Andrew King, Ph · At least a 3.0 un-weighted grade point average (GPA), Proficient/Advanced Standardized Test scores 90% attendance, Have a strong teacher recommendation in that

2020-21 CAS Application for 10-12th Grade Students

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The Gifted and Talented Office

341 S. Bellefield Ave Pittsburgh PA 15213 Phone: 412-529-3506 Parent Hotline: 412-529-7920 | www.pps.k12.pa.us

Dear Families of Students Entering the 10-12th Grade,

Your student may qualify to participate in the Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) program at their anticipated high school. CAS courses are high-level, accelerated courses offered at most of our high schools that have an additional .5 weight to account for the additional rigor that is infused into the curriculum.

To enroll, students not identified as gifted must meet specific course entrance requirements (please see application for details) as well as the following general requirements:

At least a 3.0 un-weighted grade point average (GPA), Proficient/Advanced Standardized Test scores 90% attendance, Have a strong teacher recommendation in that content area.

To remain in a CAS content course from year to year, students must maintain at least an 80% average in the course and 90% attendance. Students currently enrolled in CAS do not need to reapply for the current course(s) of enrollment. If you are adding a course you will need to apply for the new CAS course.

Application Process Timeline: - Tuesday, December 10th: Students interested in taking a CAS course(s) can receive an application packet to

complete. Applications will be available through your school counselor, or online at https://www.pghschools.org/Page/825

- Friday, February 7th: All CAS applications are due to the Gifted and Talented Office.

o No late applications will be accepted, unless you are new to the district. - Week of March 16th: Families will be notified of the student’s preliminary eligibility* status, based on available

data. Final eligibility* will depend on final grades, GPA, attendance, and standardized assessments, and will be known by the end of June.

o Schools will schedule students based on preliminary eligibility.

- July Schools and families will be notified of final eligibility. Non-PPS students are responsible for submitting final grades, attendance, and standardized assessment scores no later than June 15, 2020.

- .

Please note that course offerings may change as a result of enrollment, and placement is not guaranteed.

*Preliminary Eligibility: Whether the student currently meets CAS course requirements. Students may meet the requirements for some but not all classes they applied for. *Final Eligibility: Whether the student meets the requirements at the end of the year. Eligibility can change based on end of year GPA, attendance, and grade in previous course. Standardized assessment scores will also be reviewed, but will only positively impact a student’s eligibility.

https://www.pghschools.org/Page/825


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For each CAS course that you are applying to, please give your current teacher of that subject a recommendation form, pg. 24. For example, if you are applying for CAS World History, your current Social Studies teacher will need to submit a recommendation form. Schools will return teacher recommendations to the Gifted and Talented Office- students should not send teacher recommendations with the application. Teachers can also submit recommendations electronically using the link found at https://www.pghschools.org/Page/825. Some final guidelines for application submission:

Please write applicant’s name on all submitted forms

Please paperclip all forms together before submission

Submit complete applications only – incomplete applications will not be processed All applications should be sent to the following address:

The Gifted and Talented Office 341 S. Bellefield Avenue Room 462

Pittsburgh PA, 15213 Lastly, if your student currently attends a NON-PPS school and would like to take our local standards aligned reading and mathematics assessments, please call our office to sign up for one of the two testing dates (below). The deadline to sign up is one week before each assessment date. Testing will occur at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School (2409 Shady Avenue). The score(s) on the local assessments can be substituted for the standardized test (ERB, Terra Nova, etc.) administered at your student’s current school.

This is a wonderful opportunity for highly motivated students who are interested in an additional challenge. Over the past 3 years, over 1300 students have applied for 1 or more CAS courses through this application process. If you are unsure if a CAS course is the best fit, please see the document “What to Expect from CAS” (Appendix B), talk to your teacher or principal, or contact the Gifted and Talented Office at 412-529-3082 for more guidance. Sincerely, Emelda Jones Project Specialist, K-12 Gifted and Talented Kashif Henderson Coordinator, K-12 Gifted and Talented

Assessment Dates for Non-PPS Students Thursday, January 23, 2020: 5:00 pm (Deadline to sign up: 1/16) Saturday, January 25, 2020: 9:00 am (Deadline to sign up: 1/16)



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Documents Included in the 10-12th Grade CAS Application

The following are required documents to be submitted as part of the CAS application.

Part Required Documents Page #

Part 1 of 5 Completion Checklist and Directions for

Completing the CAS Application REQUIRED

4

Part 2 of 5 Student Information Page

REQUIRED 5-6

Part 3 of 5 CAS Course Selection & Specific Course

Requirements REQUIRED

8-9

Part 4 of 5 Student & Parent/Guardian Contract

REQUIRED 10

Part 5 of 5 Transcript and Attendance Information REQUIRED for non-PPS students ONLY

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The following are reference documents for the CAS Application.

Appendices Page # CAS Course Requirements for Specific Courses 13-20

What to Expect from CAS 21

CAS Course Pathway 22

Teacher Recommendation 23-24


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Include this checklist as the cover page of your application.

Completion Checklist & Directions for Completing CAS Applications (REQUIRED DOCUMENT)

To successfully apply for a CAS course, all students must complete the following steps, listed on the checklist below. Important Notes:

- All CAS Applications are due to the Gifted and Talented Office by February 7, 2020. - Please only submit completed applications.

Student Name:

Current School:

If you have questions, please contact the Gifted and Talented Office at 412-529-3082 for more information.

Please mail all applications to:

The Gifted and Talented Office

341 S. Bellefield Ave. Room 462

Pittsburgh PA, 15213

Complete and Submit: Complete and

included?

PART 1: COMPLETION CHECKLIST (THIS PAGE) - Please complete this checklist and attach as the cover page of your application.

PART 2: STUDENT INFORMATION PAGE (pages 5-6 )

- Please complete this student information page and reference the CAS courses available at each high school.

- You may only apply for courses that are available at your school.

PART 3: CAS COURSE SELECTION & SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS (pages 8-9 ) - Please check off the CAS course(s) you are applying to. Please note the specific

course requirements. Please return both pages in your completed application.

PART 4: STUDENT & PARENT CONTRACT (1) (page 10) - The contract must be signed by both the student and parent/guardian. - Only one contract needs to be submitted, regardless of the number of courses you

are applying to.

PART 5: TRANSCRIPT and Other Student Information (page 11) - NON-PPS Students ONLY: Please submit the required information listed. - PPS Students: The Gifted & Talented office will pull your official information.

A Teacher Recommendation is required for each course you are applying for. Schools will submit teacher recommendations directly—do not include in your application.

Part 1 of 5


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Student Information Page (REQUIRED DOCUMENT)

1. Student Name:__________________________________________________________________

2. School You Currently Attend:____________________________ Current Grade:______________ 3. Street Address: _______________________________________ Zip Code: __________________

4. Phone: ___________________________ Email: ________________________________________

5. Anticipated School for the 2020-2021 School Year: o Pittsburgh Allderdice o Pittsburgh CAPA o Pittsburgh Perry o Pittsburgh U Prep

o Pittsburgh Brashear o Pittsburgh Carrick o Pittsburgh Obama o Pittsburgh Westinghouse

** Please note: Because they run a special program, Sci-Tech does not offer any CAS courses.

6. Please check one of the following:

o I am currently enrolled in at least one CAS course o I am not currently enrolled in a CAS course

7. For ALL courses, you must have a 3.0 GPA and 90% Attendance.

o Non-PPS students: please attach copies of your most recent transcripts to Part 5 of this application, including attendance information. Please see your guidance counselor to obtain this information.

Note: If you do not meet the GPA and Attendance Requirement, you will not meet the preliminary eligibility requirement.

Student information section continues on next page.

Part 2 of 5

Please list: Current Un-weighted GPA: _______________________

Total # of days you have missed this year: ___________________________


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8. Please reference the CAS courses available at each school before applying to one or more CAS courses.

Please note that course availability may change pending student enrollment.

10-12th Grade Courses Please ensure that you have met

all the course pre-requisites before applying.

Schools that Currently Offer this Course: Please only apply to courses your anticipated high school offers.

English

CAS English 2 Allderdice, Brashear, CAPA, Carrick, Obama, Perry, U-Prep, Westinghouse

Social Studies

AP History Allderdice, Brashear, CAPA, Carrick, Obama, Perry, Westinghouse (Allderdice, CAPA, Perry offer AP World History; Brashear, Carrick, U-Prep offer AP Human Geography)

Science

CAS Chemistry 1 Allderdice, Brashear, CAPA, Carrick, Obama, Perry, U-Prep

CAS Physics 1 Allderdice

Math CAS Geometry Allderdice, Brashear, CAPA, Carrick, Obama, Perry, U Prep, Westinghouse

CAS Algebra 2 Allderdice, Brashear, CAPA, Carrick, Obama, Perry, U Prep, Westinghouse

CAS Pre-Calculus Allderdice, Brashear, CAPA, Carrick, Perry

World Language Levels 1-6 Allderdice (French, Spanish), Brashear (French, Italian, Spanish), CAPA (French,

Spanish), Carrick (Spanish), Perry (Spanish)

Applications submitted by English Language Learners will be reviewed on a case by case basis.


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CAS COURSE

SELECTION


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In addition to having a 3.0 GPA and 90% attendance, you must meet the following requirements to be considered for individual CAS courses. Put a check next to the

CAS course(s) you are

applying to

CAS Course

Teacher Rec.

Required

Minimum Grade Requirement in Relevant

Course* *Applicants with a grade of 80%-89% will be

considered after the relevant teacher recommendation is reviewed.

Alternative Assessment Requirement

CAS

English 2

YES

80% (B) in current English course*

PPS STUDENTS: NWEA Reading RIT score in the 80th percentile or above on the ELA MAP assessment OR PSAT ERW 360 NON-PPS STUDENTS: We will review your most recent standardized test score (refer to page 10) OR 10.5 score or above on the GRADE assessment

AP World

History/Human Geography

YES

80% (B) in current Social Studies*

Teacher Recommendation

CAS World Languages (Levels 1-6)

YES

80% (B) in current World Language course*

Teacher Recommendation

CAS Chemistry

YES

80% (B) in current Science *

PPS STUDENTS: Proficient/Advanced on the Biology Keystone Exam OR Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra I Keystone OR PSAT M470 NON-PPS STUDENTS: We will review your most recent standardized

test score OR Score of 80% or better on district Algebra assessment

CAS

Physics 1

YES

80% (B) in current Science *

PPS STUDENTS: Proficient/Advanced on the Biology Keystone Exam OR Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra I Keystone OR PSAT M470 NON-PPS STUDENTS: We will review your most recent standardized

test score OR Score of 80% or better on district Algebra assessment

All 9th-11th grade PPS CAS applicants who did not reach the alternative assessment requirement during the Fall and Winter administration will be assessed in school the second semester of this current school year.

CAS Course Selection & Specific Course Requirements (REQUIRED DOCUMENT)

Part 3-A of 5


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In addition to having a 3.0 GPA and 90% attendance, you must meet the following requirements to be considered for individual CAS courses.

Put a check next to the

CAS course(s) you are

applying to

CAS Course

Teacher Rec. Requir

ed

Minimum Grade Requirement in Relevant Course*

*Applicants with a grade of 80%-89% will be

considered after the relevant teacher recommendation is reviewed.

Math Assessment Requirement

CAS Geometry

Students must take Algebra 1

before Geometry

YES

80% (B) in current Math course*

PPS STUDENTS: Proficient/Advanced on the Biology Keystone Exam OR Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra I Keystone OR PSAT M470 NON-PPS STUDENTS: We will review your most recent

standardized test score OR Score of 80% or better on district Algebra assessment

CAS Algebra 2

Students must take Geometry

before Algebra 2

YES




CAS Pre-Calculus

Students must take Algebra 2

before Pre-Calculus

YES




All 9th-11th grade PPS CAS applicants who did not reach the alternative assessment requirement during the Fall and Winter administration will be assessed in school the second semester of this current school year.

CAS Course Selection & Specific Course Requirement (REQUIRED DOCUMENT) Part 3-B of 5


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Only one (1) Student Contract needs to be submitted, regardless of the

number of CAS courses you are applying to.

Student and Parent/Guardian Contract

(REQUIRED DOCUMENT) Please note: Only one (1) Student and Parent/Guardian Contract needs to be submitted, regardless of the

number of courses you are applying to.

o I understand that CAS courses are accelerated and rigorous, and I will move through material at a fast pace.

o I understand that there is a more significant focus on independent work in this course.

o I understand that if I am accepted into a CAS course, I must adhere to the drop policy at my school.

o I have reviewed the “What to Expect from CAS” (Appendix B) document and feel that I am prepared to

take a CAS course.

____________________________________________________________________________________ Student Name

____________________________________________________________________________________ Student Signature Date

____________________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name ____________________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Student email address: ____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian email address: _____________________________________

Part 4 of 5


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Transcripts and Other Student Data All NON-PPS Students Please attach:

Transcripts that reflect both this and last year’s grades,

Attendance information,

All standardized test information, and

Any other relevant information. Please note: Parents are responsible for submitting final grades, attendance and standardized testing no later than June 15, 2020. Failure to submit final records before this date may affect placement in CAS courses for the 2020-21 school year.

If your student took an ERB assessment, we will look at the Reading Comprehension National Norm score for Humanities (English, Social Studies, World Language) and Biology , and the Mathematics 1 and 2 National Norm score for Math and Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) when considering the standardized testing percentile (80-99% required). Scores between 75-79% will be considered with a strong teacher recommendation. If your student took the Terra Nova assessment, we will look at the Reading Composite National Norm score for Humanities (English, Social Studies, World Language) and Biology, and the Math Composite National Norm score for Math and Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) when considering the standardized testing percentile (80-99% required). Scores between 75-79% will be considered with a strong teacher recommendation. If your student took the IOWA assessment, we will look at the Reading Total National score for Humanities (English, Social Studies, World Language) and Biology, and the Math Total National score for Math and Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) when considering the standardized testing percentile (80-99% required). Scores between 75-79% will be considered with a strong teacher recommendation.

Please contact our office if your student has not taken any of the standardized tests listed above. ****If your student attends a non-PPS school and would like to a reading and math assessment, please call our office to sign up for one of two testing dates. The deadline to sign up is one week before each assessment date. Testing will occur at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School (2409 Shady Avenue).

All CURRENT PPS Students The Gifted and Talented Office will obtain your official student transcripts, attendance information, MAP scores, Keystone scores, and PSSA scores from District student information systems. However, please feel free to attach relevant additional information to this application.

Part 5 of 5

ALL Students Please use the Completion Checklist and Directions for Completing the CAS Application (pg. 4) as the cover sheet for your application, and to ensure that you are submitting all required documents:

Student Information Page (page 5)

CAS Course Selection & Specific Course Requirements (pages 8-9)

Student and Parent/Guardian Contract (page 10)

Transcripts and Other Student Data (page 11)

Assessment Dates for Non-PPS Students Please refer to page 2 of the application


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CAS APPLICATION APPENDIX


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DO NOT INCLUDE THIS PAGE WITH YOUR APPLICATION, IT IS ONLY FOR YOUR REFERENCE

In addition to having a 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and a teacher recommendation, you must meet the following requirements to be considered. For your reference, we have also included what we will look at to determine Final Eligibility. Please Note: The MAP assessment will be administered to all CAS Applicants in school during the second semester of the current school year.

CAS entrance requirements for this course:

Preliminary Eligibility will depend on:

Final Eligibility will depend on:

90% or higher in English course

80-89%: will be reviewed with the relevant teacher

recommendation

1st Quarter grade in 9th grade English course

Final grade in 9th grade English course

PPS Students: Proficient/Advanced on 8th

grade Reading PSSA OR

MAP score in 80th percentile

NON-PPS Students: We will review your most recent standardized test score (refer to page 11) OR 10.5 or above on the GRADE assessment

Most recent score

Eligible score as of June 2020

CAS ENGLISH 2 CAS Course Requirements

Appendix A-1

Preliminary Eligibility: Whether the student currently meets CAS course requirements. Students may meet the preliminary eligibility requirements for some but not all classes they applied for. Final Eligibility: Whether the student meets the requirements at the end of the year. Eligibility can change based end of year GPA, attendance, and grade in previous course. Standardized test scores will also be reviewed, but will

only positively impact a student’s eligibility.


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In addition to having a 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and a teacher recommendation, you must meet the following requirements to be considered. For your reference, we have also included what we will look at to determine Final Eligibility. Please Note: The MAP assessment will be administered to all CAS Applicants in school during the second semester of the current school year.




90% or higher in Social Studies course

80-89%: will be reviewed with the relevant teacher recommendation

1st Quarter grade in 9th grade Social Studies course

Final grade in 9th grade Social Studies course

Teacher Recommendation Most recent score Eligible score as of June 2020

Preliminary Eligibility: Whether the student currently meets CAS course requirements. Students may meet the preliminary eligibility requirements for some but not all classes they applied for. Final Eligibility: Whether the student meets the requirements at the end of the year. Eligibility can change based end of year GPA, attendance, and grade in previous course. Standardized test scores will also be reviewed, but will only

positively impact a student’s eligibility.

Appendix A-2

AP World History/AP Human Geography (10th Grade) CAS Course Requirements


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In addition to having a 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and a teacher recommendation, you must meet the following requirements to be considered. For your reference, we have also included what we will look at to determine Final Eligibility. Please Note:

Students must take Biology before enrolling in Chemistry.

Biology Keystone exam data will be available in August 2020. Student achievement on the Biology Keystone exam may affect placement in CAS Chemistry.




90% or higher in Biology course


1st Quarter grade in Biology course Final grade in Biology course

PPS Student: Proficient/Advanced on the Biology Keystone Exam

OR Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra

I Keystone Exam OR

MAP score in 80th percentile OR

PSAT M470 NON-PPS Students: We will review your most recent standardized test score (refer to page 11) OR 80% or better on Algebra math assessment

Most recent score


CAS Chemistry CAS Course Requirements



Appendix A-3


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In addition to having a 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and a teacher recommendation, you must meet the following requirements to be considered. For your reference, we have also included what we will look at to determine Final Eligibility. Please Note: Please talk with your school counselor about the appropriate prerequisites for CAS Physics 1. You must take Algebra 2 before enrolling in Physics 1, unless you are planning to take Algebra 2 and Physics 1 at the same time.




90% or higher in Chemistry Science course


1st Quarter grade in Chemistry Science course

Final grade in Chemistry Science courses

PPS Student: Proficient/Advanced on the Biology Keystone Exam

OR Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra

I Keystone OR

MAP score in 80th percentile OR

PSAT M470 NON-PPS Students: We will review your most recent standardized test score (refer to page 11) OR 80% or better on Algebra math assessment

Most recent score Eligible score as of June 2020

CAS Physics 1 CAS Course Requirements



Appendix A-4


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Students MUST take Algebra 1 before taking CAS Geometry.

Algebra I Keystone exam data will be available in August 2020. Student achievement on the Algebra I Keystone exam may affect placement in CAS Geometry.

Non-PPS Students—please refer to page 11 for specific standardized test information.




90% or higher in previous Math course


1st Quarter grade in Math course Final grade in Math course

PPS Student: Proficient/Advanced score on the Algebra I Keystone

OR MAP score in 80th percentile

OR PSAT M470

NON-PPS Students: We will review your most recent standardized test score (refer to page 11) OR 80% or better on Algebra math assessment

Most recent score




CAS Geometry CAS Course Requirements

Appendix A-5


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DO NOT INCLUDE THIS PAGE WITH YOUR APPLICATION, IT IS

ONLY FOR YOUR REFERENCE


Students MUST take Geometry before CAS Algebra 2, or they must take both courses concurrently

Students taking CAS Algebra 2 must score Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra 1 Keystone exam.

Non-PPS Students—please refer to page 11 for specific standardized test information.




90% or higher in Math course



PPS Student: Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra 1 Keystone Exam


OR PSAT M500


Most recent sore Eligible score as of June 2020

CAS Algebra 2 CAS Course Requirements



Appendix A-6


19



In addition to having a 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and a teacher recommendation, you must meet the following requirements to be considered. For your reference, we have also included what we will look at to determine Final Eligibility. Please Note: Students MUST take Algebra 2 before taking Pre-Calculus.




90% or higher in Math course



PPS Student: Proficient/Advanced on the Algebra 1 Keystone Exam


OR PSAT M500


Most recent score Eligible score as of June 2020

CAS Pre-Calculus CAS Course Requirements



Appendix A-7


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In addition to having a 3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and a teacher recommendation, you must meet the following requirements to be considered. For your reference, we have also included what we will look at to determine Final Eligibility.




90% or higher in World Language course AND


1st Quarter grade in World Language course

Final grade in World Language course

CAS World Language (Levels 1-6) CAS Course Requirements



Appendix A-8


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What to Expect from a CAS Course: What is Centers for Advanced Study (CAS)?

CAS Course Design: The CAS curricula are based on the Purdue 3-Stage Model. The goals of the Purdue 3-Stage

Model are to teach high achieving and gifted students in an accelerated way, encourage creative and divergent thinking, enhanced problem solving skills, and to develop interests, self-

awareness and independent learning. CAS courses are given an additional .5 weight to account for the additional rigor of the course. Additional weights do not affect Promise Readiness or

Class Rank.

What to Expect: Rigor: Higher level textbooks, little classroom time spent on repetition and guided practice, more topics covered, supplemental assignments to enhance assignments, course moves quickly. Depth: Extensive content presented, multi- layered concepts, students are asked to hypothesize and synthesize often, and independent projects are done each unit. Enrichment: Research-based enrichment integrated into the curriculum. Independent Learning: Much of the course asks students to work independently, especially around research and presentation. Types of Thinking: Open-ended, analytical, creative problem solving and independent application of concepts. Homework: Approximately 1 hour of homework/reading a night per course.

Sample Assignments from the CAS Curricula:

English: Modernize a scene from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” while ensuring at least one of the key themes from the play is expressed. Math: Research the structure of bridges; create a toothpick bridge for a weight bearing competition. Civics: Students research a historical Pittsburgh change agent and write a first-person essay for that individual in their own words. At the completion of the research, they will join others in small groups and turn essays into a dialogue where their historical figures will have a conversation. They will discuss accomplishments, hardships, dreams, hopes, fears, etc. in character. Dialogues must be historical-fiction, based on the lives and accomplishments of the change agents. Science: Students work in small groups to independently research a system within the human body. Each group will create and present a working representation of a human body part to the class for mastery.

Appendix B


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CAS Course Pathway 9-12 This chart shows a potential CAS course sequence for each content area for grades 9-12.

Please talk to your counselor about appropriate placement, specific course requirements and pre-requisites. Most

students take CAS courses only in their areas of strength.

Course offerings will vary from school to school. Please contact your counselor

Only CAS and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are included in this chart.

Content Area 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Social Studies Civics CAS

AP Government

AP World History

AP Human Geography

AP US History AP US Government

AP Psychology African American History

AP European History AP US Government

AP Psychology African American History

English English I CAS English II CAS AP English III

AP English IV

African American Literature

Science Biology CAS Chemistry CAS

Biology CAS

AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 AP Biology

AP Environmental Science

AP Chemistry AP Physics 2

AP Physics 2C AP Biology

AP Environmental Science

Math Geometry CAS Algebra II CAS

Algebra II CAS Geometry CAS

Pre-Calculus CAS AP Computer Science Principles

Pre-Calculus CAS AP Calculus AP Statistics

AP Computer Science Principles AP Computer Science

AP Calculus AP Statistics

Advanced Topics AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science

World Language

Level I CAS Level II CAS Level III CAS

Level II CAS Level III CAS Level IV CAS

Level III CAS Level IV CAS

AP Language V

Level IV CAS AP Language V AP Language VI

ART N/A AP Art History

AP Music Theory

AP Art History AP Music Theory

AP Studio Art

AP Art History AP Music Theory

AP Studio Art

Appendix C


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Directions: Teacher/Principal Recommendation

Students need one teacher recommendation form for each content area for which they are applying.

Students should contact the appropriate content teacher and provide them with a teacher recommendation form

Teachers can submit the recommendation in two ways:

Teachers can complete the form and submit a copy to the school counselor, who will then send completed form to:

The Gifted and Talented Office 341 S. Bellefield Ave. Room 462 Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Teachers can access this form electronically at: https://www.pghschools.org/Page/825

Please do not give teacher recommendation forms to students—they should come to the Gifted and Talented Office directly from the school or the teacher.

Appendix D



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Teacher/Principal Recommendation:

Directions for Teachers & Principals: CAS classes are designed to be accelerated and challenging. All students must submit a teacher recommendation for review for each content area they are applying to. Your confidential comments will help us to determine if this CAS course is the most appropriate placement for the student. Please complete the following information and evaluate the students on the following domains before making a final recommendation and offering comments. Student Name:________________________ Teacher or Principal Name: _________________________School:___________________________

Course Name:______________________________ Student’s Current Grade in course (%) _________

Please check the description or descriptions that most accurately describe the student:

Outstanding

(Top 1%)

Above Average

(Top 10%)

Average

(Top 50%)

Below Average

(Top 80%)

No Basis

Commitment to Studies o o o o o

Study Habits and Work Ethic o o o o o

Ability to Work Collaboratively o o o o o

Ability to Work Independently o o o o o

Ability to Follow Directions o o o o o

Effort and Perseverance o o o o o

Content Knowledge o o o o o

Ability to Acquire and Retain Information

o o o o o

Ability to Apply Various Thinking Strategies

o o o o o

Ability to Create New Ideas o o o o o

Enthusiasm and Interest in Learning o o o o o

Oral and Written Expression o o o o o

Do you recommend this student for the CAS course to which he/she has applied?

Yes Yes, but with reservations No

o o o Required Comments: Please offer relevant comments about this student, including examples of your comments above. If you selected “Yes, but with reservations”, please detail your reservations here. We read these carefully and will factor your feedback into our decision (attach separate paper as necessary).

Teacher/Principal Signature Date