MHS Index                  Counselor's Corner

Monahans High School
809 S. Betty Avenue
Monahans, TX 79756
(432) 943-2519

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MONAHANS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Dear Students and Parents:

This Course Description Book has been prepared especially for you.  It contains a complete listing of courses offered in grades 9 - 12 in the Monahans-Wicket-Pyote Independent School District and provides a brief description of the content of each course.  It also includes specific requirements for graduation as well as unique learning opportunities offered by our District. 

We extend a personal invitation to both students and parents to become actively involved in planning for the years you will spend in the secondary schools of MWP-ISD.  The decisions you make during these years will have a profound effect on your future, and our guidance staff and faculty stands ready to assist you in every way possible to ensure choices that best suit your individual needs and interests.  If you have questions regarding any information in this booklet, please contact one of the high school counselors.  A personal conference among students, parents, and the counselor often proves quite helpful.  The counselors are also available at the high school to explain how educational plans affect career choices. 

As you begin to think about your schedule for next year, please consider carefully those courses that offer you the greatest opportunity for learning.  You will gain the most from your educational experience by focusing on your personal needs and interest and by capitalizing on your unique talents.  In the final analysis, your own initiative will largely determine your degree of success and the quality of education you have attained upon graduation.  We feel that MHS offers programs to help you achieve any educational goal to which you may aspire.  It is vitally important, therefore, that students and parents closely examine the contents of this guide and keep it at hand for future reference. 

We urge you to take advantage of all the resources we provide to aid you in preparing for the future, and we wish each of you a successful and rewarding year.

                                                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                                                              Kellye Riley

                                                                                                            Kellye Riley
                                                                                                            Principal

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Advanced Placement
    Correspondence/Credit-By-Exam
Distinguished Achievement Program
Compliance Statement and Notice of Nondiscrimination
Early Withdrawals
Eligibility for Participation in Commencement Services
Explanation of Grading System
Four-Year Plan Worksheet
General Instructions
Grade Classification Requirements
Graduation Plans
    Minimum Plan Sequence
    Recommended Plan Sequence
    Distinguished Plan Sequence
Graduation Requirements At a Glance
Technology Careers
Terminology
Texas Grant

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COURSE AREAS

BASIC ELECTIVES
DRIVER EDUCATION   
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS ELECTIVES
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES EDUCATION
FINE ARTS
HEALTH
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
MATHEMATICS
OFFICE EDUCATION
OTHER LANGUAGES
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & ATHLETICS 
SCIENCE 
SOCIAL SCIENCE
SPEECH
TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Accounting
Activities of Daily Living I-IV
Advanced Journalism (Newspaper)
Algebra I
Algebra II
Algebra II Pre-AP
Anatomy and Physiology
Apparel
Applied Math A, B
Applied Science I, II
Art I, II, III, IV
Automotive Technician
Band I, II, III, IV
Baseball
Basic Applied Math I, II, II, IV
Basic Biology
Basic Economic/Free Enterprise
Basic English I, II, III, IV
Basic Health
Basic Integrated Physics and Chemistry
Basic Reading Improvement (CEI)
Basic US Government
Basic US History
Basic World Geography
Basic World History
Basketball (Boys)
Basketball (Girls)
Biology I
Biology I Pre-AP
Biology II AP
Business Computer Information Systems I
Business Computer Information Systems II
Business Education Independent Study
Calculus A & B
Certified Nurses Aid
Chemistry I
Chemistry I Pre-AP
Child Development
Choral Music I, II, III, IV
Communication Applications
Communications I, II, III, IV
Community Citizenship I, II ,III
Computer Applications
Concurrent Speech
Debate I, II, III

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Desktop Publishing
Digital Graphics and Animation (Web Mastering II)
Driver Education
Economics
Elementary Analysis (College Algebra)
Engineering Graphics
English I
English I Pre-AP
English II
English II Pre-AP
English III
English III AP
English IV
English IV AP
English Speakers of Other Languages
Ensemble (Special Edition)
Environmental Systems
Football
Fundamentals of Criminal Law
Geometry
Geometry Pre-AP
Golf (Boys)
Golf (Girls)
Government
Health
Housing
Individual and Family Life
Interior Design
Integrated Physics and Chemistry
Integrated Physics and Chemistry Pre-AP
Introduction to Transportation Service Careers
Journalism
Library Aide
Marching Band I, II, III, IV
Math Models
Metal trades
Nutrition and Food Science
Office Aide
Occupational Investigation I, II
Occupational Preparation I, II
Personal and Family Development
Personal Health/ Hygiene I, II, III, IV
Personal Social Skills I, II, III, IV
Photo Journalism
Physical Education/ Athletics
Physics
Preparation for Parenting
Psychology
Reading Improvement I
Recreation/Leisure I, II, III, IV
Research, Design, and Development
Sociology
Softball
Spanish I, II, III
Swimming
Technical Introduction to Criminal Justice
Technology Systems
Tennis
Theatre Arts I, II, III, IV
Track ( Boys)
Track ( Girls )
Trigonometry
U.S. History
VAC
Volleyball
Web Mastering I
Welding
World Geography Studies
World History Studies
Yearbook Management

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       This book is to assist you in planning your courses at Monahans High School.  Read each course description carefully and note the prerequisite required for each.  Students must register for two semesters of work.  Please check course selection carefully.  If a course is offered for one or two different periods during the day, the schedule should be organized so that there are no class conflicts.

    During preregistration, each student is given the opportunity to select his program of studies for the following year.  Course offerings and class loads are planned on the basis of student requests.  A STUDENT SHOULD PLAN HIS PROGRAM WISELY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT NO CHANGES WILL BE MADE AFTER SCHOOL BEGINS IN AUGUST.

      All students must be enrolled in seven classes.

SCHEDULE PROCEDURES

1.     Only necessary schedule changes will be made.  Those changes considered necessary are:
       a.     need the course for graduation
       b.     failed a course
       c.     assigned a class previously taken
       d.     Band, Athletics and Choir

    2.       No teacher changes will be made without a teacher request from PRIOR to the first day of school.
               A teacher request form can only be filled out by the parents.  Parents must see the counselors for a
                teacher request form.

3.             All English, math, science, and social studies courses are sequential.

PAP    Pre-Advanced Placement

AP    Advanced Placement

UIL    University Interscholastic League

R    Regular

TAKS    Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills  (State test requires for Graduation)

THEA    Texas Higher Education Assessment
All Students entering or enrolling in a Texas college or concurrent class must take the THEA Test and pass all three sections.

LOCAL CREDIT    Credit taken for enhancement.  Local credits are not included in the state minimum requirements for graduation.

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT    Is a DUAL credit course taken for both high school and college credit.  (Passing the THEA is required.)

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete 24 credits, including regular courses, from one of the 3 graduation plans.

In addition to the credit requirements, students must pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Exit Level (TAKS) in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.  This test will be given in the spring to eleventh grade students.  Students who do not pass one or more portions of the examination at that time will have opportunities in the summer, fall and spring of their twelfth grade years to re0take the sections not mastered.

Students who do not pass the state examination as seniors may continue to take it at times specified by the state in order to receive a diploma at a later time.  Out-of-school students must pre-register for the exam.

GRADE CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2003-04

                                Grade        Credits (minimum)
                                10                        5
                                11                        10
                                12                        17

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ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT SERVICES

To participate in the commencement exercise, a student must have successfully completed all required courses and earned the minimum credits as ser up in the MHS graduation requirements.  A student may be denied the privilege of participating in commencement exercises for disciplinary reasons. failure to master any section of the Exit Level TAKS Test makes a student ineligible to participate in graduation exercises.

EARLY WITHDRAWALS

To receive full credit for the second semester, early withdrawals may not be made prior to one week before school ends.  A student will be expected to take a semester exam.

EXPLANATION OF GRADING SYSTEM

All courses have been placed on a weighted system and grade points will be assign according to the level of the course.  A cumulative grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of grades accumulated.  GPA is used for the raking 11th and 12th grade students.  Some courses are offered for local credit and will mot be counted toward the credits for graduation.

CORRESPONDENCE/CREDIT-BY-EXAM

Correspondence and credit-by exam are available.  Students should see a counselor for more information.

1.    Select a graduation plan (minimum, recommended, or distinguished achievement program) to correspond 
       with your planned graduation year.

2.     No more than two credits in physical education may be used toward state graduation requirements.
        Fall semester of marching banc may be substituted for physical education.

3.    Mathematics:  Three credits to include Algebra I, Algebra II (or Math Models) and Geometry.

4.    Fine Arts selections from:  art, band, choir, or theater arts.

5.    Technology Application credit from:  Business Computer Information Systems I

6.    Elective courses:  any state approved course listed in this handbook.

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PROGRAM PURPOSE

The purpose of the program is to provide a grant of money to enable academically-prepared, eligible students to attend public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education in Texas.

Who can compete for an award?   A student who:

           ??   is a Texas resident
           ??   graduated from a public or accredited private high school in Texas no earlier than fall 1998
           ??   completed the RECOMMENDED OR DISTINGUISHED high school curriculum or
                  its equivalent
           ??   has financial need
           ??   has applied for any available financial aid or assistance
           ??   enrolls at least 3/4 time in an undergraduate degree certificate program
           ??   has not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving a controlled substance

How much can a student receive through the program?

           The award amount depends on the number of hours taken by the student and the type of institution
            the student attends. In general, it is an amount equal to the students tuition and required fees.

Is this a one time award?

           NO. Students who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive
           awards for up to 150  semester hours or for six years, whichever occurs first.

How do students apply?

           Awards will be made by filling out the FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT
           AID). The Free Form can be picked up in the counselors office at the high school or at the financial
           aid office of the college. Students and parents can also apply free over the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
           Persons interested in the program should contact the high school counselors or the financial aid office at
           the college to find out about deadlines. 

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GRADUATION PLANS

Minimum Plan Sequence

24 CREDITS TO GRADUATE

Recommended Plan Sequence

24 Credits To Graduate

** Elective: To include Chemistry II-AP, Biology II-AP, Environmental Systems, Physics, or Anatomy & Physiology

*** To include Art, Theater Arts, Choir And or / Band

Distinguished Achievement Plan Sequence

24 Credits To Graduate

	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
4 English	Eng I / PAP	Eng II / PAP	Eng II/ AP	Eng IV / AP
3 Math	Algebra 1	Alg II / PAP	Geo-S / PAP	Elective EA/ Trig
3 Science	IPC/ PAP	Bio / PAP	Chem/ PAP	**
3 Social Studies	W. Geography	W. History	US Hist./ PAP
1/2 Government				Govt./AP
1/2 Economics				Economics
1 1/2 P.E./Band/Athletics	PE/Band/Art	PE/Band/Ath.
1/2 Health	Health
1 Fine Arts		***
2 Second Language		Spanish I	Spanish II	Spanish III
1/2 Speech	Comm. Applic.
1 Technical Application	BCIS
3 1/2 Electives
PLUS:  4 ADVANCED MEASURES

** Elective: To include Chemistry II-AP, Biology II-AP,
Environmental Systems, Physics, or Anatomy & Physiology

*** To include Art, Theater Arts, Choir And or / Band

  Students must complete a combination of 4 Advanced Measures from
            either AP (Advanced Placement) courses or Concurrent courses.  Also
a PSAT recognition score may count as a measure.

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The Distinguished Achievement Program standards for approval of requirements will be assessed through an external review process.  Advanced measures focus on demonstrated student performances at the college or professional level.

Students must complete the graduation requirements listed AND receive any combination of FOUR advanced measures from either AP ( Advanced Placement) courses, concurrent courses, or BOTH.

Advanced measures include:

                TEST DATA:

• a score of three or above on the College Board Advance Placement examination

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

           COLLEGE COURSES:

• a grade of 3.0 or higher on courses that count for college credit, including tech prep programs

        Administered by the College Board, an Advanced Placement course is a college level class and a nationally scored exam for secondary school students. Operational services are provided by Educational Testing Services (ETS).

        For the student who desires the most rigorous courses in the high school, Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment courses are developed for English, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science. The course description section addresses the criteria for each course. The student accepted in any of these courses is expected to be highly motivated, have the highest grades in previous courses, and be willing to devote a great deal of study time to the course. These courses go far beyond the state minimum essential elements and are based on difficult instructional material, higher order thinking skills  and demand a high level of performance both from the student and teacher. Concurrent enrollment and Advanced Placement courses are the most advanced academic courses offered by the District and require the student's greatest efforts in order to successfully complete the course.

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1. A student who is accepted into an AP course is required to take the AP exam. The fee for taking the AP exam must be paid before the end of the first six-weeks period of the class.
2. A student earning credit in an AP or AP preparatory course earns weighted credit.
3. A student who fails two consecutive six weeks may be removed from the AP class.

CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
(Formerly Vocational Education)

The term career and technology means organized educational programs offering a sequence of courses that is directly related to the preparation of individuals in employment requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree. Such programs shall include an individual's general knowledge, work attitudes, and general employability skills necessary for economic independence as a productive and contributing member of society.

TECH PREP PROGRAM

Monahans High School has entered into agreements with Odessa College, Midland College, and Howard College that allows for college credit for high school career/ technology courses. Specific high school courses are part of the agreement. These course are designated in the course description part of this guide. Close coordination with the high school counselors is recommended. A four-year plan with a coherent sequence of courses must be established for each student pursuing this course of study.

DRIVER EDUCATION                                                                     Course Number 8820
                   .5 Credit                               Grades 9-12
                   Prerequisite:    Student must be 15 years old before the driving section of this course

This course includes extensive coverage of state and national standards for traffic safety. Students are taught the proper attitudes, behavior, and skills necessary for defensive driving.

There is a possibility that the program cannot accommodate every student meeting the age requirements and in those cases, the oldest students requesting the class are given priority. There is an enrollment fee.

Students may take the course before or after school during the school year.

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Students are required to take four full years of English/Language Arts and earn four credits.

ENGLISH I
Course Number 1110
1 Credit
Grade 9
Prerequisite: None
This course offers skills in evaluating a variety of literature.  Special emphasis is placed on the four stages of the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising, and editing.  Students write various types of paragraphs and review sentence patterns.

ENGLISH I PRE-AP
Course Number 1111
1 Credit
Grade 9
Prerequisite: None
English I Pre-AP course is intended to prepare students to take the English III  AP course.  The rigorous course includes a broader scope literature, more intense concentration on language skills, and an amplified awareness in all areas of communications.  Students will be required to read 2 paperback reading books.  The students can check them out at the library at no cost or if they choose may purchase them for no more than $30.00 for both books.

ENGLISH II
Course Number 1120
1 Credit
Grade 10
Prerequisite: Eng. 1

This course reviews problems in usage, agreement, sentence and paragraph construction.  A central aim is effective organization of multi-paragraph essays.

ENGLISH II PRE_AP
    Course Number 1121
    1 Credit
    Grade 10
    Prerequisite:  Eng. I
    
English II Pre-AP course is intended to prepare students to take the English III  AP course.  The rigorous course includes a broader scope of literature, more intense concentration on language skills, and an amplified awareness in all areas of communications.  Students will be required to read 2 paperback reading books.  The student can check them out at the library at no cost or if they choose may purchase them for no more than $30.00 for both books.

ENGLISH III
Course Number 1130
1 Credit
Grade 11
Prerequisite:  English II
This course focuses on major American writers and the development of American thought from the Puritan period through the modern period.  A research project promotes skill in organizing material form several sources and in using the library.

ENGLISH III  AP
Course Number 1131
(Language and Composition)
1 Credit
Grade 11
Prerequisite:  TAKS Exit -  Level Mastery in English Language Arts and English II English III  AP is a college lever English Language and Composition course taught to high school students.  This course exceeds and traditional English III course by including a college level study of major American authors, by emphasizing the development of vocabulary and critical reading skills, and by providing practice in enrichment directed toward the Advanced Placement Examination.  Students will be required to read 2 paperback reading books.  The student can check them out at the library at no cost or if they choose may purchase them for no more than $30.00 for both books.

ENGLISH IV
Course Number 1140
1 Credit
Grade 12
This course presents a chronological survey of British Literature from Beowulf to modern times.  Improving composition skills, using various forms of discourse and patters of organization, and reviewing grammar are chief concerns.

ENGLISH IV  AP
Course Number 1141
(Literature and Composition)
1 Credit
Grade 12
Prerequisite:  TAKS Exit-Level Mastery in English Language Arts and English III.  This college level course exceeds the traditional English IV survey of British literature and the refinement of composition skills presented in the prescribed curriculum by including studies of selected world authors whose works lend themselves to thematic interpretations and by providing opportunities for students to examine author's styles and emulate their professional techniques in original compositions.

PRACTICAL WRITING SKILLS
Course Number 1143
1 Credit
Grade 12
Prerequisite:  English III and recommendation by English teacher.  Students will work on improving their spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation skills.  There will be strong emphasis on writing grammatically correct sentences and using paragraphs effectively for the composition or various types of letters and papers.

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