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Curriculum & Instruction |
Middle & High | Frequently Asked
Questions Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) What are the
“state standards” that teachers follow when they develop lesson plans and
units of study for instruction in K-12 grade classrooms?
The “state standards” are also known as the
Standard Course
of Study and are developed by North Carolina public school teachers and
administrators in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Public
Instruction. The Standard Course of Study outlines a set of competencies
for each grade and high school course. Its intent is to ensure rigorous
student academic performance standards that are uniform across the state.
The Standard Course of Study is based on a philosophy of teaching and
learning that is consistent with current research, exemplary practices and
national standards.
What are the graduation requirements for
students enrolled in Orange County Schools?
North Carolina high school students are expected
to meet specific state requirements in order
to receive a high school diploma. These requirements apply to all students
across the state and help ensure that all graduates have met certain
standards. These standards for achievement and courses are designed to
prepare students for higher education and for work as adults.
In addition to state standards, local school boards may set other standards
to graduate.
Additional Resources:
Graduation
Requirements
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Graduation
Requirements - Local Policy
Orange
County
Schools, Policy 3460
How can parents, guardians and community volunteers help students
with their homework?
Orange County Schools provides updates regarding class assignments, due
dates and teacher announcements through a site called
Homework Hero. Homework Hero will allow parents and community
volunteers to see what a student needs to do in order to complete
assignments and class projects in a timely manner.
If you still have questions about your child's homework, after viewing
Homework Hero, please do not hesitate to call, email or schedule an
appointment with your child's teachers. They will be glad to meet with
you to discuss the assignment and the purpose for the assignment.
Homework Tips for Parents, Overcoming Test Anxiety, Helping Your Teenager
with Writing, Tools for College Planning and other resources for parents,
guardians and extended family members are available at
For Parents.
What is dual enrollment?
Dual enrollment is an enrollment plan that allows students to earn credit in
both a high school and community college or college course at the same
time. Orange County Schools has agreements with
Alamance Community College,
Durham Technical Community College
and UNC-Greensboro to offer courses for
high school and college credit.
What is Middle College High School?
Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College is an open,
non-traditional high school program for upperclassmen in Orange County
Schools. Students from Orange County Schools, Durham Public Schools and
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are eligible to apply for admission.
Students who are accepted into the Middle College High School have the
opportunity to receive high school credits and potential community college
credit. Students have the opportunity to graduate from high school with a
year or more of college transfer credit. For additional information on
Middle College High School, please visit
http://mchs.dpsnc.net/.
Click here to watch a video about Middle College What is the
difference between an EOG Test and an EOC Test?
End-of-Grade tests are commonly referred to as
EOG’s. End-of-Grade tests are administered to students in grades 3-8 in
reading comprehension, mathematics, and science. Each test is
multiple-choice format and is administered during the final three weeks of
school. End-of-Course tests are commonly referred to as EOC’s.
End-of-Course tests are administered to students enrolled in specific 9-12
grade courses. End-of-Course tests are multiple choice format and are
designed to measure the student’s grasp of the North Carolina Standard
Course of Study goals and objectives for a particular subject. Students
entering the ninth grade for the first time in 2006-2007 and afterward are
required to pass five EOC assessments and a graduation project in order to
graduate from a North Carolina public school. The five required EOC
assessments are Algebra I, Biology, English I, Civics and Economics, and
U.S. History. Additional Resources:
North Carolina Testing Program Quick Facts
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
What are the differences between AP
courses and the IB Programme?
Advanced Placement college courses are commonly referred to as AP courses.
In May, students take a test for each AP course in which they are enrolled;
students who achieve a certain score may, if their college accepts the AP
credit, receive college credit. There is a separate fee required for each
AP test taken by the student. AP courses are offered at both high schools.
Each of our district’s AP teachers completed a review
of their course by the College Board called the AP Audit. The authorization
of an individual teacher’s course is an official recognition by the College
Board that the teacher’s course meets or exceeds the expectations colleges
and universities have for the designated AP subject. This authorization
grants the teacher’s school permission to use the “AP” designation on
students’ transcripts in association with the authorized course.
The International Baccalaureate Programme is a
demanding course of study that is designed for highly motivated secondary
students (juniors and seniors) with an interest in internationalism,
service, academic rigor and independent learning. The school district’s IB
Programme is housed at Cedar Ridge High School, but students from both high
schools are eligible to apply for acceptance into the IB Programme.
Additional
Resources:
AP
Courses and Information for Parents and Students
College Board
International Baccalaureate
Orange County Schools – IB site
IB Programme
Information for Parents and Students
Orange County Schools site
What is the North Carolina Virtual Public
School?
According to the North Carolina Virtual Public School,
“Virtual schooling means registered students throughout the state can take
classes using their own computers, over the Internet. Course content,
assignments and demonstrations are provided on an anytime, anywhere basis.
Students use email, instant messaging and online chat forums to interact
with their teachers and other students. Teachers and students may talk to
one another over the phone or over their computers. When students complete
assignments, they can send their papers or tests to their teachers
electronically. Grading and individual remarks are sent from the teacher to
the student in the same way.” Students who are interested in enrolling in a
NCVPS course should contact their guidance counselor.
For additional information visit:
North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS)
What
is UNC-G iSchool?
UNCG
iSchool is a program developed by the University of North Carolina at
Greensboro, which gives high school juniors and seniors a head start on
their college education at no cost. Students are able to take the same
university classes that are offered on campus – but offered online as part of
the regular school day. Students who pass the iSchool course will receive
high school and college credit. With a UNC-Greensboro transcript and a
grade of C or higher, students can transfer the credit-hours they earn.
The N.C. State Legislature funds both tuition and
textbooks for UNC-G iSchool students in North Carolina’s public high
schools. For additional information on UNC-G iSchool, please contact your
guidance counselor.
What is weighted credit?
In calculating a student’s grade point average,
advanced courses are awarded additional points because of the emphasis on
rigor and demand for higher order thinking skills. High School courses
designated as honors are awarded one additional quality point; Advanced
Placement (AP) courses and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are
weighted two additional quality points. The weighted credit is approved by
the North Carolina State Board of Education (see policy # HSP-L-004).
Weighted
Credit
Non-weighted Credit
AP or IB Course A – 6.0
Course A – 4.0 (Traditional 4.0 scale)
Honors Course A – 5.0
Can middle school students earn
high school credit while they are enrolled in middle school?
Yes. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year,
middle school students who pass mathematics or foreign language courses
during grade 6-8 that are described in the North Carolina Standard Course of
Study for grades 9-12 must achieve level III or IV on an EOC, if available,
to meet that high school graduation requirement. High school mathematics and
foreign language courses taken in grades 6-8 which do not have an EOC shall
use high school course codes and shall be aligned to the North Carolina
Standard Course of Study for grades 9-12. The courses will count toward
graduation requirements, but the students’ GPA will not be computed with courses
taken during the high school years.
See State Board Policy # HSP-M-001
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