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FIRST CHOICE strives to enable every high school student to reach his/her full potential. It strengthens the curriculum for high schools and provides numerous safeguards to assist those who struggle academically. Such measures help guide students toward a quality education and obtaining a high school diploma.   

1. Increase the level of expectation and learning for high school students, tapping their potential and better preparing them for more education, the work force, and life in the 21^st Century.

2. Help those students who have successfully completed all of their curriculum requirements, but have been unable to pass all five sections of the Alabama High School Gradation Exam (AHSGE), complete high school with a recognized diploma.

3. Improve high school graduation rate and decrease the amount of high school drop outs by providing effective intervention and academic flexibility that removes barriers between students and high school graduation.

 There are two high school diploma options in the Mobile County Public School System.  These options include the Alabama High School Diploma and the Alabama Occupational Diploma.  The Alabama High School Diploma is available with various endorsements: 

·         Advanced Honors Endorsement

·         Advanced Academic Endorsement (FIRST CHOICE)

·         Advanced Career Technical Endorsement

·         No Endorsement

·         Career Technical Endorsement

·         Credit-Based Endorsement

Under FIRST CHOICE, all students entering high school beginning with the 9^th-grade class of 2009-2010, will be automatically enrolled to pursue the Advanced Academic Endorsement.  Having the Advanced Academic Endorsement puts all students in position to strive for a higher standard.  For students who choose to opt out of the Advanced Academic Diploma Endorsement (FIRST CHOICE), there are no consequences.  The choice to opt out can be made at the end of any semester in any grade as long as the student and his or her (parent(s) agree.  Students who opt out of FIRST CHOICE can pursue an Alabama High School Diploma with a Career and Technical Endorsement or the Alabama High School Diploma (no endorsement).  For any of these options, the student must complete all coursework and pass all five sections of the AHSGE.

 Along with FIRST CHOICE, new academic tools are being implemented to help guide students through their high school process with efficient use of time and ability.

• CREDIT RECOVERY allows students to prove they are knowledgeable on a segment of a course and receive course credit or earn promotion without retaking the entire course.
• CREDIT ADVANCEMENT – Mobile County Public School System has made application to pilot Credit Advancement in the area of Language Arts for the 2009-2010 school year.
• INTERVENTION PROGRAMS will be provided through NovaNet, a computer assisted learning program, to remediate student academic deficiencies and strengthen basic skills.  
• DISTANCE LEARNING will be provided to extend course offerings.
• THE COMPREHENSIVE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN will be implemented to prepare students to compete in the work force and to respond to high-skilled labor market demands.

These new educational policies and procedures in Alabama and MobileCountyPublic Schools are better preparing today’s youth for the opportunities and responsibilities of tomorrow.

For additional information go to the Mobile County Public School System website (www.mcpss.com).  There will be parent meetings in all middle schools for parents of eighth grade students.  Information will be also be included in student registration packets at each high school in the Mobile County Public School System.