADVANCED PLACEMENT:

Pre-AP is defined as any course students take which leads to success:

• in an Advanced Placement course, and/or
• on an Advanced Placement exam, and/or
• in any course of study regardless of whether students attend a four-year university, a community college, a technical institute, or enter the work-place.

All Pre-AP courses offer the opportunity to:

• provide students with the skills and strategies necessary to be independent successful learners.
• challenge the student's creative and analytical reading, thinking, presenting, and writing skills.
• align with a standard of performance as indicated by AP examinations.
• become lifelong learners who participate yearly in AP conferences and institutes.

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT:

The purpose of College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses is to prepare the students for college work and/or AP exams that provide students the opportunity to receive college credit. By earning a college's required grade on an AP Exam (usually a 3, 4, or 5), students may receive the equivalent of credit for a semester's or year's worth of coursework. This could also save the student (parent) the cost of tuition or books for that required course.

A La Porte High School Advanced Placement course follows the curriculum developed by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. (A La Porte High student enrolled in an AP course studies a standardized curriculum similar to other AP courses offered across the country). A course designated as AP is therefore recognized nationally by high schools, colleges, and universities for the consistency of its curriculum.

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES:

• are more demanding than regular high school courses
• are recommended for highly motivated students
• are different from the regular high school courses in that they are taught with college curricula and college level materials. (The curriculum of an AP course at an accelerated pace, and performance is assessed at the analysis and synthesis level)
• allow students the opportunity to engage in subjects at a greater depth than regular courses
• give the students the background and preparation that will prove beneficial for student success when enrolled in college

Colleges and universities recognize that college applicants with AP course work experience are better prepared for the demands of college courses, thus improving a student's chance of being accepted into the college of his/her choice. La Porte High School (and most all other high schools) weigh the grades given in an AP course to compensate for the increased difficulty. Selected reading materials may be assigned over the summer months in the AP courses.

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS WHO TAKE ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES: According to The College Board, students who complete AP courses generally are:

• better prepared academically
• more likely to specialize in more challenging majors
• likely to complete more college coursework in four years
• likely to perform significantly better than students who did not take AP courses
• more likely to exercise leadership
• more likely to graduate with a double major
• twice as likely to go into advanced studies (Ph.D. programs)

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The following courses will be offered for advanced level work dependent upon sufficient enrollment. Beginning with the 2004 - 2005 school year a course must have a miniumum of 12 - 15 students to remain in the schedule.

Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement Courses at LPHS

• Pre-AP Algebra I (offered predominantly in grade 8)
• Pre-AP Geometry
• Pre-AP Algebra II
• Pre-AP PreCalculus
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Statistics
• AP Computer Science
• Pre-AP Biology
• AP Biology
• Pre-AP Chemistry
• AP Chemistry
• Pre-AP Physics
• AP Physics
• AP Environmental Science
• Pre-AP English I and II
• AP English III and IV
• AP Human Geography
• AP European History
• AP World History
• AP US History
• AP Government
• AP Economics
• AP Psychology
• Pre-AP French I, II, and III
• Pre-AP French III
• AP French IV
• Pre-AP German III
• AP German IV
• Pre-AP Spanish I, II, and III
• AP Spanish IV
• Pre-AP Art III
• AP Art IV
• AP Music Theory

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Dual Enrollment Courses

La Porte High School and San Jacinto College have entered into an agreement to offer courses at LPHS allowing students to earn high school credit towards graduation and college credit. Registration is open to twelfth grade students that meet enrollment and testing requirements of San Jacinto College . The cost of tuition and textbooks is provided by LPISD. A San Jacinto College instructor teaches the course on the LPHS campus. The only cost to the student is the San Jacinto College transcript needed to report credits earned. For further information and enrollment criteria, please contact your counselor.

Dual enrollment courses currently offered at LPHS:

• (1301 Composition I/1302 Composition II)
• (1324 Finite Math)
• English IV
• Finite Math
• (2301 Government)
• (1314 College Algebra)
• U.S. Government
• College Algebra

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Promotion, Retention, and Placement in Grades 6-8

A student is promoted from one grade to the next on the basis of academic achievement or demonstrated proficiency in the subject matter of the course or grade level and attendance. To earn credit in a course , a junior high student must have an overall average of 70 or above, based on course-level or grade-level standards , as well as an average of 70 or above in all four academic core courses: language arts (including reading improvement, if required), mathematics, social studies and science. In addition, students at certain grade levels will be required to pass the new Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) as a further requirement for promotion:

• In order to be promoted to grade 4 in school year 2003-2004, students must have performed satisfactorily on the Reading section of the grade 3 assessment test in English or Spanish.
• In order to be promoted to grade 6, students enrolled in grade 5 in school year 2004-2005 must perform satisfactorily on the Mathematics and Reading sections of the grade 5 assessment test in English or Spanish.
• In order to be promoted to grade 9, students enrolled in grade 8 in school year 2007-2008 must perform satisfactorily on the Mathematics and Reading sections of the grade 8 assessment test in English.
• Beginning in school year 2003-2004, students in grade 11 must pass the secondary exit-level assessment in English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science in order to receive a diploma. A student who does not pass the exit-level assessment will have additional opportunities to take the test.

Certain students - some with disabilities and some with limited English proficiency - may be eligible for exemptions, accommodations, or deferred testing. For more information, see the principal, counselor, or special education director.

In addition, students in grades 3, 5, and 8 must meet promotions standards established by the District in order to be promoted.

Parents of students who do not perform satisfactorily on their exams will be notified that their child will participate in special instructional programs designed to improve performance. These students will also have two additional opportunities to take the test. If the student fails a second time, a grade placement committee, consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and the student's parent, will determine the additional special instruction the student will receive. After a third failed attempt, the student will be retained; however, the parent can appeal this decision to the committee. In order for the student to be promoted, based on standards previously established by the District, the decision of the committee must be unanimous. Whether the student is retained or promoted, an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the student to perform at grade level by the end of the next school year.

A student in grades 6-8 who is not promoted shall be retained in the same grade. No student will be retained more than once in grades 5-8 unless a committee of the student's teacher(s) and two administrators approve and the parent(s) agree because of special circumstances.

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