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Brief Explanation:

As schools finalize the master scheduling process for the fall 2002 semester, the information contained in this circular should be used as a guide.

Attached are updated placement guidelines for literacy (fluent English proficient and English learner students) and mathematics (all students). These guidelines reflect fall placement for continuing students based on assessment results from the end of the 2001-02 school year and the end of summer school. Included in these packets are placement flow charts and master schedule guidelines. The guidelines and course numbers reflect the most current information available on literacy and mathematics coursework for 2002-03. (Note: There have been no changes or additions to the course numbers or flow charts since the original distribution in May.) Attachment 1 contains placement guidelines for traditional calendar middle schools; Attachment 2 contains placement guidelines for year-round calendar middle schools; Attachment 3 contains placement guidelines for junior high schools; and Attachment 4 contains placement guidelines for senior high schools.

Please note that students newly enrolling in the District should be assessed and placed according to the guidelines in the black testing kit distributed the week of August 19.

It is imperative that schools use the correct course numbers for the Blueprint Block/Core classes.
The district must be able to identify the students who are enrolled in Blueprint courses in order that we may ensure students receive the appropriate supports, evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the interventions, and determine appropriate staffing allocations for schools. Course enrollments will be provided to the Finance Department on September 27, 2002. Course enrollment information as of that date will be used to make first semester CPU adjustments. To ensure that your staffing allocations for reduced class size are calculated correctly, please make sure students are enrolled under the appropriate first-semester Blueprint course numbers.

Technical Assistance: Master Scheduling in AERIES
In an effort to standardize the scheduling of Literacy Block/Accelerated Core courses, English 1-2 Block/Accelerated Core courses, and Mathematics/Pre-Algebra/Algebra Explorations courses, sites are required to use designated course numbers and discontinue the use of component course numbers when building master schedules. Attachment 5 has been provided to guide master scheduling in AERIES. It is possible to schedule Blueprint courses using traditional, block, and 4x4 scheduling. Do not break out the Blueprint courses into their component courses.

Attendance
Schools wishing to generate attendance rosters for the second and/or third period of a block/core class should use course number 9915 for literacy courses and course number 9940 for mathematics courses. Depending on how your site accounts for attendance, there are two options in scheduling.

Literacy/Mathematics Scheduling Scheme

Literacy Two-Period Block Format

Literacy Block courses have a two-credit designation and meet for two consecutive periods. The example provided is for the Grade 9 ELD English 1 Block. Please pay attention to the Course #, Block, Credit, and Tag columns.

Literacy Three-Period Core Format

Literacy Core courses have a three-credit designation and meet for three consecutive periods. The example provided is for the Grade 9 ELD English 1 Accelerated Core. Please pay attention to the Course #, Block, Credit, and Tag columns.

The format above will also apply for those schools offering the two-period Mathematics Exploration 6th or Algebra Exploration 9th block courses. Course number 9940 should be used instead of 9915 for the additional mathematics sections.

NOTE: The examples provided above are for ELD courses. Please note the fifth character "L" designator. When scheduling fluent English students into the two/three-period Block/Core, the fifth character should not be altered at the site level. When using course modifiers or site-specific course indicators with the literacy/mathematics courses, remember that the fifth character is reserved for district use. The sixth character may be used for site-specific purposes. The fifth and sixth characters in the new courses, 9915 and 9940, may be used as necessary.

For technical questions about master scheduling issues related to Blueprint courses, please contact the I.T. Support Desk (619-725-7500). For course-related questions and information please contact Melody Margetta in the Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Department (619-725-7170).