Parents/Guardians and Students,

During the 2009-2010 school year, all teachers will be giving 1^st and 2^nd semester final exams that will be worth 20% of the student’s semester grade. The final exam given at the end of 1^st semester will be assessing all objectives taught during 1^st and 2^nd quarter. The 2^nd semester final exam will be a comprehensive final exam, encompassing the objectives covered throughout the entire school year. Each semester grade will be determined by the student’s quarter grades and final exam averaged together.

During the 2009-2010 school year, students who are enrolled in Algebra I, Algebra I/Part 2, Algebra II, Geometry, Communication Arts I and II, Biology, Government and American History will be taking the Missouri End of Course Assessment (EOC) developed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Students in grades 9-12 will no longer be taking the MAP test. The end of course exams are based on Course Level Expectations also developed by DESE.

Each EOC assessment is organized the same way. Session I consists of approximately 35 multiple-choice questions. Session II consists of writing assignments which will require students to work through more complicated items. Each session is designed to be administered in two 55-minute class periods; however the tests will not be strictly timed.

The EOC assessment for Government will be taken in December of 2009. The EOC assessments for Algebra I, Algebra I/Part 2, Algebra II, Geometry, Communication Arts I, Communication Arts II, American History and Biology will be taken in the spring of 2010 and will serve as the comprehensive 2^nd semester final exam for these classes. The results of the exams will be returned before the end of the school year. The results of the EOC assessment will comprise 20% of each student’s 2^nd semester grade.

DESE has released an example copy of the End of Course Exam for teachers, parents and students to use as a guide for preparing for these assessments. If you would like to look through the exams, they will be available in the high school office. I can look over the released exams with you and answer any questions you may have. If you are unsure whether or not your student will be prepared for their final exams/end of course exams, now is the time to start doing something about that. Tutoring is available before and after school. Tutoring can be arranged with teachers during parent-teacher conferences or by calling the high school office at any time throughout the year.

Please feel free to call with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Gina Mills

Principal, Sturgeon High School