Dear Parent of a GHS Freshman or Sophomore,

The first quarter of the school year has passed and report cards will be distributed on October 31 (No, this is not a Halloween prank!). It is important that you review the report card to be sure your child is meeting expectations. Grades of “F” or “D” are not acceptable and parents should take action to be sure the situation is improved for the second quarter.

As the parent of a freshman or sophomore, there are two important issues which you need to know:

GRADE RECLASSIFICATION

Some students who are currently classified below their actual grade level, due to inadequate credits, will have their transcripts reviewed when the first semester ends. If they earn adequate credits during the first semester they will be moved up a grade level. For example:

• If a current 9th grader was in 9th grade last year and has a total of 6 credits by January his/her grade level will be changed to 10th grade. These students will then be allowed to take the 10th grade Florida Writes+ (in early February) and the 10th Grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (in March). Both of these assessments are graduation requirements for the Class of 2010 and must be passed.
• If a current 10th grader was in 10th grade last year and has a total of 12 credits by January his/her grade level will be changed to 11th grade. If he/she has not yet passed the FCAT he/she will be required to take it when it is given in March.

REQUIRED GRADUATION ASSESSMENTS

As has been state law in past years, in order to graduate from a public high school in Florida the student must pass both the Reading and the Math portions of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. This assessment will be given in March. Beginning with this year's Sophomores (with the Class of 2010 and there after) students must pass the Florida Writes+ test. This test is given in February and consists of two parts: (1) an essay and (2) a series of multiple choice questions.

In January we will be sponsoring a parent evening where parents will receive information about all parts of the state's assessment program. Between now and then we suggest parents seek information by going to the following web sites:

• http://fcat.fldoe.org/default.asp We suggest using the practice tests at this site.
• http://www.fcatexplorer.com On the back of this letter is a notice from the FL Department of Education which outlines the purposes of and access to the web site.

We continue to work with your child to assist in their educational progress. Please heed the information contained in this letter and do access the web sites.

Sincerely,
Thomas E. Imerson
Principal