Middle School

Xello (Middle School and High School)
Xello is an online college, career and military exploration and planning program that gives middle and high school students more control of their exploration and preparation for postsecondary success.  Activities focus on assessing, recording and reflecting on strengths, skills, and interests and thinking critically about how to apply new knowledge to create plans.

Students may search for colleges and majors by many different factors, including location, cost of attendance, programs offered, average admissions criteria, and more. Xello has career interest surveys to help students define their personal preferences and align them with possible careers to explore.  Descriptions of numerous careers are available, including the typical education needed to work in the field, median income, typical daily tasks, and more. Students may save searches and create a portfolio and resume, as well.

Xello can be accessed through the CFBISD’s Digital Resources for Students page on each campus website. Students will use their district username and password to enter Xello.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program
The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) College Readiness System is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for postsecondary success. Students participating in AVID classes employ WICOR strategies of Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading to further their academic skills. Examples of these methodologies include focused note taking, higher-level thinking strategies, the utilization of planners and binders, and engagement in academic discussions with peers.

AVID campuses promote a college going culture through banners, pennants, college exploration activities and field trips. At the secondary level, AVID students are expected to take courses of rigor and tutorial support is provided to support students with higher level coursework. AVID high school students also receive guidance regarding the college application process including preparation for college entrance exams and applying for scholarships/financial aid. While not all students are able to participate directly in the AVID Elective course, campuses which have the AVID College Readiness System are encouraged to promote the use of AVID methodologies on a school-wide basis so that ALL students are able to acquire college readiness skills.

AVID is available at all Middle Schools and at all High Schools. For elementary, AVID is offered at Central, Farmers Branch, McCoy, McKamy, McWhorter, and Sheffield.

Correlation between Education and Earning Potential
Research shows that earning potential is higher for individuals who have education after high school.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics demonstrates how earnings correlate to education level- the greater the education level, the more workers tend to earn. We want to remove barriers to students entering and completing college and postsecondary certification programs by providing the information to help students understand the importance of continuing education after high school.

Saving and Paying for College
There are many ways to save and pay for college, and knowing availability and requirements ahead of time will help parents and students prepare.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) is a state graduation requirement for all for high school seniors.  Completing the FAFSA or TASFA can open many different doors to affording college. For students who are Citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available.  For students without a social security number, the Texas Application for State Aid (TASFA) is completed.  Both applications are available beginning October 1st of senior year. The FAFSA is completed online. The TASFA can now be competed online, or through a downloaded paper pdf file, dependent on the instituitions requirements. There is no fee for either application.

Both the FAFSA and TASFA allow students to access four types of financial aid:

• Scholarships:  awarded money that is based on need, merit or achievement that does not have to be repaid
• Grants: awarded money often based on monetary need that does NOT have to be repaid as long as students meet the minimum requirements for enrollment, credit and GPA
• Work Study: Students who demonstrate financial need  may eligible to work jobs generally on campus for limited hours
• Loans: Money is borrowed and must be repaid with interest

Parents should know that accurate and timely filing of taxes can impact their children’s eligibility for financial aid.  Applications require reporting of tax information for the “prior, prior year,” meaning that applications for students entering college in the fall of 2023 will ask students and their parents for tax information for the year 2021.  It is important that taxes are filed to prevent issues with financial aid awards.  For families or individuals without earnings, financial aid applications will ask additional questions to determine students’ funding needs.  High school counselors and CCMR deans are able to assist parents with financial aid applications and hold many assistance events each year so that families have the support they need to complete the applications. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) provides leadership and coordination for Texas higher education and strives to promote access, affordability, quality, success, and cost efficiency of education after high school (postsecondary education). THECB is another resource that provides Texas residents with more in-depth information about federal and state financial aid opportunities and requirements.

Texas universities may offer the Toward EXcellence Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant, with which state universities may award eligible students more than $5,000 per year.  Completing college admissions applications and financial aid applications early is important for the opportunity to receive TEXAS Grant awards. Priority is given to applicants who complete the FAFSA and apply prior to January 15^th of their senior year. Students must meet the academic standards set by their college or university to receive awards, and the financial aid office of the college will notify students of eligibility. Please visit the THECB College for All Texans website for general eligibility requirements and contact the financial aid office of your university early to determine how you may confirm your application for the TEXAS Grant.

The Dallas County Promise is a last-dollar tuition scholarship program available to all students in CFB. Regardless of high school GPA or family income, Promise scholars have the opportunity to earn a last-dollar scholarship that will cover the gap between what a student’s state and federal financial aid covers and the cost of tuition at a Promise Partner college. Promise scholars also have access to a Success Coach and exclusive transfer scholarships at Promise partner colleges and universities. The Promise is in the process of adding new college partners, and students may refer to the Dallas County Promise website for updates.  To be eligible, the student must be enrolled and attending a participating high school by the state attendance snapshot date, which is mid- to late-October of the student’s senior year, must graduate from a participating high school, and must complete all required steps by the deadlines identified for the student’s senior year.  High school counselors and CCMR Deans assist students with a pledge (sign-up process), college admissions application, and a financial aid application so that students have the help they need to complete all steps of eligibility.

The Texas Automatic College Admissions policy provides certain students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class with automatic admission into Texas public universities. Students with grade point averages in the top 10% of their class may also be eligible for scholarships and should review their colleges’ admissions and financial aid webpages for scholarship opportunities.

About the PSAT
Students all across the U.S. take part in PSAT assessments each fall. The PSAT is important because it measures student learning as it relates to future success in college. The PSAT can show students whether they are on track to be ready for college, according to the current grade level expectations. 

In CFBISD, 10th and 11th graders take PSAT NMSQT. The test is administered at the high school campus during a regular school day. The SAT is used by many colleges for admissions requirements. Scores from the PSAT NMSQT version at 10th and 11th grade are used by the National Merit Scholarship Program to screen eligible students for recognition in various scholarship programs. The PSAT also uses statistics to share with students how likely they are to perform well in Advanced Placement courses in high school according to their scores.

What Can I Do Now to Prepare?
A great way to be prepared for the PSAT in 9^th grade is to be working on grade level and to strengthen skills in middle school. Khan Academy offers free practice tests and individualized tutorials to help students master the skills he or she has not yet mastered. Students can register for an account and use the site without charge.  Parents can help their middle schoolers register for accounts and set practice schedules to help their children see how repeated targeted practice over time can increase achievement.

Test Structure
The PSAT, like the SAT, is designed to measure learning and application of learning. The test is divided into 2 main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics. 

• Reading:  Measures knowledge and skills with an emphasis on words in context, command of evidence, and analysis of history/social studies, and science passages. Multiple choice questions are based on interpreting and analyzing reading passages and informational graphics. 
• Writing: Measures practical skills of proofreading and correcting passages for mistakes, improving passages or word choice and understanding the standard English conventions of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Multiple choice questions are based on a single sentence, narrative passage, or graphic.
• Mathematics: Measures mathematical fluency in problem solving, understanding of operations, and application of math concepts. The primary focus is on algebra, problem solving and data analysis, and complex equations. Questions are multiple choice or grid-in answers. There is a section for calculator use and one without. 

The best preparation for PSAT assessments includes:

• Rigor: Take challenging courses each semester 
• Discipline: Study, read, and complete homework each week 
• Preparation: Prepare for class, tests, and quizzes daily; practice on Khan Academy
• Participation: Take an active part in class discussions and projects

Score reports provide students with summary analysis regarding areas of strength and areas of needed improvement before taking the SAT and going to college. The report is comprehensive enough to allow students to see exactly how they performed on specific questions and objectives and provides a benchmark to gauge college readiness after high school. 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) lists ways high school students can demonstrate readiness for college, career, and military endeavors after high school.  Rather than being required for high school graduation, the CCMR criteria exist in part to provide students with indications that they are prepared for college and the world of work. 

Progress toward these indicators is also monitored to determine how well schools are preparing students for life after high school.  Many students meet several of the criteria during their high school careers.  CFBISD strives for each graduate to meet at least one of the CCMR indicators through high school programming.  TEA adjusts the list of CCMR indicators from time to time according to new options available to students. 

Middle school students and parents may use the list to understand and plan for ways to meet CCMR benchmarks and readiness criteria. School counselors meet with students yearly to select the courses that will best prepare them to meet their graduation and postsecondary goals and are an excellent resource for postsecondary planning.

Students have the opportunity to explore and gain experience in fields of the career workforce through specialized sequences of courses, many of which lead to certification and licensing opportunities before students graduate from high school. 

Middle school students are exposed to the opportunities within CFBISD through advisory lessons and special events outside the regular school day in order to select their preferences prior to entering high school.

In middle school, students may take courses such as Career Investigations where they explore college and careers, or they may take introductory CTE courses to explore specific fields.  Examples of middle school CTE courses are Introduction to STEM, Technology Applications, Principles of Applied Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Design, Gateway Technology, Business Information Management, and Principles of Information Technology. 

In high school, CFB students may choose from several different Programs of Study, such as:

• Accounting
• Agriculture
• Architecture and Design
• Automotive
• Biomedical and Biotechnology
• Business Management
• Commercial Photography
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Cybersecurity
• Design and Multimedia Arts
• Education
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship
• Fashion Design
• Floral Design
• Forensic Science
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Information Technology
• Law and Criminal Justice
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Robotics and Automation
• Veterinary Medicine
• Welding

Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are described in both the Middle School Educational Planning Guide and the High School Educational Planning Guide, and an overview of programs and the campuses that offer each can be found on CFBISD’s CTE Guides page.

Certifications and Licenses
To prepare students with relevant technical knowledge and skills for postsecondary education and careers in current or emerging professions, career and technical education programs offer sequences of rigorous courses aligned with industry based certifications.  This alignment provides students the opportunity to earn workplace credentials in multiple career clusters.  Completion of programs and awarding of certification varies based on the requirements established by the certifying entity. 

Examples of industry certifications offered through CTE programs include:

• Adobe Certified Associate Animate
• Adobe Certified Associate Illustrator
• Adobe Certified Associate Photoshop
• Adobe Certified Associate Premiere Pro
• ASE Automobile Service Technology Entry Level
• ASE Brakes ASE Electronic Systems
• ASE Maintenance Light Repair
• ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
• ASE Suspension and Steering
• Autodesk Certified Professional or User in Autocad
• AWS D1.1 Structural Steel
• Certified EKG Technician
• Certified Veterinary Assistant
• Clinical Medical Assistant
• CompTIA Network+
• Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
• Cosmetology Operator License
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business
• Floral Skills Knowledge Based
• Floral Skills Level 1
• Medical Coding and Billing Specialist
• Microsoft Office Expert - Excel
• Microsoft Office Specialist - Excel 2016
• Microsoft Office Specialist Word
• NCCER Core Level I
• OSHA 30 Hour General
• Pharmacy Technician
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Refrigerant Handling (EPA 609)
• ServSafe Manager
• Texas State Floral Association Floral Skills Knowledge Based

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program offered at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the United States that prepares students to become officers in the US Military. Students (cadets) who participate in the ROTC commit to serve in the Military after graduation and receive a paid college education. Program requirements and eligibility vary by branch of service. 

CFBISD offers a JROTC program at Creekview High School and is open to all students in the district. The programs’ principles include citizenship, leadership, character and community service. Participation in JROTC does not require a military service commitment, but rather emphasizes life skills necessary to be a strong leader and citizen in preparation for life after high school. 

Military Branches
The United States Department of Defense oversees the military forces needed to ensure our nation’s security. With nearly 3 million service members and civilians, the Department of Defense (DoD) is our country’s largest employer. The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard are the branches of the armed forces of the United States.  The National Guard (Army National Guard and the Air National Guard) are reserve components of their branches and operate in part under state authority. 

• Army: The Army is the largest and oldest branch of the service and provides ground forces that protect the U.S. 
• Marine Corps: The Marine Corps is a component of the U.S. Navy and provides amphibious and ground units for security and combat operations. 
• Navy: The Navy is deployed globally, providing the U.S. peacetime protection and wartime force on, above, and below the water. 
• Air Force: The Air Force provides rapid, lethal air service and protection for the U.S. around the globe. 
• Coast Guard: The Coast Guard provides maritime safety enforcement, marine and environmental protection and military naval support. In peacetime the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security and in wartime is under the Department of the Navy. 
• Space Force: The Space Force was established within the Department of the Air Force and organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force.

• National Guard: Comprised of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, the National Guard supports combat missions, domestic emergencies, humanitarian efforts, homeland security, and more.

One goal of military service is to develop individuals who possess strong moral character, integrity, and job specific skills which are desirable to civilian employers after service is completed. About 85 percent of all jobs in the service do not involve direct combat operations. Therefore, many individuals choose to stay in the military and pursue life-long careers. 

Educational benefits are available for service members during and after service. Each branch offers various tuition assistance programs to students. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is a comprehensive program that pays tuition and fees, along with a housing and textbook allowance to eligible students.

Graduation Requirements and Endorsements
During the 83rd Texas Legislature, House Bill 5 changed high school graduation requirements for high school students entering 9th grade, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. It established one graduation plan – Foundation High School Program (FHSP) – with opportunities to earn endorsements and performance acknowledgements. Below is a snapshot of the graduation requirements. CFBISD provides a detailed high school course description guide, the High School Educational Planning Guide, to further assist with course selection and graduation planning.

STATE ASSESSMENTS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: English I, II; Algebra I; U.S. History; Biology. QUESTIONS? Contact your student’s campus or visit www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx

Endorsements show specialization and accomplishment in certain disciplines and are earned by successfully completing selections of courses within the specified category. School counselors meet with students to determine the endorsements students plan to earn toward their graduation plans.

Endorsements

Personal Graduation Plans (PGPs) Created in 8^th Grade
The personal graduation plan is a working document used by counselors to track student completion of graduation requirements. Starting in middle school, counselors educate students on the many program choices available in high school, assist them in understanding endorsement options required for graduation, and advise them on various course sequences to earn an endorsement. Students also explore career clusters and learn about the skills needed to do specific jobs.

How Credits Are Earned in High School/Grade Level Classification
Credit is earned for courses in high school according to passing grades in each course.  Each semester of a course is worth .5 credits, except in special courses such as career practicum where the class is more than one class period per day.

Grade Point Average and Class Ranking
Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and class rankings occur twice each school year for high school students - in January and June - after semester grades are finalized. Senior calculations are also calculated in early October to allow for accurate rankings of all in the class who might apply for early admissions.  Seniors are ranked again for Graduation Honors purposes after the third nine-weeks grades are reported and finalized.

It is possible that not every course grade found in a student’s record is included in the GPA so simply adding the grades listed on a transcript and dividing by the count does not always equate to the calculated GPA done at the district level.  Please refer to the Educational Planning Guide for more information.  CFBISD uses a weighted grade scale out of 100 for ranking but also reports an unweighted College GPA on a 4.0 scale.  Both are noted on the bottom right of the transcript. Students can visit the records office in Student Services to request their GPA and Rank.

Honors
Honors courses prepare students for success in Advanced Placement college level courses in English, mathematics, social studies, and science. They are intended to ensure that middle and high school students develop the skills, concepts, and habits of mind needed for college.

Advanced Placement and AP Potential
The Advanced Placement Program (AP) allows students to take rigorous college level courses while still in high school. Students can take AP courses in English, math, social studies, science, fine arts, and world languages.  If students have taken the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or PSAT 8/9, online score reports will indicate AP courses for which the student has potential for success. 

Most AP courses are a full year in length and require substantial academic demands for students, including required reading and other assignments outside of the classroom and demonstrating the analytical skills and writing abilities expected of first year college students.

To demonstrate mastery of AP material, students participate in the AP exam for each course.  AP courses are free, but there is a fee for the corresponding exams. This fee is reduced for students who qualify for the free/reduced meal program.

Entering college with credit earned through AP can save students time and money.  Nearly all U.S. colleges and universities and many international institutions honor AP scores, but each institution will have their own policies for credit and course equivalents.  To receive college credit for AP scores, students must send their official College Board score report to the college they plan to attend. Students should consult their school counselors to register for AP courses, and a list of AP courses may be found in the High School Educational Planning Guide.

Dual Credit
Dual credit courses are defined as courses in which students may receive both high school and college course credit provided the courses meet both district and college guidelines. Concurrent enrollment means that the student is taking a college course for college credit while the student is still in high school. Dallas College welcomes students who meet the criteria for dual and concurrent enrollment. Students should consult their high school counselor to discuss whether the dual credit courses they would like to take fit with their high school and college plans. A list of available dual credit courses can be found in the High School Educational Planning Guide.

In order to receive the high school credit for a dual credit course, the course must be on the school district and college’s mutual agreement.  Students who take courses outside this list may not earn high school credit because the courses are not approved for high school credit. 

Students should be aware that dual credit courses are recorded on their college transcripts and that failing or earning low grades in the college course can affect the student’s college GPA.  Dual credit students who do not make adequate progress may run the risk of starting college on academic probation due to the grades in their college courses. College credits earned through dual credit are transferable based on institutional policy, and students should check with the colleges to which they are applying regarding dual credit transfer requirements.

UT OnRamps Dual Enrollment
OnRamps is an innovative dual enrollment program, different from dual credit, led by The University of Texas at Austin. OnRamps gives students the opportunity to earn core high school and college credit hours from The University of Texas at Austin that transfer to any public institution in Texas. After receiving notification of their college grade, students who wish to reject the college credit/grade may do so if they do not wish to accept the college credit. A list of available OnRamps courses can be found in the High School Educational Planning Guide.

College Preparatory English and Math Courses
The TEA College Preparatory English Language Arts and College Preparatory Mathematics courses are intended for 11th and 12th grade students whose testing performance does not meet college readiness standards.

College Prep English is designed to help students meet college entrance requirements (such as the TSIA2 test) and to be ready for entry-level college ELA coursework. This course may count as an Advanced English credit to earn an endorsement under the Foundation High School Program; however, student athletes should speak with their counselors regarding NCAA eligibility implications of taking this course.

College Prep Math is intended for 12th grade students whose performance on the college entrance exams does not meet college readiness standards. College Prep Math is designed to help students meet college entrance requirements (such as the TSIA2 test) and to be ready for entry-level college math coursework. This course may count as a 4th mathematics credit to earn an endorsement under the Foundation High School Program. Student athletes should speak with their counselors regarding NCAA eligibility implications of taking this course.

Credit By Exam (CBE)
Students enrolled in CFB may register for credit by examinations to advance to the next level of secondary coursework in a course they have not taken or under certain circumstances to earn credit for a course they took but did not receive credit. The criteria for credit and grade placement are based on state and local district policies.  Credit by examination is offered to CFB students free of charge. Students must see their counselors for approval and registration.

Students attempting CBE for acceleration must score 80% or above to earn credit for grade level/subject area coursework. CBE for credit recovery is available to high school students who have received prior instruction evident by a grade recorded on his/her transcript. Students attempting CBE for credit recovery must score 70% or above to earn high school credit.

Night School
Night school offers high school students the opportunity to take courses during the evening under the supervision and instruction of CFBISD teachers.  Many of the courses are offered online.  The night school format requires a certain level of individual determination and commitment, and students will need to structure their weekly schedules so that they can dedicate time for night school online instruction, completion of assignments, studying for quizzes and tests, taking assessments, and communicating with the teacher.  The night school semester is shorter than the traditional fall semester, requiring student to meet completion benchmarks according to the night school calendar. Students should consult their school counselors before the start of the semester to express interest in taking night school courses.

Summer School
CFBISD offers students opportunities to take courses during the summer.  Information about summer school dates, location, and courses offered will be available in late spring each year. Students should consult their school counselors to express interest in taking summer school courses.

Correspondence Courses
Correspondence courses may be taken for first time credit or credit recovery with approval from the home campus. Credit to fulfill state graduation requirements may be granted for correspondence courses only under to following conditions:

1. The institutions offering the courses are the University of Texas at Austin, Texas Tech University, or other public institutions of higher education approved by the Commissioner of Education.
2. Students may earn a maximum of three state-required credits through correspondence courses and may be enrolled in only one correspondence course at a time.
3. Grades earned from correspondence courses shall not be computed for determining class rank.

Students are responsible for paying all fees for course materials and resources and for arranging proctors for enrolled courses. Administrative/counselor approval is required for correspondence course registration.

Your middle school counselor will be your primary contact for college and career exploration and guidance. Please reach out to your counselor with any questions!

All phone numbers are 972-968-XXXX (Extension in place of XXXX)

Center Counselors