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TESTING PROGRAMS
State of California for High School Students
In addition to the testing described below, the following tests are available to Soquel High School students:
STAR: In 1997, Senate Bill 376 established the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program requiring all California public schools to use a single standardized test. At Soquel High School, students in grades 9-11 are assessed in reading, writing, mathematics, social science and science. Individual student scores are sent to parents during the summer of each year. The STAR test is administered at SHS over several days during the spring semester. These important test days are announced in advance so students and parents may plan and prepare accordingly. Soquel High School's ranking in the Academic Performance Index (API) is based by averaging individual student scores. API information is available through the district, the school and the internet.
California High School Exit Exam: State legislation in 2000 established that every student must pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to receive a high school diploma. This test is mandated for the class of 2004 and those following. The exam tests reading comprehension, composition and mathematics skills. This test is administered three times yearly, beginning at 10th grade, to allow multiple opportunities for each student to pass any section that was not passed in the previous administrations.
The California High School Proficiency Exam: Students may earn the legal equivalent of a high school diploma by proving proficiency in basic English and math skills via this state-sponsored exam which is given twice each year. (Nov. and April). Students must be at least 16 or have completed the tenth grade or be enrolled in the second semester of the tenth grade. Passing this exam allows students to leave high school (with parental permission) to seek full time employment or enrollment at a community college in California. Acceptance of this certificate may vary out of state. The CHSPE registration packet with more details is available in the Counseling Office or by contacting the website: www.cde.ca.gov/statetests/chspe. The test may be taken more than once if necessary and currently costs $50.00. The requested school code number : 4437406
The General Educational Development Test: The GED is a nationally recognized test and is available to students who are 18 or older through the Adult Education Office. It tests basic proficiency in the areas of English, math, science, and social studies. A GED test preparation course is available through Adult Ed. The GED fee is currently $57 (cash or money order only). The test may be taken more than once if necessary. Call the Adult Ed. Office at 429-3966 for more details and an appointment for testing.
COLLEGE BOUND TESTING PROGRAM
4-year Universities and Community Colleges
Soquel HS Code # - 053398 Soquel HS SAT Test Center # - 05-804 Soquel HS ACT Test Center # - 208210
PSAT - The PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test measures verbal and math reasoning abilities important for academic performance in college. It assesses ability to reason with facts and concepts rather than the ability to recall and recite them. The PSAT includes two verbal sections, two math sections and a writing skills section. This 2-hr + 10-min exam is given only once each year in October and is most often taken by juniors although 10th graders who completed geometry may choose to take the PSAT for practice.
The PSAT is not a required exam and is not used as part of the college admission process. However, it is very beneficial as a preview of the SAT I and as predictor of possible SAT scores. More importantly for juniors, exceptionally scores may qualify the student for a National Merit Scholarship. Registration for the PSAT is handled in the Soquel HS Finance Office where the test fee is paid and the study guide is distributed.
SAT I - The SAT I: Reasoning Test is an entrance exam required by most 4-year colleges. The 3-hr test that measures verbal and math abilities is administered at Soquel HS Test Center (Center #05-804) on 5 identified Saturday mornings throughout the year for a fee. Aptos HS Test Center is a good second choice site. Most students take the SAT I twice, as juniors in May or June and then again as seniors in October. Colleges will use the highest score for admissions. The informative registration booklet and helpful study guide are available in the Counseling Office. The University of California and many private colleges also required the SATII for admissions.
SAT II - The Sat II: Subject Tests are required in addition to the SAT I by UC, some out of state and many private colleges as part of the admissions process as well as for placement purposes. Each 1-hr exam measures your knowledge of a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge
The UC system and most of the other campuses require 3 tests. Writing and one of three choices of math must be taken in addition to one elective choice from literature, two areas of history, three sciences or eight world languages. Be sure to check the particular college catalog for specifics.
The registration process, test sites, etc. for the Subject Tests are the same as the SAT I. You may not take the SAT I and SAT II on the same day; however, you may take one, two or three SAT II Subject Tests on the same day. Each test is one hour during a possible 3-hr testing session. The best time to take a Subject Test is either after completion of the particular course (e.g., Biology) or at the end of a sequence of classes (e.g., Spanish 1,2, 3...test). Most students take two or three subject tests at a time, usually in June of their junior year and again in November or December of the senior year for most college admissions.
ACT - The American College Test, ACT, is very similar to the SAT I and may be used by most colleges instead of the SAT I. In fact, a few campuses prefer the ACT so be sure to check the particular college catalog. The ACT reports scores in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT is administered at the Soquel HS Test Center (Center #208210) on 5 Saturday mornings throughout the year for a fee. The registration form and study guide are available in the Counseling Office.
Advanced Placement Tests - Soquel HS currently offers the following Advanced Placement classes: AP English Literature, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP US History, AP European History and AP Spanish. Advanced Placement examinations are administered during January and May on campus, although you are not required to take the AP exam as part of your enrollment in these classes. If you score 3 or better on the test, you may earn college credit. Your AP teacher or counselor can give you more details.
CSU - English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM) - After being admitted but prior to enrollment at any CSU campus, students are required to take the EPT and ELM unless otherwise exempt by means of previous test scores such as the SAT or ACT. The EPT and ELM are used for placement, to determine eligibility in specific courses. Test registration information and details about the actual tests are sent to newly admitted students by CSU with possible test dates. The test sites are the 23 CSU campuses. These tests may be taken only once. Students select the closest campus to their home rather than the campus they plan to attend. For example, SHS students can choose either San Jose State or CSU-Monterey Bay even if they plan to attend San Diego State.
UC - Subject A Examination - Students admitted to the UC system are required to take a writing competency exam unless otherwise exempt due to test scores on the SAT II Writing or AP English Exam. In early spring UC will mail each student a very detailed information booklet regarding the Subject A exam (locations, date, test format, sample topics). This test can be taken only once and is usually scheduled in early May. Students unable to take this test or not passing the test will be required to enroll in a writing course the first semester on the UC campus.
TOEFL - The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is required by colleges as part of the admissions process of students who have not completed at least 3 years of high school in an English speaking country. It is used to determine the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English. Information is available in the Counseling Office.
Assessment Tests - Students planning to attend Cabrillo College concurrently while still in high school or after graduation as a full or part-time student need to take Cabrillo's assessment tests if...
--enrolling in an English or math class for the first time
--enrolling in more than 6 units
--needed to meet a course prerequisite
The assessment tests evaluate basic skills in math, English, and reading to assist students in choosing appropriate level classes. The tests include an objective reading test, a written essay and a choice of three levels of math, The tests, campus orientation and advisement program usually takes 4 hours. Students can make an assessment appointment by calling the Cabrillo Assessment Office at 479-6267.
Students are encouraged to take an English class as well as a math class during the senior year in an effort to better prepare for or review for this assessment process. If this is not possible, the assessment test should be taken after completion of the last class in that subject area. Assessment results are honored for 2 years. Sample tests are available at Cabrillo's Assessment Center or SHS Counseling Office. Early Assessment for Cabrillo is held at SHS in March.
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM
Student Services:
The Soquel High School Guidance Program is organized to reflect the National Standards for Guidance and Counseling. These standards address the domains of academic, personal/social and career counseling. The Counseling Office is currently staffed with an assistant principal, three counselors, a counseling secretary and a registrar. The office provides a wide range of services throughout the year (registration, academic advisement, maintenance of records, testing, etc.) The Guidance Program is structured so that each counselor provides guidance information and counseling services to the four grade levels of a student body of about 01300. Students may wish to meet with their assigned counselor to discuss:
` academic progress and school adjustment
` high school four-year plan
` post-graduation options
` academic and / or vocational opportunities
` school policies and procedures
` alternative educational options
` test interpretation
` letters of recommendation
` personal counseling
` community agency referrals
In addition to counselor / student / parent / faculty-initiated conferences, the counselor meets on a regular basis with students each year either individually (i.e. senior checks, 8th grade registration, new enrollees) or in small groups (i.e. fall semester planning, spring semester advisement with each grade level and sophomore 4-year planning.)
There are a variety of advisement activities at SHS throughout the school year to which parents are encouraged to attend. Among these informative parent meetings are:
Back to School Night September
Parent Information Nights four grade level meetings in early October
Plan Your Future (college/career) early November, hosted by Cabrillo College
Financial Aid Parent Meeting early February
Open House/New Student February
Information Night
Sophomore 4-year Planning Night March/April
Guidance Curriculum:
The SHS Student Handbook contains pertinent information essential to meaningful high school planning (general information, requirements, programs, course descriptions, etc.). A wide variety of supplemental printed materials are also available to students and parents (i.e. specifics handouts regarding high school and college prep requirements, college prep time lines, calendars, educational alternatives, etc. as well as testing booklets, college applications, scholarships and financial aid information, and other reference material). A brief overview of the guidance curriculum time line follows:
* 8th Grade: Introduction to high school includes a review of the SHS Student Handbook, high school graduation requirements, higher education possibilities (i.e. UC, CSU, community college, vocational, etc.), college prep requirements and the freshmen course selections.
* 9th Grade: Clarification of graduation requirements, transcripts and high school curriculum emphasizes the topics mentioned above as well as ROP (tech prep), Honors, Advanced Placement, concurrent enrollment and other opportunities.
* 10th Grade: Development of the four-year plan during sophomore group conference focuses on meeting the necessary requirements given the particular post graduation goal. Specific information and additional reference resources relevant to these plans are made available, including a career interest survey. This information is shared with parents at an evening meeting.
* 11th Grade: Research and preliminary decisions regarding post graduation plans are critical to the junior year. Students are encouraged to refine their personal time line in preparation for college entrance, the work force, military, etc.
* 12th Grade: Finalization of the four-year plan includes the application process, campus visitations, college / job interviews, testing requirements, etc. and, of course, June graduation! A Senior Conference is held with each student to complete the senior contract.
Additional Student Support Services:
In addition to meeting with your counselor for academic, vocational and personal advisement, there are a variety of other activities throughout the school year, which help students become aware of educational opportunities that enable them to make realistic post-graduation plans. For example, each fall the assistant principal offers four evening parent meetings for each grade level to discuss grade-appropriate items as well as school-wide topics. Evening meetings are also scheduled on campus for assistance in completing college applications and financial aid forms.
The Career Center, facilitated by the ROP counselor, has information regarding ROP (tech prep classes), college/trade/technical/military possibilities and tutoring. Representatives from colleges conduct small seminars throughout the year regarding admissions and special programs available at each campus. The work experience program includes resume writing, interviewing techniques, application completion, etc. Students are encouraged to use the Internet for self-assessment tools, occupational and educational links, financial aid and much more!
Cabrillo College hosts College / Career Night in November each year for high school students to collect information and meet representatives from more than 70 CSU, UC, private and out-of-state colleges, art and music schools, technical and trade schools, military, etc. Financial aid information is also made available in two evening presentations.
We are fortunate to have resources such as concurrent enrollment opportunities through Adult Education, Cabrillo College and the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as numerous community mental health agencies (Youth Services, Family Services, Barrios Unidos, etc.) with which we closely work. Referrals to area community agencies, counselors, therapists, etc. are available in the Counseling Office.
Additional support services are provided through a variety of other personnel:
*School Psychologist (special education testing/placement)
*Student Study Team (via Assistant Principal)
*504 Accommodation Plan (via Assistant Principal)
*Home & Hospital Teaching (contact District Office)
*On campus community mental health personnel
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Section 2: Career Pathways
With 35,000 careers currently available in the modern work world, students have the challenge of learning about the variety of options. To assist students in considering fields they may pursue and the courses related to those fields, the career component of our Guidance Program provides information about Career Paths. A Career Path is a preparation plan for a broad category of related occupations. The categories include the following:
• Agriculture & Natural Resources
• Arts & Communications
• Business, Marketing and Information Systems
• Engineering & Industrial Technology
• Home, Health & Recreation
• Social, Human & Governmental Services
The Career Pathways are described on the following six pages:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Arts & Communications
Business, Marketing and Information Systems
Engineering & Industrial Technology
Home, Health & Recreation
Social, Human & Governmental Services
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