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McMillen Lions Orientation  5th period (Day 1)    2021-2022

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For now, all students will report to their assigned Advisory teacher during 5th period.  This is a separate class where attendance will be taken.   Some days will be planned for you, but there will be other days when you will have time to work on assignments from your classes.

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We are in the process of purchasing and implementing a software program that will provide some flexibility in where students attend Advisory, but for now, we will follow our schedules as written.  As soon as we get this program up and running, we will give you more details.

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Why do we have 8 periods and an Advisory ?

Recent State Legislation led to our decision to create a separate period for Advisory and change our schedule to an 8 period day.   We want to help you understand the reason for this new class on your schedules.

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House Bill 4545 was passed in response to STAAR testing scores in Spring 2021 and the expectation that students have come through the COVID pandemic with what is called  Unfinished Learning .   In other words, students who did not meet passing standards and students who opted not to take STAAR tests in Spring 2021 will likely need some assistance preparing for their next opportunity to take STAAR tests.

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HB 4545 divides students on our campus into 5 groups.  For each of these groups, Advisory will serve a different purpose at different times of the school year.

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Group 1  - students who scored approaches, meets, or masters on their 8th grade STAAR or on their STAAR EOC tests in Spring 2021. Once we get up and running with our structured Advisory program, these students should be eligible to self-select where they go for Advisory on certain days - tutorials, club meetings, etc.

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Group 2  -  students who did not meet the passing standard on their STAAR EOC Algebra 1, English 1, Biology or English 2 tests in Spring 2021 Until they retake (December) and score approaches, meets, or masters on tests they did not “‘pass,” they are required to attend 30 hours of small group Accelerated Learning during the school day.

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These small group Accelerated Learning sessions will take place during Advisory. During September, October, and November, we will do everything we can to help Group 2 students prepare for EOC retakes.  If students score approaches, meets or masters in early December, they no longer have to attend Accelerated Learning during Advisory in semester 2.

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Group 3  -  students who  did not take  their STAAR EOC Algebra 1, English 1, Biology or English 2 tests in Spring 2021 Group 3 students will participate in 30 hours of Accelerated Learning until one of two things occur: a )  meet standard on an Alternate Assessment  given later this month     - or -   b) take EOC tests in December and “pass”

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Alternate Assessments will be given in August to determine if Group 3 students meet a particular standard on EOC-covered objectives.  If students pass this test, they may be excused from Accelerated Learning sessions if parents agree. Students who do not meet standard on this test, will continue to attend Accelerated Learning to prepare for December EOC testing.

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Group 4  -  students who did not meet the passing standard on their  8th grade Math or Reading  tests in Spring 2021  Students is this group will participate in an Accelerated Learning Committee meeting with their parents and school personnel to determine a plan to review learning from 8th grade and prepare for STAAR EOC testing in Spring 2022.  Accelerated Learning in Advisory will be a part of the committee decisions.

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Group 5  -  students who  did not take  their  8th grade Math or Reading  tests in Spring 2021 Students in this group will participate in an Accelerated Learning Committee meeting with their parents and school personnel to determine a plan to review learning from 8th grade and prepare for STAAR EOC testing in Spring 2022.

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Group 5 students will be also be given an Alternate Assessment which measures grade 8 level proficiency.  Students who pass this Alternate Assessment may be excused from Accelerated Learning in Advisory if parents agree.

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The bottom line is that Advisory has been created as a way to help students prepare to take (for the first time) or retake STAAR EOC tests in Algebra 1, Biology, English 1, and English 2.

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Once we have our Enriching Students software in place, we will assign Accelerated Learning students to very small groups, and will then regroup remaining students into new Advisory classes.   Training in using the Enriching Students App will be given to students who wish to attend tutorials or club meetings after we get set up for those options.

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If you have any questions about HB 4545, please feel free to ask a principal or a counselor.   We appreciate your patience as we get 5th period set up to accommodate both Accelerated Learning and student or teacher choice in placement during Advisory.

5th Period_Student Orientation (Day 1) 2021-2022

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