info for HB5

• hb5 schools will have less standardized testing. 
•  new high school graduation requirements
•  But the requirement for science, math and social studies has dropped to three credits, giving students more flexibility in elective coursework 
•  The updated plan includes endorsements students can earn in specific subjects including business and industry, humanities, science and technology. 
• he law also reduces the number of standardized exams, STAAR tests, that high school students must pass in order to graduate from 15 to five. 
• Reducing the number of end of course exams from 15 to five, adding more vocational paths to graduation, and dumping the old accountability system of Exemplary/Recognized/Academically
• The state's graduation requirements will "significantly change" beginning with freshmen entering high school in 2014. 
• The governor signed HB5 on June 10 
• "English I, English II, Algebra I, U.S. history and biology EOCs are required, while the state will no longer require students to pass (State Assessment of Academic Readiness) chemistry, physics, geometry, world history, world geography, Algebra II and English II EOC tests to graduate. HB5 also eliminated the requirement that districts include the EOC results as 15 percent of course grades," according to the release. 
• moving from the current “4x4” graduation plans to a 22
• credit Foundation High School Program that allows students to earn endorsements in specific areas of study by completing four additional credits -The new plan requires the state board to make a number of policy decisions, such as deciding which courses will count as advanced mathematics, English and science courses and determining the requirements for each endorsement area.
• The endorsement areas are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); business and industry; public services; arts and humanities; and multidisciplinary studies. -the new graduation plan will not be in effect for the 2013-2014 school year.
• However, students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors during the 2014-2015 school year and are currently following one of the three existing programs will have the option of switching to the Foundation program when it becomes available in the 2014-2015 school year. 
• http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/lake_houston/news/state-board-of-education-seeks-input-on-new-graduation-plans/article_d29e55d4-7e7e-508e-b372-e00e7b17f001.html
•    All students must begin high school on a 26-credit program that includes a specialized focus, such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Industry, or STEM — science, technology, engineering and math. They can opt for a 22-credit plan after their sophomore year with parental consent.
• A student cannot choose to choose to graduate under the Foundation Program until after sophomore year and must get parental consent.
• 
  

Junk food people prefer | Infographics

1. how many awards did you win?
2. How many awards did newspaper/yearbook win all together?
3. What does it mean to win a bronze star?
4. How does Akins' usually do at TAJE?
5. What does the bronze star and the numerous individual awards mean to you?

lip dub story

who to interview:

students in different academies

person filming it (matthew??)

reeves or doerr

yearbook kid

newspaper kid

1. What exactly is a "lip dub"?
2. Where did you get the idea of doing a lip dub?
3. Schools all over the country have started to do lip dubs, how would Akins' lip dub differ from other schools?
4. How do you go about organizing the entire school to participate in it?
5. What songs are you using and why? What effected the choice of songs used?
6. Who is mainly in charge of the lip dub?
7. What will happen after the making of the lip dub is complete?
8. When do you plan on making the lip dub?
9. What are you most excited about for it?

story questions

talent show
mrs bagnall

1. why was the valentines pageant canceled?
2. did the talent show replace it?
3. is it open to students?
4. in the past, usually what kind of acts perform at the talent show?
5. how long has akins held talent shows? are you always in charge of it?
6. when are auditions? when is the talent show?
7. where do the proceeds go?
8. can teachers also to the talent show?
9. what is the weirdest talent someone has performed?
10. what was your favorite talent act in the past years?

reading for 15 min story opinions
-why it's a waste of time
-suggest other methods to improve reading skills
-talk to mrs red land and other english teachers
-talk about why it's not necessary in non core classes
-shouldn't be penalized for not having a book

questions for stories

art prepares for uil
-mrs yopp
-kid going to uil
-mr.cannon

1. What is VASE?
2. Where is uil?
3. How has akins done in previous years at UIL?
4. What types of art are you looking to enter?
5. Who are some artists doing UIL this year that were successful last year?
6. Do you expect anyone to go to state?
7. Has anyone entering this year won awards for their work?
8. Is it stressful preparing for UIL?
9. What goes through your head when you're at VASE and your students are being judged for their work?

battle of the bands
-sinsored
-stephanie ferguson
-Aashraya
-Luis Hernandez
-christian
-mrs. horowitz
-Alex pineda

1. How did you do at battle of the bands?
2. What went through your head when you were on stage performing? Before going on stage?
3. What charity are you choosing to give your money to and why?
4. What was the preparation process like for you before the performance?
5. Who were your favorite bands that performed?
6. What musicians inspire you?
7. What made you want to perform in the first place? When did you start playing instruments/singing/rapping?
8. Did you play your own songs or cover songs?
9. Why did you choose those songs?
10. What was the crowds reaction?
11. What do you like the most about performing?

questions for mrs horowitz

1. What exactly do you do for battle of the bands?
2. When was battle of the bands created?
3. what club is hosting battle of the bands now?
4. Why isn't invisible children doing it anymore?
5. Who decided the bands got to pick which charity they could give the money to?
6. What do you like most about the event?
7. Is the second round going to be at stubbs again?
8. What exactly are the prizes for the winners? Where does all the proceeds go?

questions for mr. valles

1. what do you teach? speech? debate?
2. how did you meet alana?
3. what award did she recently win and where?
4. how many people are in debate?
5. what sort of contribution or impact has alana made to the speech/debate team?
6. what are your thoughts on her as a student? debater? 
7. what do you like best about speech and debate?
8. why did you decided to teach them?