Pine Tree High School

 

 

 

 

Policy and Procedures

 

 

 

 

Classification of Students

Requirements for class standings at the beginning of the year and credit requirements to determine extracurricular participation eligibility for the first six weeks of school are displayed below. Students will be rolled to the next grade at the end of the academic school year.

 

                               Class Standing              Credits Required

Freshman

0-4

Sophomore

5

Junior

10

Senior

15

Graduating Senior

19

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Extracurricular Activity Participation

(based on University Interscholastic Rules – a student must earn at least 5 credits each school year to be eligible)

         Number of Credits

         at the beginning of

         the school year

First Year

 

Second Year

            5

Third Year

           10

       Fourth Year

           15

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Academic Eligibility Rules

(based on University Interscholastic Rules)

A student shall be suspended from participation in all extracurricular activities sponsored or sanctioned by the school district during the three week period following a grade reporting period in which the student received a grade lower than 70 in a class. This suspension continues for at least three weeks and is not removed during the school year until the student’s grade in each class is passing. A student may continue to practice or rehearse with other students for an extracurricular activity but may not participate in a competition or other public performance. A suspended student may regain eligibility seven days after the six week grading period ends or seven days after a three-week evaluation period. Pre-AP and AP Courses are grade waivable for participation in extra-curricular activities; therefore, those courses are not considered for U.I.L. “No Pass; No Play” eligibility.

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Diploma/Transcript-Academic Achievement Record

Graduates are awarded the same type of diploma. The academic achievement record (transcript), rather than the diploma, records individual accomplishments, achievements, and courses completed and displays appropriate graduation seals. The academic achievement record (transcript) is updated at the end of each semester. Semester grades are recorded on the student’s transcript at the end of each semester. The class is re-ranked at the end of each semester. The senior class will have an additional update at the end of the 5th six weeks for the purpose of determining the top graduates. The senior class final ranking which will be recorded on the final transcript will be determined by the re-rank at the end of the second semester of the senior year.

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Requirements for a Diploma

A student may not receive a high school diploma until the student has met all the requirements for graduation as determined by the State Board of Education and the Pine Tree Board of Education and has performed satisfactorily on the TAKS exit-level assessment for English Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. A student who does not pass the exit-level assessment will have additional opportunities to take the test.

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Highest Ranking Graduate

Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Top 10 Honors recognition will be awarded only to those students who have completed their final two years of high school at Pine Tree High School. Any student with a failing grade on his or her transcript will be ineligible for honor awards.

 

In the case of a tie for the highest ranking graduate, tying students shall be declared co-valedictorians, and a salutatorian will not be recognized. The tying student who has scored highest on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying examination or similar comprehensive achievement test designated as a standard by the principal shall be awarded the state scholarship due the valedictorian.

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Top Ten Percent

The Texas public college or university of your choice must automatically admit you if

1.        your grade point average places you in the top 10 percent of your high school class.

2.        you apply no later than two years after graduating from a Texas high school.

3.        you submit a completed application before the expiration of any filing deadline established by the college.

4.        you meet all other admissions requirements as determined by the college or university such as essays, letters of recommendations, admissions and placement tests, fees, and official high school transcript, etc.

For more information contact the admissions office at the Texas college or university you wish to attend.

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Early Graduation

A parent may request that a student be permitted to graduate from high school earlier than the student would normally graduate if the student meets all requirements for graduation. A letter noting the “Intent to Graduate Early” must be on file with the grade level counselor.

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Ranking for Early Graduates

The weighted GPA for class rank purposes will be calculated independently for early graduates during their final year of high school. The early graduate will share a rank with the senior classmate whose weighted GPA most closely matches their own. Therefore, early graduates will not displace any other senior in class rank or TOP 10 Honors recognition. In the event that an early graduate ranks in the TOP 10, he or she will be recognized at graduation ceremonies in addition to the other TOP 10 students.

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Graduation Plans-State Graduation Requirements

Students have several academic options when selecting classes. They are advised to take courses at a level where they will be challenged and yet will perform successfully. All students, as recommended by the Texas State Board of Education and the Pine Tree Board of Education, are encouraged to follow the Recommended High School Program (RHSP) or the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP). Both the RHSP and DAP are college preparatory programs. Students should inquire at the college of their choice as to specific entrance requirements. Students are advised to select a graduation plan at a level where they will be challenged and yet will perform successfully. A State Minimum Graduation Plan is offered to students under certain circumstances. Advisement from school personnel is required before deferring to the Minimum Plan. See your counselor to get more information.

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Award of Credit

Semester grades are recorded on the academic achievement record (transcript). Each semester grade earned stands alone. However, a student may receive credit for a full year course if the average of the two semesters is 70 or above. If both semester grades are below 70, the course must be retaken in its entirety. No grade points are added for the grade below 70; however, the course does count as an attempt when factoring the student’s rank. A passing grade in which the student has earned a credit at semester cannot be retaken to raise the score.

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Course Selection

Schedules will be determined by the student’s Personal Four-Year Graduation Plan and the student’s personal choices. Every effort will be made to place the student in the classes that are selected during the spring semester. Students and parents will be given an opportunity during the spring semester to make requests for schedule change for the upcoming school year. During the summer, students and parents will be given an opportunity to view the schedule and request a change. Once a schedule is in place after the start of the school year, the schedule cannot be change.

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Course Planning and Selection

Pine Tree High School encourages all students to give careful thought to their four-year high school program in terms of graduation requirements and individual goals. Students should consider courses which correlate with future career plans. Those who plan to attend college should select academic courses which relate to their future college major or career goals. Others should choose courses which will provide a broad academic background and the skills necessary to obtain career choices. All students are encouraged to take rigorous courses to better prepare them for future plans.

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Schedule Changes

Careful consideration and selection of courses are of extreme importance to all Pine Tree High School students. The courses offered for the next school year are determined by student selection during the pre-enrollment process conducted during the spring semester. Courses lacking sufficient enrollment to justify their presence in the curriculum will not be offered. The number of sections for courses offered are also determined by the number of student requesting the course during the pre-enrollment process. Therefore, it will be very difficult to obtain approval for requested schedule changes. Students will be held to those classes selected on their course selection sheet developed during the pre-enrollment process. There will be no elective changes at the beginning of school or the beginning of second semester.

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Reasons for Schedule Changes

  • When administration determines a student is incorrectly placed or incorrectly scheduled into a course.
  • When a class is too large /small and must be balanced.
  • When an error has been made in the schedule (repeating a course previously taken)

 

Time frame for changing a schedule

 

There are two times a student may request a course change

  • Prior to the start of school
  • Before the end of the first semester for a second semester class

 

All other course change requests must be approved by the administration.

 

Advanced Placement and Pre-AP Courses

Students who have above average ability, a desire to learn more, and a willingness to accept the additional responsibilities may enroll in Pre-AP and AP courses. Careful consideration should be made before enrolling in these challenging courses. Every effort will be made to advise students about the level of courses to be taken using test scores, academic history, teacher recommendations, and parent input. The responsibility that goes with making the decision to enroll in advanced classes lies with the student. Refer to the Course Descriptions for prerequisites required for Pre-AP and AP courses.

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Procedures to drop Advanced Placement and Pre-AP Courses

Students wishing to drop an advanced course must make that request with the teacher within the first 4 weeks of school. The teacher along with the principal will determine the misplacement in the advanced course and notify the counselor with the request to drop the advanced class. Every effort will be made to notify parents of the requested change in schedule. After the 4th week of the first six weeks grading period, there will be no schedule changes. Students must “stay put” until the end of the semester. All other requests must be approved by the administration.

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Contacting the Counselor – Students

Counselors can be contacted via email by listing first initial and last name (cblack@ptisd.org). Students needing to see the counselor while at school should go by the Guidance and Counseling Center before/after school or between classes to complete the “I need to see…” form. The form should be submitted to the counselor so that a pass can be sent. Notify the Counselor or Counselor’s Secretary to report an emergency. A pass will be sent as soon as possible in the case of an emergency.

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Contacting the Counselor – Parents

Parents can contact counselors via email by listing the first initial and last name of the counselor (cblack@ptisd.org).  Counselors will be available to students during school hours, so parents should make arrangements with the secretary to see the counselor if visiting during the school day. Phone calls will be returned as soon as possible.

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Contacting a Teacher

Parents and students can contact a teacher by calling the school office and scheduling an appointment. Teachers can also be contact by email by listing first initial and last name (cblack@ptisd.org).

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Correspondence Course Policy

Junior and senior students may take two full credits through correspondences courses while in high school. All underclassmen will need permission from the principal or principal designee to enroll in a correspondence course prior to the junior or senior year. Students who choose to take a correspondence course will order through Texas Tech Distance Learning Program. The student will need to notify the counselor in writing prior to ordering the course. The correspondence course will be ordered by the student who will incur all the expenses of taking the correspondence course. It is the responsibility of the student to follow the policy and procedures established by Texas Tech Distance Learning Program. Seniors who are enrolled in correspondence courses to earn units required for graduation shall complete the course and submit the grade for recording at least thirty days prior to the graduation date in order to be eligible for graduation at the end of the term. Correspondence courses will be added to the academic achievement record (transcript) but not included in class ranking.

 

Guideline for Correspondence Course

All students classified as juniors or seniors shall be eligible to take correspondence courses and earn credit.  Pine Tree High School has adopted the following guidelines for correspondence courses:

 

  • Students must request permission to take a correspondence course by submitting the “Request to Order a Correspondence Course Form” to the PTHS Counseling and Guidance Center.
  • Students may earn two (2) total credits toward graduation through correspondence courses.
  • The correspondence program shall be supervised by the counselors who will proctor the exams.
  • The approved courses will be taken from the Texas Tech University Extended Learning Program.
  • Courses taken without prior approval and proctored by someone other than the PTHS counselor or principal designee will receive no credit toward graduation.
  • Any student wanting to take a correspondence course prior to the junior year must have special permission from the PTHS counselor or principal designee.
  • Students must be enrolled in only one correspondence course at a time.
  • Grades earned through correspondence courses will not be used in computing class rankings. 

 

Seniors who are enrolled in correspondence courses to earn credits required for graduation must complete the course and submit the grade for recording at least thirty days prior to the graduation date in order to be eligible for graduation at the end of the semester

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Credit by Exam Policy

A student will notify the counselor by submitting a written request to take a credit by exam through Texas Tech Distance Learning. The request must be made 30 days in advance of the desired testing date. The CBE will be ordered by the counselor and the counselor or principal designee will proctor the exam. Credit by Exam will be added to the transcript but not included in class ranking.

 

Credit by Exam – accelerating credits

In accordance with state requirements, Pine Tree ISD will offer examinations for acceleration. Exams for credit in a subject will be offered on dates to coincide with Region VII who will administer the test. PTHS counselors are also available to order and proctor exams from Texas Tech Extended Studies. The design of the CBE is to allow high achieving students the opportunity to gain credit. The following guidelines have been adopted for CBE’s:

·         A student will be permitted to take an exam to earn credit for an academic course for which the student has no prior instruction upon submission of a “Request for Credit by Exam-No Prior Instruction Form” to the PTHS Counseling and Guidance Center.

·         PTHS counselors or principal designee will proctor the CBE.

·         A request to take a CBE should be made 30 days prior to the designated test date.

·         The passing score on a CBE with No Prior Instruction is 90.

·         Grades earned through CBE with No Prior Instruction are not included in class rank or GPA.

·         If a student is given credit in a subject on the basis of an exam, the district shall enter the exam score on the student’s transcript.

 

The district will not charge the student who wishes to take a CBE for acceleration; however, a deposit is required and must accompany each request for CBE. The deposit is returned upon completion and scoring of the exam.

 

Credit by Exam – prior instruction

A student who has received prior instruction in a course but did not receive credit for it may be permitted to earn credit by passing a Credit by Exam. PTHS counselors will order and proctor the exam from Texas Tech Extended Studies. The design of the CBE is to allow the student the opportunity to re-gain credit. The following guidelines have been adopted for CBEs-prior instruction:

 

  • A student will be permitted to take an exam to re-gain credit upon submission of a “Request for Credit by Exam-Prior Instruction Form”  to the PTHS Counseling and Guidance Center.
  • PTHS counselors or principal designee will proctor the CBE
  • A request to take a CBE should be made 30 days prior to the designated test date.
  • The passing score for a CBE with prior instruction is 70.
  • A student may not use a CBE to regain eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities.
  • The grade earned through CBE with Prior Instruction is used to calculate the GPA.
  • If a student regains the credit on the basis of an exam, the district shall enter the exam score on the student’s transcript.

 

The student is responsible for the cost of the credit by exam that is taken to earn a credit in a course with prior instruction.

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Letter of Recommendation

A request for a letter of recommendation should be submitted to the counselor two weeks prior to the deadline. A completed Senior Information Form should be submitted with the request.

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Secondary School Counselor’s Report

The college Secondary School Counselor Report Form, or a request for a letter of recommendation when there is no form, should be submitted to the counselor two weeks prior to the deadline. The sealed and signed report will be returned to the student for the student to mail to the college or scholarship program along with a transcript and school profile.

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Mid-Year Request

These college forms should be submitted two weeks prior to the deadline. The sealed and signed report will be returned to the student for the student to mail to the college or scholarship program along with the updated transcript.

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Transcripts

A transcript contains the following information: school name and address, student’s demographics, GPA and rank, graduation plan, course titles, semester grades and credits. There are two types of transcripts: official and unofficial. An official transcript bears the signature of the registrar and is embossed with the school’s seal. Admissions offices require an official transcript. Transcript orders are submitted to the registrar in the Counseling and Guidance Center. Seniors requesting transcripts are not charged. Transcripts requested by graduates will be charged $5.00. Official transcripts will be mailed directly to the college or scholarship program. Three days should be allowed for processing the transcript request.

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Final Rank

Final Rank for seniors will be determined after the fifth six-weeks grading period. This ranking will determine the highest ranking graduate and the top 10 ranking students. The top 10% will also be determined by the fifth six-weeks grading period.

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Final Transcripts

Every college requires a final transcript to prove high school graduation. The rank and GPA will be determined by the sixth six-weeks grading period. Seniors will need to notify the registrar during the month of May where to send the final transcript. Final transcripts will be mailed upon completion in June.

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