Career Advisement Plan

56 Pages·2007·3.44 MB·English

Brockton High School
Main Office: [phone]
Fax number: [phone]
Registration Office: [phone]
Azure House Red House
Housemaster: [phone] Housemaster: [phone]
Assistant Housemaster: [phone] Assistant Housemaster: [phone]
Guidance Office: [phone] Guidance Office: [phone]
Green House Yellow House
Housemaster: [phone] Housemaster: [phone]
Assistant Housemaster: [phone] Assistant Housemaster: [phone]
Guidance Office: [phone] Guidance Office: [phone]
Brockton Public Schools
Superintendent’s Office: [phone]
www.brocktonpublicschools.com
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
www.brocktonpublicschools.com
PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
© 2006 Brockton Public Schools
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PROJECT DIPLOMA: Table of Contents
2

INTRODUCTION
• Introduction to Project Diploma .................................................3
• Road Map to Success ...................................................................4
• Acedemic Profile: Brockton High School .................................6
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
1 Brockton High School Course Selection ..................................8
A. Credits for promotions
B. Semesters and credits currently required
C. MCAS
D. Four year college admission requirements
E. Two year college or technical school, or military enlistment
2 How Do I Do It? / Academic Considerations .............................9
A. General Tips
B. School Support Services
C. Future Course Selection and Goals for the Following Year
D. Co-Curricular Involvement
E. Volunteer Activities
FRESHMAN REQUIREMENTS
1 Freshman Course Offerings/Requirements ................................10
2 Assessments ...................................................................................10
3 Future Planning ...............................................................................10
A. Bridges©
B. Planning Ahead
SOPHOMORE REQUIREMENTS
1 Sophomore Course Offerings/Requirements .............................11
2 Assessments ...................................................................................11
A. MCAS
B. Standardized Tests
3 Future Planning ...............................................................................13
A. Bridges©
B. Planning Ahead
JUNIOR REQUIREMENTS
1 Junior Course Offerings/Requirements ......................................14
2 Assessments ...................................................................................15
A. MCAS
B. Standardized Tests
3 Future Planning ...............................................................................15
A. Bridges©
B. Planning Ahead
SENIOR REQUIREMENTS
1 Senior Course Offerings/Requirements .....................................16
2 Assessments ...................................................................................16
A. MCAS
B. Standardized Tests
3 Future Planning ...............................................................................17
A. Bridges©
B. Planning Ahead
Additional Opportunities
1 Business, Technology, and Career Education ...........................18
2 Transitional Bilingual Education .................................................20
3 Summer School Education ...........................................................21
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
............................................................................22
APPENDICES
.......................................................................................................26
Worksheets
......................................................................................................43
ENCLOSURES
..........................................................................................Career Plan insert
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools
Introduction to Project Diploma
3
PLANNING
FOR SUCCESS
Introduction to Project Diploma
Welcome to Project Diploma, designed to help Brockton’s We especially direct your attention to the worksheets at
high school students plan for success in high school and the back, and our new Career Advisement Plan, designed
beyond. This guide will walk our students, their families, as a working pull out tool. We also invite use by our
and interested community members through local and students (and parents) of an interesting and very engag-
state requirements for getting a high school diploma ing web site called Bridges, which will help them take full
from Brockton High School, while simultaneously helping advantage of the Internet as a tool for their success in
students get ready for college and careers. It presents high school. Students should consult with their guidance
concrete information about each year at Brockton High, counselor about access to this program.
related testing requirements, including the MCAS and
SAT’s, and much more. As a last note, we thank the Massachusetts Department
of Education for offering grant funding through its Col-
The information herein provided is meant to be utilized laborative Success Plan initiative so that this guide could
by not only students, but particularly their parents and be created. With that funding the Brockton High School
interested community members. This guide assists Guidance Department and its Planning Tool Development
students attain their high school diplomas with success, team were able to dedicate the time and energy required
aspire for a college education, and become functional to create the contents of this guide. We also thank Com-
and contributing citizens of the community. As a result, munities and Schools for Success (CS2), a youth initiative
parents and interested family members are urged to inform of the Commonwealth Corporation, for its leadership of
themselves with the contents of this planning tool and this project and its technical assistance. Thanks also to
work alongside the student to support them in their pursuit the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board for its role
of excellence. Community resources abound that can also in the development of the community resources section
be referred to for further assistance and support. of the guide.
The Brockton Public School system welcomes educational use of these materials by other schools interested in creating their own similar
documents, requesting only a written acknowledgement in any new materials that are copied in whole or part from these materials.
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools
4
YIELD
Get MCAS
results.
Register for the PSAT’s
(Offered only once in
October).
GRADE
Continue to take courses
Take Freshman Required 9
at the most difficult level you
courses at the most difficult
can handle, especially if
level you can handle.
college bound.
GRADE
Welcome Juniors!
Get to know your school: You’re halfway through!! 11
explore sports and activities,
join clubs, become involved
Look into
volunteer work and Strive to pass all
community service. classes with good grades
and stay involved.
Log onto Bridges©
Explore. Follow directions on
Planning Tool Assistance Take the MCAS,
for Freshmen. GOOD LUCK!
Strive to pass all
classes with good grades
and stay involved.
Planning on going to
a 4-yr. college and in Advanced
Classes? Think about taking the PSAT’s,
GRADE see the Assessments section of
0 the Sophomore Planning
1
Stay in the most Tools Outline.
difficult classes you
can handle.
Log back onto Bridges.
Consider leadership Do the Interest Profiler in
roles in your clubs and Focus on preparing for Choices Planner©. Follow the
activities. MCAS in and out of class. The directions on the
Planning Tool Outline
higher your score, the better your
for Sophomores.
chances of earning free tuition at a
state college/university.
© 2006 Brockton Public Schools
5
NO For those who did not Take advantage of
PASS pass. sTuapkpeo irnt- csclahsosoels M. CAS after school, night school, and
Massasoit support services.
YIELD Keep up attendance and
grades. This will be very
important in the future.
PASS
WITH
Once you have passed,
CARE Congratulations!! Take the retest(s) for the
sections you did not pass.
Good luck!!
Continue to be an active
member of clubs and activities
and take leadership roles.
Log back onto Bridges©.
Do activities in the Work and Learn
sections suggested in the Planning
Tool Outline for Juniors.
4-yr. college-bound:
take May or June SAT’s.
Develop a list of
colleges of interest and
start to visit them.
Strive to pass all CONGRATULATIONS!!!
classes with good grades AND GOOD LUCK!!!!
and stay involved. YOU DID IT!!!!!
GRADE
12
Maintain good grades
to the end. Colleges will request
your final transcript.
HOORAY!! Welcome to Make your final decision
Senior year! WOW!! about what college you will be
attending. Be sure to send your
deposit check on time to
secure your spot.
Take a full, challenging
senior year course load.
In late February, as long as you
have applied to college, you can
Work hard to get good grades. pick up the local scholarship book –
Colleges look closely at 1st be sure you do this!!
term report cards.
Register for Oct./Nov. SAT’s. Send out applications
Make sure scores are sent to the with the help of you
Complete the Financial Aid
colleges you are applying to. guidance counselor.
applications. Be sure to attend
Financial Aid Night at B.H.S.
along with your parents.
Still dealing with MCAS? Don’t give up.
Keep up attendance. Keep up grades.
Update the Student Success Plan.
SEE YOUR COUNSELOR FOR HELP.
© 2006 Brockton Public Schools
Academic Profile: Brockton High school
6
ACADEMIC PROFILE BROCKTON HIGH SCHOOL
470 Forest Avenue Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
TEL [phone] FAX [phone]
1. Basan N. Nembirkow ......Superintendent
2. Dr. Susan E. Szachowicz ..Principal
3. Maria E. LeFort ...............Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction
4. Catherine A. Leger ..........Department Head of Guidance and Registrar
1 Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
School
CEEB Code Number: 220435
Enrollment: 4000+ students
School Year: 2 semesters/4 terms
Accreditation: New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges
Brockton High School is a large, comprehensive public institution, grades 9-12, with an enrollment of
over 4,000 students. The student population is ethnically, racially, culturally and linguistically diverse,
with 30 different languages represented. Programs available to meet the needs of our diverse student
population include: English as a Second Language; Transitional Bilingual Education for Haitian, Cape
Verdean, and Spanish speaking students; International Baccalaureate Program; Virtual High School;
2
Freshman Academy; Academic Success Programs; Occupational Education and Technology; School to
Work; Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC); Bank Training and Finance Program; Distributive
Education Clubs of America (DECA); Project Grads for teen parents; and nationally recognized programs
in Drama, Art, and Music. It is the only high school in the Commonwealth to have its own building
dedicated exclusively to the Fine Arts.
Community
Brockton is a large urban center located approximately 20 miles south of Boston, with convenient access
to the metro area via the commuter rail line. The city’s population is approximately 95,000 with a median
income of $32,000. While the major industry lies in the area of health services, the city is home to a
number of small to medium sized businesses. The City of Brockton employs over 3,000 municipal workers.
The school district includes thirteen elementary, five junior high and middle schools, one traditional, two
3 alternative, and one charter high schools.
Graduation Requirements
Students must earn at least 95 credits to graduate. The credits must include:
English: ....................21
Social Studies: .........15 (Must include U.S. History)
Mathematics: ...........15
Science: ....................12
Health: ......................3
Phys. Ed. ...................4.5
Electives: ..................24.5
4
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools
Academic Profile: Brockton High school
7
Instructional Levels
Credits
......... (Modified Block Schedule/6 day cycle)
Advanced Placement (AP) Full- Year - Everyday ................................6 credits
Advanced (A) Full- Year - 3 Days/Cycle ..........................3 credits
College Preparatory (CP) One Semester - Everyday .........................3 credits
Academic Prep (P) One Semester - 3 Days/Cycle ..................1.5 credits

AP Courses offered: English Language and Composition; American History; European History; Calculus;
Biology; Physics; Studio Art; Foreign Language
Virtual High School Courses
International Baccalaureate Program
Brockton High School has met the Time and Learning Requirements of the state by expanding class periods
to 66-minute blocks. A semester course that meets daily fully complies with both the instructional time required
by the state and the number of credits required by the Carnegie Unit System.
Class Rank and Grading System
Advanced Level (A).......................................................7.0 (A+) - 3.2 (D-)
College Preparatory (CP) ..............................................6.0 (A+) - 2.2 (D-)
Academic Preparatory (AP) ..........................................5.0 (A+) - 1.2 (D-)

The lowest passing grade is D-.
Class rank is completed at the end of each year and each term for seniors.
Major subjects only on a weighted scale of 7.0.
Advanced Level at Brockton High School is equivalent to Honors Level at other institutions.
In Advanced Placement courses, the number of quality points are raised by 1.0. Quality point factors are used
in the calculation of each student’s Grade Point Average and Rank in Class.
Post Secondary Statistics
Class of: 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
4-yr. College 43% 44% 44% 47% 43%
2-yr. College 34% 32% 31% 30% 37%
Total: 77% 76% 75% 77% 80%
Institutes of Higher Education
Accepting Brockton High School Students
American International College / Amherst College / Arizona State University / Babson College /
Bentley College / Berklee College of Music / Boston College / Boston University / Bowdoin College / Bran-
deis University / Bridgewater State College / Brown University / Bryn Mawr / Carnegie Mellon
University / Clark University / Clemson University / Columbia University / Connecticut College /
DePaul University / Emerson College / George Washington University / Georgetown University /
Hampton University / Harvard University / Hofstra University / Ithaca College / Johns Hopkins University
/ M.I.T. / Mount Holyoke College / Mount Ida College / New York University / Northeastern University /
Oberlin / Pace University / Princeton University / Providence College / Rensselaer Polytechnic University /
Rhode Island School of Design / Rochester Institute of Technology / Salem State College / Skidmore / Smith
College / Springfield College / Stanford University / Stonehill College / Syracuse University / Temple
University / Tufts University / Tulane University / Tuskegee University / University of Alabama / University of
Chicago / University of Connecticut / University of Massachusetts Amherst / University of Massachusetts Boston
/ University of Massachusetts Dartmouth / University of Massachusetts Lowell / University of Miami /
University of New Hampshire / University of Pennsylvania / University of Rhode Island / University of
Southern California / University of Vermont / Wellesley College / Wesleyan University / Wheaton
College / Worcester Polytechnic Institute / Yale University
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
8
1
Brockton High School Course Selection
A. Credits earned for promotion: C. MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive
• From Freshman to Sophomore year: 21 Assessment System) requirements:
• From Sophmore to Junior year: 43 • English Language Arts
• From Junior to Senior year: 66 • Mathematics
• Minimum total for graduation: 95 credits • Science (beginning with class of 2010)
B. Semesters and credits currently D. Four year college admission requirements
required for graduation in: (college preparatory or advanced levels):
• English: 7 semesters (21 credits) • 4 units of English
• Mathematics: 5 semesters (15 cr.) • At least 3 units of Mathematics, including Algebra I, II,
• Social Science: 5 semesters, including US History (15 cr.) and Geometry
• Science: 4 semesters (12 cr.) • 3 units of Science, including 2 laboratory sciences
• Physical Education: 3 semesters (4.5 cr.) (Biology and Chemistry are strongly recommended)
• Health: 1 semester (3 cr.) • 3 units of Social Science, including US History
• Electives: (24.5 cr.) (See APPENDIX I) • At least 2 years of one foreign language;
more is better
E. Two year college or technical school,
or military enlistment:
• classes at any academic level
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
9
2
How Do I Do It? : Academic Consider
ations
A. General Tips: C. Future Course Selection and
1. Student Self-Assessment: Goals for the Following Year
Get to know yourself. Fill in the Student Self-Assessment 1. Classes for the next academic year are selected in March of
Worksheet #1. Use it to help guide you in becoming a bet- every year.
ter student along your high school path. 2. Course selection is dictated by the academic level you are
in, the grade achievement policy of the school and your
2. Homework: particular interests or goals.
• Do it and turn it in! 3. Academic levels at Brockton High School are: Advanced,
• Spend at least a half hour per subject each night. College Preparatory, and Academic Preparatory, as well as
• Don’t understand it? Try it! Do not give up.
Advanced Placement.
• Get help from your teacher.
4. Parents/Guardians are mailed a letter listing all course
• Utilize various Internet Homework Help Websites
selections. Families and students should carefully review
(See APPENDIX II)
this selection.
5. Four-year colleges require college preparatory or advanced
Did You Know?- Of students who do less than 3 hours
classes.
of homework per week, only 16% earn a 4 year college
6. Grade achievement policy of Brockton High determines what
degree... For students who do more than 10 hours of
academic level you may go to:
homework per week, over 50% will earn a 4 year college
• C or better –> stay at level
degree!
• Move up to a higher level –> B or better, strong
academic qualities and habits, along with a teacher
3. Notes / Notebooks:
recommendation.
• Keep a binder for each class for class notes, handouts, etc.
7. School policy dictates that students will not be able to
• Take as many notes as you can in class with abbreviated
drop or change any classes once the school year begins in
words.
• Review notes every night and highlight important points. September. (See APPENDIX IX)
(See APPENDIX III)
D. Co-Curricular Involvement
4. Test-taking strategies: Join a club! There is a place for everyone!
• Review notes and textbook chapters, or class guides. • Attend the Club Fair In September/October, held at the high
• Study at least three nights in advance of a test. school to introduce to Freshmen Students all the existing
(See APPENDIX IV) clubs and what their goals and activities are.
• Start Freshman year and plan on staying with a club for a
5. Time management: few years, for it will reveal dedication and full interest and
• Create a daily/weekly schedule. commitment on your part to either a college admission of-
• Learn to prioritize tasks and responsibilities. ficer or an employer. Do not jump around year after year.
(See APPENDIX V) (See WORKSHEET #2) • Co-Curricular involvement not only gives you the opportunity
to be involved in a community event, but also provides a
rich experience that will help you develop as a citizen and
B. School Support Services:
establish a personal belief system that can accompany you
• After school sessions with teacher to recieve extra help and
throughout life.
make up work.
• Make the best of your involvement in a club. Take a leader-
• Access Center provides peer tutoring in G128 during
ship role, run for an office either for a club or for your class.
Directed Academic (DA) periods. See your
(See APPENDIX X to get a partial listing of clubs and
guidance counselor.
activities available)
• MCAS support is available after school (also open to
9th graders) and during the summer months.
E. Volunteer activities/Community Service
You should inquire with your guidance counselor.
• Mentoring program for students on Individualized • Colleges love to see that a you have volunteered your time
Education Plans (IEP), in R331, provides extra help sessions. to a community event or charitable cause.
• Weekly Reports are available in the guidance offices to • Check with your guidance counselor, local churches, com-
inform you on a weekly basis of how you are doing. munity organizations, City Hall, the Boys and Girls Club, the
(See APPENDIX VI) YMCA, etc. (See APPENDIX Xl) (See Worksheet #3 to
• Progress Reports are distributed to students four times per start tracking your co-curricular involvement).
academic year, halfway through each term and help you see
where you stand academically. (See APPENDIX VII) F. Summer Activites
• Report Cards are handed out to students at the end of term • Find an interesting activity for each summer, whether it is a
1, 2, 3. Final report cards are mailed home. paid job or a volunteer opportunity.
(See APPENDIX VIII). • For juniors, investigate whether BHS’s Summer of Work and
• Automated phone messages from the school to home are Learning has openings.
made periodically with important updates.
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools
Freshman requirements
10
1
Freshman year course offerings
Requirements at any academic level:
• Freshman English
• Algebra I (or Advanced Geometry)
• Freshman Social Science
• Earth Science (or Advanced Biology)
• Physical Education
• Other electives (if there is room)
• Foreign Language (only at CP or Advanced levels)
• Courses offered for English Language Learners are listed on page 20
2
Assessments
Do well on your classes to prepare for the MCAS!!
MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) is required
of all 10th grade students with the goal of passing with a PROFICIENT
score in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science.

The skills and knowledge demonstrated by passing the MCAS also help
with the SAT’s (Scholastic Aptitude Tests), an admission requirement for
most colleges and universities, which also tests English Language Arts
and Mathematics.

3
Future Planning

A. Bridges© program:

Choices Explorer takes you through a series of assessments and
inventories that help you explore and discover your work and school
options as you get ready for life after high school. It is divided into
two sections: WORK and LEARN.

WORK: There are 14 interest-based career zones for you to explore, as
well as a School Subject Zone where you may access a list of careers
based on your favorite subject.

LEARN: Matches interests and career goals to courses and programs and
provides a wealth of homework helpers and related websites and helpful
everyday tips for academic success.

PORTFOLIO: you can save all the information generated by completing
the program inventories, assessments, and surveys. You may refer to this
portfolio at any time and alter whatever information you feel is unneces-
sary, obsolete, or outdated.
B. Planning Ahead:

Utilize Worksheet #4 to plan for next year’s courses.

*go to www.bridges.com
© 2007 Brockton Public Schools