Graduation Requirements

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GRADING SYSTEM

The following grading scale applies to all classes 7-12. Letter grades are assigned for classes that meet the graduation requirements and grade promotion.

Grading is based on criteria identified in the syllabus of each course.  The grade should reflect a measure of what you have learned or have accomplished during the course.  Five school days after the end of a grading period will be allowed for removing a grade of incomplete. Grades will be figured on work completed after this time.  No incompletes will be given at the end of the fourth quarter, as all course work must be completed by the end of the fourth quarter; any exceptions to this standard will be determined by school officials.  Seniors must have all work completed by their last day of school, unless prior arrangements are made.  Dual Credit and AP Classes will be indexed to help determine class rank.  Dual Credit and AP classes are weighted on a 5.0 scale if a student takes the college test, if they don’t they will not receive the weighted grade. 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS(2009-2010)

One semester is equivalent to 5 credit hours.

Freshman Requirements Sophomore Requirements

(Freshmen are required to take 8 classes) (Sophomores are required to take 8 classes)

English I English II

Physical Science Biology

World Cultures Western Civilizations

Math Math

Health/PE Health/PE (1 Semester)

IED or FCS Speech (1 Semester)

Elective (2) Electives (3)

Junior Requirements  Senior Requirements

(Juniors are required to take 7 classes) (Seniors are required to take 6 classes)

English III English Elective

Science Elective American Government

American History Electives (4)

Math

Electives (3)

All students will be required to take the above courses during the specified year, some students may have alternative classes tailored to meet their special needs.  The students academic grade will be determined by credits earned at the beginning of the school year:  freshman 65 or less, sophomore 70-125, juniors 130-175 and seniors will have at least 180 credits and will remain in that grade for the entire academic school year.

CURRICULUM

Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Learning Center, and Tech Prep Classes

Doniphan-Trumbull students are given the opportunity to achieve in classes that are academically rigorous to better prepare themselves for post-secondary opportunities and earn college credit while in high school.  If you take an AP and/or Dual Credit class you will be graded on a 5.0 scale because of the rigor involved.  If you take AP and/or Learning Center courses you will be required to demonstrate mastery by taking a semester-end exam at the students expense to receive college credit.  Tech prep classes are free vocational credits applied directly to the college transcript upon completion of the articulated course with at least a “B” Average at Doniphan-Trumbull.

CORRESPONDENCE STUDY

A student may request to take a course by correspondence study through the Independent High School at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  A student is permitted to enroll in only one course at one time.  The course must meet the approval of the Principal and Guidance Counselor:

• The student will be responsible for financing the course.  The student will be reimbursed the cost after he/she has successfully completed the course with passing grade;
• The Superintendent or his designee will make the decision as to the responsibility for supervising the course;
• The student’s work must move according to the suggested outline of study so that the course will be completed during a semester;
• Only under extraordinary circumstances will the student be allowed to take a correspondence course if offered in the Doniphan -Trumbull Public School.

EARLY ENTRY PROGRAMS

The early entry programs allow juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit by attending Hastings College, Hastings CCC, or Grand Island CCC.  Requirements and responsibilities:

• Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from campus.
• Students are required to enroll in minimum of four (4) classes at Doniphan-Trumbull High School.
• Students and/or parents are responsible for tuition if college credit is awarded.
• If a student receives “dual credit”, the student must provide an official transcript with a raised seal demonstrating completion of a class.

MENTOR ADVISEE PERIOD

Each student will be assigned to a MAP class for 20 minutes each day.  The MAP group will be led by a faculty member who will lead discussions, present short lessons, facilitate learning and exploring and advise students.  Each week will follow a similar schedule, also utilizing this time for activity meetings and college and military representative visits to the school, minimizing the amount of disturbances to other class periods.  The weekly schedule will be flexible, also ensuring a balance of structured and un-structured time for each group to utilize in productive ways including study halls and the ability to finish make up work from days missed.

MAP teachers will be divided by age of students and will have students for two years at a time to foster strong relationships between the faculty member and students.  MAP groups will keep the same students and facilitators for two years before changing.  Thus, a group will be the same for grades 7&8, grades 9&10, and grades 11&12.  Teachers will stay at a particular level according to the classes they teach as well as their area of interest in working with MAP topics.  Class sizes will be minimized to the smallest amount possible in order to create a smaller, ‘family’ atmosphere.  The MAP facilitators from each age group will meet periodically to collaborate and support each other as well.

Each age group will focus on specific topics as well as school-wide issues and goals.  ACE Program objectives will still be addressed at each grade level, especially in grades 9-11.

Grades 7 & 8 – Character Education

A topic of focus for each week, incorporating Character Education best practices and design of a sequential and building curriculum.  Each topic will have multiple lesson/discussion ideas for each teacher to personalize for their group. 

Grades 9 & 10 – Leadership & Service

Design will be similar to Jr. High program with a leadership and community service focus, utilizing leadership foundation curriculums.  Each group will conduct service project(s) to equal at least 10 hours of service yearly, assisted by each MAP facilitator. 

Grade 11 – Career and Future Goal Planning

Focus will be on personal awareness and narrowing down a scope for future goals.  The Nebraska Career Connections website will be utilized as well as possibly pulling curriculum through Central Community College in their course PRVD 110 – Career Exploration as Dual Credit. Each student will complete at least one job shadow in a career field of their interest as set up by the MAP facilitating teacher following the ACE job shadow guidelines.

Grade 12 – Closure and Post-Secondary Transition

First semester curriculum will focus will be on senior specific topics, as defined by groups if needed, to include college admissions, scholarship applications, financial aid process.  2^nd semester curriculum will focus on transitional issues for post-secondary plans based on group’s needs.

STUDY HALLS

Doniphan-Trumbull schools will provide a morning study hall, lunch study hall and after school study hall for all students in the distance learning room.  Morning study hall will be from 7:30-8:00, Monday through Friday and after school study hall will be from 3:40-4:10 Monday through Thursday and 2:30-3:00 on Fridays with lunch study halls during the students lunch break.  Students are allowed to get their food and return to the distance learning room to eat and work on homework. Attendance will be taken at all study hall periods.

Grading Policy

The Doniphan-Trumbull Public School will employ differential grading standards and course requirements when necessary to meet the needs of individual students.  Regular classroom teachers shall be encouraged to modify curriculum, instructional approaches and grading practices for students with verified exceptionally who are mainstreamed into regular classrooms.  Teachers may also utilize differential standards for students considered “borderline learners” and who do not qualify for special education services.

Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is one of the highest standards of Doniphan-Trumbull.  If you are found to be responsible for academic dishonesty (cheating, copying others work, plagiarism, intentionally not citing sources and claiming the work as your own, etc…) you will not receive credit for the assignment and you may face further disciplinary action depending on the situation.  Consequences for academic dishonesty could include suspension.

FAILING GRADES OR LOSS OF CREDIT

No credit will be provided for students who receive a failing grade for a class or loss of credit from absenteeism.  If a student fails a subject, it is his/her responsibility to register for the course again.  The course should be taken as soon as it can be scheduled.

REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued at the end of each mid-term, or nine-week session. Percentages are used to designate a student’s progress. Incompletes shall be designated by an "I".  1^st and 3^rd mid-term grades are a reflection of student progress.  Semester grades are cumulative. Semester grades are posted on student transcripts.