This course offers students instruction in word recognition, comprehension strategies and vocabulary to ensure that high school students have an opportunity to read with competence, confidence, and understanding. Students are given opportunities to locate information in varied sources, to read critically, to evaluate sources, and to draw supportable conclusions. Students who have not mastered the TAAS test in eighth grade are advised to take this course. For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning. The course includes reading, test taking, and study strategies in content area subjects.
Students learn specific strategies in content area reading.
Students engage in systematic study and learn how to formulate and support responses to various types of printed materials. This course includes test taking skills in content area subjects. The study of technical writing allows students an opportunity to develop skills necessary for writing persuasive and informative texts such as essays, reports, proposals, and memoranda. This rigorous composition course require high students to research skillfully a variety of topics and present that information through a variety of media. Students analyze and discuss published and unpublished pieces of writing, develop and apply criteria for effective writing.