Guidelines for Program Planning

Course Selection

It is desirable that all students give very serious consideration to departmental guidelines which will be discussed in classes. These are designed to assist the student in selecting a realistic program of studies. Course changes after the initial choices in January/February become increasingly difficult to make. Therefore, the attention to planning a program at this early time is extremely important. Students will be required to select substitute choices for elective courses and alternate day courses.

The most valid guidelines for selection of elective courses are the individual student’s aptitudes as reflected by his or her degree of success in previous courses, and level of interest and motivation. The stronger the student’s high school record, the greater the opportunity for advancement in the future. Therefore, the student should take the most demanding program of studies that can be handled successfully. A student who elects courses based on their lack of intellectual demand is obviously shortchanging himself/herself. Likewise, choosing advanced levels of courses for which the student has shown little aptitude at this particular stage of his/her development is not advisable.

The teacher in many cases will recommend a specific course based on performance, test scores and other objective data. Teacher recommendations have proven to be invaluable and highly reliable. If the parent overrides the teacher recommendation, a form is completed, signed by the parent, and placed in the student file.

Parents and students should be familiar with the following basic guidelines in scheduling:

1. To elect a sequential course a student should have achieved average or above average grades in the preceding related courses. 
2. Every student must complete a full schedule of six periods each semester. Exceptions may only be granted at the discretion of the principal. 
3. Every student should regularly review his/her school record for the past few years. The record indicates areas of strength and areas of weakness. He/she should discuss them with parents and counselors and consider them when planning his/her school program. 
4. No override may be reversed until after the third week of school. 
5. If a student withdraws from a class after college applications have been sent, a letter will be sent to the college notifying it of the change. 

Recommended Course Selection for Higher Education

Higher education takes on many forms, ranging from on-the-job training and vocational-technical education to college and university preparation. Most high school students who wish to continue their education after high school can find an institution where they can be accepted for admission. Colleges vary widely in their admission requirements. When studying admission requirements for specific colleges, one should note whether certain courses are “required” or “recommended.” 

Recommended means that certain courses are preferred but not necessary for admission. Some colleges have no specific high school courses which are required for admission. Generally, the following is a strong guideline for college preparatory study. Keep in mind that some colleges do not require all these subjects and that some colleges require more.

Recommendations within grades 9-12:

• English - 4 years minimum
• Social Studies - 3 years minimum
• Mathematics - 3 years minimum
• Science - 3 years (lab science) minimum
• World Language - 2 years minimum
• Colleges consider a final grade of “C” or better as a minimum standard.

Course Override Process
In January, teachers make recommendations for the following year’s placement. These recommendations are discussed during a counselor/student course selection meeting in January/February. All students are scheduled for courses at the level recommended by their teacher.

If a parent/student would like to override a teacher recommendation, they must contact their child’s counselor. At this time, you/your child will be provided with a Parent/Student Override form, which ensures effective communication among all parties involved. Submission of completed form is required to finalize the override request.

Schedule Change Procedure

Students must make firm choices in electing courses during program planning. Serious attention should be given to the “Guidelines” described in this booklet. The parent/guardian should approve course selections by signing the Student Course Election (SCE) sheet. All changes requested after this must be in writing (from the parent) and processed through the counselor. Staffing, class size and master schedule implications require minimizing course changes.

• Opening week-Schedules are changed to correct computer errors only.
• 2nd and 3rd weeks-Recommendations of teacher/counselor (when space permits) which are professionally judged to be of clear educational benefit to the student (i.e., transfer changes, changes in intended college majors, changes for misplaced students, etc.). No parent/guardian override to a teacher’s scheduling recommendation may be reversed in the first three weeks of school.
• 4th week-W, WD and WF designations are required on any change that has teacher/counselor approval: moves within the same discipline will generally involve dialogue from sending to receiving teacher. 
• 5th week-WD, WF designations are required on all changes. (Requests to leave a course with a “C” or better grade will be denied unless extenuating circumstances exist. Administrative approval will be required.) 
• Schedule changes to courses that are entirely “new” to the student will not occur after the third full week of school.

Course Information  

The title of the course will determine its effect on the calculation of a weighted GPA; with only AP, Honors and Accelerated level courses carrying additional weight. Refer to Grade Point Average for explanation.

• Full Year Courses (YR): Full year courses meet every day for the entire year. Full year courses are typically offered for 1 credit and are included in the calculation of GPA and class rank.
   
• Alternate Day Courses (AD):  Alternate Day courses meet every other day for the entire year during a predetermined publicly published Day1/Day2 schedule. Alternate Day courses are offered for 0.5 credits, are included in the calculation of GPA and class rank and follow the same planned course as the regular semester elective if applicable.
   
• Semester Courses (S):  Semester courses meet daily for half of the year either during the fall (marking periods 1 & 2) or spring (marking period 3 & 4) semesters. Semester courses are offered for 0.5 credits, are included in the calculation of GPA and class rank and follow the same planned course as the regular alternate day course if applicable.
   
• Virtual Courses (V):  The Council Rock School District offers certain courses in a virtual format.   These courses are part of a student’s traditional six credit schedule.  They cannot be utilized for acceleration and/or additional credit.  The virtual course listings vary each year depending on student interest.  Counselors and teachers will share the potential offerings during Program Planning each year. Virtual courses have a (V) on the course offering page.

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