Century High School PTSO (Athletic and Music Boosters too)

CIC 11/15/2001 Meeting Report

A Note From CIC

The Continuous Improvement Council (CIC) met on Thursday, November 15, 2001 at the Carroll County Career and Technology Center. The CIC is made up of parents, teachers and administrators from Carroll County Schools. This initial meeting reviewed the Duties of the Council, the Roles and Responsibilities of School Guidance Counselors, and next year's 2002 Graduation Requirements. At the end of the meeting, we were given a brief explanation of the programs and facilities at the Career and Technology Center and a quick tour.

The responsibilities we were asked to accept include:
· Attend four CIC meetings.
· Develop a working knowledge of our school's curriculum goals, trends, and issues.
· Network with instructional supervisors.
· Review and Recommend instructional textbooks and material proposed.
· As needed, provide input and responses to the Superintendent about issues facing Carroll Cnty.
Our primary responsibility is to bring this information back to our school community. If there are issues that the PTSO believes we should address, we will be happy to raise them at the next meeting.

Additional Speakers at the CIC meeting included guidance counselors from selected Carroll County elementary, middle, and high schools. These representatives discussed how the role of guidance counselors has been changing. The traditional focus of guidance counselors as mental health providers is no longer possible, so the new vision is focused more on Academic/Student Achievement. At the high school level, the counselors concentrate on preparing the students for life after high school not just the 4-6 years of schooling directly after they graduate, but beyond as well. In addition, their responsibilities include helping the students get through their high school years, which may mean individual counseling or crisis intervention. At Century High School, we have Academic Advisors as well as Guidance Counselors. Although the Academic Advisors review report cards and meet with the students periodically, they are intended as a mentor and not a counselor. It is still the guidance counselor who will be responsible for identifying a career path, assisting with conflict management, and working with individual teachers, as needed.

The most important information we were to bring back was about the changing graduation requirements. Effective for incoming 9th graders (Fall of 2002 Freshmen), students will need 25 credits to graduate - instead of 21 - and a minimum of 6 Career Focus Credits in an Academy or Completer Program. The remaining requirements stay the same:
· All students must meet Maryland State College and University requirements for high school graduation and/or complete a state approved career and technology completer program.
· Complete 4 of the 25 credits for graduation after 11th grade.
· Complete 4 years of approved study beyond 8th grade.
· Complete 75 hours of Approved Student Service
· Complete the Freshman Seminar class in 9th grade before advancing to 10th grade.
· Complete an approved "culminating activity" after 11th grade, such as a portfolio presentation, work-based learning experience, senior seminar, or senior project.
· Pass all 3 Functional Tests (MD Functional Math, Reading, and Writing) or successfully complete the equivalent of an approved government course.
· Participate in an approved Arts and Physical Ed. Program.
· Participate in an approved World of Work Program.