At Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, students experience an education which blends academic instruction with career and technical education.

Through this course of study, students wishing to pursue a higher education are able to meet all of the academic requirements necessary for them to be admitted into state colleges and universities as well as private colleges. Additionally, the career and technical skills that they acquire give them a competitive advantage when entering the workforce or the armed services.

Many of the school’s graduates go on to become leaders in business and industry or in civic and political life in the region. In a typical class, 60-70% of the graduates choose to continue their education, either at colleges or technical schools. Another 30-40% of them enter the workforce and about 2% enter the armed services.

GNB Voc-Tech offers a full range of courses in English, mathematics, science and social studies. A full list of these courses – as well as course descriptions – is posted on the school’s website.

Students can choose from more than two dozen career majors. These programs of career and technical education are constantly updated to keep pace with the changing needs of business and industry.

For the 2006-2007 school year, they include:

* Indicates a program offered to juniors and seniors.

EXPLORATORY PROGRAM

During the first half of the year, freshmen explore ten (10) vocational areas. Two areas are explored each cycle and the cycles alternate every nine (9) days between academics and vocational exploration. The vocational curriculum in each area is designed to acquaint the student with the type of work performed and the required skills needed to be successful. In addition, the exploratory process provides an opportunity for the student to evaluate his / her experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and interests, and enables students to be better prepared to make an informed decision about their permanent vocational / career program.

As students explore each vocational area they are encouraged to work to the best of their ability. Evaluation points are based on daily performance, conduct, and effort. At the end of the exploratory period the points are totaled and combined with an average of the first quarter academic grades. This point total helps determine students’ permanent program placement.

In making decisions about transfers from one program to another, the school will consider a student's discipline record, attendance record, and current grades. PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH

A physical education and health program consisting of supervised physical activity and health education is part of the curriculum.

Grading in Physical Education / Health will reflect attendance, participation, and assessment of procedures pertinent to the subject.

1. When in physical education, students must wear sneakers and gym clothing. The physical education department will provide information about these items during the first week of school.
   
   
2. Students are expected to participate in physical education when it is part of their program.
   
   
3. Students are required to provide a towel for our towel bank. The school will launder the towels so that students will have clean towels available if needed.
   
   
4. All students in grades 11-12 participate in a health program. This curriculum includes discussions on issues dealing with human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and information on the prevention of the transmission of AIDS, as well as other pertinent health issues.
   
   
5. Parents/Guardians seeking specific information on curriculum content and their right to exclude their child from the human sexuality section are encouraged to contact the Coordinator of Health and Physical Education at (508) 998-3321, ext. 293.
   
   

HOMEWORK

Homework is assigned in all courses.

The amount of homework is determined by individual teachers.

TESTING

Incoming freshmen are tested to determine grade level in English and math. Additionally, tests are administered to measure academic progress from the beginning of ninth grade, or as a benchmark if students are new to the school.

All students are given a career ability, interest, and personal values survey to help in determining the career and technical education program that best suits them.

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam is administered to all sophomores and to other students who are required to take the test. Presently, a minimum score of 220 is required in English and math to be eligible for a high school diploma. Other local requirements apply..

In addition, the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are administered at GNB Voc-Tech or in conjunction with other local schools. Most colleges require the SAT for admission.

When necessary, individual testing is done through the guidance department.

GRADING

Grading at GNB Voc-Tech reflects a composite of many factors. These include attendance, laboratory work (shop), lectures, field trips, quizzes, class participation, exams, and other factors deemed important by the teacher.

Grading Philosophy

Attendance is one of the most important components in grading. A student will lose the participation grade of one (1) point from the class quarter average for each day absent from that class (academic or related). However, test and quiz grades and other assignments may be made up. To have the point reinstated, a student may appeal certain absences to the Absence Appeals Committee within three (3) days of the student’s return to school. The appeal must include verification.

Grading System

The school year is organized into quarters and a numerical grading system (0-100) is used. The minimum passing grade is 65.

Conduct and Effort

Students will receive a conduct and effort grade in addition to their numerical performance grade. Conduct and effort are rated on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being the best.

Grading in Career and Technical Education Programs

Grading of a student’s performance in their career and technical education program (“shop”) differs from grading in related and academic subjects. It also may differ from one career program to another.

There are four required components to a student’s grade in a career and technical program: (1) a behavioral assessment (employability skills), (2) a performance assessment (mastery of technical competencies), (3) notebook, and (4) portfolio/work sample.

At the beginning of each course, teachers in career and technical programs will inform students what is expected and distribute a written copy of the grading policy for their course.

A student will lose the participation grade of two (2) points from the quarter average in their career and technical program for each unexcused absence from the program. For a grade to be reviewed, a student must present proper verification to the Cluster Coordinator or Dean of Freshmen. If there is a question, a parent should call the Cluster Coordinator or Dean.

MAKING UP WORK

A major goal of education is to promote student learning and to improve student skills. Additionally, in a vocational-technical high school where students are not only receiving regular academic instruction but learning career and technical skills as well, it is equally important to teach students responsibility, proper work habits, and accountability for attendance and turning in work on time.

Students are penalized for submitting work late. At the same time, teachers are required to encourage students to make up assignments that are submitted after the deadline or which, even though submitted on time, fail to meet the highest performance standards.

In order to promote student improvement while holding students accountable, the following procedure is followed for all graded assignments:

• All assignments from the current or previous cycle can be made-up or improved upon.
• Fourth quarter grades close on the last day of school.
• Make-up work must be of high quality and meet high performance standards.
• Grades may only be raised as follows:

The following examples illustrate how this procedure works:

Example #1: A student fails to submit a project on time and receives a zero (“0”) for his initial assignment grade. He/she resubmits the project within the time frame described above (current or previous quarter) and the teacher determines that the work meets all expectations. Result: The student receives a “65”.

Example #2: A student submits an assignment on time and receives an initial grade of “72”. The student resubmits the assignment within the time frame described above. The teacher determines that the work now meets all expectations (i.e., it would have received a “100” if submitted this way initially). Result: The student’s grade is changed to an “80”.

Example #3: A student submits a project on time and receives an initial grade of “40”. The student resubmits the project within the time frame described above. The teacher determines that the project is better, but still fails to meet minimum expectations (i.e., it would have received less than a “65”, even if submitted this way initially). Result: The student’s initial grade stands, and the teacher encourages the student to come back for extra help in order to understand or complete the assignment to an acceptable level.

Example #4: During the first cycle, a student fails to submit an assignment on time and receives a “0” for the work. During the third cycle of school, the student re-submits the assignment. Result: The student receives a grade of “0” because he/she failed to submit the late work within the deadline outlined in this procedure.

REPORT CARDS AND PROGRESS REPORTS

Report cards give a report of the student’s scholarship, attendance, conduct and effort and must be taken home. The student must return his / her report card with the parent or guardian’s signature within three (3) school days. The final report card will be mailed after the close of school.

Progress reports are issued to inform the parent / guardian of the student’s present status in the area listed, to assist the student in improving deficiencies, and to help the student maintain good performance. Progress reports will be issued to students in each subject he / she is in danger of failing and may be issued at any time, during each quarter. The student must return his / her progress report to the issuing teacher, with a signature from the student’s parent or guardian, within three (3) school days.

Cycle reports are issued by the student’s Guidance Counselor. It is the student’s responsibility to pick up cycle reports in the Guidance Office, have grades entered by the student’s teachers, and take the report home for parent / guardian signature. The signed report must be returned to the Guidance Counselor.

MCAS TESTING AND EXTRA HELP

The school expects all of its students to achieve success – in their career and technical education programs, in their academic studies, and on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam. Our goal is for all students to achieve proficiency (i.e., a score of 240) on the MCAS exam. At a minimum, however, students must achieve a score of at least 220 on both the English Language Arts and math sections of the MCAS exam in order to receive a diploma. The Massachusetts Department of Education presently considers a 220 score to be passing. The Department requires students to pass the MCAS exam in order to receive a diploma.

In cases where a student fails the MCAS test, we may automatically adjust their course schedule to ensure that they receive extra help in the relevant subject(s). Schedule changes will be made at the discretion of the school.

The school runs an Academic Support Program for students needing help in mathematics or English language arts. For more information, contact the Academic office at (508) 998-3321, ext. 202.

PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS

The following are requirements for promotion from one grade to the next:

1. Students must pass their career and technical education program (“shop”) each year.
2. Students must pass a four-credit English course each year.
3. Students cannot fail more than 6 credits per year (senior year - four credits).
4. Must pass Algebra 1A during the first or second half of freshman year.
5. Must satisfy the school's attendance requirements.
6. Students must meet the Career Portfolio requirements for their grade level in accordance with the online Portfolio Guide which can be accessed through the student drop-down menu on the school’s homepage.
7. Must take final exams in all courses and career and technical programs each year.
8. Must not have lost a cumulative total of more than sixteen (16) credits.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate from GNB Voc-Tech, students:

1. Must accumulate a minimum of 128 credits over four years or no more than 16 failed during high school years.
2. Must satisfy the school's attendance requirements.
3. Must not fail more that 4 credits during their senior year.
4. Must pass their career and technical education program (“shop”).
5. Must pass a four-credit English course in all four years of high school.
6. Must pass a minimum of 8 credits of Math instruction over four years. (Class of 2008 and beyond)
7. Must pass a minimum of 6 credits of Math instruction over four years. (Class of 2007).
8. Must pass a minimum of 6 credits of Science instruction over four years.
9. Must pass a minimum of 6 credits of Social Studies instruction over four years.
10. Must pass a minimum of 10 credits of related instruction over three years.
11. Must receive a passing grade on their Career Portfolio.

A student who meets the requirements listed above will be issued a certificate of attainment. This certificate means that the student has met all local graduation requirements.

However, to be eligible to receive a high school diploma, a student must additionally pass the MCAS exam in both English Language Arts and Math. Students graduating in 2010 must also pass the science portion of the MCAS exam. This is a state requirement.

Appeal Process. Students may appeal to the Principals on a graduation requirement – other than the requirement to pass both portions of the MCAS exam – by April 1st of their senior year. The Principals will then convene a team to review the appeal.

CLASS RANK

To determine eligibility for University of Massachusetts scholarships, class rank is determined at the end of the junior year based on academic class rank, which is a weighted average of all academic courses for the freshman, sophomore and junior years. To be eligible for such scholarships, students must also meet any other requirements established by the University.

For graduation purposes, the top two students will be selected at the end of the third quarter of the senior year, based on a weighted average of all academic, vocational-technical and related courses for the freshman, sophomore, and junior years, plus the first three quarters of the senior year.

For additional information, contact the Guidance Office at (508) 998-3321, ext. 740.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

The school strongly discourages students from withdrawing. Extensive research confirms that students with a high school diploma get higher paying jobs.

Any student under the age of 18 wishing to discontinue classes at GNB Voc-Tech must have written permission from the student’s parent or guardian. This signed permission must be brought to the student’s Guidance Counselor. The Guidance Office will issue a sign out sheet, which must be signed by each of the student’s teachers, coordinators, and administrator.

Additionally, students must complete a student exit survey.