Growth Area Subject Guide

revised 2/21/07

One of the most important responsibilities of the ES is to evaluate the progress of student learning towards GVCS’s student standards.  This is done at minimum every 20 school days, when the ES writes the learning record and checks the standards in each growth area in which learning has occurred.

Often a student may be taking a course and the learning that takes place shows progress towards student standards in more than one growth area.  For example, if a student reads from a science text, he may be showing progress towards student standards in both reading/writing and science.  The ES must use his/her professional judgment to determine where the learning best applies. The name of the class does not solely determine where progress is being made.

The following subjects/course titles will help ESs to decide where learning might fit best on the learning record.  

• Reading/Writing: English, Language Arts, Literature, Composition, etc.

• Understanding and Functioning in the World (aka Life Skills): Computer/Typing, Health, Physical Education, Driver's Education, Drivers Training, Nutrition, Life Choices, Life Skills, Leadership, First Aid, Personal Finance, Family Studies, Consumer Life Skills, Career Exploration, and Community Service.  (These are the only Life Skills course titles available to high school students.  Any other course would fall under Special Interests)

• Appreciate the History of Mankind: History, Economics, Geography.  (For high school students, only the course titles World Studies, World History, US History and Economics fall into this growth area.  Geography would fall under Special Interests.)

• Political Process: Government, Civics, Political Activities

• Applying Math Principles and Operations: Arithmetic, Math, Algebra, Geometry, etc.

• Applying Scientific Concepts and Skills: Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, etc.

• Special Interests, Talents, and Abilities (Electives): Art, Music, Foreign Language, Vocational Education, Home Economics, and any other electives, plus overflow courses (those completed above and beyond the graduation requirement) from any other growth area.

For high school students, there may be a question about where particular courses belong.  It is important to know which course titles are available in each growth area for meeting graduation requirements.  For instance, the ES should note that the "Understanding and Functioning in the World" area has only a few specific courses included, but the "Special Interests" area is very general.  It is important to be sure that the proper course titles are listed in correct areas to avoid any unnecessary last minute changes before graduation.  Please check the course list or with your ES Advisor, if you have any question as to where a course should be documented on the learning record.