General information

Message to Parents and Students

Medina Valley ISD’s middle schools serve students in grades 6-8, and the District provides middle school students a well-balanced, rigorous curriculum that meets and exceeds the requirements set forth by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

A key focus of the Medina Valley ISD academic program is to prepare all students for the high school curriculum by concentrating on the attainment of essential skills in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

In addition to certain required courses, students may choose optional courses (electives) in fine arts, languages other than English, technology education, career exploration, and physical education. Elective course offerings may vary from school to school based on student requests, staff availability, and/or funding for instructional resources.

COLLEGE, CAREER, AND MILITARY READINESS

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) serve as the official state curriculum. The TEKS learning standards represent a full range of knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in entry-level college courses, as well as in a wide range of majors and careers. By implementing these required standards, our schools will advance the mission of Texas to develop college, career, and military ready students.

It is the district's mission to provide our students with a superior and diverse education that inspires excellence, promotes accountability and values, and encourages all students to achieve their highest potential.

As students plan for their futures, they should begin to consider which career pathway or cluster they wish to explore while in high school. The Texas Education Agency through the Achieve Texas program provides career clusters for students to select from as preparation for a career path that informs post-secondary decisions.

Course Offering Availability Subject to Student Enrollment and Staffing Levels.

Middle School Plan

Course Selection and Scheduling

Students must carefully plan their course selections. Students will receive specific instructions and assistance from school counselors during the scheduling process. However, it is important that students and parents give careful consideration to selecting appropriate courses. After the course selection process is complete, student schedule changes must be submitted in writing by parent or guardian and approved by campus administration.

Below are steps to consider during the course selection process:

Review the Course Catalog

Look over the course descriptions and consider any prerequisites for courses of interest. Also consider how courses in middle school may impact high school graduation requirements. Select courses that relate to your future academic and career goals.

Medina Valley ISD requires that all students enroll in the required core area courses, which include English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students have the option of choosing electives based on interest. Elective choices are scheduled based on teachers and sections available for the current school year.

Orientation of Courses

Attend student and parent presentations on course offerings. Review the course selection sheet for your child's grade level and discuss how the courses fit into your child’s plans.

Parent/Guardian Approval

A parent or guardian must sign the bottom of the course selection sheet. Students will return the sheet to their school counselor, once complete.

Please note the following:

• • • If there is insufficient enrollment for a course, the course may not be offered and one of the three alternates listed on the student’s course selection sheet will be used.

    • Electives may be replaced with accelerated instruction courses in Reading and Math if a student demonstrates a need for targeted intervention.

Information in this catalog is subject to changes by action of the Board of Trustees of the Medina Valley Independent School District or the Texas Education Agency. Campuses reserve the right to add courses not described herein and to delete courses if minimum enrollment criteria are not met.

Promotion Standards

6th Grade

• Promotion from 5th grade with a minimum grade of 70 in three of the four core subjects (ELA/Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and an overall average of at least 70

• Pass STAAR Assessments: 5th Reading and 5th Math

7th Grade

• Promotion from 6th grade with a minimum grade of 70 in three of the four core subjects (ELA/Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and an overall average of at least 70

8th Grade

• Promotion from 7th grade with a minimum grade of 70 in three of the four core subjects (ELA/Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and an overall average of at least 70

9th Grade

• Promotion from 8th grade with a minimum grade of 70 in three of the four core subjects (ELA/Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies), an overall average of at least 70

• Pass STAAR Assessments: 8th Reading and 8th Math

Middle School State Requirements

Middle School Course Requirements

Middle school courses offered in Medina Valley ISD meet and exceed the requirements set forth by the Texas Education Agency. Below is additional information for specific course requirements, per Texas Education Code.

College and Career Readiness Instruction Requirement

In accordance with the Texas Education Code §28.016, beginning in grade 6 information will be shared with students about college and career readiness, to include the following: high school personal graduation plans (PGPs), graduation requirements under the Distinguished Level of Achievement, endorsements, college readiness standards, and potential career choices and the education needed to enter those careers.

Technology Application Requirement

In accordance with the Texas Education Code §28.002, all students in Kindergarten-Grade 8 must receive curriculum in Technology Applications. The State Board of Education shall adopt essential knowledge and skills that include coding, computer programming, computational thinking, and cybersecurity.

Fine Arts Requirement

In accordance with House Bill 3, all middle school students must complete one fine arts course during grades 6, 7, or 8. Elective course offerings are dependent on staff and facilities availability at each middle school campus.

Physical Education Requirement

In accordance with the Texas Education Code §28.002, all students in Kindergarten-Grade 8 must participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. A student in grade 6, 7, or 8 must participate daily for at least four semesters during those grades.

Health Education Requirement

19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.3(a) strengthened TEKS-based health education as a requirement for students in grades 6-8. School districts must provide health education instruction in the middle school as a part of a school district’s required curriculum.

Promotion Policy [EIE (LOCAL)]

In grades 6–8, promotion to the next grade level shall be based on an overall average of 70 on a scale of 100 based on course-level, grade-level standards (essential knowledge and skills) for all subject areas and a grade of 70 or above in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Except when a student will be assessed in reading or mathematics above his or her enrolled grade level, students in grade 8 must meet the passing standard on the applicable state-mandated assessments in reading and mathematics to be promoted to the next grade level.

Section 504 Services

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with a disability in any program receiving Federal financial assistance. In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, Medina Valley ISD recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its students. No discrimination against any students solely due to his/her disability will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices in the school system. The school district has specific responsibilities under Section 504 which include the responsibility to identify, evaluate and, if the student is determined to be eligible under Section 504, to afford access to necessary educational accommodations. For more information regarding Section 504, contact the campus counselor. For more information visit MVISD 504.

Special Education Services

Medina Valley ISD provides a continuum of special education services for students with disabilities. Special education services are provided according to the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as per the recommendation of the Annual Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee. For more information visit MVISD Special Education.

State Assessments

In spring 2012, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) replaced the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

The STAAR program includes annual assessments for the following middle school subjects:

• 6th grade: Math and Reading

• 7th grade: Math, Reading and Writing

• 8th grade: Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies

Students who take Algebra I in 8th grade will be required to take the End-of-course (EOC) assessments for Algebra I.

Per Board Policy (EIE (LOCAL) EIE (LEGAL)), if a student fails to demonstrate proficiency on a state-mandated assessment, the student shall be provided accelerated instruction. A student in grade 8 will have two additional opportunities to take a failed Math or Reading assessment. If a student fails a second time, a grade placement committee, consisting of the principal or designee, the teacher, and the student’s parent, will determine the additional special instruction the student will receive. After a third failed attempt, the student will be retained; however, the parent can appeal this decision to the committee. In order for the student to be promoted, based on standards previously established by the district, the decision of the committee must be unanimous and the student must complete additional special instruction before beginning the next grade level. Whether the student is retained or promoted, an educational plan for the student will be designed to enable the student to perform at grade level by the end of the next school year.

For more information on the STAAR state assessment program, visit the Texas Education Agency website at http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/staar/

High School Courses in Grades 7-8

The Texas Administrative Code states that districts may offer courses designated for grades 9-12 in middle school grades, typically in grades 7-8, and shall verify that students who take these courses have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The academic achievement record reflects that students have satisfactorily completed the courses in grades 7 and 8, and have been awarded state graduation credit. Student athletes should read the section on NCAA requirements prior to selecting high school credit courses in middle school. For more information regarding high school credit, see the Foundation High School Program and Endorsements Graduation Requirements information.

Courses available for high school credit for Medina Valley ISD middle school students are limited and currently include the following: Algebra I, Spanish 1, Health, Principles of Human Services, Principles of Applied Engineering, & Principles of A/V Technology.

Students entering 9th grade must meet the requirements of the Foundation High School Plan (FHSP) with Endorsement. Students must earn 26 credits and pass the five required End-of-Course (EOC) exams to meet graduation requirements. EOC-tested subjects are Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and US History.

All 26 credits can be earned during the fall and spring semesters of a student’s four years in high school. However, students may begin earning required credits during middle school. Doing so provides the student more flexibility to pursue special interests and activities in high school. Examples of middle school schedules that would yield one or more high school credits follow. High school credit courses are indicated in bold type.

NCAA REQUIREMENTS: THINKING AHEAD TO COLLEGE

The NCAA requires students who are interested in pursuing opportunities in college athletic programs to have specific core courses for Division I and II schools. The core course requirements for the Foundation High School Plan (FHSP) are aligned with the NCAA required core courses; however, interested students must consult the NCAA website for current information as they create/revise their high school four year plans. Visit http://www.ncaa.org, click on “Rules Compliance” and then “Eligibility”. Please read “Becoming Eligible” for more information. For example: Statistics (on-level or AP) are NCAA approved but College Prep Math is not. English IV, English IV AP, English IV DC are NCAA approved, but College Prep English is not.