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This course description book has been written for the accelerated block schedule. Beginning with the 1995-96 school year, all LISD high schools began to operate on the accelerated block schedule. Because this type of schedule requires a different way of arranging the curriculunm, students will find different terminology in the course despriptions. The following information will be helpful in understanding accelerated block and making choices about courses.
Courses are listed as either ½, 1, 1½, 2 , or 3 credits.
On the accelerated block schedule, 1 credit = 18 weeks = 1 term. Prior to the accelerated block, students earned 1 credit after on full year, covering the same amount of material.
On the accelerated block schedule, ½ credit = 9 weeks = 1 quarter. Prior to the accelerated block, students earned ½ credit after an 18 weeks semester, covering the same amount of material. A twenty-seven week course would earn 1½ credits.
Each high school will offer courses for 18 weeks for ½ credit. These courses will meet for 45 minutes per day. This will either be done either during the school day or as a zero hour before and/or after school. Check with your councelor for a list of the courses being offered at your school.
The accelerated block provides for 90 minute class periods. Students are scheduled into four periods per day, and each class meets every day. Exceptions to this must be approved by campus administration.
Credits in some specialozed areas may vary, for example: career and technical, humanities, and athletic programs. Students are urged to work closely with their counselor and each department in scheduling and in four-year plan preparation.
Grade reports are monitored on a three week basis, but report cards are distributed at the end of each nine weeks (quarter).
UIL eligibility follows a schedule separate and apart from quarter and term grading and is not included in this guide.
On the accelerated block, during one full year ( two terms ), a student could be enrolled in as many as 8 different courses ( 4 in the fall term and 4 in the spring term ) with the potential of earning a maximum of 8 credits.
Prerequisite coursework should be considered "recommended" but not "required". Prerequisites are listed to help ensure a greater measure of sucess for the student and should therefore be accomplished. A student may, however, enroll in a class without taking the prerequisites that are suggested.
Credit for courses may be received through credit by exam. For courses without priorinstriction, a mastery level of 90% is required for credit. For courses where the required amount of prior instruction has been certified, a mastery level of 70% is required for credit to be awarded. Credit by exam opportunities will not be given between the end of final exams and graduation. A schedule for testing dates can be obtained from the District's testing office.
Only grades earned in the four foundation areas pf English, mathematics, science and social studies will be used to determine rank in the class and GPA. Within these four foundation areas, difficulty levels are assigned to every course. ( Outside of these four areas, no courses will carry a difficulty level nor will they be used to determine rank in class or GPA.) Grade are weighted according to the assigned level as follows: level 1 is 1.2; level 2 is 1.1; and level 3 is 1.0. These weights are referred to as Course Grade Multiplier. The computer score is then totaled and divided by the number of foundation courses taken ( averaged ). These averages will be placed in numerical order from highest to lowest. The highest average shall be number on in class. GPA will be reported numerically. Summer school, correspondence courses, credit by exam and eighth grade courses are not included for GPA calculations.
The ACTUAL grade earned in ALL CLASSES will be entered on the report card and the transcript.
| STUDENT CLASSIFICATION | |
| Sophomores (10th Grade) | 6 Credits |
| Juniors (11th Grade) | 12 Credits |
| Seniors (12th Grade) | 18 Credits |
Algebra I: Students taking Algebra I at the middle school woll receive high school credit for course mastery. The grade will NOT be used to determine the student's GPA. Students taking Algebra I at the middle school are required to take the End-of-Course Exam and still need to take an additional three (3) creditts of math to meet graduation requirements.
Geometry and Algebra II: Students taking Geometry and Algebra II prior to the 9th grade year will recieve high school credit toward graduation. These math credits may count toward the three required math credits for graduation. However, in accordance with Board Policy (EIC Local), the grades earned in these courses will NOT be used to determine the student's high school GPA or rank in class.
Foreign Language: Students taking a foreign language at the middle school for high school credit may use the credit from two years of foreign language as one of the credits for the Recommended plan.
To receive credit for a full-term course, both 9 weeks of the course must be passed, or the second 9 weeks must be sufficiently higher to equal "70" when averaged with the first 9 weeks. A student who fails both 9 weeks of a course must repeat both 9 weeks duing the regular or summer term in order to receive full credit. All full term courses are considered to be sequentially developed courses. When a 9 weeks is pass, one-half (½) credit is earned; however, to receice graduation credit, the above requirements must be met.
Students who transfer to Lewisville schools with letter grades will receive the following numerical grade equivalencies:
| A+ = 98 | B+ = 88 | C+ = 79 | D+ = 74 |
| A = 95 | B = 85 | C = 77 | D = 72 |
| A- = 91 | B- = 81 | C- = 75 | D- = 70 |
LISD offers the opportunity to earn duaal credit, i.e., credit toward high school and college simultaneously. Students are responsible for all financial requirements including tuition, fees and textbooks. With the exception of Technical Preparation Career and Technical Education dual credit courses, students' application for dual credit must be submitted by August 1 of the academic year desiring dual credit. To take a dual credit course, the following criteria must be met.
If you are interested in finding out about these courses, contact your school counselor.
Concurrent enrollment (enrollment in an approved college level course) will not count for high school graduation but will be applicable for the Distinguished Achievement Program.
The Advanced Placement Initiative
The Texas Education Agency (TEA), in conjunction with The College Board, is encouraging the incorporation of Advanced Placement strategies into high school courses. Lewisville ISD, in order to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Testing opportunity, has expanded the Advanced Placement strand throughout the curriculum. These courses will be designated "Pre-Advanced Placement" or "Advanced Placement".
These courses are designed to enhance learning and level of callenge. Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement Courses provide a rigorous curriculum; furthermore, universities across the country recongnize the quality inherent in Advanced Placement designated courses.
Advanced Placement Courses For College Credit
College credit may be granted by a university based upon Advanced Placement examination scores; therefore, all students enrolled in an Advanced Placement course. this course guide reflects an increased number of pre-Advanced Placements and Advanced Placement courses available in 2000-2001. Consequently, students will have more opportunities to earn college credit. There is a nominal fee for each exam. The cost is approximately the high school counselors. NOTE : Pre-Advanced Placement courses prepare the student, at the 9th and 10th grade level, for the challenge of the Advanced Placement courses. Pre-Advanced Placement courses do not include examinations for college credit.
