Independent Studies Graduation Requirements
and Course Descriptions

Independent Studies as all other Alternative Education programs of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education requires 200 credits to graduate. As an alternative school we are aware that not all of our enrolled students plan to graduate from our program. It is very important for the student to tell the teacher with whom they are working as well as the person conducting the initial enrollment what the student’s goals are. It is important to be as specific as possible so that an effective academic and transitional plan can be developed that most benefits the student. For example, our program offers partial credit (less than 5 credits for a semester subject). Some comprehensive high schools do not accept partial credit so the manner in developing assignments would have to be adjusted.

Our graduation requirements may differ from the school that the student is hoping to transfer to or from. Students may have come to us thinking that they have completed a particular subject when in fact we require more. Also, students may believe that they have completed a specific subject when the school they transfer to requires more. In addition, students planning to attend a University of California Campus as a freshman will need to take certain UC approved courses. There are many variables and uniquenesses to graduation so please make sure to let our staff know what your long term goals are so that we can best meet your needs.

Below is a list of our graduation requirements followed by a brief course description.

Credits required for high school diploma

• English 30 credits
• Math 30 credits
  • Algebra 10 credits
  • Other math courses 20 credits
• Social Studies 30 credits
  • World History 10 credits
  • US History 10 credits
  • US Government 5 credits
  • Economics 5 credits
• Science 20 credits
  • Life Science 10 credits
  • Physical Science 10 credits
• Health 5 credits
• Fine Arts/World Language 10 credits
• Applied Arts 10 credits
• Physical Education 20 credits
• Vocational Education 5 credits
• Electives 40 credits

Course Descriptions (All courses address all strands IAW California state standards)

English

English 9-10 ( 9th Grade: 10 credits, 10th Grade: 10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Analyze short stories, biographies, novels and multi-cultural literature selections. Students will practice various types of writing activities and focus on vocabulary development as well as spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage. All levels of English include the incorporation of character-based literacy content, exercises and analysis.

English 11-12 ( 11th Grade: 10 credits, 12th Grade: 10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Students will expand upon skills previously learned to accurately and effectively read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature, produce 1500 word essays that incorporate well-defined perspectives and coherent arguments, deliver focused oral presentations, and combine information from various sources to produce effective multimedia projects.

Mathematics

General Mathematics (5 credits)

Learning Objectives: Reinforce basic skills in fundamental operations to include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply these to computations involving fractions, decimals,and percents. Demonstrate application in consumer, career, and life-skill mathematics.

Pre-Algebra (5 credits)

Learning Objectives: Prepares students to build on general math skills and compute with rational numbers in a variety of forms. Develop the use of exponents, powers, and roots. Express quantitative relations using algebraic terminology. Solve simple linear equations and inequalities. Graph linear equations and solve for the sides of right triangles using Pythagorean Theorem. Collect,organize,represent and interptret statistical data.

Integrated Math (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: A course that applies concepts of numbers and operations, algebraic relationships, geometric/analytical relationships, measurement, and data analysis and probability to mathematical problems. Purpose is to connect abstract symbols of math with real life applications in a variety of fields while reinforcing algebra and geometry skills.

Algebra I (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Review Pre-Algebra, sets, real numbers, products, and factors, linear open sentences, perimeter, area and volume. Introduce quadratic equations, functions, and trinomial factoring. Graph linear equations and compute X and Y intercepts. Simplify expressions using exponents. Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide monomials and polynomials.

Geometry (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Master Basic Principles of Plane Geometry. Understand and prove the basic theorems concerning congruency and similarity. Solve problems involving the perimeter, circumference, area, volume, and surface area of common geometric figures. Compute the volumes and surface areas of solid geometric figures. Know the definitions of basic trigonometric functions and use them to solve for an unknown side of a right triangle.

Algebra II (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Solve equations and inequalities involving absolute value. Factor polynomials representing the difference of squares and the sum and difference of two cubes. Solve and graph quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square, or using the quadratic formula. Understand the simple law of logarithms and the inverse relationship between logarithms and exponents. Use the basic principles of combinations and permutations to compute probability.

Social Studies

World History (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Examine the major themes and events of the world that shape our culture and history from the development of civilization to contemporary events. Emphasis will be on comparing and contrasting social and political institutions, levels of literacy and technology, ethical and religious ideals, cultural attainments, and economic developments in both Western and Non-Western Civilizations

U.S. History (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: To provide students with an understanding of US history with an emphasis on the 20th century and the United States' relationship to the world community. The first semester emphasizes the foundation of the United States through Reconstruction and the Second Semester emphasizes modern history in the 20th century and prospects for the future of America. Both a chronological and a thematic approach to US history are emphasized.

US Government (5 credits)

Learning Objectives: To provide an understanding of the American system of government at the federal, state, and local levels. Considerable focus will be placed on local issues and concerns that directly impact the students and their communities.

Economics (5 credits)

Learning Objectives: To provide the student with a concept of what it means to be a consumer in a global economy. Students will learn basic concepts, terms and types of economic systems on a local, regional, national, and global scale.

Science

Life Science (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Introduction to selected topics within the biological field. This includes a basic understanding of cell biology, the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles, genetics, ecology and biodiversity, evolution, and physiology.

Physical Science (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: A study of how the nonliving things of our earth interact including motion, forces and energy, earth materials, atmosphere, technology, and ecology. Emphasis on earth science and physical ecology.

Health

Health (5 credits)

Learning Objectives: To improve the student’s understanding and application of first aid and injury prevention, nutrition, disease, mental and emotional health, substance abuse, human development and pregnancy, consumer health, and environmental health issues. A unique emphasis is placed on maintaining sobriety through group support, discussions, reading, and writing.

Fine Arts/World Language

Fine Arts (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Students will develop the ability to process, analyze, and respond to sensory information, creatively express themselves through various forms of visual media and develop an understanding of art and music through historical perspectives including the inter-relationship between the political, cultural, religious, and social systems of a given locale and period.

Applied Arts

Applied Arts (10 credits)

Learning Objectives: Students will acquire useful skills in the areas of word processing, computer technology, traditional photography, digital photography, and other areas of interest within the scope of this discipline.

Physical Education

Physical Education (20 credits)

Learning Objectives: To improve physical fitness through a variety of aerobic and weight training activities and develop the desire to maintain a physically active and healthy life. Participation in team sports will be emphasized and principles of weight loss and diet/nutrition will be discussed.

Vocational Education

Vocational Education (5 credits)

Learning Objectives: A course which prepares students to enter the work force and provides opportunities to engage in career exploration. Credit can be earned througn any one or a combination of the following: onsite career exploration classes, participation in a ROP class, participation in CTE classes at Cabrillo, or volunteer community service. Students learn employability, sociability and leadership skills while developing a post-secondary academic/career plan.

Electives

Electives will include but will not be limited to the subjects listed below

US/World Geography

Ethnic History

Literature and Film

Opportunities for individualized learning experiences.

Concurrent Enrollment Courses

In addition to the above mentioned electives many College Courses are eligible for Core or Elective Credit.