M

T

W

Th

F

1

65

65

65

75
faculty time

(no first period)

65

2

50

50

50

50

50

Prior Year General Waivers

Faculty Advisory Committee

Comments of the appropriate SDMC member

We decided to establish the SDMC and FAC as one working unit. The SDMC and FAC meet once a month.

The SDMC meets first to discuss items such as the School Improvement Plan (SIP), staff development and other principal/faculty generated agenda items. The FAC then meets to discuss faculty issues and needs. This combination of committee members allows both groups to have a consistency of members.

Describe the waiver being requested. Include the following: 1) The purpose, 2) How it will be implemented, and 3) The expected student benefits. Be as specific as possible

Westside HS will utilize its faculty representation on its Shared Decision-Making Committee as its Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC). This eliminates confusion among the entire staff as to which members of the faculty are on the SDMC or FAC. Members of both committees act as a trustee representative for the entire learning community. Once the SDMC meeting has concluded, the faculty stays to discuss FAC issues with the principal.

Describe how this waiver request addresses the School Improvement Plan, including specific objective and/or strategy addressed

The SDMC acts in a advisory capacity to the principal on curriculum/instruction, budget, staffing, safety/security issues and other pertinent ones. The FAC issues may be minor compared to what is discussed and decided in the SDMC but they are still connected to overall school goals. One of the objectives on the SIP is to increase communication among campus personnel. This waiver would help with this objective. This waiver also improves management efficiency, increases communication among campus personnel and the Westside Community and it contributes to creating a positive district culture by providing opportunities for the staff to voice their concerns/needs. SIP Goals: 2.0 improve management efficiency SIP Goals: 3.0 improve public support and confidence

How will granting this waiver remove the existing inhibition(s) to the achievement of this objective?

Granting this waiver fosters communication amongst the entire learning community. It will make management more efficient since all school issues can be addressed during one meeting.

How will you evaluate the impact of this waiver?

We will examine if and how FAC issues are addressed and subsequent desisions are implemented in a timely manner.

HISD Status

Approve for 2005-2006 A written plan, including procedures regarding which members will discuss FAC concerns, if parents are included, and minutes, is due to Regional Superintendent by August 12, 2005, and is to be made available to employee groups by September 6, 2005. School must document use of waiver and notify parents in writing about the waiver prior to the opening of school.

Final Exam Exemption

Comments of the appropriate SDMC member:

The SDMC proposed a final exam spring semester exemption waiver to the WHS faculty. The SDMC recognized the value of exemptions in providing both incentive and reward for academic achievement. At the same time, the necessity for clear guidelines was apparent. The stipulations presented to the faculty read as follows: > The student has an 85 or better average

Describe the waiver being requested. Include the following: 1) The purpose, 2) How it will be implemented, and 3) The expected student benefits. Be as specific as possible.

Seniors shall be exempt from their Spring semester exams if the following is true in each individual class that is being considered for the exemption status: (1) The student has earned an average of 85 or higher in the Spring semester; (2) The student has earned an "S" or higher conduct grade in each six weeks; (3) The student has no more than 2 excused absences on block schedule, or 5 excused absences on traditional schedule, excluding a maximum of one college visit. Absences for academic field trips and UIL activities do not count as absences for this waiver; (4) The student has not received an office conduct cut of "P" or "U" at any time during the semester.

Describe how this waiver request addresses the School Improvement Plan, including specific objective and/or strategy addressed.

This waiver will increase student achievement and the high school completion rate. It should also increase student attendance. SIP Goal: 1.0 increase academic achievement SIP Goal: 1.3 increase student attendance

How will granting this waiver remove the existing inhibition(s) to the achievement of this objective?

Students are more likely to attend class and maintain excellent grades. This waiver helps students become a more self-directed individual.

How will you evaluate the impact of this waiver?

We will examine the number of students exempt from their final exams. We will also measure if student achievement increases and if attendance improves in those classes eligible for exemption.

HISD Status

Approved for 2005-2006 Approval only for second-semester seniors with an 85 average in the class, S or E in conduct, and three or fewer absences. School may adopt stricter standards. Students exempt from finals who do not attend school may not be marked present. Schools that implement this waiver must refund to the district the ADA funds lost due to students’ absences. School must document use of waiver and notify parent in writing about the waiver prior to the opening of school.

Whole Course Credit

Comments of the appropriate SDMC member:

The faculty asked for this waiver so that students would remain motivated in the Spring semester and would attempt to pass the 2nd semester if they had not passed the 1st semester. Since we do not have "trailer" courses, this has proven to be a good option for the students and their parents, especially considering that restrictions were also enforced.

Describe the waiver being requested. Include the following: 1) The purpose, 2) How it will be implemented, and 3) The expected student benefits. Be as specific as possible.

Westside HS will implement composite (whole-course) grading. There is an application and a contract process with the following conditions; (1) Students who fail the first semester course and are taking the B portion in consecutive semesters. (2) Students must have a 65-69 fall semester average in the course. (3) The student cannot have more than 5 absences for any reason from the class. This includes extra-curricular absences, ISS, suspension, excused or unexcused absences. (4) There can be no discipline infractions that are level 2 or higher in and out of the classroom. (5) Students will lose the opportunity for credit for cheating or plagiarism on homework, class work, quizzes or tests. (6) Students must attend tutorials as prescribed by the subject teacher or the contract will be null and void. (7) Forms must be completed and signed and returned by the deadline. (8) Whole course credit cannot be obtained in the following classes: Algebra I, IPC Foreign Language, or any Advanced Placement Class.

Describe how this waiver request addresses the School Improvement Plan, including specific objective and/or strategy addressed.

According to the criteria stated above, student achievement in all courses should increase since there is incentive to pass the spring semester course. Good attendance and mandatory tutorials should help with student achievement as well. This waiver should impact student achievement as high school completions rates increase as well. SIP Goal: 1.0 increase academic achievement SIP Goal: 1.3 increase student attendance

How will granting this waiver remove the existing inhibition(s) to the achievement of this objective?

Students that failed a Fall Semester course have less incentive to succed for the "B" portion. They can still pass the "B" portion but will have to retake the "A" part. Most courses are sequential so taking courses out of order impedes academic achievement. Fewer students will have retake courses which could lower the student/teacher ratio in classes. If enough students pass courses they would have otherwise failed, teachers would have more room in their schedules to teach other courses (electives) for

How will you evaluate the impact of this waiver?

The number of students that received composite credit will be the best evaluation metric.

HISD Status

Approved for 2005-2006 Approval for core courses only (math, English, social studies, and science) (A and B sequential) except for Pre-AP, AP, Pre-IB, and IB courses. First semester grade may be no less than 60. Student must pass B portion of course. Total grade points for the year may be no less than 140. Student may have no more than 3 unexcused absences per semester. Students who transfer to school at mid-year with a failing grade in one of the approved classes will be eligible for whole course credit. School must submit to Regional Office, by Aug. 12, 2005, a plan for monitoring students’ progress during the year. It is strongly suggested that schools prepare contracts for students. School must document use of waiver and notify parent in writing.

Credits/Curriculum

Comments of the appropriate SDMC member:

Rationale: Pass/fail grading is to encourage AP students to pursue areas of special talents and interests to enrich their academic achievement. AP students frequently forfeit opportunities to study in their areas of talent and interest because their class standing is negatively impacted when compared to that of an AP student who chooses not to pursue such courses.

Describe the waiver being requested. Include the following: 1) The purpose, 2) How it will be implemented, and 3) The expected student benefits. Be as specific as possible.

Rational: Pass/fail grading is to encourage AP students to pursue areas of special talents and interests to enrich their academic achievement. AP students frequently forfeit opportunities to study in their areas of talent and interest because their class standing is negatively impacted when compared to that of an AP student who chooses not to pursue such areas. Eligibility: Pass/fail grading would only be offered to juniors and seniors who are (1) carrying an otherwise full load of AP coursework, (2) have grades of 90 or above in said coursework, and (3) have a grade of 90 or above in the subjects for which said students are applying for pass/fail grading. Failure to maintain these standards will result in students being denied the privilege of taking courses for pass/fail grading. Finally, students must maintain membership in classes offering pass/fail grading for the entire academic year. Courses offered for pass/fail grading: Multi-year elective courses for which (1) the student has a record of continuous participation and (2) do not have an AP offering would be offered (e.g. band, choir, orchestra). How grades are handled: 1. Student receives numerical grade earned on report card. 2. Student receives numerical grade earned along with the label "GPA exempt" on student's transcript. 3. GPA exempt courses will be excluded from computation of GPA and class rank. Effect on eligibility: Numerical grades earned on all courses (including those that are GPA exempt) are used to determine (???)

Describe how this waiver request addresses the School Improvement Plan, including specific objective and/or strategy addressed.

This waiver will increase student achievement and the high school completion rate.

How will granting this waiver remove the existing inhibition(s) to the achievement of this objective?

Goal: 1.0 increase academic achievement.

How will you evaluate the impact of this waiver?

Examining the increase in student participation in extra curricular activities and student achievement and class rank.

HISD Status

Approved for 2005-2006 Must be made available to all students enrolled in elective courses. School must document use of waiver and notify parent in writing about the waiver prior to the opening of school.