The Campaign for College Opportunity in partnership with the California Department of Education is sponsoring a scholarship contest. The scholarship contest invites California Students in 6th – 12th grade to submit entries in 3 categories: 1) Written Word – 400 words or less 2) Poster - 11”x 17” or 3) Television ad - 30 seconds or less in CD or DVD format only answering the question “Why should California leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?” Entries are separated into two levels Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School grades (9-12) with prizes awarded at the both levels. Entries are evaluated on effectiveness of message, ability to attract and hold attention, creativity, accuracy of information, and whether they are clear and compelling. Within each category, scholarships are awarded at the following levels: $500, $1000, and $2500. Students who submit a TV Ad entry as a group will share the award equally. All judging takes place between March 15 and June 1, 2009. Scholarship winners will be announced after June 1, 2009.
In the first 3 years of the contest more than 30,000 students from across the state have participated with $300,000 given in scholarship awards. This fourth year of the contest kicked off November 1, 2008. Each student may submit one entry in each of the three categories. The deadline to submit entries is March 15, 2009. All contest participants will receive college preparation materials and a certificate of recognition, and their entries will be shared with state legislatures to make sure their voices are heard about the issue of college access. Students participating in the “Save Me a Spot in College” Scholarship Contest will learn about college, help promote college participation amongst their peers, and make sure state leaders are informed about the importance of college access and success.
To learn more about the scholarship contest details and entry information please check the website http://www.collegecampaign.org/contest or call 1-800-459-9586.
LAUSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
On June 14, 2005 the LAUSD Board of Education approved the A-G resolution to create education equity through the implementation of the A-G course sequence as part of the high school graduation requirement. Beginning July 1, 2008 all incoming 9th graders MUST be enrolled in the 15-course A-G sequence. This first cohort of students scheduled to graduate in 2012 will be able to select an alternative pathway (Career Technical Education/CTE course sequence) in the second semester of 10th grade. If choosing the alternative pathway, parents must meet with the counselor and “sign off” on a district form that they are electing to not complete the A-G course sequence for a high school diploma. The second cohort of students (our present 6th graders) will be required to complete the A-G requirements in order to earn a high school diploma. Exceptions to this rule will be:
1) Parents and students who choose the CTE alternative pathway at the conclusion of 9th grade. Meeting with the student’s counselor as mentioned above will be required; 2) Special Education students who have an alternative pathway to A-G written in their IEP and 3) English Language Learners who arrive at our schools in grades 11 and/or 12 with no official transcripts/records.