a-g COURSES

At this time, CWCS is the only IEM school that has a-g course descriptions that have been submitted for approval. Please see the a-g course descriptions and texts list to view the approved course outlines and textbooks.

Also available CW Online a-g Options, and a-g How To Guide

a-g College Prep Courses defined:

“a-g” is the course code that indicates the student followed the approved University of California and California State University course description and used the approved text(s). The a-g course descriptions and texts list is posted on the school's web page.  Students must use approved texts and course descriptions for a-g credit.  Parents may choose one a-g text to use as the “backbone” for the course along with supplemental materials, or packaged curriculum, as long as the course outline is followed. 

“a-g” SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS  The University of California and the California State University require the following for admittance:

Subject "a" History — 2 years required, including 1 year of “a-g” United States History and 1 year of “a-g” World History. US history may include one-half year of “a-g” American government.

Subject "b" English — 4 years of “a-g” English required, including frequent and regular writing and reading of classic and modern literature.  Not more than two semesters of ninth grade “a-g” English can be used to meet this requirement.

Subject "c" Mathematics — 3 years required, 4 years recommended     3 years of “a-g” Math required, including 2 years of elementary and advanced algebra (“a-g” Algebra 1 and “a-g” Algebra 2) and 1 year of two and three dimensional geometry (“a-g” Geometry).  “a-g” approved math courses taken in 7th and 8th grade are also accepted.

Subject "d" Laboratory Science — 2 years required, 3 recommended in at least two of the following three disciplines: “a-g”biology, “a-g”chemistry, and “a-g”physics.

Subject "e" Language Other Than English — 2 years required,3 recommended of the same “a-g” approved language other than english.  “a-g” courses in language other than English taken in the 7th and 8th grade may be used to fulfill this requirement. 

Subject "f" Visual and Performing Arts — 1 year required of an approved “a-g” course either “a-g” Music, “a-g” Theatre, “a-g” Visual Arts or “a-g” Dance. 

Subject "g" College Preparatory Electives — 1 year required in addition to those subject areas listed above, chosen from any of the above categories and must be an “a-g” course.

Most private universities require a-g college preparatory coursework. Parents should be advised early in their child’s high school career to plan to take “a-g” courses that lead not only to high school graduation but entrance into the university of their choice.

Who should take a-g College Prep Courses?  A-g courses are required for students who wish to attend a California State University or University of California directly out of high school and are highly recommended for students wanting to attend a private college or university directly out of high school.  You should discuss this option with those students who are planning to attend a community college upon completion of high school.  Students who have not completed the a-g college prep sequence may be able to qualify for admission to the university through alternative paths and should talk to the college or university directly. 

  • Is your student ready for the rigor?  Several indicators can be used but in general your student is ready for the challenge if he/she is reading at the 7th grade level or higher.
  • Students who wish to return to their regular high school to graduate should be advised to take a-g coursework, especially in English, Social Studies and Math.  We have received feedback indicating that a-g coursework best prepares students for re-entry into the regular program.

Guidelines for a-g courses:

Refer to the "a-g How to Guide" for the 2007-08 school year.

  • UC requires at least 20% hands on laboratory activities for the a-g Biology, a-g Chemistry, a-g Anatomy and Physiology and a-g Physics courses
  • Students must be using the approved a-g textbook to earn a-g credit for the course
  • If a highly qualified science teacher offers the lab portion at a learning center, your student will need to use the approved a-g textbook to earn a-g credit for the course
  • Chemistry should be taken through Community College or be supplemented by our lab course if it is offered at our learning center

Textbooks

  • If you’re looking for a textbook for your student, you can find a list of a-g textbooks by subject at www.ieminc.org/handbook/highschool/Courseinfo/agcoursetitle.htm .  This textbook list has been updated and includes the most recent ISBN’s as well as links to California state standards correlation maps.
  • If the text is outdated, the most recent edition can be used and the Learning Record should be documented with an asterisk next to the textbook title stating “updated version”
  • Sample copies of many a-g texts are available for preview at the Ceres Learning Center, however, we are not allowing the texts to be checked out so you will need to preview them in the center. 

Submitting new textbooks and new courses

  • New courses for the year need to be submitted to the Guidance Department by November 1.
  • Any textbook additions should include the following information and need to be submitted to the Guidance Department by November 1:

Title
Author
Publisher
Date published
ISBN
Website of publisher
Copy of the California State Standard Correlation Map
Copy of our course outline detailing the chapters that cover each area of our curriculum
Copy of the text, if available (you may be able to request a sample copy from the publisher) OR a copy of the table of contents and a chapter to preview