Student Services  

GUIDANCE

Counselors are available to assist and advise students about academic problems, course selection, college admissions, financial aid and personal issues.  A four-year developmental "in class" guidance program offers students a series of regularly scheduled lessons and activities which address the following areas:

1. Educational and occupational exploration and career planning

2. Decision making skills

3. Knowledge of self and others

4. Understanding of the global market place

The Guidance Department has the following informational publications:

• College Handbooks

• Student and College catalogs

• Occupational pamphlets

• Financial aid information

• Study aid pamphlets

• Literature on job seeking techniques

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SCHEDULE CHANGES

Every effort will be make to place students in courses that are appropriate for their abilities and future educational or career interests.  Maximum student and parent input will be allowed during the time course selections are made.  Once those selections are made, we will honor them to the extent possible.  No changes will be made in selections after this except for the following reasons:

1. Valid Teacher Reason    or

2. Exceptional Circumstances

(In the case of exceptional circumstances, the student requesting the change and the student's parent/guardian will need to meet with the guidance counselor to discuss the change.)

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TITLE I

The Title I program offers small group reading classes, aligned with the curriculum frameworks.  The Title I program also provides small group and individualized academic / technical support to any student upon referral or request which stress both word identification strategies and comprehension skills.

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SPECIAL EDUCATION

Access to the general education curriculum is the foundation of the Special Education Program.  The Special Education Program is based on the concept that all students have the opportunity to obtain challenging courses, which will allow them to achieve high levels of performance.  Through the inclusion model, special education students are supported in the mainstream by special education team teachers who provide accommodations, modifications and differentiated instruction.  Academic support classes provide small group instruction and the opportunity to develop organization skills related to content area classes.  The Upper Cape Tech Special Education Program reflects the philosophy that the least restrictive environment is the most appropriate placement to maximize a student's educational experience.

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TESTING

In order to evaluate the achievement of students, the Student Services Department administers several tests as follows:

Stanford 10 Test

The Stanford 10 is a standardied, norm referenced test that is administered at Upper Cape Tech in grades 9 through 12 and to accepted applicants in the sending districts in grade 8. The test is used primarily to evaluate student achievement as well as individual student progress. The Stanford 10 is scheduled for May 2006.

ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test)

The ASVAB is an optional test that measures academic and vocational aptitude.  It is administered to junior and senior students who are planning to enter the military.  The ASVAB is scheduled for February 2006.

PSAT / NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)

This test offers students an opportunity to practice taking the SAT.  Scores are used to predict SAT results and are used by the National Merit Corporation to identify scholarship candidates.  The test is developed for 11th grade students.  The PSAT / NMSQT is scheduled for October 2005.  Pre-registration is required. (Fee charged.)

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

This test is a college success indicator.  The test covers English, Math, Science and Reading.  The SAT is scheduled for December 2005.  Pre-registration is required. (Fee charged.)

MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System)

MCAS is a statewide test that provides information on individual student learning and on school and district progress in improving student performance.  All sophomores are required to participate in this assessment program.  MCAS is scheduled for Spring 2006.

• Grade 10 ELA Language & Literature - March 28, 29, 30

Grde 10 Mathematics - May 23, 24

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MCAS FAILURES

Students who fail one or both portions of the MCAS test will be offered remediation as follows:

MCAS Prep Classes

Juniors and seniors who have yet to attain an MCAS competency determination will be provided additional MCAS assistance. This will include special MCAS prep classes during academic week and tutoring after school and during shop week. MCAS remediation is required unless exempted by parent request and signature.

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INFORMATION SERVICES

Guest speakers, books, and pamphlets are just some of the resources used to provide career, college and placement information for Upper Cape Tech students.  College representatives, military personnel and social service agency representatives are scheduled throughout the year to provide up-to-date information for interested students.

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EXPLORATORY PROGRAM

All ninth grade students participate in the exploratory program.  Each student selects two shop preferences on the application.  Students will explore all fourteen shop areas for one day each and then they will explore five shops for one week each.  During the exploratory period, students will receive counseling in the areas of decision-making and career planning.  Permanent shop placement will be determined at the end of the exploratory cycle, based upon student interest and performance evaluations throughout the exploratory period.

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ADMISSIONS

Students are admitted to Upper Cape Tech from September to March.  Admissions are based on student point totals related to grades, discipline, and attendance.  Admissions occur throughout the year until all vacancies are filled.  All regional students are offered a tour of Upper Cape Tech and a presentation by Upper Cape Tech guidance Staff at their school.

A one-day shadowing experience can be arranged at Upper Cape Tech with the permission of the student's parent/guardian and the sending school.  This shadow experience allows a student to participate in a shop of their choice for one day.  Shadowing experiences can be arranged by contacting the Upper Cape Tech Student Services Department.

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NONTRADITIONAL SUPPORT GROUP

Students entering the freshman class are encouraged to explore all areas with an open mind.  At monthly meetings, students who have chosen nontraditional shops strongly support each other and address mutual concerns.  Annually, an exchange day with nontraditional groups from area technical schools gives our students an extended opportunity to address sex stereotyping and future employment opportunities open to technical graduates.

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COOPERATIVE WORK EXPERIENCE AND PLACEMENT

Upper Cape Tech maintains a placement service to assist students in securing positions in the Cooperative Program as well as permanent job placement upon graduation.

The "Cooperative Work Experience" is a program of supervised on-the-job training for selected 12th grade students and some highly recommended 11th grade students through a cooperative arrangement between school and the employer.  At the completion of two years in a specified trade area, a candidate for the Cooperative Program must demonstrate a creditable degree of achievement in his/her shop, must maintain C's or better in each subject and give evidence of positive cooperation within the school environment, as well as an acceptable record of attendance and punctuality.

Students will work on job sites under the direct supervision of a skilled tradesperson during hours parallel to a school day program.  In the fields of Health Occupations and Culinary Arts, hours may vary by necessity to meet human service needs.  An employer must have Worker's Compensation Insurance to cover any cooperative student.

The student must provide transportation to the job site.  Each student is responsible for returning a weekly evaluation sheet to co-op coordinator.  If, for any reason, a student fails to adhere to the regulations, the cooperative agreement will be voided and the student will return to school full-time.  Under no circumstances is a cooperative student to terminate his/her job before consulting with his/her guidance counselor / co-op coordinator.

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PARENT CONFERENCES

Parents have the right to confer with teachers, counselors, and administrators at any reasonable time.  The School Office is open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, for purposes of transacting the business of the regular school day program.  Periodically the school conducts open house and parent night programs.

Appointments for conferences with individual professional staff members should be made in advance.  Appointments for conferences may be arranged by contacting the school and requesting a teacher, counselor, or administrator to set an appointment date.  Conferences on student progress are most efficiently arranged through Student Services.

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