(revised 01/29/08)
As most of you know, there are certain classes that require a teacher’s approval for student placement. We will use the following procedures:
1. The criteria for accelerated classes are a 2.8 GPA with a 3.0 in the subject area. Teachers are to sign only if the student qualifies. Students have their transcripts (with grades and GPA) and have been instructed to present it to you whenever they ask for accelerated classes. This criterion is based on the Tangipahoa Parish Pupil Progression Plan. There is no statement saying that parents may request the student be placed in an accelerated class if he/she does not qualify. Also, according to TPSS policy, GPA’s are based on semester grades only, not final grades. For example, if a student has an “A” first semester and a “B” second semester, 7 quality points are used to average the GPA. The final “A” is not used to figure the GPA. We cannot block a student from taking Advanced Math, Biology II, Chemistry II, or Physics because the students must have one of these to qualify for TOPS. If a student does not qualify, then do not sign, but we will still have to let them attempt the class.
2. We are not using list of students’ names for placement into certain classes (for example: athletic P.E., chorus, etc). Teachers must sign on the schedule form for approval.
3. Students have been instructed that if an application is required for a course, they may pick up blank applications from the counselors’ office. They are to turn in the application to the instructor requiring the application. The teacher must sign off on the schedule request to show that the application has been turned in. The teacher will still have the opportunity to screen the applications and then let us know who to remove from the class. Please try to do this by April 1. This helps eliminate confusion and improves efficiency because the applications exchange hands fewer times.
The counselors will be calling in the students for absentee scheduling as time permits. Please do not allow them to leave your class to go to the guidance office for scheduling unless called (and then only if they can make up their work, we do not wish to disrupt a test).