DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM

A.    The academic core components for the Distinguished Achievement Program.  These cases include a third year of a language other than English.

B.  Four advanced measures from the options below which demonstrate student performance at the college or    professional level.  All requirements must be completed by graduation. 

1.    A score of three or above on a College Board Advanced Placement examination.  Only one examination score will count per high school AP course completed.  Students may earn from one to four advanced measures from this category.

2.    A grade of A or B in a college course that is more advanced than any course offered by Yoakum ISD.  Prior approval from the high school principal is required for this category.

3.    Individual original research/project conducted under the direction of the mentor(s) and reported to an appropriate audience. *  Prior approval is required for this category.

4.    A license awarded by a professional board or association upon completion of related school course.  Licenses approved are Certified Nurses’s Aide, Emergency Medical Technician, or other approved by school principal.

5.    A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a Commended Scholar or higher, as part of the National Achievement Scholarship Program, or as part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of the College Board.  The PSAT score may count as only one advanced measure regardless of the number of honors received by a student.

*Examples of original research/projects include projects for AP English and AP Biology classes.  Students must be enrolled in an approved course and under the supervision of a YISD teacher to complete an advanced measure in this category.

PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION TO AND EXIT FROM HONORS COURSES

1.    At the academic pre-registration time, the counselor and teacher discuss honors placement with students for whom it may be appropriate.

2.    Counselor, teacher, student, and parent may review the student’s records to determine if placement is appropriate.

Criteria might include the following:

a.    Two teacher recommendations, of which one must be from a teacher in the subject in which the student is applying.  The other recommendation must be from a teacher in one of the following areas: English, science, math, or social studies.

b.    85 percentile or above on related sections of achievement related to the course.  If the latest score is not consistent with performance, then previous scores will be reviewed and considered in order to establish a pattern of performance.

c.    Grade of 85 in subject in which student is applying.

A student need not satisfy all of the above criteria to be recommended for placement in honors classes.  At the initial entry level, it is better to give a student the opportunity to participate in honors classes than to deny it.

3.   Teacher, student, and parent agree to and sign enrollment form.

1.    At the time of registration, a student who can furnish proof that he/she has successfully completed an honors course is automatically eligible for an honors course in that subject area.

2.    For students requesting an honors course for the first time, the counselor will review the student’s records/performance.

3.    The student, teacher, and parent will agree on placement.

Students who successfully perform in a grade level of an honors course may  progress to the next honors course in the sequence if available.  Prior to 9th grade registration, student re-evaluation will occur using the entrance criteria for each course.

Honors, Pre-AP, and Advanced Placement courses require intensive study at an increased pace thus requiring extra student effort in order to successfully complete the course.