10 Reasons Reflection Form (Complete After Reading)
1. If you're thinking "I'll just take GradPoint," remember that GradPoint allows you to earn the missed credit, but it does NOT replace the failed grade in your GPA. GradPoint is an online computer system where students are completing work on their own. It's self-paced, and this style of learning may not fit with students who need more interaction, support and resources from their core teachers to be successful. Second, both the failure and then the summer school retake show on the transcript; colleges and universities would rather see students succeed the first time. Summer school credit recovery does not apply to the GPA, so the failed course is the only one impacting the GPA (it's a 0.0!). Third, some of the GradPoint classes are actually HARDER than the original course (Civics, Math III, etc.). For example, for the English Modules, the program might ask you to read a poem or an excerpt from any author of British Literature and then analyze the theme, tone, meaning, etc. on your own.
2. If you're thinking, "I'll just do GradPoint during the summer," remember this- when summer school is offered, students have to come every day for the entire month of July into August - who wants to give up his or her summer break? You can only be absent twice - that's all. You have to provide your own transportation. You are often limited to one course.
3. Many students are assigned GradPoint after school or during lunch. Who wants to stay after school (and provide your own transportation home) until 4:15? Who wants to lose his or her lunch period every day?
4. If a student would like to remain eligible for driving, students must pass 75% of his or her courses each semester (3 of 4 courses).
5. If a student would like to remain eligible for athletics, he or she must pass 75% of their courses each semester (3 out of 4 courses).
6. If you fail your English course, you will be retained/held back regardless of passing other classes. Students MUST pass English for promotion to the next grade.
7. If you are still identified as a 10th grader next year because you did not pass English II or earn enough credits (when your peers are classified as juniors), you will not be given an off campus lunch pass or have the potential to park on campus.
8. Promotion Credits (1 credit for each passing course)
Promotion to 10th Grade: Must have English I Credit, 2 Credits in the areas of Math, Social Studies, or Science, and 3 additional credits (electives/additional core classes). Total of 6 Credits
Promotion to 11th Grade: Must have English II Credit, 1 Credit in Math, 1 Credit in Social Studies, 1 Credit in Science, and 2 Additional Credits (electives/additional core classes). Total of 12 Credits (Freshman and Sophomore Years Combined).
Promotion to 12th Grade: Must have English III Credit, and 6 Additional Credits (electives/additional core classes)
Graduation: Must have 26 credits
9. For college, GPA with sports matters - students must have a cumulative GPA of at least at 2.3 to be eligible and for more colleges and universities, at least a 2.5 GPA is their minimum for admissions. But again - this is a MINIMUM - to be competitive for athletics, colleges and scholarships, colleges and universities would like higher and more competitive scores. Zeros/failures dramatically impact your GPA!
10. Many jobs ask for recommendations or references from the high school. If a student is not academically strong, his or her recommendation from teachers, counselors and administrators may not be strong enough to get or maintain a job. If a student cannot pass their courses, a business may not want him or her handling the responsibilities of the business!
11. You may hate some of your current classes, but by failing the course, you are forcing yourself to suffer through the class TWICE! Find your motivation and pass it the first time! The students who stay in the F/low D range ALWAYS end up doing more work than the students who stay at a C or above. Why? Because students who stay in the Danger Zone (D's and F's) are constantly redoing work , doing extra mastery work, coming to extra tutorials, completing work at home since they did not use the provided classroom time, etc..
**I do not want to be "in your business." However, if you are failing or near failing, I will be a constant thorn in your side trying to get you motivated to pass.**
What does that mean?
1. Phone calls and e-mails to your parents/guardians.
2. Conversations with coaches/instructors if you are on a team, club, extracurricular activities, etc..
3. Conversations and meetings with your counselors.
4. Conversations with your employer if you have an after school job.