DoDDS STANDARDIZED TESTING

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) participates in standardized testing that is designed to provide information which addresses students’ levels of academic achievement. The school notifies parents whenever testing takes place, and test results are mailed to parents. The test results provide a continuing record of each student's academic progress in comparison with national norms.

DROPPING AND ADDING COURSES top

Kubasaki uses a demand scheduler, which means the master schedule is based on student course requests. Most students are scheduled into courses of their choice. Therefore, if students receive the courses requested as primary or alternate courses, then changes will only be made in cases that involve graduation requirement.

Students who have a blank period on their schedule should report to their counselor on the first day of school during the period containing the blank . Other students who have a legitimate need for a schedule change should make an appointment to see their counselor during the first week of school. Changes will be made only in rare cases after the first week of school. Any course dropped during this period will not be recorded on the official transcript. Any course dropped after the completion of five (5) weeks will be recorded as "WF" (withdrew failing) on the student's transcript.

a. Withdrawn Passing (WP): If a student withdraws from a course between the beginning of week two and prior to week six of the semester, the grade of WP may be given. A WP notation may be removed from the students' permanent record by repeating the entire course. A WP notation is not used in grade point average computations.
b. Withdrawn Failing (WF): If a student withdraws after week five of the semester, the notation of WF is given. A WF notation may be removed from the student's permanent record by repeating the entire course. A WF notation is counted as an "F" in grade point computation.

EARLY GRADUATION top

The administration will grant permission for early graduation for students with unusual academic circumstances. Please be aware that early graduation is a serious matter and will be approved only when students and parents can demonstrate a compelling need to do so. The desire to start college early, to work, or PCS moves are not considered unusual academic circumstances. Please be aware that Kubasaki High School offers an excellent FOUR-YEAR academic program with classes that will help students make a successful transition from high school to college or to the world of work. Early graduation must be requested in writing at least one year prior to the proposed graduation date. Parents must meet with the counselor and complete an early graduation request form.

EARLY WITHDRAWAL/PCStop

Earliest Departure Date for Credit

Each school year, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) establishes an "earliest departure date for credit." The date coincides with 20 school days prior to the end of the first semester and the end of the second semester. This date is non-negotiable. School personnel and administrators do not have the authority to waive this date. The earliest departure date for credit does not apply to students who leave on family vacations prior to the last day of school. The expectation for all students is that they attend school up to the last day. The early departure date is established in order to justify the granting of credit to students who PCS or withdraw on or after this date.

PCS/Withdrawal on or after the Early Departure Date

The following expectations must be met for students who will PCs or withdraw on or after the early departure date:

PCS/Withdrawal Prior to the Early Departure Date

Students who PCs or withdraw prior to the early departure date will receive a "grade to date"/withdrawal. The grade appears on the transcript as "AW," "BW," "CW," "DW," or "FW." A "W" indicates a withdrawal grade. It is not a final grade. No credit is awarded. The expectation is that students who leave earlier than the early departure date will enroll in their new school. It then becomes the responsibility of the new school to determine the student’s readiness to receive credit.

Leave and/or Family Vacations top

Students who leave school prior to the last day of school to accompany family members on leave or to take family vacations are subject to "grades to date"/no credit. These grades remain on the student’s transcript, without credit, until the remainder of the course work and/or exams are completed. Accelerating course assignments and/or taking semester/final exams are not options. Students may only take grades to date and then make up the work at a later point in time in order to receive credit for the semester.

Last Day of Attendance

Students must follow the procedure as outlined on the "Clearance Forms." Students must attend all classes for the entire period on the final clearance day. Students should return the "Clearance Form" to the Counseling Center. A copy of the "Clearance Form" and a copy of the student's transcript will be given to the parents of the student following final clearance. Official transcripts will be mailed to the gaining school upon written request from that school. The original transcript will remain the property of Kubasaki High School.

In accordance with the Federal Privacy Act, all personal files are available for review by the owner(s). In the case of student records, the owner of the student record is the parent or guardian of the student, or the student if he/she is 18 years or older. It is essential that a review by the owner(s) be completed prior to a student leaving school. Therefore, the parent or guardian of each student must report to the Counseling Center on the student's last day of attendance for a review of the records and to sign the necessary record release forms. This will ensure that the owner knows what is in the file and be able to resolve differences. Additionally, this will prevent the dissemination of inaccurate or misunderstood information.

LOST OR DAMAGED BOOKS top

In the event that a student owes for books or other items, payment should be made at the Disbursing Office of Accounting & Finance (Bldg. 721, Kadena AB) for lost or damaged books. The form may be obtained at the Counseling Center, and the student or parent will make payment at the Disbursing Office. These debts must be cleared at the school before clearances can be affected. Return all clearance forms to the Counseling Center at the end of the school day.

GRADE CLASSIFICATION top

Grade 9: Student satisfactorily completes 8th grade or has been enrolled in 9th grade in a previous school

Grade 10: Student must have successfully completed at least 6 units of credit

Grade 11: Student must have earned a minimum of 12 units of credit and be able to meet all graduation requirements with normal scheduling for his/her junior and senior years

Grade 12: Student must have satisfactorily completed at least 18 units of credit; however, the CSC may recommend exceptions.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Grade point average is figured on a four-point system for regular courses with an "A" counting as four points, a "B" as three points, a "C" as two points, a "D" as one point, and an "F" as zero points. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are on a five-point system with an "A" counting as five points, a "B" as four points, a "C" as three points, a "D" as two points, and a "F" as zero points.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS top

DoDDS schools require 24 units of credit to graduate. The administration of Kubasaki High School strongly recommends that students take additional credits to satisfy stateside school requirements (See Stateside Requirements)

Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS DSR 2000.1) has established the following graduation requirements:

GRADUATION WITH HONORS top

In order for a student to graduate with honors from a DoDDS-Pacific school, the individual student's program of study must include the following: (1) courses in geometry, Algebra II, chemistry, advanced biology or physics; (2) two years of a foreign language; (3) excellence in writing demonstrated either in language arts or social studies upper-division courses; and (4) meeting the standard graduation requirements. An honor graduate must have a GPA of 3.500 or higher.

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES top

Kubasaki High School makes available to its students, counselors who are specifically trained to help high school students with their academic, personal, and social problems.

Mission Statement

The purpose of guidance at Kubasaki High School is to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills for constructive participation in a multicultural, transient society.

Philosophy

ACADEMIC OBJECTIVES: The counselors will help students plan their four-year program and help them determine which courses to take to achieve their academic goals. The counselors are also available to students to help them achieve their educational objectives. They can help them determine which courses to take to achieve their goals for entering a college, a junior college, a vocational school, or for going directly into a specific job. They will help the student appraise his/her own academic abilities and job interests in view of future educational and vocational plans.

PERSONAL PROBLEMS: Many times students have personal problems that they wish to discuss with someone who is not part of their immediate family or one of their classroom teachers. The counselors are available to discuss these problems with them. They can not, of course, solve problems for them, but perhaps they can help the student arrive at an acceptable solution. If the student’s own counselor is not available, another counselor may be seen.

SUPPORT SERVICES: The counselors and nurse assist students who need to contact a support group or organize such a support group when it is approved by the principal.

SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES: There is also a wide continuum of services for students with special needs. For more information, please call the Child Study Committee Chairperson (CSC) at 645-0710. (See Section V - Program/Specialists)

INCOMPLETE GRADES top

Incomplete grades must be made up within ten (10) instructional days following the end of the marking period. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the action to complete the course requirements within the specified time frame. All incomplete grades will automatically be changed to an "F" grade unless the teacher initiates a grade change sheet. Only under exceptional conditions will incomplete grades be given at the end of a semester.

POLICY ON WEIGHTED GRADES AND HONORS COURSES top

DoDEA has assigned weighted point value to each letter mark in Honors courses and Advanced Placement for the purposes of computing individual grade point averages. Kubasaki uses this weighting to determine class rank or for other competitive purposes within the school. The weighting will be as follows: A-5, B-4, C-3, D-2, and F-0.

It is the policy that beginning in School Year 2003-2004, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will assume responsibility for the costs to take the Advanced Placement Examination for all students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses. Consequently, a student taking an Advanced Placement course in a DoDEA high school will be required to take the requisite Advanced Placement Examination in order to receive a weighted grade for a course.

Grade point average

Grade point average is figured on a four-point system for non-AP courses with an "A" counting as four points, a "B" as three points, a "C" as two points, a "D" as one point, and an "F" as zero points. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are on a five-point system with an "A" counting as five points, a "B" as four points, a "C" as three points, a "D" as two points, and an "F" as zero points.

Advanced Placement (AP)
Honors or (IB) Courses Standard Scale

PROGRESS REPORTS/REPORT CARDS top

Progress Reports are a means of keeping both students and sponsors informed of the student's current grade status in a particular class. These reports are given to the students midway through the grading period. However, they can be given at any time. Progress reports are issued to students who are achieving below a satisfactory level, or who show improvement or commendable progress. All sponsors are encouraged to contact teachers at any time regarding student progress.

Report cards are issued quarterly. Report cards will be regularly distributed the week following the end of the marking period. Please refer to the school calendar at the beginning of this handbook for qualifying dates.

If you do not receive a report card in the time frame outlined above, contact the Counseling Center (645-6883/6888) for a copy.

Honor Rolltop

Quarters one and three Honor Roll selection will be based upon quarter grades. Quarters two and four Honor Roll selection will be based upon semester average grades. Students must have at least five grades that earn quality points ("A," " B," or "C"). Students with a grade of "I", "D", "F", "P", or "W/F" will not be eligible for consideration. Kubasaki recognizes scholastic achievement within the framework of the following grade point averages:

Transcripts will reflect only semester grades. Teachers will report semester examinations on the report cards at the end of the second and fourth quarters. Semester exam grades will not appear on the transcript.

TRANSCRIPTS top

The high school transcript, which is an official record of a student’s high school career, is an important document. Kubasaki High School is required to maintain records for a period of four (4) years after a student graduates and then one year at our Area Superintendent’s Office.

To obtain a copy of an official transcript up to four years after graduating, please write to the following address:

• Kubasaki High School
• Attn.: Registrar
• Unit 35008
• FPO AP 96373-5008

In the event Kubasaki High School closes (or after four years after graduation), please send requests to the following address:

• DOD Dependents Schools, Pacific
• PSC 556 Box 796
• FPO AP 96386-0796

After the five-year period from graduation or in the event that the Office of Dependents Schools, Pacific has been deactivated, please address your request to:

• DoDEA Records Center
• DDESS DSO
• Atnn: Ms. Rheanita Reese or Ms. Elizabeth Herrera
• 201 Custer Road, Bldg. 2670
• Fort Benning, GA 31905

Please call the following number to receive instructions for obtaining your records and information on charges for this service: FAX (706) 545-1239/8246; (706) 545-4785. (There is no charge during the first five years). List all addresses to which the transcript is to be sent. When requesting a copy of a transcript, please identify the school from which the student graduated. top