NEWS - SOPHOMORES - CLASS OF 2027

• Attend school daily. You cannot be successful in your classes if you are not at school.  You must be in attendance 90% of each semester in order to receive credit for your classes.
• If you are having trouble in a class, GO TO TUTORIALS. Your teachers are available to help you before and after school. Each teacher will have their tutorial schedule posted outside their room.  Attend “Thursday Night at the Library” from 4:15-6:15 pm to get extra help or make up work!  THIS IS FREE TUTORIAL TIME!!!
• Do your homework. Study for tests.  Stay awake in class. Turn in all assigned work.
• We have 145 SOPHOMORES so the top 10% are those ranked 1-15!
• Credits are earned for passing courses at the end of each semester. You must have at least 12 state credits to be a Junior by the end of the school year.
• Your Endorsement is listed on your transcript. All students are pursuing one of the FIVE endorsements.
• Start now preparing for your End of Course (EOC) Exams. Remember you have 5 exams that you MUST pass in order to graduate high school (Algebra 1, Biology, English 1, English 2, US History).  Those tests are taken in April.  All retests are taken in June and again in December.
• Time management is important. With more and more freedom comes greater responsibility.  You must take care of your business.  If you miss school for an extracurricular activity or illness, it is YOUR responsibility to get your make up work.  Don’t just assume the teacher is going to hunt you down and beg you to make up your work. ALERT- they won’t.  Teachers expect YOU to be responsible for YOU!
• Be careful of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Vine, Snapchat, Instagram, KIKS). While these outlets may be fun and entertaining to some, they can cause you much heartache if they are abused.  Be respectful and mindful of what you post and how you comment.  Remember, what you post and how you comment today lasts FOREVER!  Employers and college and military recruiters will check your social media accounts and anything damaging can and will come back to haunt you!!!!
• The school website as well as your teachers’ and counselor’s website can provide a wealth of information. Get familiar with the website to be well informed on important information.  shisd.net  Check your teacher’s and counselor’s website often.  We all update our websites to help YOU.
• Make sure YOU and your parents have access to Skyward family. This is important to view grades, attendance, class progress and where we will upload you transcript to your portfolio.  Download the Skyward App on your Smartphone!
• Make sure you are aware of the SHHS Exemption Policy (Spring) – on the school’s website/High School
• Don’t hesitate to swing by my office anytime with questions or concerns about credits, your endorsement, and your graduation program. For the next couple of years we will be working together toward the same goal…. GRADUATION 2027!  Have a great year! – Childers

Kilgore College Dual Credit Information: THIS IS FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO PURSUE DUAL CREDIT CLASSES WHILE STILL ENROLLED IN HIGH SCHOOL.  THIS OPPORTUNITY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO YOU BEGINNING THE SUMMER AFTER YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR…THE PROCESS IS LENGTHY SO I ADVISE THAT YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR TESTING EARLY AS IT MAY TAKE SOME OF YOU MORE THAN ONE TIME TO TEST TO QUALIFY FOR DUAL CREDIT CLASSES.  REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 31^st for SUMMER 1, SUMMER 2, and FALL 2025.

STEPS TO TAKE IF PURSUING ENROLLMENT IN A KILGORE COLLEGE DUAL CREDIT COURSE AND ARE TSI TESTING ON THE SPRING HILL CAMPUS OR ON THE KILGORE COLLEGE (LONGVIEW) CAMPUS.

1. Go to kilgore.edu
2. Click on Admissions / Click on the Apply Now Box/Click on Start Here
3. Click on DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS / Click on LEARN MORE
4. Click on DUAL CREDIT APPLICATION
5. Fill out application and Submit
6. WAIT for your KC ID# to be EMAILED to you (Use a personal email address you check often)
7. Check your email often for your KC ID#
8. When you receive your KC ID#... put the number in the “Notes” of your phone or somewhere SAFE! You will need this number over and over again!

 While Waiting on Your KC ID#:

1. Go to your counselor and get a DUAL CREDIT CONSENT FORM & SH CONTRACT. These documents must be signed by you and your parent – Turn in to your Counselor.

After You Receive Your KC ID#: FOLLOW EITHER OPTION 1 OR OPTION 2 BELOW

Option 1: 1.       Go see your counselor to sign up to take the TSI test at SHHS. 2024-25 Tests Dates: Oct 23 Nov 13 Jan 22 Feb 5, 19 Mar 5, 26 Apr 16, 30 2.       Complete the PAA Assignment and bring your completion certificate to Mrs. Williamson before test day. 3.       Pay for your TSI Test: $20.00 (WHOLE TEST) $10.00 (SINGLE SECTION/RETEST)	Option 2: 1.       BE AT A COMPUTER THAT YOU CAN PRINT FROM 2.       Got to www.tsipreview.com/welcome/KilgoreCollege 3.       Click the GET STARTED button 4.       Click the NEXT button 5.       Fill out the demographic information USE THE SAME EMAIL ADDRESS YOU USED ON YOUR DUAL CREDIT APPLICATION AND YOU MUST KNOW YOUR KC ID# IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THIS STEP. 6.       Make sure you accept the TSI PAA User Agreement and go to STEP 2 7.       Complete the TSI Pre Assessment Activity (PAA) and PRINT a copy of your certificate (This will be emailed to you at the email address you entered. You must turn in this certificate when signing up to take the TSI)
Show up on time on your scheduled test day to C105/C103 Computer Lab	Go IN PERSON TO KILGORE COLLEGE To Schedule your TSI Test – COST $40
*Once you have proven college readiness with your TSIA2 SCORES- see your counselor to confirm the courses you want to take so she can upload your registration. After you have registered…you will need to pay for your courses (see payment info)	On Test Day - BRING WITH YOU THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION/ITEMS: 1.       KC ID # 2.       PAA CERTIFICATE (You printed this out when you took the TSI pre assessment) 3.       $40.00 if you are taking both parts of the TSI/$20.00 if you are taking only one part of the TSI 4.       PICTURE ID- OR YOUR PLAN TO GET AN ID (You must have a picture ID on testing day. IE: Driver’s License, Permit, etc) 5.       You are now signed up and ready to take the TSI AT KILGORE COLLEGE (Longview or Kilgore Location)

 

TSIA2 TUTORIALS – https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org

TSIA2 LEARNING RESOURCES: https://accuplacer.pearsonperspective.com/perspective/home?passCode=ACCUPLACER_family

TSIA2 ELAR LEARNING RESOURCES: https://accuplacer.pearsonperspective.com/perspective/getLRsByBasicSearch?selectedCourseId=401

TSIA2 MATH LEARNING RESOURCES: https://accuplacer.pearsonperspective.com/perspective/getLRsByBasicSearch?selectedCourseId=400

TSIA2: Passing Standards: Math- 950             ELAR/Writing – 945/5

Registration and Payment Process Registration for classes is necessary for every semester of attendance at KC. High school counselors work with Dual Credit students in a variety of ways to facilitate registration, but all necessary forms must be submitted to the Kilgore College Registrar’s Office. Additional information regarding registration is available from the Registrar’s Office at (903) 983-8202, or on-line at KC Registrar. Student account statement information is accessible through the student’s accesskc student portal. Please note that all statement information is now in electronic format and is accessible through accesskc. Paper statements/invoices are not mailed.

Financial Aid for Swift Transfers (FAST) As part of House Bill 8, The FAST Program allows eligible students to enroll at no cost to the student in dual credit courses with Kilgore College. For students not eligible for FAST, a maximum rate of $55 per credit hour will be set, regardless of taxing district status. The FAST Program also applies to any eligible students who enroll in summer semesters as well as the December and May min-semesters. Further information and updates related to HB 8 and the FAST Program will be communicated to ISD’s as needed. Identification of FAST Students Kilgore College and the ISD will work together to establish a procedure for identifying all students eligible to enroll at no cost in dual credit courses. Additional procedures will be established to ensure the accurate and timely exchange of information necessary to identify these students.

COST OF A FACE TO FACE CLASS – APPROX: $170.61

COST OF AN ONLINE CLASS – APPROX:  $225.61

HB 8 FREE TUITION INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS who are on the Free & Reduced lunch program:

The state of Texas looks at data from the previous four years to determine eligibility for tuition waiver.  As such, for Fall 2024, they will look back at the four previous years from that time.  There are several criteria that have to be met to be eligible for free dual credit.  Being on free and reduced lunch is a part of that criteria, but we can’t guarantee that it will make any student automatically qualify.  That determination is ultimately made by the state after names are submitted to the state.

Payment KC has several convenient payment options available to students. For more information please visit Payment Options.

• PAY NOW:Allows students to make a payment towards their balance due on account. PAY NOW is a secure online payment system offered through our partnership with Transact. Students can pay their account conveniently 24/7 online from any Internet connection. Transact accepts several different types of payments methods. For login directions and payment deadlines, please visit AccessKC.
• PAY IN PERSON:If one of the above methods is not convenient, students can pay in person at the Cashier’s Office located in Kilgore on the west end of the Devall Student Center. Or visit the Cashier’s Office located on the KC-Longview campus in the Hendrix Building
• SEND AN EMAIL:Send an email with your name, Student ID and phone number to [email protected] and someone from the Cashier’s Office will call you to take your payment.  No payment information can be accepted through email.
• MAIL YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: 
  Kilgore College, Cashier’s Office, 1100 Broadway, Kilgore, TX 75662.Please allow 10 business daysbefore the posted payment deadline for processing your payment.

Helpful Contact Information: Many of your questions regarding dual credit at Kilgore College may be answered by your high school counselor or the Kilgore College Dual Credit Handbook. In addition, below is a list of frequently contacted offices at Kilgore College.

If, for some reason, you do not know your nine-digit KC ID# you must contact:

Ce’Ara Latson – [email protected]

 

Academic Dual Credit: (903) 988-7509 Workforce Dual Credit: (903) 983-8192 Bookstore in Kilgore: (903) 983-8277

Dual Credit Specialist/Registrar’s Office: (903) 983-8114 Bookstore in Longview: (903) 236-2060

Advising and Counseling: (903) 983-8206 Cashier’s Office: (903) 983-8108

 

*** ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE TSI ASSESSMENT***

Requirements of the TSI Assessment test:  All first-time-in-college students are required to take the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) Assessment if not previously tested and enrolled, TSI complete or exempt before the institution's first class day of the fall 2013 semester. 

• Students must complete a pre-assessment activity prior to taking the TSI Assessment and print out the TSI PAA certificate.

Exemptions:  A student who meets one of the exemption standards is not required to take the TSI Assessment and is not required to enroll in any developmental coursework resulting from such an assessment. 

ACT EXEMPTION – Combined score of 40 on Reading/Writing and a 22 in Math

SAT EXEMPTION – 480 EBRW and 530 on math.  There is no combined score.

About the Test:

• The TSI Assessment is an online adaptive test and must be taken in a testing center.
• The test is not timed.  The length of the assessment will depend on each individual student (1-5 hours) however; the placement exam should only take 2 1/2-3 hours (64 questions total).
• There are 3 parts to the test; the placement exam, diagnostic tests and ABE (Adult Basic Education) tests
• Cost of the test at KC is $40 (full test) and $20 (partial test)

Passing Standards for the TSI Test:

Math:  950                 English:  945            Essay:  score of 5 or greater

General Information:

• Student must provide a valid photo ID upon arrival for testing or you CANNOT TEST!
• Student must provide the TSI PAA Certificate upon arrival for testing or you CANNOT TEST!
• Students Score reports will be available immediately following the completion of the exam

Retesting

Students may retest without a waiting period according to the testing center availability.

Practice for the TSI Assessment:

ONLINE STUDY APP - https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org

or Google the TSI assessment and there are several online practice tests available.

 

Notes for the TSI Essay:  Things to keep in mind while writing the essay for TSI test

This assignment is most like the STAAR English 2 Persuasive prompt.

The essay is graded by a computer, so you can do some things to improve your chances

1. Write enough to get close to 600 words, 4-5 paragraphs
2. The computer is programmed to look for keywords, so find synonyms for key words in the prompt.  For example, if the prompt is about the value of a college education, use a variety of words like college, university, higher education, degrees, classes, etc.
3. Write good sentences, avoiding sentence fragments and run-ons.
4. For this essay, do not attempt to take creative risks.  The computer is not able to distinguish your humor, sarcasm, or unusual creative voice.  Write in a business-like manner.
5. Take your time and use the strategies taught in your English classes.

KC DUAL CREDIT COURSES:

US HISTORY 1301 - replaces high school US history 1st semester

US HISTORY 1302 - replaces high school US history 2nd semester

ECON 2301 – replaces high school economics        

GOVT 2305 – replaces high school government

ENGL 1301 – replaces the 1st semester of required high school senior English

ENGL 1302 – replaces the 2nd semester of required high school senior English

SPCH 1315 – replaces required high school professional communications class

PSYCH 2301 – elective credit only

SOCIO 1301 – elective credit only

MATH 1314/1342 – will go on transcript as Ind. Study in Math 2 (can count for 5^th math)

 

TSI ONLINE TUTORIALS:  https://accuplacerpractice.collegeboard.org

 

The College Board has graciously created a portal for students to use to retrieve their TSIA/Accuplacer test scores: 

Student Portal

https://studentportal.accuplacer.org/?SFMC_cid=EM106580-&rid=47693047#/home

 

To access your TSIA2 Scores online after you leave the testing room, you will need to know your unique SHHS Student ID.  This ID is different from your KC ID.  Please put this into the notes of your phone so that when you graduate from high school and move on you will be able to pull up your TSI scores to show your prospective college/university your passing TSI Scores. You would have also used a PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT.

 

Please refer to the Spring Hill Website (www.shisd.net) and go to High School to view the Course Descriptions – High School to begin thinking about your junior year course offerings.  We will be making our annual course selections presentation in February.  A power-point presentation is also available on the school’s website under High School and then go to Course Selections – High School to view.