2018 Hazel Park Schools Communicator : Advanced Placement and Career & Technical Education Options
HAZEL PARK HAS RECENTLY EXPANDED ITS ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSE OFFERINGS TO STUDENTS. DOCTOR CARLA POSTELL, DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM INTEGRATION AND INSTRUCTION, SAID, “Originally, the district offered only two AP English classes – language and literature – and one class in the art program, because the rest were cut due to our limited budget.” However, she explained, “Within the last year or two, in addition to these three, we’ve been able to add AP psychology, biology, world history, government, and statistics.” The courses offered depend largely on student interest and funding.
Dr. Postell explained that the process for identifying students who qualify for AP course placement is two-fold. “Students can express interest on their own, and counselors often offer their recommendations and guidance. If a student is deter-mined to qualify for AP courses, their counselors will continue the process for placement.” Parents also tend to express interest in placing students when the school sends a form home with course offerings for the following year. “Parents are required to sign this, so they’ll review the card and ensure they’re taking what they need to,” she said. Students interested in advanced placement will then take an exam that will determine whether they can participate.
The AP program helps students develop cognitive skills necessary for success post-graduation. “Just having kids be able to extend their learning base and be able to leave with college credit is great and takes dollars off when they go to ap-ply for college,” said Dr. Postell.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses
THE DISTRICT ALSO RECENTLY INCREASED ITS CTE COURSE OFFERINGS to include business education, digital media, and woodworking options.
“These are the three main umbrella areas under which various individual courses are offered,” explained Dr. Postell. “We’ve increased the program over the past two years. High school students are able to self-select for these.”
Students can also be nominated and identified for CTE county-wide programs, as well as recognized at an annual Oakland County banquet. They are recognized at the CTE Recognition Banquet and Conference through Oakland County Inter-mediate School District, which is held in May.
Some notable students who graduated from the program this year include:
• CHARLES GREY: Grey transformed during his time in the program and is looking at making a career in the skilled trades as a result of being in the program.
• MARCUS WHITE: White had perfect attendance for two consecutive years. He received two awards for his attendance and often volunteered to help with school activities.
• THOMAS EMMONS: Emmons was a leader among the Chrysler/UAW students (both HPHS and Advantage students). He earned an award as outstanding student of the social studies department.
