A-G “How To” Guide for 2008-09

Here are some helpful hints for implementing a-g courses for your high school students.

General Guidelines:

1. Students must follow the course outline posted and have the information included in their learning records. The course outline can be found on our website at http://www.ieminc.org/handbook/highschool/Courseinfo/agcoursetitle.htm

2. The textbook must be listed in the learning record, and the documentation needs to include the concepts from the outline either written in the learning record or marked in the LR content standards.

3. Students must use an approved textbook from the course outline, preferably a CA Standards aligned textbook.

4. Students can use an updated edition of the textbook.

5. You can find the UC list of approved courses for CWCS at https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/

Course Specific hints:

Social Studies Students must follow the course outline.

English Students must follow the course outline and read at least three novels from the suggested reading list alongside the curriculum. The course must emphasize reading and expository writing.

Mathematics Students must follow the course outline, several online providers are listed on the Algebra course outline.

Lab Science Lab Science courses must include at least 20% laboratory work. Recently we were informed by the University of California that the lab portion of our a-g lab science courses can not be completed in a home environment nor can “lab kits” sufficiently provide students with the lab experience that UC is expecting from our students. Therefore, a-g Biology, a-g Chemistry, a-g Physics and a-g Anatomy/Physiology must have an on site type/formal lab component. Options include taking the course at community college, taking supplemental labs at our Modesto Learning Center offered by Lecia Leige, or taking the lab portion from Dan Wyrick, a vendor, in Lodi.

Language Other than English

Students must follow the course outline and should be given opportunities to apply dialogue.

Visual and Performing Arts

Students must follow both the course outline and the California State Standards by subject at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp . The course must include some cultural and historical studies and should not simply be a performance experience.

College Prep Electives

Our approved electives include a-g Life Science, a-g Physical Science, a-g Earth Science, a-g Economics, a-g European History. The sciences in this category do not need a 20% lab component, however, lab experiences are recommended.

Upcoming Issues:

UC will be announcing a new policy for Independent Study Schools. We will have one year to comply with the new policy and we are expecting to have the policy in full implementation by Fall 2008. Also by 2008, UC should have their own online vendor list to choose from for a-g courses.